Posted By Mark Timmons on May 3, 2026 May 3, 2026Mark Timmons
The Dodgers almost came back last night when their backs were against the wall… but it was not to be. Instead, they lost their 4th in a row and are 4-6 in their last 10 games. I predicted that the Dodgers would go through some times this year where they looked like they were sleepwalking – disinterested, playing without urgency, and looking like they were not worthy of winning another World Series. It’s simply human nature to let up when you know how much better you are than most of your opponents. We go through this same thing every year: Weeping, wailing, and the gnashing of teeth. When I started writing about the malaise the Dodgers are in, I thought, “Wait a minute, why reinvent the wheel?” We have already seen this movie. Let’s look back at April 25, 2025, when I wrote a piece called “What?” Me Worry?” Here it is again:
“So over the past few days, I have heard that Max Muncy is toast, the Dodgers should trade for Nolan Arenado, Luis Robert, Jr., Cedric Mullins, Walker Buehler, Julio Rodriguez, and that Dave Roberts is making lots of managing blunders. In other words – this Dodger team is so screwed! Yawn. We hear this every year. We heard it last year, and look how it ended. Dave Roberts is bringing the same “country club” atmosphere to the Dodgers’ locker room. There is no pushing, there is no urgency. This team is on cruise control right about now… as it should be. This is the best team in baseball… hands down! Doc is not making this a time of urgency because it is a long season. As we progress through the season, Dave Roberts will encourage the players to act with urgency; however, if you push them for the entire season, you risk burning them out. Shohei Ohtani is not pitching (yet). Clayton Kershaw is biding his time in the minors. The Bazooka will be back later in the season, as will Emmett Sheehan. Andy Pages will get better or he won’t – time will determine that. By the All-Star Break, things will become clearer. The Dodgers are on cruise control right about now. There is no urgency. I am not saying that they are not trying – they most certainly are, but they are not playing “balls to the wall” right now. In a horse race, all the horses start out at an even gait. If one jumps out to a big lead, it usually isn’t long until the whole pack passes him. But, usually coming down the back stretch or on the final turn, the jockeys “go to the whip” and the horses who are already running fast, kick it into another gear. This is the time to just posture and position. It is not yet time for Dave Roberts to “go to the whip.” This Dodger team is a thoroughbred who knows how to win. The management knows it, and the players know it. You don’t go to the whip until you are headed down the home stretch. The Dodgers will be just fine. Roberts is not making blunders – he is seeing how certain players react in certain situations. He is seeking growth and learning opportunities. It’s a very long season, and you don’t burn out players now. Patience, young grasshoppers!“
— April 25, 2025 – Mark Timmons
I think the same thing is going on this year. I also posted this YouTube Video that showed the heart of a champion at the end of a race (the Dodgers have that HEART):
I also think it might be interesting to revisit this post from the past:
“To begin with, I totally understand how much the Dodgers wanted to draft Mike Sirota. He was projected to be a first-round draft pick ahead of the 2024 Draft… some services even had him in the Top 10. However, he took a huge backward step in 2024 for various reasons. Frankly, he scared many organizations off… including the Dodgers, as he looked totally out of sync. I have watched Mike Sirota close to a dozen times this year, and he employs a crouched and wide stance at the plate without many moving parts and fires quick hands through the hit zone. Frankly, I am convinced that the Dodgers stole him from the Reds, as the Reds most likely sold him based on his poor showing in 2024.
He is a different player this year, and he was just promoted from Rancho Cucamonga to Great Lakes. Understand this: He has great defense, speed, and a great arm to go with his bat. Sirota led off and played LF in his first game with the Loons. He was only 3-3 with a walk to cap it off. He chewed up Low-A, and he was smoking hot in his first game at High-A. In a couple of months (if he keeps this up), he will be in Tulsa. Quick: Who was the last player who started at Low A, moved through every minor league stop (A, AA, and AAA), and finished the season in LA? I’ll tell you later!
The last two guys I was this excited about were Seager and Bellinger! Yeah, I liked Miguel Vargas, but not like Sirota! I will say this: Mike Sirota will be the Dodgers Centerfielder for ten years starting in 2026 or 2027!”
Mike Sirota is ranking again this year and deserves to be moved to Tulsa. Like… yesterday! I believe in Mike Sirota… and a bunch of other prospects.
Finally, I am back from Miami, and I have to say that Jeff Dominiques’ Coverage of the Dodgers ‘ minor league farm system is beyond Fantastic. It is “otherworldly!” WOW, WOW, WOW! I was a dumbass for trying AI when there was Jeff Dominique!
Down on the Farm by Jeff Dominique (patent pending)
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets 7 – Round Rock Express (Texas) 5
This was a bullpen game, which seems odd given that pitchers like Patrick Copen and Luke Fox are pitching well at Tulsa.
OKC started the scoring in the 2nd. RF Jack Suwinski led off with a single, and LF Zach Ehrhard followed with a BB. 2B Austin Gauthier hit into a force out, and after the 2nd out, CF Mike Siani doubled home a pair. C Chuckie Robinson singled home Siani and a 3-0 lead.
After RHRP Chayce McDermott and RHRP Carlos Duran pitched a scoreless 2 innings, LHRP Ronan Kopp came in to pitch the 3rd. His control was better, but the command was not. 3 runs on 4 hits, with 1 K. His ERA is now up to 17.10.
RHRP Brusdar Graterol started his rehab assignment and pitched a scoreless 4th inning with 2 groundball outs and 1 K. He threw 8 pitches (5 strikes), 5 sinkers and 3 sliders. His sinker was 94 MPH to 96.2 MPH. It will be important to see how he feels on Sunday.
LHRP Garrett McDaniels followed Graterol, but was not effective. In his 0.1 IP, he walked the first two batters. When the catcher tried to back pick the runner at 2B he threw it into CF and the runner scored. He walked a 3rd
batter, and was pulled for RHRP Paul Gervase. Gervase struck out 2 and walked 1, but no runs.
In the 6th, Suwinski doubled (9), and scored on 2B Austin Gauthier’s double (4). After 2 BB to load the bases, Robinson singled home a pair.
In the bottom of the 6th, Gervase got the first two outs, but walked the third batter. LHRP Antoine Kelly relieved Gervase. He got the ground ball, but the run scored on an E5 throwing error.
RHRP Nick Frasso walked three in the 7th before being relieved by RHRP Wyatt Mills, who got the 3rd out. Mills pitched a scoreless 8th, with 1 BB and 2 K.
RHRP Keynan Middleton entered to pitch the 9th. He allowed 3 singles to score 1, but got the final out, leaving the tying and go-ahead runs stranded.
Jack Suwinski and Chuckie Robinson had the big offensive night.
Jack Suwinski – 4-5, 2 runs, double (9)
Chuckie Robinson – 3-4, 3 RBI
Mike Siani and Austin Gauthier doubled, and Noah Miller homered.
Suwinski is now batting .300 with an OPS of 1.015.
Tulsa Drillers 5 – San Antonio Missions (Padres) 4
The Drillers scored 5 unearned runs in the first 4 innings, and held on for the win.
In the 2nd, 1B Joe Vetrano singled, and with one out, DH Kole Myers reached via HBP. C Frank Rodriguez reached on E9 with Vetrano scoring. After CF Kendall George reached on a fielder’s choice with Myers being erased at home, RF Josue De Paula hit a 3-run HR (3).
Tulsa LHSP, Wyatt Crowell, issued a BB and run scoring double in the 4th.
In the bottom of the 4th, Myers reached on catcher’s interference and moved to 2nd on a WP. George singles to score Myers.
The double in the 4th was the only hit Crowell allowed. In 5.0 IP, 1 run, 1 hit, 4 BB, and 8 K. Crowell is a strikeout pitcher, but his 15 BB in 15.2 IP is not productive.
LHRP Myles Caba gave up his first AA run in the 6th. A double, fly out, and single scored the run.
RHRP Carson Hobbs gave up a solo HR in the 7th. Hobbs came back out for the 8th. A BB and single put runners on 1st and 3rd with no outs. RHRP Cam Day came in to relieve Hobbs, who gave up a sac fly. A caught stealing and strike out ended the inning with Tulsa hanging on 5-4.
Day retired the side in order in the 9th for the save (3).
No Tulsa hitter had 2 hits. De Paula’s HR was the lone XBH.
RHSP Christian Zazueta had a great bounce-back game. He completed 6.2 innings. He allowed 2 runs (1 earned), 3 hits, 1 BB and 7 K.
The Loons jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three batters. CF Charles Davalan singled, moved to 3rd on RF Mike Sirota’s double (9), and the two scored on DH Eduardo Quintero’s single.
Zazueta gave up a solo HR in the 3rd to cut the lead in half.
GL put up 3 in the bottom of the 3rd. Sirota was HBP, and Quintero drew a BB. Quintero was thrown out a 2B on a failed double steal attempt with Sirota moving to 3B. Sirota scored on 3B Logan Wagner’s single. 2B Nico Perez doubled home Wagner and moved to 3rd on an error. He scored on C Victor Rodrigues’ single, and a 5-1 lead.
Singles by Rodrigues, LF Samuel Munoz, and Davalan scored another run.
Zazueta ran out of gas in the 7th. He gave up a one-out BB and a single. After the second out, he hit a batter and was relieved by RHRP Accimias Morales with the bases loaded. Morales walked in a run before getting the final out.
In the bottom of the 7th, Davalan was HBP, stole 2B, and scored on Sirota’s inside the park HR. This was his 2nd this year.
Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres) 4 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 2
RHSP Brady Smith faced the minimum over the 1st two innings. He walked one batter, but he was erased trying to steal 2B.
In the 3rd, he walked the leadoff hitter. After two outs, he gave up a run-scoring triple. He stranded the runner at 3rd.
RHRP Luis Carias relieved Smith. He did not allow a hit, but did walk 5. In the 6th he walked two. The lead runner moved to 3rd on a flyout and scored on a sac fly. He did have 6 K.
Ontario tied the game in the bottom of the 6th. CF Jaron Elkins and SS Emil Morales drew BB. 3B Chase Harlan singled, scoring Elkins with Morales and Harlan moving to 3rd and 2nd on the throw. RF Ching-Hsien Ko hit a groundout scoring Morales with the tying run.
Chase Harlan is heating up!
After a two-hit game last night, he drove in Jaron Elkins on a single up the middle to cut the deficit in half pic.twitter.com/HozfWH2oPb
RHRP Will Gagnon relieved Carias in the 8th. A leadoff BB, single, E5, and double scored 2. He finished the 8th and 9th with no further damage, but enough to get the loss.
Ontario had 3 hits for the game, with 2 coming from Jaron Elkins
Jeff, excellent Affiliate coverage.If you have time you might want to add the Arizona Complex League which started yesterday and theDodger’s Affiliate was hammered 24-6 by the Seattle Affiliate.SS Kellon Lindsey the Dodger’s number one draft pick in 2024 homered.
“Kellon Lindsey is a shortstop prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, currently playing in their minor league system after being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.2026 Season PerformanceAs of early May 2026, Lindsey has had a limited but productive start to the season:Batting Average: .333.OPS: 1.833.Status: He was placed on the 7-day injured list on April 2, 2026, with a shoulder injury.Career Professional Stats (2025–2026)Lindsey made his professional debut in 2025, primarily with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. His career totals across the minors include:Games Played: 32 (in 2025 debut).Batting Average: .274.On-Base Percentage (OBP): .379.Slugging Percentage (SLG): .400.Home Runs: 3.OPS: .779.Scouting & BackgroundTop Tool: Speed is his most notable attribute, frequently receiving an 80-grade rating from scouts, making him one of the fastest players in the Dodgers organization.Comparisons: Often compared to former Dodger Trea Turner due to his elite speed and contact-oriented hitting style.Injury History: His professional development has been hampered by various injuries, including a shoulder impingement and back issues in 2025, followed by the current shoulder injury in 2026”.
Even though Sasaki is hard to watch pitch, the Dodgers are committed to let him pitch in the Majors,rather than the Minors. You would think his buddies from Japan,Ohtani and Yamamota would help him develop and refine another pitch.His fastball alone will NOT get the job done.
Roberts: Blake Snell’s next rehab start is today in AAA OKC
“Dave Roberts on Friday told reporters in St. Louis that Blake Snell’s next rehab start will be Sunday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, which is on the road this weekend in Round Rock, Texas. Snell is expected to pitch 4 innings and throw ~60 pitches, per Roberts, and will need at least one more rehab start after that before returning to the rotation”.
Ok. its a long season. No team can win every year no matter how ‘loaded’ the roster is. Just enjoy it as much as possible. Which other fans are having this much fun year after year?
Every team in the NL West is on losing streaks of at least 3 games. The Dodgers and Padres losing streak is 4, the giants 5. As bad as the Dodgers have looked, they still control the division and I believe they will for most of the year, especially at the end. Cruise control is an apt description for them. A team might pass them somewhere down the road, but at the end of the trip they will be first at the finish line.
In the mean time, for a first place club this early in the season, they sure have looked lethargic.
I’ve read Ohtani wants a Cy Young. Is this true? And can that be the reason he’s hitting like a potential Cy Young winner?
I’d like to know more about Noah Miller. He’s the AAA shortstop suggesting he’s the organization’s replacement at that position. I don’t know a lot about him, but his .651 OPS in 6 seasons of minor league ball, .661 in two plus seasons of AAA. tells me he can’t hit a lick. Is that the case? And if so, why is he at OKC? I guess it doesn’t matter really. Kim is the replacement shortstop, and a good one. He’d be a starter on many MLB teams.
Looking at the team stat numbers I see the Dodgers are third in team ERA and first in QS%. This surprised me. In hitting they are first in OPS and fifth in R/G, so the sky isn’t falling. Expectations are high, and expectations in the short run can lead to disappointment. I think we all that one. I’ll hang in there with this group. I still believe in them.
Miller has had a “could win a gold glove in majors” rep since AA. He has good pedigree and is hitting better than he ever has. Good trade chip, like Amaya a few years back.
Yeah Brian, I think I get what you’re saying but in looking into it, for a first round pick I wonder what his true value is. He’s down the list in MiLB stats, 5th in PCL shortstops, including being behind Amaya by 130 points in OPS. He’s not even our top SS prospect with 3 others rated in front of him. Barring a severe emergency I don’t see him breaking this lineup and with so many better prospects in front of him, and him being 28th on the Dodgers own list, how much value does he actually have?
Good question. Maybe his value increases if somebody gets injured [Hello, Mets]. But then again it’s to see him make the jump straightaway. I’m not sure what the org’s plan is for him, hell or for any of the prospects tryibg to break into this loaded roster. I really think we might see some roster crunch trades made at the deadline. Realistically, how much has to go wrong for us to need some of these guys.
P.S. Too early but next year’s bench might not have Rojas or Keekay, let alone Espinal.
I am not worried — and I definitely will enjoy the ride. I feel incredibly spoiled to be a Dodgers fan!
That said, I do like to vent a little now and then when I see the team making mental errors (or “approach” errors). Right now they seem to be lacking plate discipline. I know how hard it is to recognize a 3 and 2 change-up at the major league level — but, hey, that’s what they are supposed to be experts at, right? As Bear mentioned in the last post, there has been an awful lot of Dodger hitters getting themselves out — and it seems to be strangely contagious.
I await the inevitable bust-out — I know it will come soon!
Sunday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jakob Wright) vs. Peoria (Tanner Franklin)
11 a.m.: Tulsa (Adam Serwinowski) vs. San Antonio (Eric Yost)
11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Blake Snell) at Round Rock (TBA)
1:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Lake Elsinore (Carlos Medina)
“Snell is expected to go roughly four innings and 60 pitches on Sunday, and Brock Stewart will make what will likely be his final rehab appearance in that game in Round Rock as well”.
SP Justin Wrobleski L
4-0 1.50 ERA
S Dustin May R
3-2 5.28 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Kyle Tucker L
3B Max Muncy L
C D. Rushing L
CF Andy Pages R
SS Hyeseong Kim L
2B A. Freeland S
Thanks for the best Minor League Report in baseball, Jeff!
Zach Ehrhard is struggling after a good start.
Tibbs3 is raking against RHP… struggling a little against LHP.
Ronan Kopp is beyond horrible… Deplorable he is, with a 17.10 ERA
In his Inside the Parker, Mike Sirota was giving me flashbacks of Devon White – He runs like a freaking gazelle!
Kopp doesn’t deserve to be on the Dodger’s 40 man roster.
Loving Jeff’s coverage. It’s my go-to.
On May 3rd, good things come in 3s. JDP, Hope & George. Sirota, Davalan & Quintero. Snell, Stewart & Graterol.
Not worried about this team though this stretch is hard to watch.
Devon White. That is a good comp for his inside the parker. I like it!
Jeff, excellent Affiliate coverage.If you have time you might want to add the Arizona Complex League which started yesterday and theDodger’s Affiliate was hammered 24-6 by the Seattle Affiliate.SS Kellon Lindsey the Dodger’s number one draft pick in 2024 homered.
From AI:
“Kellon Lindsey is a shortstop prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers, currently playing in their minor league system after being selected 23rd overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.2026 Season PerformanceAs of early May 2026, Lindsey has had a limited but productive start to the season:Batting Average: .333.OPS: 1.833.Status: He was placed on the 7-day injured list on April 2, 2026, with a shoulder injury.Career Professional Stats (2025–2026)Lindsey made his professional debut in 2025, primarily with the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. His career totals across the minors include:Games Played: 32 (in 2025 debut).Batting Average: .274.On-Base Percentage (OBP): .379.Slugging Percentage (SLG): .400.Home Runs: 3.OPS: .779.Scouting & BackgroundTop Tool: Speed is his most notable attribute, frequently receiving an 80-grade rating from scouts, making him one of the fastest players in the Dodgers organization.Comparisons: Often compared to former Dodger Trea Turner due to his elite speed and contact-oriented hitting style.Injury History: His professional development has been hampered by various injuries, including a shoulder impingement and back issues in 2025, followed by the current shoulder injury in 2026”.
I missed opening day, but it will be added. I saw the box score earlier, but I forgot to include it. Thanks for the reminder.
Even though Sasaki is hard to watch pitch, the Dodgers are committed to let him pitch in the Majors,rather than the Minors. You would think his buddies from Japan,Ohtani and Yamamota would help him develop and refine another pitch.His fastball alone will NOT get the job done.
Roberts: Blake Snell’s next rehab start is today in AAA OKC
“Dave Roberts on Friday told reporters in St. Louis that Blake Snell’s next rehab start will be Sunday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, which is on the road this weekend in Round Rock, Texas. Snell is expected to pitch 4 innings and throw ~60 pitches, per Roberts, and will need at least one more rehab start after that before returning to the rotation”.
The right thing to do is send Sasaki to AAA but they probably won’t. The other right thing is make him a reliever, which he will be anyway in October.
Ok. its a long season. No team can win every year no matter how ‘loaded’ the roster is. Just enjoy it as much as possible. Which other fans are having this much fun year after year?
BANG! What he said….
Every team in the NL West is on losing streaks of at least 3 games. The Dodgers and Padres losing streak is 4, the giants 5. As bad as the Dodgers have looked, they still control the division and I believe they will for most of the year, especially at the end. Cruise control is an apt description for them. A team might pass them somewhere down the road, but at the end of the trip they will be first at the finish line.
In the mean time, for a first place club this early in the season, they sure have looked lethargic.
I’ve read Ohtani wants a Cy Young. Is this true? And can that be the reason he’s hitting like a potential Cy Young winner?
I’d like to know more about Noah Miller. He’s the AAA shortstop suggesting he’s the organization’s replacement at that position. I don’t know a lot about him, but his .651 OPS in 6 seasons of minor league ball, .661 in two plus seasons of AAA. tells me he can’t hit a lick. Is that the case? And if so, why is he at OKC? I guess it doesn’t matter really. Kim is the replacement shortstop, and a good one. He’d be a starter on many MLB teams.
Looking at the team stat numbers I see the Dodgers are third in team ERA and first in QS%. This surprised me. In hitting they are first in OPS and fifth in R/G, so the sky isn’t falling. Expectations are high, and expectations in the short run can lead to disappointment. I think we all that one. I’ll hang in there with this group. I still believe in them.
Miller has had a “could win a gold glove in majors” rep since AA. He has good pedigree and is hitting better than he ever has. Good trade chip, like Amaya a few years back.
Yeah Brian, I think I get what you’re saying but in looking into it, for a first round pick I wonder what his true value is. He’s down the list in MiLB stats, 5th in PCL shortstops, including being behind Amaya by 130 points in OPS. He’s not even our top SS prospect with 3 others rated in front of him. Barring a severe emergency I don’t see him breaking this lineup and with so many better prospects in front of him, and him being 28th on the Dodgers own list, how much value does he actually have?
Good question. Maybe his value increases if somebody gets injured [Hello, Mets]. But then again it’s to see him make the jump straightaway. I’m not sure what the org’s plan is for him, hell or for any of the prospects tryibg to break into this loaded roster. I really think we might see some roster crunch trades made at the deadline. Realistically, how much has to go wrong for us to need some of these guys.
P.S. Too early but next year’s bench might not have Rojas or Keekay, let alone Espinal.
I am not worried — and I definitely will enjoy the ride. I feel incredibly spoiled to be a Dodgers fan!
That said, I do like to vent a little now and then when I see the team making mental errors (or “approach” errors). Right now they seem to be lacking plate discipline. I know how hard it is to recognize a 3 and 2 change-up at the major league level — but, hey, that’s what they are supposed to be experts at, right? As Bear mentioned in the last post, there has been an awful lot of Dodger hitters getting themselves out — and it seems to be strangely contagious.
I await the inevitable bust-out — I know it will come soon!
Sunday Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jakob Wright) vs. Peoria (Tanner Franklin)
11 a.m.: Tulsa (Adam Serwinowski) vs. San Antonio (Eric Yost)
11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Blake Snell) at Round Rock (TBA)
1:05 p.m.: Ontario (TBA) vs. Lake Elsinore (Carlos Medina)
“Snell is expected to go roughly four innings and 60 pitches on Sunday, and Brock Stewart will make what will likely be his final rehab appearance in that game in Round Rock as well”.
2:15 PM ET
Dodgers (20-13)
Cardinals (20-13)
SP Justin Wrobleski L
4-0 1.50 ERA
S Dustin May R
3-2 5.28 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
RF Kyle Tucker L
3B Max Muncy L
C D. Rushing L
CF Andy Pages R
SS Hyeseong Kim L
2B A. Freeland S
69° Wind 14 mph Out