Many years ago, 1973 in fact, when the Mets were fighting the Cubs for the division title, a fan showed up with a sign that said “You gotta believe” The phrase itself was coined by Mets reliever, Tug McGraw. Fans picked up on it, and it was seen throughout their run to the World Championship.
Dodger fans rarely have used catch phrases when the team is gunning for a championship. But deep down, do they really believe this team can win its third in a row? So far, they are a game behind 2025’s pace, and also a game back of 2024’s pace.
They are missing Mookie Betts, Edman, and Kike. Pages has been the most consistent hitter at .329. His OPS is the highest on the team as a regular at .926. .005 more than Muncy. Rushing has a 1.124 OPS, but he has played in just 19 games. Even with that, he is just 2 homers behind the team leader, Muncy, who has 9, and 1 behind Pages.
Ohtani has lingered down around .250 and hasn’t homered since April 27th against the Cubs. Freeman’s homer last night was his first in 25 games. Pages had gone 2 weeks before he had a 3-homer game the other night. Teoscar Hernandez is off to a horrible start with the bat. He was their best hitter in spring training, but that has not translated into the regular season. He is hitting just .236 and leads the team in strikeouts with 41.
Free agent signing, Kyle Tucker, has not exactly tore the cover off of the ball. He has hit better the last week or so, but his OPS is just .739. A nice surprise has been the excellent play of Hyeseong Kim, who is hitting .314 and has been excellent in the field, but everyone knows, he is just in there until Betts returns. Then he and Freeland might be sharing second until Edman returns. Espinal will most likely be cut when Kike comes off of the IL around the 24th of May. Betts is likely to be activated on Monday against the Giants.
I know they are only 38 games in. The pitching has carried the team. The offense has been sporadic and slightly anemic at times. With guys like Smith, Teo, Tucker, Freddie, Ohtani, all struggling at the same time. Muncy has also slumped the last few games, but he does keep getting on base.
Last night’s loss to the Braves was typical of the Dodger offense lately. A pitcher with a 6 plus ERA, in only his second game after coming back from TJ surgery, shuts them down completely. Top 5 were 2-12 with 3 Ks, 2 of them by Ohtani. Everyone on the broadcast keeps saying when his bat gets hot, things will change. Well, when is his bat going to start looking like it is worth 70 million dollars?
Not sure what his issue is, but he doesn’t look anything like the hitter he has been the last two years. Teo looks totally lost. They stuck Call into the lineup last night to give Tucker a blow, and he responded with another hit. He deserves some playing time. Not worried at all about Snell. Even though he gave up five runs, only one ball was really hit hard. The walks hurt him, but so did a couple of bleeders that did not leave the infield.
I believe the team will get untracked at some point. They are in first place simply because only the Padres in the West are playing anywhere near their level. The Giants in for four games, and they won’t see Webb who just went on the IL, they need to take 3 of these 4 games. With Mookie coming back, the roster crunch begins.
After today’s stinker, I believe it is time for Roberts to do some shaking up of the batting order. How can you continue to bat Ohtani first when he is sinking like a leaky canoe? I put Betts back where he has his best numbers, leading off. Then bat Ohtani, Pages, Freeman, Smith, and whoever after that.
MiLB GAME SUMMARY REPORTS
OKC Comets vs. Salt Lake City Bees – Postponed due to inclement weather
Arkansas Travelers (Seattle) 8 – Tulsa Drillers 6
LHRP Myles Caba was the opener in yet another bullpen game. He pitched a brilliant 2.0 innings allowing one baserunner on an error, and Caba picked him off 1st.
Tulsa got one in the 2nd. SS Elijah Hainline doubled (4). He moved to 3rd on a F-8 and scored on 2B Jake Gelof’s sac fly.
The Drillers picked up 2 more in the 3rd. DH Kendall George drew a BB and moved to 2nd on a ground out. George scored on RH Zyhir Hope’s 2-out single. Hope stole 2nd and scored on Hainline’s single.
Caba ran into trouble in the 3rd. He walked a batter between 2 outs. A WP moved the runner to 2nd, and to 3rd on an infield single. Both runners scored on a double.
The Drillers got the two runs back in the 6th. Hainline and 1B Joe Vetrano led off with singles. Hainline stole 3rd. With one out, Vetrano stole 2nd. CF Kole Myers singled to score both runners.
In his 3rd inning, RHRP Roque Gutierrez gave up a HR to cut the lead to 2.
With Gutierrez back on the bump in the 7th, the first two batters singled and Gutierrez was relieved by LHRP Christian Suarez. The first batter he faced doubled to score one. Next batter singled to score another. A sac fly and HR later, and the Travelers put up 5.
Tulsa down 8-5 going into the 9th. Two 2-out walks, a WP, and 3B Kyle Nevin singled to score one. But that was it.
- Elijah Hainline – 3-4, 2 runs, double (4)
- Kyle Nevin – 3-4, 1 BB, 1 RBI
- Kole Myers – 2-4, 2 RBI
Great Lakes Loons 7 – Lake County Captains (Cleveland) 4
Another bullpen game. RHP Brooks Auger led 6 different Loons pitchers to the mound to limit the Captains to 4 runs.
It was another poor defensive performance for Lake County that produced 4 unearned runs. Two of those four unearned came in the 3rd. C Jesus Galiz led off with a single. After an out was recorded, SS Jose Izarra laid down a sac bunt that was thrown away for an error with Galiz at 3rd and Izarra at 2nd. DH Mike Sirota hit a ground ball to SS who threw to the plate to get Galiz for the 2nd out.
With 2B Nico Perez at the plate, Izarra scored on a balk. Perez would then go on to draw a BB. CF Charles Davalan was HBP to load the bases, and RF Jose Meza walked to force in Sirota for a 2-0 lead.
Auger got 2.2 scoreless innings on two hits and 5 K before RHRP Nicolas Cruz got the third out. LHP Jakob Wright entered in the 4th and gave up a run on a BB, groundout, single.
In the 5th, Sirota led off with a BB and moved to 2nd on a ground out. Davalan drew a BB, and both runners scored on Meza’s double (2). Meza moved to 3rd on a passed ball. 3B Eduardo Guerrero drew a BB and stole 2nd. Both runners scored on E5.
In the 7th, Davalan led off with a single, and scored on Meza’s 2nd double (3).
RHP Aidan Foeller came in to relieve in the 6th. This was his 2nd relief appearance this month. In his third inning, the 8th, a HBP and 2 walks loaded the bases with 2 outs, with one runner scoring on a passed ball.
LHRP Matt Lanzendorfer entered in the 9th. He got the first two batters out before a double, WP, single, E5, and single scored 2, before getting the final out to end the game.
The Loons had 6 hits, and Jose Meza had 3 of them, including two doubles (3). Charles Davalan reached 1B three times, once on a single and twice walked.
That makes 4 out of the top 10 MiLB OF prospects in the LAD organization.
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (LAA) 10 – Ontario Tower Buzzers 2
RHSP Jesus Tillero was battered around for 3.2 innings, surrendering 8 runs (all earned) on 6 hits and 3 BB. One of the hits was a 3-run HR.
RHRP Will Gagnon, struck out 3 in 1.1 IP, but gave up 2 runs on 2 hits and 2 walks.
While the Quakes were jumping on Ontario pitching, Ontario was getting single runs in the 4th and 5th inning. In the 4th, DH Jaron Elkins drew a BB, stole 2B, and scored on 1B Easton Shelton’s single.
In the 5th, 3B Chase Harlan hit a 1-out single. He moved to 2nd on a 2-out single by Elkins, and scored on 2B Mairo Martinus’ single.
Ontario went meekly in the final four innings with one base runner via a BB.
Chase Harlan, Jaron Elkins, and Mairo Martinus got two hits apiece for Ontario. That is 6 out of the 7 singles for the Tower Buzzers.
Just last week, I wrote this: 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.
Then I published something I wrote last year and the year before that: 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!“
What is the difference between a “stumbling block” and a “stepping stone?”
Perspective!
Mark, you may be right,but this team is in a funk and looks OLD and TIRED! I hope we get the 2024 version back of Mookie Betts tonight and going forward.Espinal will be DFA.
Not only that, but they’re currently offering up a product to people who are paying top dollar for the product and the people are getting a subpar product.
Tell a family of 4 who just laid out $500 to see a game at the ravine that games this time of year don’t really matter.
The other factor has to be that the Dodgers have a huge target on their back. They have been king of the mountain for two years in a row, and everybody wants to knock them off.
Minor correction; Ya gotta believe was the 1973 Mets WS run slogan.
Tucker is trying to live up to his contract. Could be awhile before he looks more like himself. Hopefully, sometime this year.
My bad, I just melded it back to 69. Whoops.
Fixed it for you.
Matchups against the Giants: Sasaki-McDonald, Yamamoto-Hauser, Ohtani-Ray, Sheehan-Loupp. Betts will be activated today. Cubs outrighted Corbin Martin.
Lots of discussion about the Patrick Bailey trade still.
“Don’t stop believing”…
Were the last words that Tony Soprano heard.
Patrick Bailey, it seems, was not Buster Posey’s idea of a winning catcher.
Loved that series so much I have it on Blu-ray, the entire thing. Have The Pacific and Band of Brothers too.
When he first came up, they were comparing him to Posey for a while. Flash in the pan.
Don’t think so, most people seem to think the Guardians made out like bandits.
He isn’t hitting much better than the guy they just sent down, Bo Naylor. He might be an improvement defensively, but his number have plummeted the last two seasons. Naylor has a lower career BA, but more power and a higher OPS. Most people must be nuts. He is not a very good hitter. Think about Austin Barnes batting level with a teeny weeny more pop.
Yes, that’s not the point for this trade. The Guardians are, and have been for the last decade or so, predicated on Run Prevention, more than slugging.
Bailey is much better than Barnes across the board, not sure how he came up as a comp. Bailey’s one of the game’s top defensive catchers (as per the Statcast defensive metics) and has won two Gold Gloves. He’s produced ~10.0 WAR (10.2) since 2023 despite a wRC+ below 100, you think that’s Austin Barnes?
I think this is a panic move by Posey because the team isn’t hitting. But more interesting is what goes back to Spring Training, where Bailey was outspokenly against the idea of that new coach up there calling pitches from the bench. I wonder if the Giants go there now.
I think Barnes was underrated by many people, especially as a leader on the field. I don’t see Bailey as a leader at all. Yes, he is a good defensive catcher, but I prefer guys who can do some damage with the bat as well. Barnes BA, OPS and OPS+ all higher than Bailey.
Braves activated Ha-Seong-Kim from the IL. Eli White on 7-day-IL with concussion protocol. On May 26th, a movie called “Pressure’ opens. It stars Branden Frasier as Dwight Eisenhower. The movie is about the practice D-Day landing that was attacked by German E-Boats. 700 Americans died, several ships were sunk, and it was covered up.
Cover ups? By our government? No.
Wartime decision by Ike and the powers that be.
The promotion of Sirota to the Top Ten MLB OF prospects (for whatever that is worth) means that 40% of the group are from the Dodgers….
(I still think De Paula should get a 1B glove.)
The quartet of De Paula, Hope, Quintero and Sirota is still a season or two (or three) away–and guys like Tibbs, Erhard and maybe Davalan are maybe closer. Lurking behind the Fab Four are the exciting Kendall George and intriguing young Mr. Ko….
Plus others.
Bait. Until further notice, all bait.
Great analysis Bear on our current woes. We are just too good to having so many guys under performing on such a consistent basis. I agree with Andrew that right now our reliable veterans are “looking old and tired”.
Maybe Mookie’s return will add a spark
And as much as I’ve voiced my dissatisfaction with bringing Kike back, maybe he will provide a spark.
The season is 1/4 over and the cream needs to rise to the top at some point.
I keep thinking when Ohtani quits swinging at pitches out of the zone and missing hittable pitches – look out! He may go on a tear that only he can do, when he’s right.
Maybe they are missing Kershaw’s presence and leadership in the clubhouse.
There are a million reasons for speculation. Bottom line – Play Better
They also take way too many strikes right down the middle. Ohtani is notorious for doing that. And he is not catching up to fastballs in the zone. Maybe if he dropped his hands a little and did not try to crush everything out of the park.
I could live with some small ball,over a little less power.
The one thing that all analyses seem to lack is that games in May count just as much as games in September. A loss is a loss. If you can’t hit in May, does the problem magically go away in June?
Fully a quarter of the season is gone. It’s no longer a small sample size.
Allegedly, Ohtani wants to win the Cy Young this year. I can’t even imagine the time and effort that he takes to both pitch and hit. Is it possible that he is concentrating on pitching this year to the detriment of his hitting?
The Dodgers were patient with Muncy last year and it paid off. They have no choice to remain patient with their high-priced position players and hope that Ohtani, Mookie, Freddie, Teo, and Tucker come around. But what if they have waited a year too long on some of the older guys?
Their patience with Conforto didn’t pay off last year. When do they “cut bait” with guys who don’t perform?
Father Time remains undefeated.
dodgerrick I don’t think that your statement that games in May count as much as September is lost on most fans.
The question is what do the Dodgers do about it?
This is the best group they could assemble to the chagrin of most other organizations. The best money can buy.
Losing like we are is very painful; so what’s the plan? Bench the veterans? Play the youngsters more? Promote AAA players?
I’m good with shaking up the lineup. Addressing our approach at the plate. Maybe more small-ball and attempt to manufacture some runs early. Perhaps a “brain-flush” where veteran players aren’t so concerned with their mechanics and just trust their muscle-memory – see ball – hit ball. Less paralysis from analysis and over-think. These veterans know how to play. Just play.
I don’t see this team not taking these games seriously and coasting. In fact I think it may be the opposite.
I can practically smell Ohtani’s, Freddie’s and Teo’s brains burning after every unsuccessful, stressed at bat.
Remember they went through a two-month funk last year. In July and August, they were 25-27.
and in October/November too
As bad as they have looked, they are still second in OPS, second in BA, third in home runs, and 6th in runs scored.
The season as you say is 1/4 over. And to gage how bad Ohtani has been he’s on pace for 9.2 bWAR, and around 8 fWAR.
And can a team that’s not hitting in May hit in June? This team can. Will they? Beats me.
Future Projections Podcast’s top 100 rising prospect focus:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-projection/id1555299031?i=1000766763477
Tibbs adn Morales discussed.
Baseball America updated Mock Draft:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/2026-mlb-mock-draft-2-0-updated-first-round-picks-for-every-team/
40. Dodgers — Bo Lowrance, 3B, HS
How the Dodgers navigate this draft with just two selections in the first 220 picks will be fascinating…
Wilber Sanchez on Sebastián Basallo:
https://x.com/wilberdata/status/2049183951693185361
Longenhagen chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/eric-longenhagen-prospects-chat-5-8-2026/
Mr. Burrito: Sirota is old (23?) for his league (high A), and it feels obvious that he should jump. But he’s kinda stuck, as the Dodgers have a bunch of prospects at his position above him. Is this the actual (and maybe only) problem with spending free agent money in the way they have?
Eric A Longenhagen: If the problem is “we have too much talent” it’s not really a problem. He’s played 60 games at High A now, I agree we’re getting to the point where he should be promoted to stress test his hit tool (this guy still has a fairly sizeable hole in his swing up and away) against pitchers who can execute that location better, but then maybe a reason to hold him down is so that hole isn’t exposed and he retains trade value. Good prospect tho
Nesbitt and Stavenhagen on why the “shift ban” hasn’t resulted in more base hits ($$$$$)
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7259132/2026/05/07/mlb-infield-shift-batting-average/
…
Yet restricting the infield shift did not bring back the base hit. In 2026, league-wide batting average remains at its lowest point for position players in the Modern Era (.243) and batting average on balls in play (.291) is up only one point from 2022…
Ian Cundall writes on 9 Intriguing Dodgers Prospects: Low-A Scouting Reports From In-Person Looks ($$$$$)https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/9-intriguing-dodgers-prospects-low-a-scouting-reports-from-in-person-looks/
Hyun, Seok Jang, Brady Smith, Luis Carias, Anson Aroz (i like him), Mario Martinus (Harry Potter, name no?), Chase Harland, Joendry Vargas, Ching Hsien Ko, Jaron Elkins (lots of helium on him,)
…The Dodgers selected Aroz in the 19th round of the 2025 draft out of Oregon. He was a two-year starter for the Ducks and has so far gotten off to a great start to his professional career, slashing .412/.532/.529 in 47 plate appearances.
The switch-hitter stands 5-foot-11, 195 pounds and is a good athlete. …
Baumann on Ohtani:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/i-guess-shohei-ohtani-does-have-a-license-to-do-that/
Pogačar’s feats are awe-inspiring, and every week it seems like he sets a new record or does something historic, but after years of writing about him, I’m starting to run out of things to say. There are no more superlatives left to lavish upon so great an athlete.
Sound like anyone you know?
The elevator pitch for Shohei Ohtani was that he would be among the best hitters in the league and among the best pitchers in the league, at the same time. As we now know, those expectations have undersold him somewhat. In 2024 and 2025, he was the best hitter in the National League, and now, Ohtani is leading the major leagues in ERA, at 0.97.
Baseball America’s podcast deal with risk management WRT ppitcher development:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baseball-america/id201539011?i=1000764120870
Rosenthal on Will Smith’s HOF Case:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7254137/2026/05/05/drake-baldwin-braves-cardinals-sandy-alcantara-mlb/
Smith wasn’t a Rookie of the Year or MVP like Posey was, but he already has matched Posey in World Series titles. His offensive profile is similar to where Posey’s was at the same point of his career…
Brendan Gawlowski Chat:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/brendan-gawlowski-prospects-chat-5-5-26/
Well-Beered Englishman: Whodunnits! Michael Gilbert is a super underrated classic era mystery writer. He has one, Death in Captivity, that’s a murder mystery set in a WWII prison camp, complete with spies and a great escape. Incredible stuff. What unsung mysteries do ya got?
Brendan Gawlowski: Thank you for the recommendation. I don’t know if I have a good unsung one off the top of my head. The Coronation by Boris Akunin maybe?
12 MLB Prospects with impressive exit velocities ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/12-mlb-prospects-posting-impressive-90th-percentile-exit-velocities-in-2026/
Mike Sirota, OF, Dodgers 90th percentile EV: 108.1 mph
MLB Pipeline Mock Draft by Jim Callis:
https://www.mlb.com/milb/news/mlb-pipeline-2026-mock-draft-may-7?t=mlb-draft-coverage
Dodgers: Will Brick, C, HS
Jay Jaffe Chat
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/jay-jaffe-fangraphs-chat-5-5-26/
r. Burrito: I’ve seen chatter that Will Smith eventually could switch to 3B. Other than Todd Zeile and Joe Torre, has that transition panned out? (And from what I recall if Z’s defense “panned out” is iffy)…. More importantly, should the Dodgers consider such a move?
Jay Jaffe: As to whether the Dodgers do it with Smith, I don’t see a pressing need even with Dalton Rushing going small-sample bananas given that Max Muncy is off to another great start. It might be something worth experimenting with in spring training next year if Rushing maintains his strong season, but let’s also see how his defense develops.
Baseball Today updated their top 100 ($$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/rankings/2026-top-100-prospects/
DePaula at 14
Quintero at 28
Sirota at 40
Hope at 51
Morales at 67
Dang, Bluto.
I am going to have to double your pay with you giving us all that stuuf!
He’s getting paid???? LOL
0 x 2= 0
Mookie activated for tonight, and Alex Freeland sent to OKC
Surprised they did that and kept Espinal. I thought for sure he was the first one cut.
Me as well.
Not surprised at all Kim or Freeland we’re obviously going to be sent down. They want both of them playing every day. One does it in the majors one in the minors. AF/BG like having the 26th man being a utility man that can fill in anywhere. When Hernandez comes back Espinal’s days will definitely be numbered. Kim will be the strong side of a platoon with most likely Rojas. Hernandez and Espinal are basically the same player.
I figured they would dump Espinal for Kike since neither ate every day players.
Move is not official yet. Lineups have not been posted yet either.
Lauer DFAd. Paddock released.
10:10 PM ET
Giants (16-24)
Dodgers (24-16)
SP Trevor McDonald R
1-0 1.29 ERA
SP Roki Sasaki R
1-3 5.97 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
RF Kyle Tucker L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
LF T. Hernandez R
2B Hyeseong Kim L
71° Wind 8 mph Out
Our offense is what it is. It hasn’t been anything special the last 2 post seasons. 230’s both years. Our bullpen was the rock in 24, the starters last year. Hopefully everyone is healthy in post season this year and we’ll go as far as our pitching takes us. Offense has to do just enough. 3-4 runs. We won’t be seeing anyone in post season where we put up big numbers. It’s a little concerning how many mid mid fatties Ohtani is missing!
Duh, in modern MLB postseason play, the league-wide batting average usually lands around .230 to .240. Yes, that’s what happens in the playoffs!
Look it up.
Will Smith’s walk up song has fits the offense so far this season. Both need to change.
Poor Roki. He just can’t pull it off!
How low will Sho go?
Some bad two strike pitching tonight by all the pitchers so far. If no one has a hit off of Vesia’s slider not sure why he chose to keep getting beat on his fastball. Brutally bad pitch by Klein.
Mills and Doom.