- Alex Wood is certainly making a case to stay in the rotation. 6 innings, 77 pitcher and 1 hit makes an excellent case for Alex. If Maeda struggles on Friday, I would have Alex stay in the rotation. He was very impressive last night. His pitch count is up to almost 80 and he can build on that. I was impressed about Wood and depressed about the next guy I am about to mention.
- On the other hand, Sergio Romo is making a case to go away… far away! He has been in 10 games this year and the league is hitting .323 against him. In only one of those 10 appearances has he not given up a hit or a walk. That is beyond bad! The league average pitch speed is 84.53. His is now down to 77.77. League average exit velocity is 85.97 while his is 90.24. Translation: He throws slow – they hit hard! After 10 appearances, I have seen enough. Sergio, you have been voted off the island. Get Dayton back up here. Romo was a good story (bad guy Giant becomes good guy Dodger – he turned from the darkside), but the ending isn’t good.
- Cueto looked like he is struggling too. The Giants were lucky and/or made a number of very good defensive plays. Man, A-Gon is slow! Baez is going to give up a HR occasionally, but if he would vary his pace, that would help keep the hitters off balance. He still needs to speed up his delivery.
- Stripling, I am less concerned with. He’s just in a bad streak right now of a couple games. The next time he has a good inning, take him out and let him build his confidence a bit. He will be fine. Unlike Romo, he has velocity!
- Flash: Cody Bellinger is Human! He looked lost last night. He will catch back up, but I don’t think leadoff is the place to play him. Just my two cents. Put him 6th or 7th or 8th.
- The Dodgers hit well enough to win – Romo was the main fly in the ointment. No more excuses.
- Buehler went 3.2 innings for RC and allowed 1 run (he’s human), walked 2 and struck out 5. Spitzbarth got his 5th save.
- Kyle Farmer was 4-5 while playing 3B for Tulsa and Garlick had a HR.
- OKC did not play, but Great Lakes won 7-0 as Alexy, Soto and Duester threw the shutout.
- Dave Roberts said A-Gon’s struggles are because of his elbow.
- Rich Hill’s finger is good, but his stuff and control are not. It’s a few more days on the DL I guess.
- The kid goes today. It will be riveting!
- From Chris Haft of MLB.com:
With Julio Urias (age 20) scheduled to be the starting pitcher, Corey Seager (23) expected at shortstop and Cody Bellinger (21) possibly in the outfield for Thursday’s finale of the series with the Giants, the Dodgers are all-in on the youth movement.
Seager turns 23 on Thursday. The last time the Dodgers started three players under the age of 23 was July 6, 2007 — Matt Kemp, Tony Abreu and Chad Billingsley.
Romo and Hatcher just need to leave. I know Utley got a hit last night, but I have concerns . Taylor may be a better choice.
Bellinger will be fine. He just needs to adjust.
Toles may need to go back to AAA to find his stroke. He is struggling. I like him and I think he will be fine.
Four guys who are taking up space. SVS, Hatcher, Romo, and Utley. Two of those are in the bull pen. You cannot live with that situation.
It looks like the five starters are starting to shake out.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but Puig looks like he belongs. I still do not like some of his antics, but I may have to live with it.
Agon, I just do not know. Maybe a 10 day DL would do him some good. When Joc comes back you could move Bellinger to first.
I am still hoping everyone can find their stride. We are into May.
The Giants couldn’t keep a lead after 6 innings last year and Romo was not their best reliever as evidenced by him losing his closer role. That history and his slow start this year more than hints that it is time for him to consider retirement.
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Utley might choose to retire as well if his hit total in May matches April’s.
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Hatcher may excel at coming in to get one hitter out and then leave. That kind of a relief pitcher is not new but what a luxury to have especially when starters are not averaging 5+ innings.
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Maybe the team doesn’t have to have a righty bat to spell Agon and just let Bellinger stay in LF when he is not resting Agon. That plan would reduce the need to keep SVS on the 25.
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Toles could use a tune-up in OK.
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Trout started his career in LF and was sent down to AAA before he came up to stay and eventually take over CF. Bellinger could well copy that path and start in LF and then take over 1B.
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Taylor is a great backup for 2B and SS and who knows, could wind up be a better fit at 2B than Forsythe and take over there in 2018.
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Stewart could replace Maeda in late May.
Idahoal
I think this platoon situation, has not helped Toles, at all.
Because he had only started two of the last six games, before last night’s game.
And those late at bats, that players get at the end of the game, is not the same as starting, and getting four at bats.
And I agree with you, if he still is having problems, I would want him, to go to AAA, and get his stroke back.
I, like you, know it would be best for Toles, to go to AAA, and get consistent at bats.
I wouldn’t want him to stay up like Joc did in his first year, and continue to fail, in his at bats.
I actually don’t think these platoons are good for our hitters, or the team.
If they were, our hitters would be doing better, and we would have won more games, then not.
Spot on Mark! I think Wood should have been left in another inning, especially if Romo was the plan. Maeda will have to pitch lights out tomorrow to hold him off. The rotation will be fine and Dayton who appears close to coming back is needed in the bullpen. I would have left Avilan in for another batter also in the 7th, but hard to second guess Roberts decision. The bullpen is a mess for this game, need Urias to go 6 or Hatcher will be the long man tonight.
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Bellinger will struggle some as all rookies do, and I agree he should be lower in the lineup. The Dodgers don’t have a true leadoff man right now. I would like to see Puig up in the 2 spot and Seager and Turner hit 3 and 4 but Roberts must have his reasons. Leadoff and cleanup have been a revolving door all year.
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Arroyo of the Giants was the youngest player in the majors for 1 day until Bellinger was called up. That lasted 2 days until Urias is called up for tonights game. The youth movement is in full swing!
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If Maeda is bumped from the rotation there will be 4 LHP whether it is Wood or eventually Hill, with McCarthy the only RHP. Not sure if I have ever seen that, and if it’s a good idea.
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Utley needs to step up and so does SVS. Team dad’s spot is safe for now but what has happened to SVS? All the bats need to get busy, 7 runs the last 3 games puts a lot of pressure on the pitchers. The team really needs a split before coming home.
The Kings lose…oh, well
The Lakers lose…they’re young
The Rams lose…what else is new?
The Dodgers lose…I have a tough time falling asleep
Patience is wonderful…if you are patient…I am not, especially at my age…Good thing I’m not the General Manager
1988 was a long time ago… a long, long time ago
FYI: Last year Romo was 4-4 in closing opportunities and had a 2.64 ERA to go with a 1.08 WHIP. He’s not a closer anymore, but unless his decline is drastic, something is wrong!
Given the Giants late inning troubles last year it is puzzling that those numbers for Romo would not have kept him as their closer.
In looking scanning each team’s first basemen, based on production, age, and control, I think Boston is the best trade partner for Gonzales. Wouldn’t that let the Trade come full circle.
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CF Pederson
RF Puig
SS Seager
3B Turner
1B Bellinger
C Grandal
LF
2B Forsythe/Taylor
I like Kike’ in LF against lefties. I don’t know who to put there against righties. Maybe Verdugo.
I like Gutierez as strictly a pinch hitter.
Why would Boston want A-Gon when they have Mitch Moreland on a 1 year/$5.5 Million Contract, who won a Gold Glove last year? He is hitting .309 with a .922 OPS. Shoot, I would love to have Moreland!
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Below is the list of the teams who would trade for Adrian Gonzalez:
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You forgot
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Moreland
2016 = .233 .298 .422 .720
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Maybe with Sandoval and Ramirez on an otherwise young team they might want to give Pedroia more clubhouse leadership help.
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In this case I am merely looking for a way to get Bellinger at first base. Other times when I propose a trade such as Jair Jurrjens and Justin Masterson for Happ, it is my way to say lets not get too excited about how well those two pitchers are doing as if they are the solution to the current rotation. If that were true, they would have good trade value. It is a trade made in jest to make a point.
Mark
Sorry Bum, but Mark, that was funny.
Mark I agree with you 100 percent, about Romo!
I didn’t know his stats, but I thought he had put a lot of the first batters he faces, on base, with a walk, or just giving up a hit.
And the numbers you listed about him, were even worse then I thought.
That is one of the top things, I don’t like to see with any reliever, along, with almost immediately, getting behind on the count.
But it didn’t surprise me, that Baez gave up another HR against the Giants, at AT&T park.
I guess he was just celebrating the HR he gave up last year there, that also cost us a game, in this same series.
When our we going to learn how to pitch a hitter, that is up to bat, to do one thing, like Moore was last night?
This should be the easiest type of hitter, to strike out, or put away, or take advantage of.
Because these type of hitters, are going to be aggressive, because there one goal is, to hit the ball out.
And Baez started the season this way last year, so it is hard for me, to give him a pass, after three years of this.
With the way the Rockies new closer is pitching, I wish we could have signed him, to be our set up guy.
He wanted an option I believe, for another year, but you have to pay a little more, to get a better relief pitcher, like this guy was, for the Royals.
And his contract wasn’t that much, especially for a big market team, like the Dodgers.
Scouting report on Bellinger:
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http://calltothepen.com/2017/04/26/los-angeles-dodgers-call-up-cody-bellinger-scouting-report/2/
Wood looked good last night. I was surprised to see Roberts lift him but understood that he hadn’t worked deep into a game since Spring Training. Roberts has to be able to depend on the ‘pen to get outs under those circumstances and the ‘pen let him down.
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Romo looks BAD. The pitch that the kid hit out was a real hanger. In general, the ‘pen looks iffy lately. Is it a hiccup? Is it due to overuse due to too many 5 inning starts? It is probably partially those things, plus I think that it takes some time for the ‘pen to shake itself out – for Roberts to figure out who he can rely on and in what circumstances, and for the ‘pen’s “permanent” makeup to be decided. There has been a lot of movement already (Baez, Liberatore, and Fields were with the team on opening day) and there will be more as starters and relievers alike slide on and off of the DL.
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There was an interesting post on Stripling and Grandal’s pitch selection against Pence in the 10th. They wanted to avoid a fly ball that would score the runner from 3rd and Pence hits lots of grounders, but they fed him mostly high pitches that he could hit and so he did. Very questionable game calling there by Grandal.
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Utley looks done. Van Slyke is probably not a player who can be counted on. Romo looks done. The Dodgers could improve around the margins. But that isn’t why they are losing games. The Dodgers are losing because their main guys aren’t getting it done. The hitters don’t hit with RISP. They still don’t hit lefties. They still can’t manufacture a run. The starting pitchers don’t go deep enough into games on a consistent basis and they are still too injury prone.
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Let’s face it – the Dodgers haven’t won a series since the 1st one against the Padres. They are still in 3rd and looking up – they are 10 – 12 and 4 games back of the Rox and are 3 – 7 in their last 10 games. Something has to change.
I didn’t understand why Grandal would call for another high fastball with a 2 strike count against Morse when Baez just showed a great change up to strike out the previous batter. That was the pitch that I questioned the most.
Correct Bums
Rick
I know they have had problems for some time, hitting with runners, are in scoring position.
But I don’t think these platoons help out hitters hit better, and it is obvious, that these platoon teams, are not turning things around.
And I don’t think the part time players, that make up these platoon teams, are providing that much of the offensive, production anyways.
I think the everyday players that plays with these platoons players, are the ones, providing most of the offense, on this platoon team.
And how can hitters adjust to the pitchers, that are adjusting on them, and make the quick adjustments, when they are not getting enough, consistent at bats?
And as always, the team needs to play better as a team, on offense, and do the little things, that make it easier, to get runs in, like hitting the ball the other way, and getting the runners, to third base.
“There was an interesting post on Stripling and Grandal’s pitch selection against Pence in the 10th. They wanted to avoid a fly ball that would score the runner from 3rd and Pence hits lots of grounders, but they fed him mostly high pitches that he could hit and so he did. Very questionable game calling there by Grandal.”
I read the same article. It shows nearly every pitch (10 or so) to Pence was shoulder high. Not sure what they were thinking or why Honeycutt didn’t come out and tell them to change it up.
Another game lost to the pitch count. Except last night it was 77, not 100. I can’t believe these managers, including Roberts, so slavishly attached to the pitch count. Except for Kershaw. Last night, Wood should have pitched until they started to hit him. I blame last night on the bullpen and Roberts. FORGET THE PITCH COUNT. NOW.
Bobbie 17
Wood has been a really good pitcher, twice through the order, but once he even faces the top of the line up, the third time through, he has been hit pretty hard.
So I don’t think it was necessarily that bad of a move, by Roberts.
But the pitcher he choose to bring in, could be questionable. just like Mark pointed out, in his intro today.
Bobbie17
But I do know it sucks to lose like this to the Giants, like we have, in the last couple of the years, in these four game series, at AT&T.
Especially when we had the lead, in most of these, games.
And it hurts even more this year, because every other team they have faced up to now, has beat them up.
I absolutely agree about the pitch count. Wood was pitching a 1 hit shutout and 77 pitches. He had a 3-0 lead. He showed no signs of distress. I recognize he is not Kershaw, but there is no way Kershaw comes out. If he falters in the 7th okay go get him. When the starting pitcher is on, why make a change.
At least RC beat the giants. Beuhler had a good strike-ball ratio. Spitsbarth 39-31. Impressive.Attack mode.
DODGERS RECALL JULIO URĺAS
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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled left-handed pitcher Julio Urías from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned left-handed reliever Adam Liberatore to OKC.
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Urías, 20, will make his 2017 debut today with a start against the Giants after last pitching for Triple-A OKC on April 21 against Nashville (Athletics), allowing just two hits in 5.2 scoreless innings and striking out six against three walks on 93 pitches. In three starts with the Oklahoma City Dodgers this season, he posted a 1.93 ERA (3 ER/14.0 IP), while holding batters to a .170 average (8-for-47) and striking out 15 in 14.0 innings.
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The Culiacan, Mexico, native saw his first big league action last season in four stints with the Dodgers, going 5-2 with a 3.39 ERA (29 ER/77.0 IP) and struck out 81 batters against 31 walks. In his Major League debut last season on May 26, 2016, Urías became the youngest Dodger starting pitcher at 19 years, 228 days, since Dick Calmus, who took the mound at Dodger Stadium on Aug. 23, 1963 at 19 years, 228 days.
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Liberatore, 29, last pitched on Monday against the Giants, allowing one run on one hit in 0.1 innings of relief in his lone appearance for the Dodgers since being recalled on Sunday from Triple-A OKC.
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Romo Survived another day
Giant pitcher Moore goes right after all Dodger hitters except Seager & Turner.
I don’t think that scenario changes if Grandal or Gonzalez are in the lineup as those two haven’t done much this year.
Just my opinion, but Barnes looks a lot better behind the plate, a lot smother, less effort, more athletic than Grandal.
Cody really need to lay off those up and in pitches.
‘needs’
Urias needs to be up. However, optioning Liberatore is not right. I have lost confidence in Romo and Hatcher. Oh well, what do I know.
MJ I agree with you on Toles. He needs to play every day or sent down.
Toles was NEVER going to play everyday.
Revisionism defined going on here.
How many times has matt moore dominated the Dodgers. Still playing putrid lineups. Slyke, Utley, Romo, and Hatcher are done. Cant these ever figure put how to get a hit.
This won’t keep up. Some heads will roll or be traded!
Players on the hot seat:
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Romo
Van Slyke
Toles
Maeda
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Players whose seats are getting warm:
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Utley
Gonzo
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I personally believe Utley will be solid. Toles and SVS need to go to OKC and Romo and Maeda need to go to the DL.
Who gets the call
Mark – that’s 100’% fair
I predict dodgers will lose. I forgot Maeda isn’t doing good either.
James said:I predict dodgers will lose. “
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I said: “That’s negative. Think Positive, James.”
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James said: OK, I’m positive the Dodgers will lose.”
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😉
Good one lol
This is for MJ:
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http://www.ocregister.com/2017/04/27/dodgers-notes-adrian-gonzalez-is-playing-at-less-than-full-strength-should-he-be/
I have said it before and I will say it again: We now have the resources to made trades if need be.
1. Cain CF
2. Seager SS
3. Braun LF
4. Turner 3B
5. Bellinger 1B
6. Happ 2B
7. Grandal C
8. Verdugo RF
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Traded:
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Puig
Pederson
Gonzalez
Hernandez
Toles
Calhoun
Alvarez
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Cain is a one-year rental (for Toles and Pederson)
Braun (Puig, Calhoun and Hernandez – Dodgers assume all his salary)
Happ (Alvarez)
Yeah, but none of that is happening.
Yes, they seldom listen to me. Cody was the exception.
1. Cody needs to lay off the high and in pitches or he’ll have to go back down
2. What about Forsythe?
3. What happened to Mr. Peaks and Valleys?
1. Cody has shown an amazing ability to adjust – he will.
2. Utilityman
3. Screw Him!
Hell no to that.
I have been recommending LoCain since WS. He is a rental, but he would be a huge asset for this team. The trade of Joc and Toles would be fair. KC gets two team controlled OF for someone they are not going to re-sign. Joc will give them great defense at Kauffman.
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If the Brewers would take Puig, Calhoun, and Hernandez, I would be on board. The Brewers actually have some good young pitchers both at the ML level and in the minors. Josh Hader is the #1 rated LHP and could be special. Brandon Woodruff is knocking on the door. The Brewers need OF because other than Braun, their current OF roster of Broxton/Franklin/Santana is horrible. They are probably going to be calling up Lewis Brinson soon. Puig and Kike’ would give them help now. The Brewers have two highly rated OF, but they are at least two years away.
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I would be fine with Happ for Alveraz, but the Cubs are not going to move Happ, and the Dodgers are not going to move Alveraz…at least not yet.
Get rid of van slyke. He has an option send him down trade him just move him. Send toles down to regroup. I’m with mark trade all of those above maybe not Alvarez but good riddance to the rest. Bellinger looks like joc all over again. Wood should be in the rotation until he no longer is producing. He should have stayed in his last start. Put maeda in the pen except for one month he was bad last year. Hill will come around. We got to get somebody that can hit. I know that is an understatement.
Not only do the Dodgers not hit with RISP, but lately they simply can’t score in more than one inning. On Sunday they scored all 6 runs in the 5th inning, Monday they scored their only run in the 8th inning, Tuesday they scored both of their runs in the 4th inning, and yesterday they scored all 3 of their runs in the 6th inning. So far today they’ve scored their only run in the first. Overall the pitching has been fine, and the hitting has been pitiful.
Romo certainly doesn’t inspire confidence. Sooner or later, barring a miracle, he’s probably going to be gone.
What I suspected last year about Toles seems to be playing out this year. He can’t hit breaking pitches. Let’s not forget, even though he ended up hitting .314 last year, at one point he was hitting .390. Appears to me that the league caught up with him at the end of last year, and it’s just continuing into this year.
And I’ve never been a big SVS guy, so I wouldn’t miss him.
Come on Toles, prove me wrong, at least this time. AND HE DID IT!!!
And it took extra innings for the Dodgers to finally score runs in more than one inning. The next test is to see if they can add on. The way the Dodgers have been playing, there is no guarantee that they score with the bases loaded and no one out. Oh well, will miracles never cease. Shocking!!! It’s 5-1 as I complete this post. Let’s get some more.
Brooklyn
Toles tends to hit in situations like this.
Not posting that much anymore, so I just noticed that leaving spaces between paragraphs doesn’t register on this blog. And Mark you obviously know that, hence the hyphens you use between paragraphs.
Victory!!! Go Dodgers!!!
I’m trying to fix it, but I don’t have much time. The boss is an SOB.
Urias pitched well, needs to clean up his walks to keep his pitch count down. He got a couple of DP balls on good pitches. Bullpen was nails today and the 10th inning was huge. Utley got a clutch pinch hit and runs the bases like a wild man. Home to face the Phillies and then the Giants again. Rockies get swept by the Nats and are tied for 1st and get the DBacks next. Dodgers only 3 games back and have a chance to make up some ground.
1. Yes, Urias needs to clean it up, but remember this: He is better than Clayton was at the same stage.
2. Utley always runs the bases like that. That’s why he’s not on the hot seat!
They did pitch around Posey for a walk.
And although Toles had not got a hit, in the last two games, he has started, I saw a different hitter, when he struck out today, so I wasn’t surprised when he came through today.
He has a knack of coming through, in these situations.
Toles stats went down during his slump, but he hasn’t been the only one, does people realize that Joc has seven more strike outs, then hits?