Flatter Than Pancakes

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1. mookie! Stop playing with your jewelry FOCUS on baseball earn your money.

2. Mookie detached? What are you speculating….he’s got some personal issues, he doesn’t like it in LA, something else?

   His detachment could be .258 BA, .372 OBP, .438 SLG, .810 OPS, 127 OPS+ with just a 2 WAR.

   1. I have no idea, but something is bothering him… in my opinion.

   2. That’s what I was thinking. Chicken before the egg. Does he suck because he’s detached, or is he detached because he sucks?

      I think this has a lot more to do with Belli and Pollock need a little time to adjust before they get hot and Seager and Muncy being out (Muncy for these last two games). Gavin is slipping back into bad habits. He’s got a little Kike in him. He just tires to hard to make something happen.

3. I agree. This team will probably stabilize and start playing consistently better the second half of the season but I am also frustrated by the lack of emotion they are displaying. Watch Tatis and Acuna play and you not only see tremendous talent but enthusiasm for the game. I’m not sure we have that type of player on our squad this year. Mookie should be that guy.

   1. Mookie is that guy, but it’s tough to be that guy when you’ve struggled for 1/3 of the season. To me, Tatis plays with enthusiasm for himself, not the game. All eyes on me. He has zero class and I hope none of our boys in blue look to that guy for direction on how the game is to be played. I prefer the worker like attitude of CT3 and the stoicism of Corey Seager. Acuna I agree with. I don’t think he’s as over the top as Tatis.

   2. Bring back the wild horse to light a fire and bring some excitement.
      This team is boring and going threw the motions. No fire, no passion no nothing.

      Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!

      1. Wild horse?

         I’m behind on my nicknames, who is that? Peters?

         1. That was Vin’s nickname for Puig.

            I don’t think the Dodgers need that kind of excitement.

4. Missed the game and I am glad I did. I get very frustrated with this particular bunch. I did watch the recap after I got home from our jam session, which went pretty well despite a little afternoon drizzle. Comedy was provided by the owners dog, Odie James, who managed to knock Lonnie out of his chair several times, get off of his leash, and generally cause a little havoc. Odie is a full blooded Malamute. Good news is that both SF and SD lost. Giants lost Longoria for 4 to 6 weeks. Story on MLBTR says Pads might target Joey Gallo if Texas makes him available. Pujols jack was not a cheapy…pretty nice for a 86 year old guy.

5. Does anyone know what is up with Busch and Gray ?
   Busch has not played in some time now and Gray was supposed to be out for only 2-3 weeks.

   Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!

   1. The Dodgers are just going to extreme lengths with Gray to make sure he is OK.

      I heard Busch had a strain (where I have no clue). Busch has been out a week.

6. Mookie stats are much better than he looks. I think AF is going to regret this one. He really doesn’t have any star qualities unless it is on defense. Right now he is not a basestealer. Mb he has some kind of leg issue holding him back but he should have been running in Atlanta. No power, doesn’t really have a certain pitch he hammers. Does not hit well with runners in scoring position. He has had one great year statistically. I know his defense helped us win a World Series so I am grateful. I was expecting a superstar and I just don’t c it. Mb something is wrong and I hope there is if it can be corrected. His body type would not appear to b durable in the long haul. He appears to be a class act so there is that. Mb I just expected too much. Most players have a hot streak and he is due.

   1. Rush to judgement award finalist right here!

7. After last week’s personal back slapping post, maybe it’s time to give acknowledgement to those who said it would be wise to freshen things up and not let anyone rest on their laurels.

   It was stated many times that you should always strengthen from a position of strength. Offensively we stood pat, or in fact went backwards with the loss of Joc and Kike.
   The need for a RH bat was discussed as was the need for some decent bench pieces.

   The signing of Bauer was excellent and exactly what you should do when the WS Champions. I listened to the Cardinal’s announcers yesterday, and they said as much – they were in doubt that he is the Ace on our staff.

   We didn’t strengthen on the offensive side, and as DodgerRick had stated many times, it is our Starting Rotation that is keeps us afloat.

   Seagar is a huge loss of course, but I have my doubts as to whether Belinger will ever be more than a HR hitter. He doesn’t seem interested in evolution.

   1. I disagree on Joc and Kike. Neither is lighting up the league. Joc is in the 230’s and Kike in the 220’s. Both have 5 HR’s. I think McKinstry has been as good as Joc would have been and is way more versatile. Taylor, if there were no injuries would be the Kike replacement. Kike’s bench personality might be missed. As for bad idea’s, I think Tsutsugo has been a total bust. Could not hit water if he fell out of a boat. Look at it this way, with a little more than a third of the season on the books, they are only 3 games back, and they have had numerous injuries to key players. No fire on the bench maybe. And obviously no on the field leader. Pujols has been a positive influence. But until you get your big guns, Mookie, Belli, Muncy, Turner, Seager, all firing on all cylinders, this is the kind of play you can expect. I do not expect them to recall Raley and have him all of a sudden impersonate Babe Ruth, same with Ravelo. If they want that kind of help, then they need to trade for someone with a track record. Some AAAA player at OKC is not going to make that big of a difference. And make no mistake, not having the DH has definitely affected this teams offense. AF and the rest of the powers that be know where the holes are. If they are to defend their title, they are going to need to make some hard choices. And some borderline players, and maybe even some prospects are going to pay the price. I would love to seem them get a guy like Haniger from the Mariners. Power hitting RH outfielder. I would also prefer Ruiz to Barnes. They have the pieces to go get someone who makes the team better. Want a 5th starter for a while, how about trading for Scherzer? In the last year of his contract, and basically a beast on the mound. Me, I am not running the team, but shaking things up seems to be a smart move since this bunch is not playing with any sense of urgency. Get in front and let the other teams chase you. Oh yeah, Story has stated he does not plan on resigning with the Rockies.

   2. Did you see Belli go opposite filed for a hit yesterday?

      1. No, I was playing music and they did not show that on the recap. Just Pujol’s single and his HR,

      2. Yep. I love it. I think that was the third hit to LF in the last week. I think Orel mentioned that Bellinger had been working with hitting coaches on going to LF. I believe all three hits were with two strikes. Very encouraging to see. Now, if he would back off on his other swings. He has plenty of power and athleticism to hit HR’s without swinging out of his shoes.

         1. I find it amusing people think that about Bellinger. He’s the only Dodger with a career .900 OPS. I guess people love fiction.

            1. Touting Bellinger’s career OPS might be a bit premature.
               2017 – 132 games / .933 great
               2018 – 162 games / .814 above average
               2019 – 156 games / 1.056 great
               2020 – 54 games / .789 above average
               2021 – 12 games / .641 below average
               Career OPS .905 – very good to above average

               I’m not denying his numbers are very good to great so far. But, my issue is that he could be much more productive for the Dodgers and have an all-time great career. I mean a top 20 all-time type of career. Add GG defense at three positions, speed, and the ability to consistently produce .320+/35+/120+ and OPS of 1.000+. Just sayin’.

            2. tedraymond, I took your numbers here on Bellinger and dug a little deeper. For starters I agree with you on his value at 3 positions, great speed and base running. He was other worldly through 2017, 2018 and the half of 2019. His 1.137 1st half was unsustainable. The 2nd half of 2019 he still posted a .921 OPS but his homers dropped from 27 to 20 and his average from .345 to .259. Still those were MVP numbers despite a slide to reality the 2nd half.
               Since then, as you pointed out, it’s been .789 and .641. Still nice numbers but trending in the wrong direction. I know he’s been injured and he’s only 25. But I’m on record as being suspicious of his swing long-term. Will he become a 3 outcome guy? A Joey Gallo who hits 30 points higher? Time will tell but sitting right here, right now I would be reluctant to sign him to a massive Boras type contract unless that trend turns around in the next 2 years. If it’s one or the other with Seager. I would sign Seager even with his perceived defensive liabilities, assuming he doesn’t want a 300 million dollar deal. Those perceived liabilities don’t look so bad as we watch Lux after 50 games at .238 & .676. I don’t think it’s unreasonable to sign neither if both want “dope fiend” money as Mark likes to say. That money, along with CK’s goes a long way in buying some good players to supplement the talent being developed in the minors. Time will tell.

      3. Saw that and went “FINALLY”!

8. You do realize we have the highest payroll in all of baseball. How much more can AF do? Guys have been injured and just not performing. It’s on the players to be better.

   1. I agree it is not the payroll we just have had injuries and guys not performing. I’m just not sold on mookie as a star. I’m hoping there is a very good explanation. We can’t expect more out of Muncy and Taylor. But lux mb a platoon player who can’t him lefties. Turner has been ok but struggled in May. Betts, bellinger, and pollock have got to lead the way. Seager bat is needed. Our offense is not performing currently.

      But look at all the one run ball games we have lost. I lay this at the feet of our bullpen. Even 3-4 more wins would be huge. Our current bullpen is not division winning caliber. AF has to take some responsibility. A world champion team cannot provide a fifth starter because there is no one to call up. We got a 25 million dollar man(30 actually) who could have been starting. Instead we stress our weakest link the bullpen. We do not have the luxury of throwing away games because our division is much more competitive. You don’t have adequate depth if a World Series champion cannot produce a 5th starter. What if one of the other 4 get hurt?

      1. Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin went down and next was Jimmy Nelson. Those were the Dodgers’ #5, #6, and #7 starters. Josiah Gray was #8, and David Price was #9. Not many teams could weather that blow, but here they are, with the 6th best record in baseball… 4 wins away from the best record. I would say that Dodger fans have been given a million dollars and are complaining because the bag is too heavy.

         This is nothing!

         1. Let’s agree all that is true. U have to have somebody from triple a or double a u can call up to make starts. It may not be who u want but there has to be somebody. U could have predicted Nelson and price being hurt and probably will b again. If we get someone else unexpectedly hurt then do u have multiple bullpen games? At the rate of injuries and with guys like kershaw who has been on the il every year there must be a plan. I know gonsolin is coming back but he is no sure thing. Gray is not in the picture as he isn’t even pitching now. We just seem very short in options unless they just preferred the bp option. Whatever I am not ungrateful at all and I think we will make a run just frustrated that we r not better.

            1. I agree that usually some replacement starters are available in AA or AAA. I think with the elimination of the 2020 minor league season there were several recently drafted and highly regarded pitchers that could have possibly filled the role as a spot starter during this season. To lose a whole year of development was bad timing. AF has concentrated his drafts the last 2-3 years on pitching from both high school and college. So, the lost year of 2020 might have been huge in AF’s plans for the staff. It could have been a reason for the overpay for Bauer.

9. It’s not the bullpens fault that in the last month and a half we’ve scored three runs or less 19 times. You’re not gonna win a lot of games with that lack of production. We’re just not hitting and not hitting for power. And we’re losing a lot of close games. Lacking in passion and belief. Somebody needs to crack the whip!

   1. Especially since when we have had bp games, they actually have pitched quite well & have just not gotten ANY support.

10. What?

    No big discussion on spin rate with MLB now enforcing foreign substances on balls and Trevor Bauer’s on his four seam fastball dropping from 2,835 in his first 12 games to 2,612 rpm yesterday.

    As for Mookie, he has a nagging injury or maybe not. He loves LA. Possibly a funk, a bad stint. Players have those.

    I agree there is no Gibson type. That would have to come from Turner.

    Certainly injuries haven’t helped. But there is something missing on this team. No, it’s not Joc or Kiki. But look at the Dodgers win. They get four hits … four and score nine runs. MLB is doing that. Change the ball and whatever other dumb decisions good old Rob Manfred can come up with. Some of it the residue of too much analystics. Yes, for the most part the game is boring.

    Come on Mark. You should know that Albert is not a day over 49. But what the heck, he got two hits yesterday and he hustles. Old guys rule.

11. I think all of us ,maybe not from a offensive output so much,miss Kike and Joc.We miss that fire in the belly that Kiki has,that constant fun smile Joc kept,it infected the team in a great way.To me we really miss that,I know we can overcompensate.I do think we will.But I also am watching mlb and these pitch doctors and spin rates.That could change a lot .

12. CT3 knew he was going to make contact, I knew it too. I also knew, as he did, that it wouldn’t make it out of the park. I could read that much in his face. It’s a popular look with the Dodgers as of late. I guess there’s a lot of satisfaction that comes with winning a championship, Damnit! Before you pass that baton give an example of what you’re supposed to do before handing it off! All that talent and opportunity and this is what us fans get? Win and then get eaten by lions? Be the Mo-Fu lions and represent. Or how many years before the next parade? If you let it slip through your fingers, how special is it? Because right now is the time to show what the Dodgers are all about. Not thirty some years later!

13. Tommy speaking through me.

14. I know it is not good to kick some one when they are down but we are one-third through the season and I think that is a large enough sample size to allow criticism for our very well paid players. I am normally very positive but looking at this year and last combined- I echo earlier comments today that Belli may only be a home run hitter with an inability to change now that pitchers have figured out his long swing (I think AF has a really hard decision to make when spending huge dollars/long term on him): I kept hoping that Lux would settle into a grove but it looks his grove is utility infielder; I love Kershaw but he has been paid very well, is now in decline, and if he wants to continue then I have no problem hoping he does well in Texas; our bullpen is truly a revolving door but more blame goes on the offense; I am afraid Mookie is what we see; there is no way Seager is back as his agent will get every possible dollar from some team willing to make a big mistake. My final worry is complacency as the players have read they are the best and just assume they are going to win. I know when I compete in racquetball against someone inferior and let off the gas a little, it is really hard to turn it back on when needed. I don’t think the hunger is there and the Padres smell blood!! Sorry for all the negative but it seems this is a perfect storm of a lot of bad things coming together augmented by a lot of injuries that have provided the players with an excuse. There is a reason we rarely see teams winning back-to-back championships. Boy do I hope I am 100% wrong!! I would really like to look stupid!!

    1. Per your request…… we will pray for that to happen. 🙂
       fingers crossed!

15. * I mentioned before this road trip that the next 15 games would be an indication if we were going to make a move up the standings or not. So far we’re 1 and 2.
    * As a coach I used to stress the importance of our pitchers dominating the bottom of the lineup. Certainly big league hitters are more dangerous but there is still usually a reason guys are hitting 7th and 8th and then pitchers or pinch hitters. Yesterday, the bottom 3 spots for the Dodgers were 0 for 10.
    7 total hits and 0 walks made for no traffic on the bases and only 5 LOB. Where are the bats?
    * Larry Vanover is one of the old guard umpires who has his own personal strike zone and refuses to call the high strike, until he does. The ring up of Taylor in the 4th was horseshit. But like Joe West, you’d better not say anything. I’ve gone a few days without lobbying for ABS so it’s time.
    * Does Smith not get along with home plate umps? He gets more marginal strike calls at bat than anybody.
    * Between Freeman and Pujols, first is like the welcome wagon over there. They appear to be enjoying themselves but there was a time when that kind of fraternizing was discouraged by the league and some hard-nose players. It’s unlikely you would have seen Ted Williams or Pete Rose giving any hugs over there.
    * I notice weird things. The whole series at Truist Park, I noticed how tight the backstop netting is. It’s like a trampoline. Foul balls off the netting constantly bound back to home plate or bounce off the brick wall back to the catcher. Any wild pitch has the potential to ricochet right back to the catcher.
    * Mookie looked back in his “yank mode” again.
    * I suggested that MLB should put off the illegal substance enforcement until spring training. Then they can start fresh, clarify what’s illegal, how it will be enforced, what are the penalties and maybe consider tacifying the baseball beyond rubbing mud on it. Is sunscreen and rosin illegal?
    Instead Manfred is going to turn this into a witch-hunt and any suspected violator better have his spin electronically monitored, as Bauer’s was yesterday, to look for significant changes in spin rates. Then guys like Bauer can be labeled as cheaters and Managers like Doc can be compared to Hinch and Cora. There are fans already comparing using illegal substance to gain an advantage to the use of steroids to gain an advantage. Again MLB will turn this into a shit-show. before it’s all said and done.
    Good article in the Athletic by Fabian Ardaya about Bauer and the proposed crack down.

16. Just like all good businesses, winning teams require leadership, and that starts with management. When things are not going well, you don’t rely on the employees to figure out what’s wrong and motivate each other–that’s what management is for, especially when things are not going well. It’s easy to run a business or baseball team when everything is humming along, but the great businesses or baseball teams are the ones who take the appropriate action(s) when things are not going well. That’s why you have managers and that’s what makes great managers. Heck, why have managers if you believe only the players are the ones who can fix this?

    1. stevied what “appropriate actions” would you suggest from the management? Doc has his strong suits like his apparent relationships with his players. His record would indicate he possess some management skills. I criticize his in-game management and strategies sometimes, where I think he falls short. I’d like a more aggressive approach in the running games and wonder about bullpen choices. But he isn’t playing. The bottom line for me is that it’s up to players to perform. It’s their job and they are paid handsomely to perform in a performance business. Should we fire everybody and play with AAA guys? Fire the Manager? Fire AF? Weed out the roster of underperformers? This might actually be an option after the season. Maybe we find out some players with high expectations maybe just aren’t that good. I don’t like how we’re playing but It’s a little early to be blowing up the franchise. Should we become sellers for a change at the trade deadline? This wouldn’t be the first champion to have a poor next season but I’m not ready to panic or point the finger at the management for the players underperformance.

    2. Tell me that Lasorda would have won in 1988 without Kirk Gibson.

17. We lost a road series to a good team (even though they are under .500).

    It’s June 7th; not time to panic. Need to clean up a few things and they will…starting tomorrow in Pittsburg.

18. Washington did not win the World Series in 2019!

    No way they could do it, because, on this date in 2019, they were 28 and 35 and their hitting and bullpen were in shambles.

    This is applying the same nonsense some of you are spouting. They got better in the second half.

    The Dodgers are 34 and 25! HELLO! We are in so much better shape than they were in 2019.

    World Series Malise, Injury Bug, Bad Luck… whatever! The game is played by humans, not machines. This too shall pass. As bad as they have been, they are #4 in Power Rankings.

    I was not sold on Gavin LUx at the start of the season. Then he got on a little run and looked good, but now he is back to .238 and his OB% is .293. That sucks BIG TIME! When Corey Seager comes back and if Lux is still hitting like this, it may be time to move Smith to 2B or 3B and see what Ruiz can do.

    Smith is not a big guy and could benefit offensively by playing a less taxing position.

    1. Betts RF (I think he will come around)
    2. Seager SS
    3. Turner 2B
    4. Bellinger CF
    5. Smith 3B
    6. Muncy 1B
    7. Pollock LF
    8. Ruiz C

    McKinstry and Taylor play all over.

    Pujols is team mascot and designated hitter and pinch hitter.

    We are right in the hunt.

    1. Turner can’t play 2nd. He has no range as it is at 3rd much less at 2nd. And he wouldn’t be able to bounce his throws from 2nd!

19. Well how could we forget. The nationals wildcard team dispatched the dodgers that year, Cards, and ASSTROS at Minute Maid park. Won 93 regular season games. Atlanta 97. They basically did it with a hot Strasburg, Corbin, and Scherzer, with a 4th starter pitching over his head. Strasburg has been hurt ever since.

    I agree with your optimism Mark and certainly we are still in good position. We just need to get healthy and stay that way. We have the talent with some new bullpen faces. This optimism will last unless the pirates beat us tonight lol

    1. I will bet a Million Dollars the Dodgers won’t lose tonight!

       1. U better hope Oklahoma City rallies!!

20. I’ll bet they won’t win then!

21. I’m neither suggesting we “blow up” the team, nor am I in a panic mode. And I agree that the players are paid quite well for performing. But I own a business and have employees and I need to do all I can to see that they are performing at their best level, especially when it is apparent that they are performing poorly compared to their ability. I’m sure many of you are in the same position (hello Mark!). All I’m suggesting as an area of discussion is that Dave Roberts is the manager and he’s the one in charge of the team performance. I guess you can sit back and say that it’s early in the season and we’ll get better. I guess you can also say that business is bad and it will get better. Maybe it will and maybe it won’t. So if that’s the case, why have a manager?

    1. So my original question is still unanswered “stevied what “appropriate actions” would you suggest from the management?” What exactly do you think Doc should do as the manager “of the team’s performance”? As a business owner, what do you suggest? I’m not being antagonsistic. I want your thoughts.

       1. Not my question but I think the dodgers are woeful in fundamentals. They can’t bunt pitchers included. They do not hit and run. That is more of a philosophy. Pitchers can’t hold runners. The pitchers work behind in the count often. Hitters don’t hit behind runners. They do not take the extra base often. Getting picked off bases. Etc etc

          These are supposed to be superior athletes but they often don’t seem to be prepared. Other teams execute fundamentals better with less talent. Doc will talk them to death and give them a pass. No wonder they love him.

          Doc is not going to reveal anything but the company line in interviews. I’m sure he is prepped on what not to say.

22. I haven’t managed employees who make $30,000,00 a year and have ten-year contracts. Maybe “is everything good with your wife and kids” doesn’t work with them. But I would think that a manager would have some high level of insight and the training and experience necessary to work with his staff to help them to overcome the issues that are holding them back. I don’t know what is keeping Mookie, for example, from performing at his normal level. But isn’t that a manager’s job? To be realistic about it, I’m sure Roberts is not blind to the problem and I assume (hope?) he is trying to help. But just to say “they will come around” or “it’s early in the season” is not much of a solution nor is it an appropriate management style.
    I don’t have any answers but I do think there is a problem and it isn’t just adding or subtracting a few players or some players on the IL. Last year this team lost one series all year. They looked focused in every game. Not so this year.

    1. There we go. Valid points by you and Therealten. I agree that players in general lack in solid fundoes at times. Nobody can bunt or hit and run because they don’t work on it. It’s aginst the organization’s philosophy. The philosophy of waiting around for the 3 run homer, Earl Weaver style, certainly frustrates me. I think today’s players are bigger, stronger and faster but not necessarily better “baseball” players, certainly fundamentally. I think it will be interesting to see how long this “lift and separate”, 3 outcome hitting approach lasts in the game as pitchers adjust. I hope players and organizations adjust with more small ball and attempts to beat the swift and an emphasis on more contact and less strikeouts. I think I’m slowly seeing more players trying to do that.
       Those are things a manager can influence. But player performance is up to the player.

23. Something to think about…

    Betts RF
    Seager SS
    Turner 3B
    Bellinger CF
    Muncy 1B
    Smith C
    Pollock LF
    Lux 2B

    This was the second game of the season. they scored 11 runs and it was the ONLY TIME this season that they all played together.

    Let that sink in for a minute.

    They have only played together once this season and somehow they lead MLB in runs scored anyways.

    In case you haven’t noticed, the starting rotation is pretty damn good too. We still have a very good bullpen piece on the IL in Knebel and the bullpen overall has been middle of the road even with all those rookies filling in.

    It seems silly to complain so much when we are where we are and haven’t played with anything near a full team yet.

24. Can’t wait to see that lineup again!

25. The report that 19-year-old Cartaya hit a 461-foot “moonshot” HR, and 21-year-old Vargas missed the cycle by a single is heartening….
    So maybe 4 years from now…. Ruiz/Cartaya at C, Smith at 3B, Lux at SS, Vargas (or Hoese) at 3B, Busch at 2B… And an OF of Mookie, Belli and a leftfielder to be named later. (Pages?)… McKinstry as UT.
    Who’s on 1st?
    Muncy could still be fine. … Hey, maybe Rios will come back strong! And they could share the DH role too…
    For some reason I prefer thinking about the future Dodgers right now.

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