Max Scherzer and Sweep of the Padres

Posted By on September 13, 2021

A couple of observations for the weekend series sweep of the Pads.  The starting pitching was obscene.  Urias 7.0 IP – 0 runs, Buehler 7.0 IP – 2 runs, Scherzer 8.0 IP – 0 runs.  In 22.0 IP the Padres scraped together 10 hits and 3 walks against the three starters.  Two shutouts for the weekend.  The Padres were never ahead for the entire weekend.  Outside of Blake Treinen’s outing on Saturday, the bullpen was superb.  An occasional misstep is to be expected. 

With 18 games to go, the Dodgers have three starting pitchers with sub 3.00 ERA’s.  None are named Clayton Kershaw and all three are qualified for the ERA title.  In the NL, Scherzer 2.17 (#1), Buehler 2.32 (#3), and Urias 2.98 (#10).  There are a total of 13 ML pitchers with a sub 3.00 ERA.  The only other team with 2 sub 3.00 ERA pitchers is Milwaukee with Corbin Burnes at 2.25 (#2) and Brandon Woodruff 2.48 (#4).

Max Scherzer has been a game changer for the Dodgers.  He has started 8 games with the Dodgers, and the Dodgers have won all 8 games (Max is 6-0).  When AF traded for Max, I commented that I could see a Doyle Alexander run for Max. For those who do not remember, in 1987 the Detroit Tigers traded John Smoltz to Atlanta for Doyle Alexander.  After the trade, Alexander started 11 games, and the Tigers won all 11 (Alexander was 9-0) over those 11 games.  Max probably has three more starts, and could replicate Doyle Alexander’s post trade results in 1987.  True, Smoltz went on to a HOF career with Atlanta, but Alexander did what he was asked to do for the Tigers in 1987 who won the AL East.  Max’s ERA for his 8 LAD starts is 0.88, and an OPS against of .419.  His K/W ratio is 14.4. That is just plain domination.

Congratulations to Max Scherzer on becoming only the 19th pitcher to accumulate 3,000 K’s, including his 3rd career immaculate inning.  He has tied Chris Sale and Sandy Koufax for the most immaculate innings pitched.  Max got his 3,000 K in his 404th career game, making him the 2nd fastest pitcher to reach the milestone behind Randy Johnson who needed just 362 games.

Anything can happen in a one game WC game.  But in a 5 or 7 game series, the Dodgers starting pitching will be very tough to beat.  How tough is the LAD starting pitching when Clayton Kershaw is the #4 SP.  If Kershaw and Gonsolin can get any length over the next 18 games, the Dodgers are going to be able to rest the bullpen and could go on a monstrous winning streak.  I try to stay positive, and it is not unrealistic.

Justin Bruihl is pitching himself onto the playoff roster.  Right now, my 9 relievers would be: KJ, Treinen, Knebel, Kelly,  Bickford, Vesia, Price, Gonsolin, and Bruihl.  That would leave out two who were on the WS roster last year; Bazooka and VGon.  Thus far, Shane Greene has not shown nearly enough to make the roster over any of the other nine.  In all candor, I still would have liked to see what Neftali Feliz could have done with a larger audition.

Overall the offense was good enough to sweep.  It was rather anemic for the first two games, but the offense was timely.  I always get back to…Did the Dodgers win?  If the Dodgers do not win the NL West, it will not be because the Dodgers lost it, it will be because SF won it.  SF has been unbelievable this season, especially down the stretch.

I was at my grandson’s futbol game yesterday, and when I got back, I got to see Belli’s new batting approach.  His double in the 8th inning was vintage Belli.  Gone was the violent uppercut with head pull into the 1B dugout, and a much more level swing in its place.  It was a controlled swing, and he looked comfortable.  I am not about to say everything is all better yet, but it is a good beginning coming at the right time.  How great would it be to have a classic Belli entering the playoffs.  I do not want to read that Belli will not adjust or will not listen to coaches (players or actual coaches).  With that 8th inning swing, he showed that he has done both.  Bravo to Belli.  Keep it up, even if you are only going to hit against RHP when AJ gets back.

I doubt that there has been a bigger fan of Austin Barnes other than me for the last several years.  I have always believed that it was the catcher’s responsibility to control the pitcher first.  Any offense was an extra benefit.  I know most out there do no agree with that assessment, but that is my opinion.  I looked at last year’s WS box scores and was reminded that Austin Barnes was the catcher for all four wins, while the Fresh Prince was the DH.  I would expect much of the same if (when) the Dodgers do make the WS this year.  That being said, while the Dodgers are trying to catch SF, I am on board with Smith being the catcher for the vast majority of the final 18 games.  The Dodgers need his offense, and it is not that he is a bad catcher.  In fact he is a very good receiver, just not as good as Barnes (IMO)…yet.

The Dodgers have 18 games remaining, 9 at home and 9 away.  The Giants have 19 games with 13 home and 6 away.  The Dodgers have a bit of an easier schedule, even with three against the Brewers.  The Giants have 10 with the Padres who are fighting for their playoff life.  They need to win and hope the Dodgers beat Cincinnati to have a chance at the playoffs.  So I would expect the Padres to give the Giants everything they can handle.  The problem is that has not been a problem for SF this season.

I plan on doing a review of the MiLB season (and I am just as sure that DC will do as well).  But as the 2021 MiLB season is winding down (one week to go), it appears that the Dodgers have two teams that are in contention for the playoffs: both A teams…A+ Great Lakes and A Rancho Cucamonga. Rancho is in very good shape to make the playoffs, while Great Lakes is in a dogfight.  The Loons are entering their final 6 game series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (Brewers) and are 1.5 games up on Lake County (Cleveland).

This article has 82 Comments

  1. God bless Max Scherzer. Where would we be without him. I guess we would have 3 bullpen games each rotation. What a performance yesterday. PAY THE MAN,

    Btw, There is no doubt with me. I pitch him in a one game playoff, not Buehler or Urias.

    I am very excited to see Gavin Lux in LF and starting to hit again. I hope I never see Souza again even though he is right-handed.

    Well, time to see how much Kershaw has healed. He’s well rested now so if healthy he should be ready to be beastly for us in the playoffs, assuming we have some games in the playoffs.

    I would like to believe the Pads can rise up and punch the Giants in the mouth tonight and the next three nights, but I have to be honest….I don’t see that happening. I wouldn’t be surprised to see another Giant sweep.

    Go Blue!
    TM

        1. Correct. Eat the Bauer $$$ and start over. Don’t care if it is not my $$$$. If I eff up, I suck it up, they effed up. Not that you could have predicted it, but they effed up. Sometimes eff ups are expensive And regardless of what they do with Max, they might still have to eat it anyway.

    1. Two more dingers, now 30 on the year. Kid looks legit.
      The first one was a monster shot over the batters eye. Nobody had reached that before.

      Go Dodgers!!!!!!!

  3. Snell with a left adductor (groin) injury and is day to day. Padres just look defeated. I don’t expect much out of them the rest of the way, but, I don’t expect much out of Cincinnati either.

    Yeah, it was nice to see the offense wake up a bit, but, would that have happened if Snell stayed in there? I have my doubts. We still win because San Diego has forgotten how to hit. It would appear San Francisco hasn’t.

    Bellinger finally looks like a normal hitter up there. He’s doing what many of us have been asking him to do for months. Why did it take so long? Not sure if the power will return before October but the swing and miss rate should be reduced. It already has been. Such a simple adjustment.

    Onward and upward. Arizona has won 2, but are 3-7.

    Yes, keep the varsity on the field.

    Rams looked pretty good. Might have been a lot of the Bears aren’t any good, I don’t know. After 1 week the NFC West looks pretty not too bad.

  4. Post game;

    Max Scherzer on his moment with Clayton Kershaw, who is within striking distance of reaching 3,000 strikeouts in his career as well:

    “Hopefully I’m here to be able to watch his 3,000th as well.”

    2. If the Dodgers do not sign Scherzer for at least two years, they are irrational, and I don’t think that they are I did earlier strongly suggest that it was imperative that we trade for Scherzer, and I didn’t care how good Ruiz might be someday. Here is one of the great pitchers, and he wanted to come here. It was a great trade, and the only way that we have a legitimate chance at the title. Whatever happens in the playoffs, great credit must go to Friedman and the ownership for making that trade.

      That said, if we end up as a Wildcard, we are going to have to win one game, and then two series where we are the road team. Maybe if Kershaw somehow comes back with the form he had earlier in the year, we have enough starting pitching to do it. We are playing well, but so are the Giants and so are the Brewers.

  5. How sweep it is! Beyond the joy of sweeping the Padres over the weekend, making it 6 in a row against our red-headed stepchild down south, it was jubilous to see Belli and Lux contribute in a couple of games. Confidence is king in baseball and I think this is the start of something very good for the two youngest hitters in the everyday lineup.

    For the next three games and for 10 games in the remainder of this season, the Padres will be my second favorite team. I’ll be rooting for them to turn things around against the hated ones. I just don’t see them losing six or seven in a row while fighting for a playoff spot. Sadly, the Dodgers might have to knock off the Reds out of contention during the process. Maybe the Cardinals will sneak into that second Wild Card spot, which wouldn’t be a bad thing although I would rather see the Reds in there. Oh well, a small price to pay to push the Giants into the Wild Card and the Padres out of the post-season altogether.

    What an amazing game by Mad Max Scherzer yesterday. Picking up his 3,000th K with an immaculate inning on the way and just missing out on a perfect game. Man, that would have been cool, and probably would have locked him in for a 4th Cy Young award along the way. It’s too bad that Blake Snell got injured, since there was no way Max was going to lose that game anyway.

    I’m looking forward to Kershaw returning tonight with high hopes that he can pitch like his old self down the stretch. The bullpen is rested after Max’s gem last night, ready to pickup some innings over the next couple of days while Kersh and Gonso are being built up for the remainder of the season. I wonder if V-Gone will get one more try before the end of the season to try out for the post-season roster. Hopefully this team is finally coming together with all parts firing in unison over the upcoming sprint at the end of the marathon of a season.

    Is Andy Pages the next great thing to happen to this organization. Is this young Cuban the next Puig, with a better attitude? After the 20 year old hit is 30th homer in just 114 games, I’m getting excited about the possibilities of seeing this young outfielder getting ready to step in as Pollock’s contract expires.

    But, Andy Pages isn’t the most intriguing prospect down on the farm for me. That honor belongs to Justin Yurchak. He’s not that young and he doesn’t have great tools and he’s kinda lacking in the power department, but hitting 389 in 24 games at AA has my attention! I’m also intrigued by Miguel Vargas and Michael Busch. Hopefully some of these next generation Dodgers keep doing what their doing and are close to reloading the Major League roster.

    Busch, Vargas, Pages, Yurchak, Lewis all look like they’re close to being very legitimate hitters. Noda, Ward and Outman aren’t too far behind. I’m trying not to get too excited about Eddys Leonard yet, but a very toolsy, young shortstop prospect is the cherry on top of the next wave of players.

    The future is bright.

    1. Hight ceiling comparison:

      Pages = Ozuna
      Vargas = Miggy
      Yurchak = Loney
      Busch = Kent
      Lewis = Caminiti
      Leonard = Torres

  6. Pardon my ignorance, but what does “3rd career immaculate inning” mean? Did he retire on 9 pitches and 3 strikeouts the inning, or did he only use 3 pitches in the inning?

      1. Thanks, I figured that means, I remember Kenley did it against Miami (I think) And not really, I’m glad the Dodgers won, but SD doesn’t worry me, in fact they have never worried me, I always said those clown assholes weren’t nothing, but many were very worried … I said it, the game is won on the field, in the season, not before.
        And now I read that many are worried about Milwaukee, and I said it before, they don’t worry me either, the only ones that may worry me are Atlanta or San Luis.
        That means I don’t even care about SF and his stupid magical hot streak and good luck.

        1. I’m with you Jorge! The Giants don’t worry me either. I just don’t want them to break our streak of division titles.

          Regarding the Padres, I said before the season started that the Ha-Seong Kim signing was overrated and that Myers and Hosmer had career years the year before and they were ripe for regression. I also said that Snell and Darvish were both very overrated.

          This year’s Giants will be the next year’s Padres. Ripe to come back to earth after a bunch of career years. Do you remember what happened to the Padres in the post-season last year? I do.

        2. San Luis? Obispo? The Mustangs. They got no pitching.

          Right now the teams that are hot are nobody, Milwaukee and the giants,. That could change any day or not at all. Milwaukee is gonna clinch in a few days and they might go on cruise control getting ready to play Atlanta.

          Dodgers just need to take care of their own business. I’d like to see a 9-1 streak start now and another one end October 3rd.

    1. Yes, Burnes and Woodruff are legit aces this year. And with Hader and Williams at the back end of their pen they are looking good for a playoff run.
      Brewers vs Dodgers very well could be the NLCS .

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

  8. I didn’t watch much the Saturday game, but read about Cody’s stance change Sunday morning. I watched Cody’s ABs on Sunday and all I can say is “finally!” He looks so much more comfortable and capable of hitting that waist high fastball which he did… a line drive to left center. Slight bend of the knees with his bat more upright. I don’t care who or what finally caused the change, but I’m very happy for Cody and the Dodgers. Now if Taylor can get back on track the offense should be competitive and ready for the playoffs.

    Incredible pitching this weekend by the staff. What an addition Scherzer has been. Trevor who?

    Carry on.

  9. I typically record day games and watch them in the evening. I may save yesterdays game like I did Vin’s last game.
    * What an awesome game to watch especially for 8 innings, before it got out of hand.
    Max was unbelievable. He is so fun to watch. We are witnessing some of the best pitching ever.
    * It’s nice to run away with the Division but I’m just loving this pennant race down the stretch. This is about the most fun you can have with your colthes on, as if I could remember. Every day is another challenging game and way better to me than when we had try out camp in September and no competition for the last month going into the playoffs.
    * Perfect day, pitching record and near perfect game.
    * Orel said basically Adams wasn’t doing anything on purpose when he dropped TT in his tracks and the fans went nuts. Orel instructed us that it was okay because it was a slider.
    Oh, that’s better. If you get hit in the face with an 86 mph slider that’s much better than getting a fastball in the face.
    * Bruihl (what spell check can do with that name) responded with a little chin music of his own in the 9th. Nothing crazy in response to Adams inability to not hit us 3 times and whistling a scary slider, nearly hitting TT. Nice little message saying “Hey we know your shitty, it wasn’t intentional but we’re tired of it and don’t like it. Well done.
    * Orel yesterday explained about Bellinger when he came up to pinch hit in the 4th:
    “Fans might notice that Cory has a new stance and new approach. He’s gotten a little wider with his lower half, his bat position is the same but his left elbow is lower. But he’s starting to make some adjustments with the stance changes. They wanted his stance a little more athletic, shorten his stride so he will be a little bit less COLLAPSED, which is when the head movement starts. Your eyes are moving and that’s trouble when you’re picking up the baseball. He’s gonna have better vision and better balance”
    Damn,. why didn’t I think of that?

    1. Simple Phil, they don’t pay you…. One of the best pitched games I have ever seen. Close to Kersh’s near perfect game against the Rockies. And the outfielders were having problems picking up the ball all day long. Mookie got a gift hit that helped the rout when Myers lost his ball in the sun. But they made some solid contact. I do not care Orel if it was just a slider, it was up near his coconut, and that is just too scary. Adams was just plain wild. At that point I was wishing Kelly would come in for the 9th. Padre hitters would have been soiling themselves with his heater coming at them. Machado may be a smirking jerk, but the guy definitely has some glove skills over there at third. Now if he could develop a personality, someone might like him. Not LA fans of course. I think when they are eliminated from playoff contention, if that happens, SD will shut Tatis down.

      1. As for HBP, I don’t care if they hit ‘em. With some of these guys it’s the best chance they have of getting on. Just don’t take it on the hands. Souza? Hit him. McKinney? Hit him too. 2 on nobody out. Beaty? Take it for the team. Bases loaded. Barnes? He’s tough, hit him. Run in. Turner then hits it out and everybody scores. How long would you have to wait for that group to produce a runs and by getting hit every one of them just crossed the plate. I’m a genius. Badgerdamus at your service.

  10. What is the rule for relief pitchers who are brought in to face one batter to end the inning?
    If the manager decides to send the same pitcher that ended the inning back out the next inning can they just face one batter? or do they need to face two batters to complete the 3 batter minimum? Just curious.

  11. Glad to see there are a number of teams that don’t scare you folks in the playoffs.

    Just for the record, I’m a real scaredy cat about ANY team that makes the playoffs, because post season is a series of short series and in a short series anything can happen.

    Yes, there are teams I would rather face and those I would less like to face, but any team can go on a run. Look at how the Giants got into the playoffs when they won it all.

    Some of you have already written off the Padres as a playoff possibility. I could easily see Tatis and Machado getting very hot and doing some bad things to SF. SD isn’t only playing for pride, they are also playing for a post season spot. I have every hope that they will be a big help to us these last three weeks.

    1. The giants had Mad Bum then. He pitched like RoboCop policed. They don’t have that now. Our pitching can hold them down. Our bats must have a collective revelry at the proper time. We hit we win.

  12. Just found the rule
    Definition
    In an effort to reduce the number of pitching changes and, in turn, cut down the average time per game, MLB instituted a rule change that requires pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses. If a pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he may be removed, but if he is brought back for a second inning, he must still face two more batters for a total of three.

    Previously, Rule 5.10(f) stated that the starting pitcher must pitch to one batter until that batter was put out or reached base, and Rule 5.10(g) stated that any reliever must pitch to one batter until that batter was put out or reached base, or the offensive team was put out, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses. These rules were in effect through the end of the 2019 season.

  13. If and when any of you get a chance to go to Sofi Stadium, it is absolutely spectacular!

    I was blown away walking around and sitting inside. Amazing amazing place.

    1. Great to hear Bobby, glad you had a great time. Stafford was every bit the big arm the team wanted and was way better than advertised. I love listening to sport talk on the radio, mostly AM 570. But, most of those guys sound pretty stupid the Monday after complaining about Stafford’s faults. Too many picks, lots of passing late in games he already lost, etc.

      Stafford’s response was immense. 20 for 26 over 300 yards 3TD’s and no picks against what was supposed to be a very good Bears defense. I can’t wait for the next game.

          1. You mean God Bless America?!!?!?!?!?!

            Which I have long been pushing to replace the Star-Spangled Banner one.

  14. Max Scherzer named National League Player of the Week
    He tossed 16 scoreless innings this week and reached the 3,000 strikeout milestone

  15. MT those are some interesting comparisons…

    Pages = Ozuna – I’ll take it, but Pages has a way better arm.
    Vargas = Miggy – That would be more than I expected.
    Yurchak = Loney – I’m hoping Olerud or Grace.
    Busch = Kent – Let’s go with Utley instead.
    Lewis = Caminiti – Post steroid?, yes please.
    Leonard = Torres – Sounds about right.

    There’s a lot of quantity here. Hopefully some turn into quality as well. I can’t get over that lofty Batting Average with Yurchak. It’s just so out of the norm for these days.

    1. Thank God Artie Moreno is a moron when he reneged on the Pederson, Stripling and Pages trade and is still paying the majority of Albert’s salary

  16. Excelente publicación Jeff te felicito y estoy totalmente de acuerdo contigo respecto al encuadre de Bamsy en los juegos importantes recibe un gran saludo desde México.

    1. Gracias Jose. Austin Barnes siempre ha sido uno de mis favoritos. Algunos simplemente no entienden que no todos en el roster tienen que ser All Star.

  17. I am outta’ here. I just got this and I am quitting everything and leaving to live in France.

    “Hello Friend.

    My apology for sending this unsolicited mail to you; I actually got your e-mail contact through my online exploration for proficient business persons and l decided to contact you directly about this business venture.

    I am contacting you in good faith for business investment proposal which will be of mutual benefit for us. I have a business proposal in large sum of (Four Hundred & Twenty Million United States Dollars) which has been allocated and will be transferred to any of your nominated active bank account if you confirm your reliability and capability to invest and handle such funds in a profit-making business in your country.

    Contact me back via my email if you are able and interested in this business investment proposal and if you can be trusted for further briefing and details

    I look forward to receiving your response

    Kind regards.

    Bradley Atkinson”

    It’s true – I have hit the motherload!

    4. I wonder if Bradley knows that Nigerian Prince that I did business with? All I had to do is sent him the taxes on the $30 million that will soon be forwarded to my account. Sounds like your lucky day too.

  20. Souza JR. DFA’d. Kershaw activated/. No Lineup posted yet. I would watch out replying to that email Mark. Some of them are pure spam and full of it. I have gotten several saying I am inheriting millions. All were scams.

      1. I got a call before it was announced. As an alum, I am happy for the program. As a person, even though he has millions remaining on his contract, I never like to see someone fired. Clay Helton is a good man in waaaaaaaay over his head as the head coach at USC.

  21. Tonight’s Lineup:

    HITTERS H-AB RBI HR SB AVG
    M. BettsRF 107-391 53 21 9 .274
    M. Muncy1B 111-436 83 32 2 .255
    T. Turner2B 165-522 59 21 27 .316
    C. SeagerSS 79-282 42 9 1 .280
    J. Turner3B 129-472 77 24 2 .273
    C. BellingerCF 46-288 33 9 2 .160
    G. LuxLF 67-291 38 6 3 .230
    A. BarnesC 39-180 20 6 0 .217
    C. KershawP 7-30 3 0 0 .233

  22. It’s good to see Kershaw running on the field during warmups. I’m keeping my fingers crossed he can break 91 on the gun.

  23. It would be nice to start a game once in awhile with a chance to gain a game, 5 to 0 gnats, Darvish laying an egg.

    1. He gave up 2 HR’s. Second was a 3 run shot to Longoria. Dodgers need to take care of their own business.

      1. I agree but time is running out and we now have to count on San Diego, who is dead in the water, to help us. Like our chances with Sherzer in a winner take all wild card game , looks like might be against Cardinals and Waino!

  24. That was cool seeing Belli.wave Lux off LOL, after Lux caught the ball in front of Belli and tagged him in the face LOL

  26. The Dodgers are having fun again. Witness Belli waving off Lux.

    Who was that moron early in the season who suggested Gavin Lux should be an outfielder?

    I like him in LF. Did you see that throw to 2B? No worries about the “YIPS” in LF!

    1. Yeah, but you wanted him out there because you didn’t think he could handle second. But, he’s looking pretty good out there. No doubt, he can handle center if he put the time in.

      1. Definitely has the speed and athleticism. According to baseball savant he’s the second fastest dodger
        Cool to see the standing O for Kershaw after 4 1/3

  29. I hate when runners turn their head to look back at where the ball was hit on what appears to be a close play. Seems to me that that look could slow them up slightly. And it appears to me that the Lux may have lost a half a step that caused him to be thrown out at the plate when he quickly turned to see the play.

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