Baseball is a funny game. It is also a very frustrating one and can leave you totally discombobulated. There are more ups and downs than an elevator in a high rise in the Big Apple. Take the previous series the Dodgers played against the Phillies last week.
They had so many chances to win the first two games and fell short both times. That clutch hit eluded them for the first three games. Their starting pitching, which had through the first 5 weeks been stellar, suddenly was more rotten than the politicos in DC! Julio Urias was touched for four homers in his game, and Buehler, forced into action by the injury to Kershaw, gave up five. The bullpen, also stellar all at once gave up winning rallies. After a Turner homer tied the game at 9, Graterol was touched for 3 in the 10th, leading to a 12-10 loss. Hudson gave up the winning runs after LA tied the game in the 8th inning on Friday.
And to win game four and stop the losing streak, they had to come off of the mat with two outs in the bottom of the 9th. A Bellinger triple and a walk to Taylor set up Lux’s first career walk-off. That atoned for his error that opened the door for 4 unearned runs scored off of rookie Michael Grove.
Now they are playing the D-Backs. A team that has lost 17 of their last 18 games at Dodger Stadium. They overcame a 2-0 deficit in game 1, 3-0 in the second game, and a 2-0 hole in the third. They are starting to find their power strokes with 6 homers in the three games. Betts is heating up as is Trea Turner.
I went to yesterday’s tiff, and I hoped they would jump out to a lead and keep it. This was the first time I got to see Striker Buehler in person. I love baseball. I love going to the games, I just wish they were more affordable to the lower-income scrubs like me. Well, it was a good game and ended with a sweep of the D-Backs. I can go see them when they come to Coors after I get home. And this year, I just might do that.
I think the team has not yet shown how good they can be. Freddie Freeman is working with both Lux and Bellinger. I hope some of Freeman rubs off on both. Meanwhile, let’s play ball, do not get ulcers, and cheer the blue to victory!
BIG BAD B&P ( BBB&P I like it) Please don’t pick on me. You’re hurting my feelings. And I only allow my wife to speak to me like that!
I like you when you talk baseball. 😉
Well, I certainly don’t want to get my third strike!
Stick to baseball and you won’t have to worry about it.
I’ll make sure to keep my “commie” opinions about rude and combative people to myself. You know me so well!
Passive aggressive shit starter like always. Maybe we should meet up sometime. I wonder if you would speak to me in the same manner that you do when you’re alone in your mom’s basement on your computer.
“Passive aggressive shit starter like always. Maybe we should meet up sometime. I wonder if you would speak to me in the same manner that you do when you’re alone in your mom’s basement on your computer.”
Doctor, heal thyself!
Bear, I like this post! I’m glad you got to go to the game.
Some info flying around regarding how hard our 1 and 2 are being hit. Concern? Hell yes it’s a concern. Especially when 3 & 5 are on the shelf. But, if we keep scoring all should be well, right?
Anybody heard of a guy named Paul Blackburn? Maybe we can pick him up early for a couple of Loons and cash. Oakland can always use cash.
Wow, you’re laser focused on this aren’t you? You’re suggesting that we trade prospects and increase payroll further to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. Forgetting that we have about 10-12 Starting Pitchers on the roster.
Then, you’re just gonna cut this guy when others come off the IL like Shane Greene? Just so you don’t have to use Pepiot and Grove, even though the Dodgers are 2-1 in their starts? And we haven’t even seen Miller yet.
Paul Blackburn has a career 4.87 ERA. This year, he’s 1.67. Do you really think that’s going to last? His 4 seamer averages 91.6 and his k/9 is 6.9. He’s a former 1st round pick and hasn’t even reached arbitration yet and he’s making the minimum. Does that sound like the kind of guy the Dodgers would go after in a trade? Does that sound like the kind of guy that the Athletics would trade away?
I think you need to recheck your meds this morning and maybe try suggesting an actual possibility.
Wtf are you talking about? Do you think before you blurt or maybe it’s just a continuous vomit reaction.
Blackburn was just a thought. Getting him doesn’t increase payroll, and you would know that if you’d done any research.
At this point you are the only one not recognizing what is going on with our pitching staff. For that reason alone you are worth ignoring. Your rude, childish insults are further reasons not to take you seriously.
Man, you are a freaking dumb ass! Do you even pay attention to what you write? You’re the one that suggested sending cash. That cash counts against payroll. Get back on the short bus and go back to school.
Rude, childish insults like “Alternative facts. Spit away. Try not to drool on your shoes.”?
Pot calling the kettle black, eh?
You’re a passive aggressive turd. You stir up shit, then cry when it happens to you.
He’s the only one who doesn’t see it as you do?
I would say that your continued insistence that the Dodgers pitching staff is flawed and must be upgraded via a trade is a bit monomaniacal at this point. You’ve grabbed on to the end of that rawhide dog chew and won’t let go.
Not that what you say doesn’t have some merit, or that the pitching staff can’t always be upgraded, but I think you’re obsessing over a solution to a problem that isn’t that acute.
This Blackburn guy seems intriguing, but, as BP has noted, he doesn’t have much of a career track record. I’ve mentioned before that the current dead ball offensive environment is making it a little difficult to assess pitching. I don’t know if this guy’s stats are a mirage.
We have both Duffy and May coming back who will basically be 3 inning openers or swing type players. This in addition to Anderson. Why do we need another?
If Buehler and Urias get hit hard in the playoffs then it won’t matter who we pick up. I think they’ll be fine. There’s just too much talent and moxie. We’re gonna make the playoffs if I was the #5 so I’d rather give the young guns a chance during the regular season. Why pick up a pitcher that won’t be a playoff caliber pitcher? I thought Pepiot did a good job yesterday and I blame Smith for calling for a 2-2 fastball to Walker. Use the change up!
“Why pick up a pitcher that won’t be a playoff caliber pitcher”
Well, so we can give Kershaw, Heaney, May, Treinen, Kahnle, Duffy, and whoever is next time to heal. It might also allow Pepiot, Grove and Miller to develop. It could give Buehler and Urias a day off now and then.
And how do you know for sure somebody we pick up through trade wouldn’t contribute valuable playoff innings?
I believe we have enough talent in the minor leagues to accomplish that. Just a difference of opinion. And enough talent with our current starting staff for the playoffs
I think we might. I already said I would be ok with inserting Pepiot and Grove in the rotation, at least temporarily. The problem with that is, as I see it anyway, we may be inviting more bullpen games. I’d like a plan that insures fewer of those.
I get it. Young guys need to be more efficient and go longer into games. Would you prefer if I called you a dumbass?
You wouldn’t be the first.
Why in the hell can’t Price step up and give Buehler and Urias rest, Pepiot, Grove, and Miller development time, and Kersh, Heaney, May healing time?
WE ALL PREDICTED IT WOULD HAPPEN EVENTUALLY:
Max Scherzer Headed For MRI After Last Night’s Early Exit
By Steve Adams | May 19, 2022 at 8:15am CDT
Mets ace Max Scherzer pulled himself from last night’s game midway through a sixth-inning at-bat against Albert Pujols (video link). After throwing a 2-2 slider to Pujols, Scherzer immediately motioned to the dugout that he was done, calling for a trainer and promptly exiting the game. The Mets announced that Scherzer was dealing with discomfort in his left side, and Scherzer told reporters after the contest that he’d felt tightness in his side throughout the day and felt a “zing” during the Pujols at-bat (video link). “I just knew I was done,” said Scherzer. The three-time Cy Young winner added that he doesn’t believe the injury to be a “major strain.”
That’ll be determined this morning, it seems, as MLB.com’s Anthony DiComo writes that Scherzer is headed for an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. While Scherzer himself downplayed the potential severity, it’s obviously a point of concern that he both pulled himself from the game and is now undergoing a round of imaging to determine whether a trip to the injured list will be necessary.
The 37-year-old right-hander inked a record-setting three-year, $130MM contract with the Mets over the winter, making him the highest paid player (on an annual basis) in Major League history. Thus far, Scherzer has been the co-ace the Mets hoped to be acquiring when doling out that deal, pitching 49 2/3 innings of 2.54 ERA ball with a 30.6% strikeout rate against a 5.7% walk rate. He’s been a major reason that the Mets’ rotation, even without Jacob deGrom, ranks fifth in the Majors in ERA and second in
I predicted that he would pitch half of that contract. Steve Cohen will eventually learn.
37 year old hard throwers are obviously high risk. And, it’s New Yourk, so who cares.
Cohen might not have enough to bid on Soto when the time comes unless he totally doesn’t care about CBT.
On Buehler:
I have no inside information, but it appears to me that Buehler is trying to change his repertoire. He can still throw 96 when he wants, but he is choosing to use more sliders and curves, and cut fastballs in the low 90s. What he was doing yesterday was game-planned. I am sure no one is going to talk about it, but I do not believe it is injury-related. I’d like to know more, but I doubt anyone tells us.
Someone is indeed talking about it.
Hey Bear, you’re welcome! Glad you had fun. Yea, the view from those seats is pretty, as you see the entire stadium.
Nice gesture Bobby!
Pirates theme song from the 70’s to go along with those awesome pillbox hats!
I thank you so very much, My sis needed the break as much as I did. It was a good game and we had some nice people around us. No drunks.
The Dodgers have 5 pitchers on the 60 day IL right now, 28 pitchers total on the 40 man.
The Starting Pitchers on the 40 include. Anderson, Buehler, Duffy, Gonsolin, Grove, Heaney, Jackson, Kershaw, May, Pepiot. Miller is depth and is not on 40 man. So. there’s a minimum of 10 Starting Pitchers already on the roster and with Miller, 11 total without considering Price and White.
Right now we have the best record in the NL and the best pitching staff in the NL. But, we need to trade for pitching?
Crack is bad.
Would you rather have Blake Snell to the CatMan?
CatMan is the right handed version of Blake Snell. Never goes deep into games, throws too many pitches, often injured, great when they aren’t.
I would rather have Beuller, Urias, Kershaw, CatMan, Duffy, Heaney (the reinvented version) than Blake Snell. You’re asking the wrong person because I was one of the few that argued against getting him when he was available. How’s that worked out so far? Blake Snell is 7-7 with an ERA north of 4 since coming over to the Padres despite pitching in one of the best pitching parks in the league.
Thanks. I concur. I just asked so you can explain better than me that names doesn’t make pitchers. Yesterday was a fanfarre in the media because Snell was coming off the IL and I went WTF?
As Dodger fans we expect to win. This is a great position to be in and undergirding this expectation is understated gratitude for the current team’s structure, farm system, mgt, and player acquisition strategy. That said, the lens thru which we view the Dodgers is colored by the World Series. More specifically, can the current team win it all. Pitching and health are the key ingredients to winning the WS. There’s a lot of talk in this log about our pitching depth, but i see a lack of playoff quality at present. Walker and Julio will hopefully round into shape and form a solid 1-2 punch. After that, we have issues. I don’t see Gonsolin as a playoff caliber pitcher, we cannot count on Clayton, and Heany becoming a stopper is a long shot. The BP is equally questionable. Yes, there’s time for stoppers to emerge, but Treinen’s injury, Graterol’s effectiveness don’t inspire confidence. My hope is a TB resolution will trigger a trade/acq for a starter, and the bullpen hierarchy will sort itself out. At the end of the end of the day, sweeping the D-backs feels good, but they’re not our measuring stick. Come Fall, can our pitching match-up with the Mets, Braves, Padres, Giants, Phillies in a winner take all series?
Trevor Bauer resolution would make him the best pitcher available at the deadline. May, may or may not be better. Duffy might be available to start by the time the playoffs roll around. All three of them are available to the Dodgers before any other team has a say in the matter. Gonsolin isn’t playoff ready until he is.
Whether you like it or not, admit to it or not. We have what we have and there isn’t anyone better available unless something drastic happens to a team with a stud on a short term deal. So, unless the Astros suddenly suck, you aren’t going to be able to pick a Verlander to help in the playoffs.
You mention the Mets, Braves, Padres, Giants and Phillies, eh?
The Mets two best pitchers are both banged up right now. Why are they primed for the post season and we aren’t?
Carrasco is 35 and has a 3.73 ERA. Bassitt has 2 games of post season experience.
The Braves basically have a 4 man rotation and two of them have an ERA north of 3.75
The Padres have 3 guys out of 5 with an ERA north of 3.77.
The Giants No. 3 is Woody. Cobb and DiScalfani are north of 5.61!
The Phillies’ best pitcher has a 3.49 ERA to go along with a 2-3 record.
Do you guys even check to see what other teams before forming an opinion? My gosh.
Try Valium.
Try rehab.
Everyone starts with the Idea that the Dodgers should have Five Number One Starters.
Yeah… that’s the ticket.
Bauer’s hearing starts next Monday and they are indicating that it might take several months… unless his Lawyers can just blow them out of the water… and I think they might be able to do so.
This is going to be fascinating! No one has ever not cow-toed to Manfred!
“Everyone starts with the Idea that the Dodgers should have Five Number One Starters.”
Everyone?
Not really. 3 is the number.
Exactly, everyone assumes that other teams are in a better position until you do the work and look into it. Then consider that those other teams, who are actually worse off, will be trying to acquire the few arms that become available.
No matter how many times you spell out the fact that we have the most pitching, they still can’t accept the reality, dig their heels in and keep saying the same thing day after day. They fail to realize that every pitcher has a bad game or two or three and expect everyone to put up a 1 or a 0 every time they pitch like CK in his prime.
“they dig their heels in and keep saying the same thing day after day.”
Yep. They sure do.
Today, our pitching staff can match up with Mets, Padres, Braves, Phillies, etc. but these teams are not going to stand still. Under Cohen, the Mets are all-in and we should assume Sherzer and DeGrom will be playoff ready. The Padres staff is getting healthy and have Tatis coming back. The Braves and Phillies will most certainly make moves to improve come the trade deadline. Farhan will makes moves. The Dodgers are currently built to win the regular season, without a doubt. Winning the WS means anticipating competitive moves while monitoring potential weaknesses.
I thank you so very much, My sis needed the break as much as I did. It was a good game and we had some nice people around us. No drunks.
It was fun and my sis had a great time. I really appreciate it.
I think it’s about time we bring up KPillar. We have holdup almost 2 months now with our 2nd basemen doubling up as our 4th outfileder!
I think you can make that case once MLB implements the 13 pitcher rule at the end of the month. Then you have to decide who to dump off the 40 man and if it’s worth it when you already have the best offense in the league.
The day of 5 starting pitchers is history. AF has embraced the bullpen game with how he has constructed the roster. The complete game is a a rarity now You can brake down a pitcher by how many innings you should expect.
5-6 Bueler/Urias/Heaney/Gonsolin/Anderson/Kershaw
3-4 White/Grove/Ferguson/Pepiot
1-2 Everybody else including IL
This is a staff that can get us through the regular season and winning the last game of the season!
I actually agree with Badger that bullpen games should be avoided as much as possible. But, when you’re carrying so many pitchers to begin with, you can see how this roster is constructed. When you look around the league, you can see there isn’t enough great Starting Pitchers to go around. I have no problem with going with Pepiot and Gove in the interim until Heaney and / or Kershaw come back. Then, we’re back to having a surplus of Starting Pitchers. I think you can add Price to the list of 3-4 in a week or so.
By the way, I forgot to list my name on the photo credit. It was me that took the picture of Bear on his couch.
And I appreciate the photo. One of the better pics of me.
BBB&P you have such a kind and gentle way about you.What’s your secret?
He gets up every morning, and instead of Scope or Listerine, he gargles with pea gravel and battery acid!
Cassidy, you have such a passive aggressive way about you, what’s your secret?
Mine is that I throw away the passive part and don’t instigate like you and Badger, Bluto, Mushers and Bumsrap do.
Try this, instead of intentionally trying to piss people off, talk about baseball.
If you scroll up, I was pleasant to you even though you started lipping off in your first post by calling me “Big Bad” in your passive aggressive manner like usual. Then you rib me some more with your strike comment. And then further with the commie comment. And then, I finally let you have it.
You aren’t fooling anyone. Like I said, let’s meet up for coffee sometime. I’m sure I can convince you to stop talking shit in person.
I’m looking forward to adding May and Duffy to the 3-4 list mid season. Wow I wouldn’t want to face the Dodgers pitching staff this year!
Scott, May will be on a strict pitch count I doubt he goes more than one or two innings the rest of the year once he comes back. Duffy will have to be built up. Best case scenario is Kersh and Heaney healthy, and all the pitchers getting enough rest. No Koufax’s or Big D”s in the league anymore. If a starter goes six it is a victory
It is getting a little “Chippy” in here.
Without naming names, can we tone it down a notch or two or I am going to have to Release the Kracken?
Oh no, not that!
Max Scherzer Likely Out Six To Eight Weeks Due To Oblique Strain
By Steve Adams | May 19, 2022 at 1:40pm CDT
The results of Max Scherzer’s MRI are in, and the news isn’t great for the Mets. The team announced Thursday that Scherzer has suffered a “moderate to high grade internal oblique strain” and is expected to miss six to eight weeks. He’ll be placed on the injured list alongside co-ace Jacob deGrom (stress reaction in his scapula) and right-hander Tylor Megill (biceps inflammation).
It’s a brutal blow for the Mets, who sit at 25-14 and currently hold a six-game lead over the second-place Phillies in the National League East. Scherzer sustained the injury last night when throwing a slider to Albert Pujols, telling reporters after the game that he’d been experienced some tightness before feeling a “zing” down his side on the final pitch to Pujols. The three-time Cy Young winner immediately called for the training staff and could be seen plainly stating, “I’m done” when the staff reached the mound.
He won’t be pitching against us when we face the Mets on the next homestand June 2-5.
Hey Zeke thanks for mentioning my yesterday and saying you have missed my analysis while I was “staying away for a bit”. It was actually a little more than that
On May 5, I mentioned I was going in for a knee replacement the next day and wish me luck. “Singing the Blue” did just that and I thanked him for his thoughts.
The knee procedure did not go well. The bone was really roached and required removal of bone including spurs, So it was pretty invasive which created lots of pain, I was unable to bear weight on that knee. When I had the other knee replace a few years ago, I was on my feet with a walker the next day, I couldn’t do that this time. I was forced to go to a Rehab Center for a 10 day stay. I busted my ass for 2 rehab sessions a day and got to the point where I’m self sufficient with the walker and I have come home.
And I’ve missed some Dodger broadcasts while in exile. I’m catching up. So whether you have missed any of my posts or not, that’s the reason.
For the most part, I’ve enjoyed my interactions with folks on this site for a few years now. I try to offer what I can from a player/coach perspective in a civil way. I will tell you that maybe I’m oversensitive this time but I was disappointed that my absence was so seamless. My thoughts or presence were never missed by anyone but Singing the Blue and Zeke. In earlier days, folks on this site took and interest in other bloggers and legitimately cared for one another. I miss the interactions from DBMom who added soul to this site. Kept us in check. That tells me something about the value of my relationships now on this site.
So, I haven’t gotten back into the saddle. The other part is I’m interested in talking baseball and topics baseball related. I have ZERO interest in the political arguments like yesterday. I though we had decided to not go there but some bloggers have an insatiable desire to go there. I’m not interested.
And today. Right out of the shoot we have the arrows flying between the usual cast of characters with comments about freakin dumbass, drooling on your shoes, checkin you meds, aggressive little turd and all the other sometimes witty, personal attacks at each other.
This just isn’t my style. I come here to civilly discuss baseball and share information. I don’t have much to add in this current environment.
Damn, sorry to hear about the knee pain
I scolded the children and sent them to their rooms.
I missed you, but knew that surgery often does not go according to plan… so I just give it time.
Sounds like you did well with the physical terorrists.
Hey Phil Jones glad to see you back posting. Wish you the best with your recovery. I too just like posting about baseball topics and refrain from the political ones. Looking forward to your view points as the season progresses.
Glad to see you back Phil.
Now that we know how much power my good luck wishes have, I’ll be sure and do no such thing for the Dodgers in their upcoming Philly series.
If you want civility, I suggest you drop over to Jeff’s new site. Very civil indeed and good baseball conversation.
If you wake up pissed in the morning and want to take it out on the world, come over here.
“Passive aggressive shit starter like always. Maybe we should meet up sometime. I wonder if you would speak to me in the same manner that you do when you’re alone in your mom’s basement on your computer.”
See you’re doing it now. And you wonder why I react the way I do?
I do it to be funny though.
Me too
Jokes fail if they aren’t delivered right. I’m hilarious. 😉
Hey PhilJones. I missed you while you were gone. Glad you’re back. Sorry you don’t like my comments, but I’m not good at letting people take swipes at me and then just let it go.
Cheers! I wish you a speedy recovery.
Hey Phil. I’m truly sorry about the setback with the knee procedure, and I hope you make a full recovery.
I do very much like your commentary here. You’ve been around the game a long time and bring a true coach’s perspective to the commentary. I wonder if perhaps you’re being a little too sensitive with respect to folks noticing your absence. People come and go on online blogs, and sometimes people don’t notice until they return. I doubt I would be missed, although you make a decent point that perhaps people SHOULD notice these things more – that it should be more of a community. However, P&P, Bear, Watford and myself recently met up for lunch, beers and baseball and it was delightful, so I don’t know that the criticism that this place lacks community is entirely fair. Speaking of Watford, I haven’t seen him here in a few days.
Boys just like to argue online. It’s what we do. DB Mom did temper things a bit with her decency, but boys will be boys. There is a certain cohort of folks who have left here for greener pastures because I don’t think they’re comfortable with the free flow of opinions and the disagreements that go along with them. It’s a pity.
Just for the sake of accuracy, the drooling on the shoes comment was yesterday, and it was by Badger directed at me, and, to be honest, I was prodding him a little to react that way because, sometimes, the sparring is fun. I would never call someone a dumbass or needing to be on meds. Those cheap insults means you’ve let yourself get angry on a baseball blog, which is embarrassing.
Phil,I never comment.But I have definitely missed your knowledge and inside info.You also seem like a good guy and I am glad you are better.
PhilJ, glad you are on the mend and somewhat back in the saddle. Appreciate you.
PhilJ, glad you are on the mend and somewhat back in the saddle. Appreciate you.
Amazing the Dodgers are where they are now with the best record in the NL.
Three of our supposed top hitters are at or below the Mendoza line.
2 starters out.
Our best reliever out.
That speaks volumes about the talent and depth of the franchise.
However: If we want to win the ultimate prize we need Treinen and Clayton in postseason play and Belli, Muncy and JT at or near their career numbers.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!
Just had a chance to read through the comments that I skipped over earlier and, yeah, today was a bad day on LADT.
Sorry I even brought up passive aggressiveness yesterday. The phrase has been mis-used and abused today.
I didn’t think Cassidy’s post yesterday was particularly political, and I wasn’t offended by it in the slightest, and I don’t think it was aimed at anyone here in particular.
Y’all need to relax.
Is it too political to suggest that Roberts is a much better strategist than Putin? And while I’m not sure the MLB needs more teams, I’m OK with an expanded NATO.
As for the great national pastime, I appreciate how Mark’s links to the farm enable me to get my Dodger fix on these off days.
To me today’s highlights included Miguel Vargas hitting another HR for OKC. I’ve read that, at 21, he’s the third youngest player in Triple A ball. I wonder whether Vargas or Busch will be the next batting prospect to be summoned to LA…. I’m rooting or Eddy Alvarez gets the call at some point…. And in Tulsa, Jacob Amaya keeps crushing the ball. His stats were nearly equal to Busch’s, but Amaya had a glove-first reputation until this season… If, say, two of Trea, Lux, Taylor become injured, could Amaya get a call? He’s said to be the best fielding g SS in the system, but McKinstry and Alvarez have more experience.
Injuries have already hit the pitching staff hard. With Treinen out, the deal for Kimbrel seems prescient.