OK, First I am going to talk about yesterday’s debacle (it wasn’t a game) for a minute (60 seconds). Max Muncy cost the Dodgers the game with his lack of hitting and fielding. I know it, you know it, Max knows it, and Ray Charles sees it. The fact that Max lost the game has nothing to do with his ability to play 2B. Max is an average to above-average 2B. Max is not a Gold Glove 2B (not many are), but he did make a couple of excellent plays earlier in the game. It is indisputable that he lost the game for the Dodgers, but enough with “he can’t play second base.” Max can’t do anything right… right about now. Knee-jerk reactions are silly. I am not sure what to do with Max right now. He does need something. I just don’t know what… and he has no trade value, so forget that! Maybe hitting rock bottom will give him the impetus to soar with eagles again. OK, NEVER MENTION THIS AGAIN.
Forget Trading for a Starting Pitcher
Trading for a starting pitcher is not only unnecessary, but it is also counterproductive to having a robust farm system with a multitude of arms. However, parroting that the Dodgers need another starting pitcher seems to be the popular thing, After all, Walker Buehler has been deemed to be impaired by many. Julio Urias doesn’t seem to be what he was last year, Clayton Kershaw is on the IL for who knows how long, and Andrew Heaney is also on the IL and was “much-maligned” before that, but the Dodgers keep winning. Trevor Bauer will not pitch this year because of the moronic, self-righteous, judgemental, idiot in the commissioner’s office (whom I believe will lose his job soon). The one bright spot in the rotation has been Tony Gonsolin… a guy many Dodger fans were down on or felt was better in the bullpen.
On March 26, 2022, I wrote this regarding Tony Gonsolin:
“I think he will break out like Julio did last year”
On March 30, 2022, I wrote this:
“Tony Gonsolin was beaten like a rented mule last night. It should have been so much worse! I am not in the least worried about him.”
Then, last week I wrote this:
“I have been telling you that Tony Gonsolin just needs to pitch. He needs to build up, and he is. I think we will see him pitch into the 7th inning soon. He has four very good pitches, but remember 3 or 4 years ago when he used to touch 100 MPH? He has turned it down a notch and is not that high-effort thrower. He is typically at 93 to 94 and is much more effective.”
Like it or not, that all happens to be true. Tony Gonsolin should be 5-0 with a 1.62 ERA and 0.97 WHIP, were it not for a bad play that I will never speak about again. He still has that ERA and WHIP but he is only 4-0, not 5-0. At 28-years-old, Tony Gonsolin has realized his potential. He is the Dodgers’ #3 starter, having pushed Clayton Kershaw to #4. You can see him gain confidence and command with every start.
Here’s why the Dodgers should not trade for another starter: HELLO! They have the solution in their system. Heaney and Kershaw will be back. Mitch White is a pitcher to be reckoned with and Ryan Pepiot, Bobby Miller, Nick Nastrani, Landon Knack, Clayton Beeter, Andre Jackson (I am not negative about him), and several other starters are all possibilities. “THEY ARE NOT READY YET!” Before Sunday’s game, many said that Peopit was not ready, but 5 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 BB and 6 K’s to go with his 1.72 ERA at AAA say otherwise! Elite players play up to their competition. Progress is not linear. Ryan Pepiot will be a big part of the Dodgers’ pitching THIS year! Book it! I may very well be wrong that he can’t be a starter, but boy, can he pitch!
To those who say Bobby Miller is a year away, I say the same thing I said when they told me Cody Bellinger was a year away – the year he won the Rookie of the Year Award! “Maybe, but maybe not!” If you asked Bobby Miller to deliver one clean inning, I would bet he could do it. That could be valuable in the playoffs. We saw what Miller did to the Angels in the Freeway Series. I am not saying that Bobby is ready TODAY, but progress and growth are not always predictable.
The minor leagues of the Dodger system are loaded with power-pitching prospects. Progress is not linear and sometimes the best ones do not always have the best stats or pedigree. The main reason not to trade for a starter is that what you are looking for may have been in your system the entire time. I sometimes think that Tyler Anderson and his $8 million dollar salary were not necessary. At this stage of the game, promote from within. The arms are there. Find the right one and ride it (Ryan Pepiot).
By the way, this is part of the joy of baseball. Players whom no one expects, just show up, step up, and shut everyone up. We have seen pitchers who appear to be unhittable in the minors and come up to be used as a batting practice pitcher and the opposite is also true: some guy whose minor league stats are just so-so, come up and pitches like an ace. Go figure! Personally, I would like to see the Dodgers be a little more aggressive in promoting young pitchers. Just my opinion.
Dodger Minor League Highlights
- Ryan Pepiot is 3-0 with a 1.72 ERA at AAA -m nothing more to learn here… Move on!
- Miguel Vargas was 2-4 with his 7th HR. (.311/.933).
- Brett de Geuss sucks – I can’t believe I liked him at one time. I was a moron!
As time passes, this section will get smaller as I will only focus on “legitimate prospects” – not just “feel good” stories. I get that, I like those stories, but we are focusing on the players who actually have shot at the show. Harold and Jeff at LA DODGER CHRONICLES can tell you all about the other guys… and that is important too. I just can’t cover everything.
LA Trip
My youngest son and I will be making a business trip to LA on May 31st to June 5th. It’s all business but we will be to at least two games (maybe more):
- Tuesday , May 31st @ Dodger Stadium – We will be in the RF Home Run Seats. We are arriving early.
- Saturday, June 4th @ Rancho Cucamonga – Allegedly Jayne Cobb, Bear, and Bulldogs & Penguins will also be there. We plan to be early.
- We have an Air B & B in Pasadena and may have some evenings available. Not quite sure yet!
Here is who to look for:
“We’ll see” said the Zen Master.
My sixty seconds about Muncy. You say there is NO OTHER option on the team or in system that could do better than him? He already said he won’t be 100% til next year. Let him sit on the IL, and bring up someone else to bat .180 or above
I have a feeling that if he were injured, he would already be on the IL. You can’t just say “you are injured” and put them on the IL.
#1 – A Trainer or Doctor has to sign off (this is their life);
#2 – That means that there must really be an injury; and
#3 – The player and MLBPA have to be in agreement.
Maybe he is injured, but I can’t imagine the Dodgers would keep him active if he was!
“You can’t just say “you are injured” and put them on the IL.”
Sure you can. Everybody lies. Haven’t you noticed?
What!!!. . My elbow hurts. OK ‘Elbow discomfort’
No one could say anything if they claimed “mental health issues”. At this point even IF there are some unknown physical issues, there is SOMETHING going on in his noggin when he is at the plate that does not belong there.
Don’t pick on Muncy, Roberts is using him as a scapegoat. Roberts lost the last game with his horrible selection of loser pitchers at the end. With an almost endless choice of relievers, Roberts selected a guy that nearly lost the prior game and then a rookie with no experience in the clutch. Roberts would rather make friends in the bullpen than win a game it appears, especially when the chips are down and newbies have a chance to be heroes. Sorry, Doc, but this is the big leagues and when you give the opponent half a chance to beat you, they probably will!
2 5 minute phone calls. Bring up Vargas and Busch then release Muncy, You have just made your team 50 percent better. If a ace starter comes available grab him for the year.
25 pitchers used in 3 games, and 14 more games without a day off.
Taylor and Muncy could both use some time to reflect.
Earlier in the year, when Lux was experiencing “the Yips” or something close, you could see him pressing in the field and at-bat. Happily, it went away and you can see the resurgence.
Muncy is also pressing. Maybe yesterday is the tipping point!
Draft Kings World Series Odds:
Dodgers 4.5:1
Yankees 5.5:1
Astros 8:1
Mets 8:1
MT on the IL with a pulled rotator cuff from patting himself on the back once again.
Is .2 WAR, .156 BA, .279 SLG, .610 OPS and 76 OPS+ through 122 AB’s a knee jerk reaction to thinking Max needs to sit and/or, an IL stint? Competition is the best motivator for professional athletes and a Michael Busch call-up just might be what Max needs to be “kicked in the butt.”
Production is the name of the game in the big leagues. Produce and your name gets penciled in the line-up, continue to suck and management will find someone to take your place. Jut ask KJ about game 6 in the 2020 WS when Doc used Julio to close it out with KJ watching from the BP. Loyalty and sentimentality can only go so far, It’s all about production and Max needs to sit, get his elbow checked out or see a sports psychologist . I’ve seen enough of the center cut FB’s with his bat on his shoulder to convince me of that.
It’s not a knee-jerk reaction to want him out of the lineup because he can’t hit. It’s a knee-jerk reaction to say he can’t play 2B.
I’m fine with putting him on the IL (If he will go), but off the top of my head, I don’t think he has options left to be sent to OKC.
Not worried about Muncy long term. He’ll get over this funk and then get hot, just like Justin Turner has. Yes he cost us yesterday, but whatever; it happens.
Bellinger is a different worry, as it’s gone on for a couple of years now.
Ever since we heard that Muncy and Belly were working on bunting and then Max got a bunt hit, I don’t think I’ve seen either of them try another bunt.
I also like the stuff I’ve seen from Almonte; this year’s Bickford?
Belli is hitting .292 with a .393 OB% the past 7 games with little power, but it is a start… maybe!
Shockingly, he has scored the same number of runs as Trea Turner!
I know that the Dodgers really like Almonte and worked extensively with him this Spring and at OKC. He is becoming a very viable option.
The bunt single has been there for literally hundreds of games. We were talking about that before Covid. If you can’t hit that cheese over the middle of the plate, and both Muncy and Bellinger have had trouble with it, you sure should be able to bunt it toward a vacant space. Have they done it? Of course not.
“Belli is hitting .292 with a .393 OB% the past 7 games”
According to BR he’s hitting .200 with 19 Ks over his last 14 days.
I just reported what MLB sys here:https://www.mlb.com/player/cody-bellinger-641355
Whatever. He’s not having a good year yet.
Why keep complaining about Belli when most of the lineup (that leads the majors in runs) is doing worse?
The only Dodgers that are having a “Good Year” with the bat are Betts, Freeman and Rios. Rios sits, Betts was still injured according to many just a couple of weeks ago. Freeman is a stud and thank God AF signed him.
You forgot a big name in the pitching discussion. It was reported that Ginger Thor is already facing batters, is way ahead of schedule, and is being built up as a starter.
I can’t remember if I commented on Muncy yesterday. Mark summed it up well, except the above average second baseman part. Yes, he cost us the game. He probably shouldn’t have been at second base late in a tied game. Doc didn’t need to pinch hit for Lux, but did anyways, so that burned CT3. Hanser was still on the bench and should have been at second base at that point in the game. Doc f’d it up by not having his best defence in place with a one run lead and three outs to go.
You can easily make a case that Muncy shouldn’t be on the field right now. Rios is again hitting homers at a record pace. But, Muncy is a very good player and the team is in first place. Doc wants to get Muncy going, so this is where we are. We have the luxury of letting Muncy play through it.
I would much rather see Lux and Hanser mostly handle second base and Muncy / Turner Rios mostly handle 3B and DH. I think Muncy’s and Rios’ playing time should be reversed at least until Muncy gets going. Hopefully, yesterday will be a tipping point for Muncy and he goes back to banging bombs and taking walks. He’s a lot more passable at 2B when he’s putting them in the seats, or in the water.
In another week, we will need to make a change to the 26 man roster when the 13 pitcher limit comes into play. We need to bring up an outfielder so we’re not as dependent on CT3. I don’t know if Kevin Pillar is the answer. He’s a lifetime <700 OPS hitter. I have a hard time believing the Dodgers can "fix" that no matter how well he's doing at AAA.
I'm with Mark in that I would much rather see our own guys try to grab the open spot(s) in the rotation rather than use those same guys to trade for a more established pitcher. Right now, there isn't great options available. There might not be any options available with teams preferring to see if they're close to a playoff spot at the deadline. By the time pitchers are made available, we might not need pitching. Maybe a good team turns bad by the trade deadline and a good pitcher becomes available. Then, perhaps the story changes.
Bauer starts his arbitration today. The "experts" think the Dodgers will cut him even if he wins his appeal. The "experts" all thought that May would be back at the end of the year and used in the pen. I would like to think that the Dodgers, or any team would value winning above all else. But, I'm not 100% convinced.
I'm also of the opinion that if you F-up, you do your time, you are forgiven and get another chance. I will never subscribe to the thinking that it's okay to banish someone because of a mistake. Pete Rose has a lifetime ban, but the HOF has plenty of his personal belongings on display. This seems hippocrytical to me.
It sucks that the Quakes and Dodgers conflict for Mark's game. I generally don't miss Dodger games for other events, I'll make an exception to have a beer with Mark, Bear, Jayne and the others who show up.
Damn, I wasn't feeling well yesterday and took my temperature in the afternoon. Cough, congestion, fever. I hope I don't have the VID again.
I mean at what point does Rios start taking AB’s away from Muncy? If not now when?….It seems the guy hits a dong every game he plays in. He needs to be in the lineup right now against RH pitchers.
We might be past time…
Cody Bellinger is hitting 50 points higher than he did last year. He has half as many homers as he had all last year. He is striking out too much, but he is also making more solid contact than he did earlier in the season. He is about one year removed from shoulder surgery. His speed has not been hampered by the broken leg he suffered last season and his defense is top drawer. He is progressing. Max Muncy is not. He rarely makes solid contact. He takes way too many pitches that are right in the middle of the strike zone. He is probably way more frustrated than we the fans. Chris Taylor is a whiff machine. He is also much better as the Swiss knife than as an everyday starter. Bring up a real outfielder and put Chris back in the role he was born to play. He will be better. Kike failed badly as an everyday player. Taylor is not that bad, but has these streaks where he cannot hit water if he fell out of a boat.
Trevor Bauer Hearing:
1. The list of witnesses is confidential.
2. Both parties (Bauer & MLB) have unlimited resources.
3. This will be like a Federal Court Trial, except they will not adhere to the Federal Rules of Evidence.
4. MLB will have a difficult burden of proof.
In other words, a total zoo.
I was thinking $hit $how
As per ESPN:
The Dodgers have abstained from commenting on Bauer while the process has played out, but the expectation from people with direct knowledge of the team’s thinking is that if his suspension is shortened, the Dodgers would release him at its end and absorb whatever money remains on his contract.
The question then would be which team, if any, would be willing to take a chance on Bauer.
“The expectation from people with direct knowledge of the team’s thinking”. Name a source, otherwise it’s just speculation (BS). Brought to you by the same people that said May will be a reliever.
Brought to you by the same people who said that Bauer would be suspended. And those with sources who reported that May needed surgery. I think they also used sources to report the Dodgers were trading for Scherzer.
Wait. Wait. Pretty sure they used sources to report that Freeman was signing.
Now that I think about it, it was probably sources who said that Kershaw was re-signing.
Shall I go on?
Sources, named and anonymous are great.
Really? I think it was public knowledge that May needed surgery. I’m pretty sure it was confirmed when the Dodgers were trading for Scherzer. Shall I go on? Oh yeah, it was assumed that Freeman was going back to the Braves, so no, they weren’t ahead of the curve on that one.
It’s sad that you can’t tell the difference between wild speculation and confirmed news with a valid source.
Allow me to teach you something…
Read this article and see if it mentions anything close to “People with direct knowledge of the team’s thinking”
https://www.si.com/mlb/2022/03/17/freddie-freeman-contract-dodgers-sign-former-mvp
Now read this one carefully and see the difference…
https://www.si.com/mlb/dodgers/news/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-will-sign-with-rangers-or-retire-says-former-teammate
Yes, that SI article was based on this tweet:
Sources: Freddie Freeman and #Dodgers are finalizing a multiyear contract, as
@JimBowdenGM
reported earlier. Freeman has chosen to play in his native Southern California.
The other article was from a Blog like this one. An uninformed blog.
thanks!
Not us is the point I believe. And that is a spot in the order, a $35 million dollar 3-5 WAR spot, that has, despite what some in here say, not been filled yet. And please don’t try to tell me Heaney and Anderson fill that spot. I’m not buying it.
And that is NOT to say we should make a trade immediately. That’s not what I have been saying so please stop with that. Look down the road, around mid July, and what do you see?
Mid-July
1. Clayton will be back
2. May will be close
3. Danny Duffy should be back (he is pain-free)
4. Heany should be back
5. Pepiot may be in the rotation
6. Maybe another minor league pitcher steps up
7. Buehler will be back to where he wants
8. Urias will be solid
OR
1. Clayton will have Tommy John
2. May will be shelved
3. Danny Duffy retires
4. Heany gets shelled
5. Pepiot flames out
6. No minor league pitcher is in sight
7. Buehler needs his second TJ
8. Urias has a sore shoulder
CK gonna have Tommy John on his back? He should have had back surgery in 2016. I’m wondering if he would even consider TJ after passing on back surgery. Maybe he should do a 2 for 1.
This is an obsession.
Ok, just to humor you, and assuming that the Dodgers absolutely must acquire another MLB starting pitcher, who?
Frankie Montas and Tyler Mahle are the only two candidates. Both are under control through next year. What do you give up? Miller? Pepiot?
I read that the Mets are looking at both of those guys already. No doubt other contenders would be kicking the tires, too.
There’s Greinke. He’d be cheaper. He’s on a one year deal. He’s old. This is probably his last year. The Royals aren’t contenders.
Those are your choices.
No they aren’t. They are the only names you could come up with.
We have no idea who might be available in 8 weeks.
We may not need anyone. With our starters currently not being taxed, they may all be available all the way to November. May could be back, Heaney might be back, Duffy could be back, heck, Bauer might be back.
Then again… what was it the Zen Master said?
Then who? Who else are potential candidates?
Of course we have an idea. There are only so many MLB starting pitchers in baseball who are:
1. Worth trading for.
2. Not on contending teams.
8 weeks is unlikely to change this significantly.
So narrow down your list of potential candidates. It’s not hard.
And way to equivocate. Does the starting pitching core need to be shored up or not? This is what you’ve been arguing non-stop for past two weeks. NOW you’re saying guys will be coming back and everything will just sort of work itself out? What IS your position, exactly?
Does the starting pitching corps lack depth? If so, and if that is a problem, what is the SOLUTION to that that particular problem?
While it’s highly unlikely for a trade between arch rivals, but by the time the trade deadline rolls around, the Giants should be circling the drain and Carlos Rodon will be available. The Angels also have a very good Thor who is similarly on a one year deal.
Now that we’ve agreed that no one is worth trading for now and that more arms potentially could be available at the end of July, can we just pump the breaks on this discussion until the All-Star break when trades might actually have a clearer picture?
Zach Eflin looked pretty good yesterday.
Sonny Gray
Nathon Eovaldi and Michael Wacha is having a very good start on a bad team
So, there’s definitely more choices out there as we approach the deadline.
What is my position?
Shortstop.
And yours?
I’ve been clear. I see a starting pitching staff that could melt down long before October. But I also see Roberts pampering them, suggesting to me he sees the same thing.
I say we will continue to see a number of different starters in the coming weeks. We score a lot of runs so, maybe we’ll be just fine.
“I’ve been clear. I see a starting pitching staff that could melt down long before October. … but on the other hand, maybe not.”
LOL!!
What the heck have you been arguing about the last two weeks?
You keep saying that the starting pitching could melt down. Ok? And? What?
“While it’s highly unlikely for a trade between arch rivals, but by the time the trade deadline rolls around, the Giants should be circling the drain and Carlos Rodon will be available. The Angels also have a very good Thor who is similarly on a one year deal.
Now that we’ve agreed that no one is worth trading for now and that more arms potentially could be available at the end of July, can we just pump the breaks on this discussion until the All-Star break when trades might actually have a clearer picture?
Zach Eflin looked pretty good yesterday.
Sonny Gray
Nathon Eovaldi and Michael Wacha is having a very good start on a bad team
So, there’s definitely more choices out there as we approach the deadline.”
….
Even in the unlikely scenario that my beloved Giants tank, Rodon is on a pretty team friendly deal. Zaidi wouldn’t have signed him if they were in full tear down mode.
The rest of them: Sonny Gray is on a 1rst place team and it’s a team friendly contract. Eovaldi ….maybe. The rest are pretty Meh.
And that has kind of been my point. Why are we harping on fixing the starting corps now. It’s a solution in need of an acute problem. Wait and see where we are at the ASB, and see how Duffy and May are progressing. By then Kershaw and Heaney should be back, too.
I disagree with Patch about team friendly deal. Rodon is making around $22M per year for two years and he’s been really mediocre except for the 132.2 innings pitched last season and so far this year. He’s also making considerably more money than everyone on our staff that’s pitched this season. He’s also the Giants’ highest paid player currently on their roster.
He’s exactly the type of guy you sign to get rid of for prospects at the deadline.
“I disagree with Patch about team friendly deal. Rodon is making around $22M per year for two years”
You’re right. I looked at it quickly and misread 2 year for 22 mil total. The AAV is 22.
Still, Farhan signed him not to just dump him for some prospects. I assume Farhan thinks he can field a competitive team while building up the farm system. Rodon is pitching great and is only on a two year deal.
In terms of whether Roberts is babying the pitchers to conserve them. I think that’s been Robert’s standard method of managing the team since the beginning. Maybe he’s doing it a little more now, but managing the workload of your team so you peak for the playoffs is standard OP, especially since last years drive in August to try to overtake the Giants for the division title left the Dodgers running on fumes by the time they got to the Braves. Maybe Kershaw and Heaney out now is a blessing. They come back and get stretched out by the time the playoffs happen.
While the Dodgers are free to do whatever they want, their actions will be affected by what the Arbitration Panel finds. If his suspension is overturned and the Dodgers release him, the Dodgers might have new ownership. It’s not as easy as the Fish Hacks believe.
Got the tickets for the Quakes game. Since Steve will be in a wheel chair we will be in the top row of section 9. Seats 11, 12, and 13.
That made no sense. Was it meant to?
Most of what you post makes no sense. 😉 But keep trying. Blind squirrels and all.
True!
At this point I’m rooting for MLB and Manfred. If he stays suspended that solves not paying his contract. I can’t imagine cutting a guy you have to pay 35 mil for and having him play for the minimum somewhere else.
Rooting for MLB, Manfred and the Giants. If he’s not suspended and pitches like he did last year for us, that also solves some problems.
Yup, got my Bobby pinup poster right jet to the Giants mini pennant on my wall.
As much as Bauer’s arm would be a nice luxury to have, it’s the rest of Bauer and all the drama he brings I could do without. I think the Dodgers could do without it, too.
They need to focus on playing baseball. Bauer’s perpetual traveling media circus would be a colossal hindrance to that needed focus.
I just don’t agree with that at all. There’s been plenty of Championships won with a media circus following the team around. Look no further than the 1989 A’s.
* I must be in an agreeable mood. Last winter and spring I changed my mind about pursuing free agent pitching. I thought we had the talent within the organization to bridge the gap to the 2023 season when the young arms are expected to show up. Why not push a prospect into a starting role instead fo trading away prospects or breaking the bank to overpay a veteran.
I haven’t changed my mind on this at all and totally agree with Mark. At the quarter pole, I don’t see pitching as a problem.
* I’m still wondering why Doc went to Bruihi after Vesia yesterday and before Almonte. Seemed like a higher leverage situation than Justin can handle. And we did escape – barely, with Almonte coming in to get the double play. I’m not sure Bruihi is my guy in that spot.
* I agree that we need to see way more Rios.
* with no back-up left fielder when may we see Pillar who’s hitting .309 in OKC or even Jake Lamb with 10 bombs in 35 games? No panic time but it’s a production business and Muncy needs to get it going. Brutal AB in the top of the 10th yesterday with the bases juiced.
The bigger question is why Jake Lamb is playing 1st base and DH with only 1 game in left field? I think we have DH / corner infield covered.
Is Kevin Pillar, a career <700 OPS really an option? I'll believe it when I see it. I still think that Muncy and Rios need to try on an outfielder's glove.
Why are all these outfielders left handed hitters? Why is Stefen Romero getting so much playing time in OKC? Yes, Jason Martin is also a left handed hitting outfielder.
All outfielder options require a cut from the 40 to get them on board.
Muncy got to sit. He is really costing this team and it culminated yesterday. Can not do anything at the dish and then the game losing error at 2b. At some point Doc has to act though I understand he is willing to give Max all opportunity to regain his stroke. But after 40 games and hitting .150 enough is enough. If it is true that Max himself said he will not be 100% before next season it is clear to me that someone else should get more playing time.
Along wth JT and Belli also hoverin around the Mendoza line that is three big bats in our daily lineup that just are not delivering .
OTOH Rios has to play. He has earned the right to do.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Question on Yadier Alvarez:
Have not seen him in the box scores for OKC for a week now. He is still listed on the active roster though.
Has he an injury ?
Kid has still a big league arm and could be helpful at some time this year if he continues his comeback.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
All I can tell you is that he is active. He is not on the IL or restricted list.
I would not hold my breath on him. He has a 4.76 ERA, a 1.94 WHIP. He has pitched 6 innings, walking 5, hitting 2 batters, and striking out 2.
I don’t understand why to simply sent Muncy to the bench is not an option.
Exactly, switch him with Rios now.
What does “to the bench” mean, Fallito?
For a game? For a series? For two series? Until the break? Until the guy who runs IT for my company feels like it?
Until you start producing is the obvious answer. Let me spell it out for you. Rios is on the bench and he is producing. Switch places with Muncy until Muncy starts producing and Rios stops. It’s a very simple concept. It’s been done before.
So, put Muncy on the bench until he starts performing.
very similar to the “beatings will continue until morale improves” philosophy!
Left handed late inning pinch hitter, late inning replacement in blow outs. He becomes the last guy on the bench until further notice. Rios gets 3 at bats a game.
Ah, so now we’re doing this “until further notice.”
Yep. An at bat here, an at bat there. Does he stand there hunting walks, taking strikes 1&2? Or does he attack strikes. I know what I’ll be looking for.
Just saw an interview, High Heat on the MLB Network with Alana Rizzo and Dave Roberts. Roberts stated that he is going to continue to run Max Muncy out there much to my dismay.
Doc saying something like that is usually the kiss of death. Like, “I don’t expect Kershaw to be out much longer than the minimum.”
In the words of Bobby Knight that can apply to Dodger manager Dave Roberts: “I’ve forgotten more about baseball than Roberts will ever know!
In Bobby’s case, that is true. He is deep into dementia.
This was 2 years ago:
Tyler Anderson scheduled to pitch today. At 4-0 who would have thought that was going to happen. If Andre Jackson doesn’t get it together he gonna get traded or get designated for assignment. Who’s going to be promoted? Miller not exactly setting the world on fire.
On Yadier Alvarez:
All I can tell you is that he is active. He is not on the IL or restricted list.
I would not hold my breath on him. He has a 4.76 ERA, a 1.94 WHIP. He has pitched 6 innings, walking 5, hitting 2 batters, and striking out 2.
7:05 PM ET
Dodgers (27-13)
Nationals (14-28)
SPTyler Anderson L
4-0 4.04 ERA 35.2IP 34K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH Edwin Rios L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Gavin Lux L
Cloudy
19% Rain
69° Wind 5 mph
C Kelbert Ruiz S batting second for Washington tonight.NO Dodger minor league games scheduled tonight.
I am for leaving Max in there tonight. Hopefully, he gets his mojo back, but if he is 0-Fer, I am running out of steam.
Muncy, Belli, and CT3 – The next .400 Hitter (combined).
I am for letting Rios get those plate appearances. I’ve seen enough of Muncy.
Totally agree!
As fabulous are our 1,2,3 hitters, sigh, uninspiring indeed are our 6,7,8 strikeouts gang.
Personally, I believe Muncy needs to sit for a while, He looks totally lost at the plate. About the same way Bellinger looked last season. I do not think he is 100% or even close.
Maybe it won’t sound good, but I think for the good of the team, I hope Muncy strikes out 4 times today, so Roberts or whoever is in charge finally starts using Rios instead of him. And I say this because Ríos is better than Muncy, at least until today, and that’s why it would be for the good of the team.
So…. Come on Max, we need another error and more strikeouts, do it for the team!
I’ll be at Dodger Stadium May 31.
Yes, Max Muncy missed an easy grounder. He also struck out with the bases loaded. Maybe he hasn’t quite recovered from the injury. Maybe he takes off soon. Maybe not. But he’s hitting .150 something. Time to come up with a new plan, sit him down, way too many swings and misses. Wait for him to show that he belongs out there. Yes, they stuck with Cody last year, but he is a top defender with speed and a great arm.
As to coming up with another starter in trade, limited choices. Maybe Montas or someone similar. More likely to bring somebody off the farm. May is due back mid season.
I do like what we’re getting from Rios. Maybe he needs more playing time.
Nice article on Trea Turner in the LA Times this morning. Still believe the Dodgers need to extend him.
There was no way Doc was going to sit Muncy tonight. Just not the way he manages.
When a player has his worst game, that’s when Doc runs him out there again the next day.
He did it with Kenley and he’s doing it with Max.
I think yesterday will change Muncy’s attitude from tentative and confused to just plain angry. That will be the beginning of the cure.
Doesn’t mean that Rios can’t get more at bats because CT3 and JT don’t need to play every day. The rotation will just be expanded by one player.
If Max can’t get untracked in the next few games, he’ll probably sit for a while, but I think he starts hitting as of tonight.
Roberts will however sit somebody following a two or three hit game.
You were right about Muncy, he’s already getting better, he made contact and didn’t strike out. That’s improvement!
As a fan, I already feel better and more confident
He grounded out on his second at bat, so still no strike outs.
And no errors.
He’s turned the corner, Jorge, and you were the first to realize that………………..after me, of course.
Just make sure you stay tuned for his homer.
What I saw was a pop up and a weak ground ball. The grounder he chased a breaking ball after looking at Strike 1 fastball over the middle.
And a bloop de doop.
So that’s the guy we’re gonna give 500 mil to?
Well yeah but for 25 years so only $20M a year.
That’s a good deal. He’ll only be 50 at the end of that contract.
And I’ll be…., well I’d rather not think about that!
I’ll only be 99.
please, don’t start with the “Soto made a mistake, they should bench him” it would be bullshit to want to compare Soto with Muncy.
Heck, Muncy is hitting over .300 in his comeback! Got your back Max! And stupid is a compliment for me lately! Thx Jorge. I’m not comparing him to Muncy. Just saying don’t think I’d give him 40 mil a year
I think I’m in grumpy mode today, but Tyler, don’t get excited, because you won’t be allowed to pitch perfect game.
Muncy will make an error and you will lose it… Ha ha ok ok, I accept it, this was already very exaggerated!
Well I thought you caught me watching the game tonight wearing my Padre’s hat!
Cassidy, sorry man, that comment was not against you, in fact it was not against anyone, my intention was not to offend anyone, there are times when I do not know what words to use, English is not my primary language, I apologize to you if seemed like an offense or attack.
Unless you’re wearing something from SD, then everything changes!
Cassidy’s first language is communism
Your Padres cap with the Chairman Mao t-shirt
Ha ha! No offense taken! Love your passion!
Lux is starting to look like he belongs! Another benefit to the Freddie signing!
I just realized… Muncy could go 1 for 6 and he’d raise his average.
He wound up 1 for 5 and raised his average. No strike outs.
The guy everyone wants to play instead of him went 0-5 and stuck out 3 times. And I don’t want to hear about small sample size……………………………………….because that would negate my argument.
All the Tyler Anderson haters: Wash your mouth out with soap.
Me: This soap tastes bad!
Mine has a minty flavor to it. Tho he’s not much of a team player pitching through the eighth and not letting the bullpen guys play! I want to see Alberto close out the 9th!
I gargled mine.
They should give Muncy a few days off to try to get his head right.
He’s been looking a pitches he used to hammer. I imagine they’ve been showing him film and using other tools. But letting Rios play more could be helpful.
FWIW, I’ve been pleasantly surprised by his play at 3B. Looked to me like there was indeed a tricky hop–and he should have been a step closer to short-hop the ball. Errors like that happen–but this one happened to allow two runs to score in OT. Painful.
Best thing about that game was JT’s deke on the play at 3rd. Just beautiful.
And another strong game from Gonsolin. Always liked Catman and that was one reason I didn’t like the signing of Bauer.
And now Anderson delivers 8 strong innings. Not bad for the guy who started the season in the pen.