If you had asked me in March what minor league pitcher would make the most impact for the Dodgers in 2022, I would have probably said Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Mike Grove, or some other pitcher. I do not think I would have tabbed Gavin Stone with that moniker.
The Dodgers drafted Gavin Stone in the 5th Round of the 20202 Draft. Looking back today, it is hard to believe that there were 158 players better than him. I am going to preface this with the fact that he has only logged 138 innings since then, but I have watched him get better and better with every game he starts.
In 2021 he pitched 70 innings at Rancho Cucamonga and followed that up with 21 innings at Great Lakes. He ended the year with 22 games started, a 2-2 record, 1.23 WHIP, and a 3.76 ERA. This year, he started back at Great Lakes and was a man among boys as he pitched 25 innings, and allowed 19 hits with 28 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP.
So, he was moved to AA Tulsa, where he currently has a 2-1 record with a 0.41 ERA (0.91 WHIP) and in 22 innings he has walked 3 batters and struck out 37… including 13 last night in 6 innings against the Northwest Arkansas Naturals. I guess you could say that the naturals got “Stoned.” Gavin Stone’s 13-strikeout performance Tuesday night has only been topped by one Tulsa Drillers pitcher during the team’s 12 years at ONEOK Field. In 2019, Dustin May fanned 14 in his final Drillers appearance and pitched later that season in the majors with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Gavin Stone has a fastball that is typically 94-96 MPH but can touch 98 MPH. To me, he very much resembles Walker Buehler. He is not a big guy and has a high effort delivery, which you would expect. He has added a very good (and getting better) changeup and a solid slider to go with his fastball which he seems to use to set up all his other pitches. Additionally, he has much better control than most young pitchers in his stage of development.
It is becoming abundantly clear to that Gavin Stone has no challenges left at A or AA. Why wait? Send him to AAA and see what happens? I have always thought of him as a multi-inning reliever and if he pitches well at OKC, then move him to the Show. He can pitch in multi-inning relief because as Heaney and Kershaw return from the IL, they are likely going to pitch 3-5 innings for a while so guys like Mitch White (who has shown he deserves to start), Ryan Pepiot and Gavin Stone could be valuable. To me, Gavin Stone is more advanced than Pepiot, Grove, or Miller. I think he could make the biggest impact for the Dodgers THIS season.
According to Stone, a key to his success has been “mental focus.” “Each day come in with the right attitude, right mental focus, prepare well and that just takes me to have the confidence that I have going out on the mound,” Stone said. “This year I’ve really focused on my mental preparedness.” Sounds like a mature young man, who just might be ready to pitch inn the Big Leagues.
The question mark is Walker Buehler. How long before he irons out his issues? … and what exactly are those issues? He could be fine his next start or it could take two months. If Gavin Stone can pitch at OKC, then I would bring him up to the Big Club. The jury is still out on Andrew Heaney. Can he continue what he did in his first two starts? Yes, he has a new pitch, but it’s nit like he didn’t have filthy stuff before that. I will not be surprised if he continues his dominance, but we have to wait and see. Tyler Anderson continues to pitch “within” himself. While not a “soft tosser” he is a crafty lefty who has benefited greatly from the Dodgers’ tutledge. He may not end the year with a 2.59 ERA, but I do not think it will be 4.00 either… and maybe he has “reinvented” himself. That’s what makes baseball so interesting. You just never know.
The Price is Not Right
David Price is an expensive batting practice pitcher. He has not been right since he came to LA. It’s time to end this nonsense. Time to DFA him. Munch on what’s left of the $16 Million he is owed. Moven on, Andrew – there is nothing to see here!
Dodger Minor League Notes
- In a tie game in the 9th inning last night, witha runner on, Max Muncy hit a walk-off HR. Maybe he is coming around?
- Carson Fulmer got the win on Max’s blast!
- As mentioned above Gavin Stone fanned 13 hitters last night in 6 innings for Tulsa.
- Andy Pages hit a triple and two HR for Tulsa as he went 3-4 (.256 BA/.866 OPS). He also made an outstanding catch at the wall. You can see him growing daily!
- Alex De Jesus of Great Lakes, went 2-3 with a double and 3 RBI. (.320 BA/.993 OPS).
- Damon Keith of RC went 2-4 with 2 HR (.316 BA/.979 OPS).
- Luis Rodriguez was 2-4.
- Dylan Betances pitched an inning for Arizona and gave up 1 run on 2 hits.
Along with Muncy’s walk-off, he struck out three times and walked once. Not ready for prime time.
That sounds like typical Max… 😉
Yep! I saw the three K’s as well. Once with the bases loaded.
The thing I dislike about the Dodgers is that they often have more deserving players off roster than on the 26 man. I get the strategy, to stockpile as many useful players as possible to guard against injury. David Price is one of those guys.
I really had high hopes for David. He absolutely crushed us in the World Series against the Red Sox and had all those great years during his prime. He looked like a 1A to Clayton Kershaw as the best lefty starter in baseball for a while. But, with the Dodgers, he’s been absolute crap! Opting out of the COVID season was his first step in the wrong direction with the team. I thought having the cyst removed from his wrist would inject new life into his arm and his career. His fastball ticked up a little, but the results have been nothing more than mediocre until last night, which was a total shit show.
Of course, David’s demise was possible by Mr. Magoo’s nearsightedness. How the hell didn’t Doc see that after bringing in a lefty that the Sox would bring in Pollock to destroy that lefty in a tie game with runners on? With the DH in the NL, Doc’s decisions to negatively effect the game have been diminished, but not completely mitigated. At least it happens a lot less often, but it does happen as evidenced last night.
The good news is that Mitch White keeps taking steps forward. With a tired pen, it probably would have been a good idea to let Mitch pitch. At least another inning. But, no. Let’s bring in the guy straight from the Minors and put him in there, then turn to the worst pitcher in the pen to get out of a sticky situation.
Mookie cooled down a little bit as has TT. Freddie is slumping and no one else is doing much to pick up the slack. Hopefully the bats start to come around. The big news last night was Muncy’s walk off, and it was a majestic blast! It might have even gone out of the yard during a MLB game with those nerfed baseballs that are used this year. Forget about the 3 strikeouts he had last night, one with the bases juiced!
Alright, lets face facts. You aren’t going to make a trade that sends anything back, or eats money for Price and his contract. He’s got 2/3 of a season remaining on the 3 years his contract brought us. He hasn’t done anything other that some mediocre middle relief appearances since he’s been here. He isn’t pitching multiple innings. He isn’t making any quality starts. He isn’t doing anything that Ryan Pepiot or Michael Grove can’t do. Just cut him now and eat the cash. You’ve already eaten it anyways. I would much rather see Cleavinger get Price’s innings.
Price didn’t necessarily lose last night’s game. You still can’t win a game in which you don’t score. But, pitching batting practice like he did to a team that had nothing going against Mitch White says it all.
And don’t forget all this was made possible by a weak ass grounder off the end of the bat rolling slowly through the shift. Man, I hate modern baseball. But, it’s still better than no baseball and all the other sports.
Agree 100 percent on Price.
Addition threw subtraction. DFA him today. He is absolutely useless.
Bring up Cleavinger for LHP relief.
Speaking of Roberts: I want him gone. I know the Dodgers have a fantastic record in the regular season under him but that is not because of him but despite of him.
I always liked Maddon a lot and if I had my way I would fire Roberts and bring in Maddon. Now.
That vaunted lineup everyone raved about before the season started -me included- does not look so formidable after one third of the season in the books.
MOF it looks rather ordinary in relation to the money spent on it. Freeman seems to have lost all power he had, Smith can not hit his weight, JT well below his worst season numbers so far, Bellinger in a 2 year slump .
Without Mookie putting up career numbers this team would be in deep deep trouble.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
We didnt have Mookie for all of April and we did ok.
This is a MARATHON not a Sprint. This team will be fine.
Its ALL about getting hot at the RIGHT time.
Lets start a winning streak tonight.
Dodgerram, I invite you to take a look around the league and compare our “vaunted lineup” which has the top OPS in baseball, to the rest of the league. After getting shut out for just the second time this season, of course they look bad, but’s MUCH better than you’re giving it credit for. Michael Kopech is their Walker Bueller and was a 1st rounder prep pick by Boston who was traded for Chris Sale. The dude is a stud, so it isn’t out of the realm of possibility that one of the best pitchers in the league is capable of shutting down our offense.
Roberts sucks, but Maddon isn’t the answer. Why hire a guy that got fired during a 12 game losing streak by an owner that’s shown his incompetence over and over again? He did about as good a job with the Rays as his successor and was the right guy at the right time for the Cubs. But, he didn’t prove to be the guy that could get the Angels over the hump even with Ohtani, Trout and Rendon. Personally, I don’t want to hire the guy that walked Seager with the bases loaded early in the season. He’s a dud! I’d sooner bring back Scioscia who just won Silver in the Olympics, just missing gold against a Japan team full of stars against Scioscia’s team full of the likes of the Eddy Alvarez’s and washed up Todd Frasier’s.
If Scioscia wants the job, bring him in !
and kpizzle: If Maddon is the most overrated manager in baseball what is Roberts ?
He has had the most talent, the highes payroll, one of the top farm systems for most of his time with the Dodgers and what has it brough us ? One WS title and that one was in a shortened season.
I bet the house and farm that many, many other managers would not have done worse than Roberts.
IMHO he is the most overrated manager in baseball and it is not even close.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Seriously??? He was cheated out of a title in 17.
And why do you say….in a shortened season. WTF cares. It was probably the most difficult title to win EVER. Don’t lessen the accomplishment by making that claim…take that crap to the SD or SF board….
Hopefully you are at least a Rams fan b/c is sure doesnt seem you are a Dodger fan.
Matt, in all seriousness, he’s won one, got cheated out of one, but still had game 7 at home that year and he made multiple messed up moves starting with Yu Darvish.
I don’t just give him a pass on 17 because the Astros got caught cheating. He also used Morrow on more consecutive days than he did all season and pulled Rich Hill early twice in addition to the Yu Darvish blunder in game 7.
I can write a diatribe on this subject, but let me just sum it up as this. He was given a 100+ win team in 3 of five years, one of the other teams was on pace for over 100, but it was the short season team that gave him his 1 and only ring to show for it.
Your kidding right. Maddon is easily the most overrated Manager in baseball.
There it is. The first official let’s fire Roberts post. I love it! Because it’s all his fault that his 2 best pitchers aren’t delivering anything close to ace performances. And he has only 3 consistent productive hitters. And of course it’s always his fault when relievers don’t pitch shutout innings. So of course, let’s bring in the guy with a 12 game losing streak! Don’t know if this has been discussed but could Buehler be tipping his pitches?
I want Roberts out for some time now. Has nothing to do with the current problems.
I just think he is not the best manager for the Dodgers.Period.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well I don’t think Roberts will be fired and replaced by Maddon, Girardi or anyone else. He does tend to have a long leash with his players and I think that is what happened with Price last night. Pollock smelled blood and saw a deer in the headlights you could tell in the batters box and was drooling in anticipation. You could see the car crash coming before it happened.
He also got out managed in the Mets series by Showalter in my opinion. You win the first 2 games of the series against the other top of the NL Team and can’t find a way to win one more in games 3 and 4 with your 1 and 2 pitcher.
Oh well that is the joy of baseball. It’s easy to second guess from the keyboard, time to move on and see if Gonsolin and Anderson can keep up their magic before going to SF.
It does seem like we only go if Mookie, Freddie and Trea go. Sure could use more run and Rbi production from the middle and bottom of the order or pick up a stick at the deadline. I know we lead in a lot of offensive categories but sometimes it sure doesn’t seem like it. Losing the close games 4-6 in 1 run games and 0-4 in extra innings sure is frustrating.
Dave Roberts has the best winning percentage of any manager in baseball, so anyone you replace him with will be someone with a lesser record… just sayin’
You are what your record says you are!
Show me a team with a good manager and I’ll show you a team with good players. If you want to make that argument, he’s been given a playoff team all six seasons he’s managed and he’s 1-5 in converting those seasons into rings.
His managerial record was 0-1 before he came to the Dodgers, so they hired a manager with a lessor record before. But, I wouldn’t subscribe to managerial record as being a thing to consider. Pointing to Gabe Kapler here.
80-82
81-81
29-31
107-55
29-25
How do you explain that managerial record?
Bob Melvin was a career under 500 manager over 7 seasons until he managed the A’s. With the A’s he’s a little better at 528 over 11 seasons. All of that adds up to mediocre. But, all of the sudden he’s 607 with the Padres with one of the best players in baseball in the IL all year.
Robert’s winning percentage doesn’t tell you if he’s good or bad, it tells you that he’s fortunate.
I’d say we won game 1 and 2 with our 1 and 2 pitchers.
As for Price it reminds me of when we had Andruw Jones. I just can’t stand looking at him. The money is lost so just get rid of him
Dave Roberts has the best winning percentage of any manager in baseball, so anyone you replace him with will be someone with a lesser record… just sayin’
You are what your record says you are!
Yeah, regular season. With the team with the highest payroll, one of the best farm system.
What has he done in the postseason ? So many bad calls in the big games you can not count them.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before we fire the Manager and push the red button, remember The White Sox are a nice team with pitching as a strength. Kopech is a dude. I can live with these loses where a stud just hands us our ass.
I like the Sox and watch them alot at Camelback Ranch. They are my favorite AL team and I’m hoping for a White Sox -Dodger World Series.
Bickford gives up a couple of singles but gets 2 outs and Doc couldn’t wait to get Bigfoot in there who promptly gave up Phil’s 2 runs and 2 of his own. But we can pick on our pitching all we want but you win ZERO games when you score zero.
We’re not playing well and the Sox are. Play better today.
Fire Roberts? Not going to happen anytime soon. And, replace with Maddon? Sure, let’s take advantage of the incompetent Angel front office by hiring a free thinking, out of the box manager like Maddon. That’s not going to ever happen with the current Dodger front office in place. Until I hear otherwise, I believe the front office dictates what happens on the field on game days. For AF, Roberts is the perfect soldier. When Roberts has made head scratching decisions in the past he tried to explain it away during post game sessions with the press. It’s nothing but pure worthless, bullshit explanations. It’s the front office who is making most of those decisions and they have Roberts to dutifully take responsibility when those decisions don’t work out. Do you think Maddon is going to agree to those situations? Not a chance. And, now with the DH, strategy moves are reduced. Basically, The only important decisions a manager has to make are BP moves. Unfortunately, that’s where Roberts (front office?) continues to have problems.
Why is David Price still a Dodger? Like many mentions above he has been an outcast by the fans and maybe the team. In my eyes he is not a Dodger. Add in his crappy performance as a pitcher there is no reason to have him on the team. White or Price? Ferguson or Price? Clevenger or Price? All Dodger pitcher currently on the roster or Price? Yes, in every case.
I posed this questions a couple of weeks ago and got no response. So, I’ll try again. Are Cody Bellinger’s 2017-2019 stats an anomaly? Does his disturbing increased strikeout rate show that he cannot consistently make contact with a baseball? Even with injuries no longer an excuse for his poor performance recently Cody continues to approach hitting with a stance that is not working anymore. An approach that continues to try swing as hard as he can on most of the pitches he sees regardless of the game situation. An approach that has Cody looking like a little leaguer when he makes the rare attempt to hit the pitch to the opposite field. I say he will not approach those first three year stats. The pitchers are aware of how to pitch to Cody. If they are somewhat successful with their location Cody will not be productive. Mark has said that Cody is smart, coachable, a hard worker, and a great athlete. If all are true, how can Cody possibility not return to his greatness we saw to start his career? Something is missing here. If all above are true, then why does his stance remain very close to what it was in 2017? If all the above are true then why does his approach of swinging out of his shoes on most pitches regardless of the game situation. If all the above are true then why can’t Cody hit LF/LC more consistently. I’ll concede that Cody is one of the most athletic player in baseball and that he is a hard worker. Coachable or baseball smart? I’m not convinced. I think Cody may be traded by the trade deadline this year, but most likely trade in the off season. There is no way he is deserving of a contract of more than $15MM a year. And that’s only because of his GG caliber defense at three positions and his speed on the base paths. He has become a Chris Taylor. Offensively, limited periods of outstanding offense with huge strikeout rates and outstanding defensive versatility. Taylor’s salary? $15MM a year.
Let me know what everyone thinks.
Agree on Bellinger. Sadly.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
I think Chris Taylor is a good comp. CT3 is making 15M this year and Cody is making 17M. Cody is a great defensive center fielder and a very good base stealer, CT3 a bit less in those departments and strikes out even more. If this is Cody’s floor, he’s getting paid fairly since CT3 probably took a little less to come back to the Dodgers.
So, that’s it. You play out his last arbitration year next year, (he’s not gonna earn much of a raise) see what he does and offer or don’t offer a contract at that point. He’s playing just good enough to keep his job for now and only Freddie, TT and Betts are noticeably better.
You ask if his 2017-2019 stats are anomaly. I’m not sure if you know what that word mean by the way you structured this sentence. Here’s the definition for you…
Deviation or departure from the normal or common order, form, or rule.
From 2017-2019 his age 21-23 seasons, he had 1741 plate appearances, mostly healthy.
From 2020-current, his age 24-26 seasons, he had 794 plate appearances, mostly injured.
So which line would be considered an anomaly?
I know that he’s much better than he was last season. The stats back up this statement. So, is he on an upward trend? You lump 2020 in with the bad years. Would you take his Center Field defense and his baserunning with an OPS of .789 for 17M considering that’s what you paid 15M for CT3 coming off close to the same?
So, it sounds to me like you’re just complaining that he isn’t as good as he used to be, therefore we should get rid of him with no suggestion on a replacement or a comp for his current production.
I think it’s worth it to pay him CT3 money if this is the worst you’re gonna get from him until you have a better option.
Regarding Cody Bellinger, I know there is a lot of discussion about him on LADT most of which questions his ability to return to his early years. I am hoping he can get back to a offensive level at the plate where he can have a successful career with the Dodgers. However, he reminds of an early LA Dodger who played centerfield – Willie Davis. Willie played for the Dodgers from from 1960-1973. He was tall and lean; extremely fast and very athletic. IMO he had more athletic talent than 95% of all the major leaguers I have ever seem. Bellinger is as close to Willie Davis in athletic talent as anyone I have watched in a Dodger uniform. And, therein lies my frustration with Bellinger – seeing all that talent go unrealized. I hope I am wrong but I am beginning to accept that as the likely outcome.
If he does have a future with the Dodgers, I hope there is one play he does not replicate. In the 1966 World Series, Willie made three errors in one inning and the Dodgers were swept in the World Series. It was also the last game Sandy Koufax pitched!
I agree also. Seen enough to know he will not regain his MVP play (actually won that award on a torrid start to the season but was average after the midway point) anytime soon. He’s good, but not great and not worthy of a $15-19 million AAV.
Not sure he has any trade value but I can see a demotion to AAA or a DFA if there is not marked improvement. Not a chance he will ever get a multi-year contract from the Dodgers without significant and meaningful improvement.
On any given day I read how bad Muncy, Bellinger, Taylor, Lux, Buehler, Price, Kershaw, and many others are…
People bitch incessantly about how bad the Dodgers players are EXCEPT when they want to blame it all on Dave Roberts and then suddenly the Dodgers are the27 Yankees and Dave Roberts is liverwurst!
Classic circular thinking which works every time.
Circular thinking…
Dave Roberts blows game with bad decision…
But he has a great record…
Dave Roberts blows game with bad decision…
Rinse, repeat.
Look at his playoff record and remember some of the dum moves he has made over the years.
Dodgers are a talented and deep team that over a 162 game season will always have a good record.
But in the playoffs it is a different thing. You fave better competition and your shortcomings and mistakes are magnified.
With a better manager the Dodgers would have 1-2 more WS titles IMHO.
Look how much more a Lasorda or Alston got out of their respective teams when push came to shove.
Roberts is not bad but not a difference maker. He definetely is not on the same level as the players the Dodgers give him year after year.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let me give you an example:
Mitch White got into trouble in the 5th inning with the bases loaded. The first thing that goes when a pitcher gets tired is control, not velocity. So, it would be rational to assume that White was getting tired since he had not pitched that many innings this year. Maybe Dave Roberts asked Mitch how he was feeling and if he was getting tired. Maybe he didn’t, but I can’t fault him for taking White out.
If he had left White in and White gave up 4 runs, we would be having a conversation about how stupid Roberts was for letting White in, instead of a conversation about how stupid he was for taking him out. Using the thinking many apply on a regular basis, everything Roberts does is wrong… and yet he has the best record in baseball.
There is frequently no right or wrong way – it boils down to whether the players execute or not. I am of the opinion much like a lot of baseball people that a manager might win 4 or 5 extra games a year.
I am not a Roberts fan… but it’s silly to think that Mike Scioscia “I don’t know what sabermetircs ever are” or Joe Maddon would do any better.
Well, if you dont try it you will never find out.
We already know what Roberts brings to the table. You really think a guy like Maddon, Girardi or Scioscia would not have won at least that one WS title over all those years ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a nonsense statement. “I am not a Roberts fan… but it’s silly to think that Mike Scioscia “I don’t know what sabermetircs ever are” or Joe Maddon would do any better.”
I know you don’t actually think that Scioscia doesn’t know what Sabermetrics is especially if Doc does. You can tell by how they speak and what they say who the smarter guy is.
I always hear that quote about a manager winning 4 or 5 extra games a year, but no one came up with a quote about a manager ruining the postseason every freaking year. Maybe they will pretty soon. Maybe they haven’t since it’s such an anomaly that Bobby Cox is the only one with such a pathetic ratio of championships to post season appearances.
8:10 PM ET
Dodgers (35-20)
White Sox (26-27)
SPTony Gonsolin R
6-0 1.59 ERA 51IP 49K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
C Will Smith R
3B J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
DH Eddy Alvarez S
2B Gavin Lux L
36% Rain
60° Wind 7 mph Out
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Clayton Kershaw just finished playing catch and said he is preparing to start Sunday in SF. #Dodgers
Max Muncy 0-4 with 2 more Ks this afternoon for AAA Oklahoma City is batting .143 thus far. Looks like he is no better than he was before he went on the IL.
Will the real Max Muncy please stand up ?
Or is THIS the real Max Muncy and the last 3 years were an aberation ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pretty much.
Maddon and Scioscia have about as a much of a chance of being hired by the Dodgers as I do.
Roberts makes perplexing moves at times. But we have no idea how many of these moves are his decisions alone. He’s a “modern” manager. Which means he takes his orders from above. The Dodgers don’t invest the amount of money they do in analytic talent so little David Roberts can go with his “gut” every game. Modern managers manage the players and are essentially team spokesmen. I don’t believe he makes anywhere near the number of decisions as it may appear. Roberts knew what the job would be when he took it. He knew the brain trust that was being assembled under AF. This is how modern teams are run, like it or not.
Maddon is “old school”. So is Scioscia. And I believe that’s why nobody has knocked down Scioscia’s door in years. I believe the Angels are a mess because there is no consistent plan, there has not been a consistent plan for years and they have an owner who is an impulsive micromanager. Nobody in that org is on the same page, seemingly ever. Not scouting. Not player development. Not coaches.
People can complain about analytics all they want (and I’m the first to admit it’s made the game less enjoyable to watch), but it works. Teams who employ a consistent methodology up and down the organization win. Period.
There is a reason the Dodgers and the Rays are always in it (and why the As are in contention way more often than they should be) Despite the massive difference in budget. They run their orgs effectively. I don’t always know or understand the reasoning for many on-field moves. I scratch my head a lot. But I guarantee there is a reason. They just get it wrong sometimes.
Maddon is a dinosaur. Managers like him will not be hired by winning organizations. Not anymore. That said, I’m sure the Reds or the Orioles might give him a call at some point.
Here is some disturbing news!!!!
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Today will be Max Muncy’s last game at OKC. Dave Roberts said Muncy could be in lineup tomorrow for final game of series. #Dodgers #WhiteSox
But he’s completely healthy now!
Dave Roberts is right now the more protective manager in all baseball, specially with our pitchers. Pitching decisions ultimately are his, although they are consulted with MPryor. We played 31 games in 30 days and these last 10 days the bullpen really felt it. If you want one 1 out in the fifth the usual names are Vesia, Graterol, both of them getting hammered in their last outings. DPrice previous 2 times coming to get a 3rd out made the job. Personally I will have got warming Almonte.
All Star Ballots are out!
Here’s my criteria for filling out the ballot.
NL – Only pick Dodgers. Might as well be the only team in the league.
AL – No Astros because they got caught cheating
No Indians because the changed their name to something stupid.
Don’t pick the best player at every position, more like the 2-4th best. We don’t want the AL to win after all.
Looking through the ballots, I’m more convinced than ever that the ball needs to be replaced. They absolutely got it wrong. Too many stars with Belli numbers.
Dodgers win. All is well in the world. Belli, Smith and Trea homer. Gonsolin gives up nothing but a solo shot.
Well if Gonsolin wants to remain as our ace ahead of Anderson then he can’t be giving up as many runs as he did tonight!