If you happen to think “this” is what Clayton Kershaw happens to be right about now, then you might as well pack it all up and go home. It’s hopeless. In April, Clayton was named the NL Pitcher of the month. Clayton had a great month, going 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. He allowed opposing batters to hit just .175 off of him and struck out 41 in 38.0 innings pitched.
Then, last night, he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 4.2 IP and walked 5 and I immediately hear:
“Let’s be real about things, this is who Clayton Kershaw is nowadays.
He is no longer an Ace, and hasn’t been for a couple of seasons, as the various injuries and innings pitched have taken their toll on him.
He is still a very good Pitcher, but no longer Elite. He is a #3.
It is not realistic to expect him to pitch like an Ace any more. He is still my favourite player but let’s get some perspective. The Dodgers will struggle in the Post Season unless they can pick up someone to pair with Julio in the shorter series.
I’m not being negative, I’m really enjoying the season so far, but we need another top-end Starter.“
Just to be clear, that was not Clayton Kershaw who went 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.76 WHIP? That was not Clayton Kershaw who allowed opposing batters to hit just .175 off of him and struck out 41 in 38.0 innings pitched in April? Because if it wasn’t him, then I would say the Dodgers should make some other plans. How in the hell did he win the pitcher of the month in April? Smoke and mirrors? OK, I am being silly, because we all know it was him.
We also know that Yu Darvish, the Padres’ Ace, has a 3.19 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP for the season, while Kershaw has a 2.53 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. But you can’t have it both ways! If Kershaw had a bad game last night, so be it! Does that mean he can’t have another good game…. ever? Clayton was simply not hitting his spots last night, so that means he will never hit his spots again. I think that is BS! Clayton gave up 8 ER in April, 4 of which were in a single game on April 8th when he also gave up two home runs.
Clayton is a man; he is not perfect. He makes mistakes and has some good starts and some bad starts. He was not great last night. The Dodgers are trying to manage his workload this season, which may or may not include sitting out some games. Julio is the Ace. Either Gonsolin or May slots at #2 (it’s up to one of them to seize the spot – so far it has not happened!). Kershaw slots at #3 with Gonsolin or May at #4 and Gavin Stone at #5.
Gavin Stone has four pitches, but does not use his curve much since it tracks like a changeup. If Gavin can land his fastball, changeup, and slider, he does not need another pitch. Less is more for a pitcher who masters the changeup.
Every pitcher in history to ever walk up onto the mound is capable of throwing a fastball. It’s almost too classic. It’s a given. A guarantee. A no-brainer. Everyone can do it!
No matter the experience, level or throwing practice of any given pitcher, they know how to throw a fastball. They know the grip and the rip!
But how many of them have truly mastered the fastball’s kid brother: the changeup? The answer, is “Very few!”
The off-speed pitch is one of the most difficult to hit in the game, because it looks just like a fastball, and makes you look foolish for thinking it was, as you screw yourself into the ground!
When breaking down the best changeup pitchers in recent memory, we have a solid group of future Hall of Famers who have all destroyed batters throughout the years.
The best one may be Tom Glavine, who was the last pitcher to win 20 games in three consecutive years. World Series MVP. A standout in one of the greatest rotations in MLB history. How did he do it all? Changeup.
What helped Tom Glavine be so dominant for so long was the level of command and comfort he had with his pitching arsenal. Even as his career began to wind down and the velocity was no longer there, Glavine would alternate between changeups and fastballs on the corners of the strike zone. You try guessing which one to swing on. Of course, Pedro Martinez commanded the changeup as well as anyone in the modern game.
Gavin Stone has an advanced understanding and “feel” for the changeup, and depending upon how Noah Syndergaard progresses with his mechanics will determine how much of Gavin Stone we see in the rotation. Of course, he is at OKC, but he is just a plane trip away at any given moment.
Rants & Raves
- I do not see Miguel Vargas ever moving to 3B. He is taking to 2B like no player I have ever seen. He simply “commands” the position, like it is his spot alone.
- Michael Busch may move to the Hot Corner next year unless JDM needs surgery this year. Then Max could go to DH and Busch to 3B.
- I’ll say one thing about Bobby Miller – He can really look bad! It seems there is no middle ground with him.
- Landon Knack is pitching like there is no tomorrow (5.1 IP 1 ER, 5 K’s 1.50 ERA)
- Jon Rooney is taking to relieving like a pig to sloop!
What do you see for Lux next year?
Outfield or Utility… unless they want to try him at SS again.
A better question is “What to do with Betts?”
How can a kid with Miller’s stuff be this bad?
Joke?
Sadly it is very hard to fix the HEAD!
You got your Millers mixed up? That was 32 y.o. Shelby.
So – just to reiterate,
He is no longer an ace – Tick
He is a #3 – Tick – in fact was probably a 4 last season behind Julio, Tyler and Tony.
Not really worried about his ERA in April – I think you’ll find it’s the Post Season where he struggles – Tick
Not sure what your point is lol?
Hey Watford,
On the previous thread, you said this….
“I’m not being negative, I’m really enjoying the season so far, but we need another top end Starter”
In which I responded, “Isn’t Tony Gonsolin good enough?”
I still would like your response. I think you agree Kershaw is better at being #3.
Urias
Gonsolin
Kershaw
May
???
So, what is wrong with those top 4?
Let’s be real about things, this is who Clayton Kershaw is nowadays.
He is no longer an Ace, and hasn’t been for a couple of seasons, as the various injuries and innings pitched have taken their toll on him.
He is still a very good Pitcher, but no longer Elite. He is a #3.
What’s my point?
My point is who is he?
So, he’s not the guy who was the April NL Player of the month?
Nope, that’s not him!
Oh, I know, he’s the guy who gave up 4 runs and 5 walks last night. That’s who is he.
But wait, his record looks a lot better than Darvish right about now! Nope, that’s not him!
He’s the guy who can’t pitch in the playoffs?
Am I getting close?
I hate losing to the Padres, but the outcome was fairly predictable— the other teams’ ace vs our #3/4. Pitches like Darvish cause teams to struggle with RISP.
It’s a long season and I expect our team to make adjustments for the playoffs, but during the season we need to take care of business in meaningful games, like today.
“He is taking to 2B like no player I have ever seen“
Really? I don’t see it. I know he’s got Betts spooked.
Kershaw. I expect exactly what his projections say., which is who knows as the projections are all over the map. Composite says about 150 innings, which for him means 25 starts. ERA 3.25. Sounds about right. Not ace numbers but a solid #3. Ace should throw 180 innings of 2.75, #2 160 innings of 3.00, Kershaw, #4 130 innings, #’s 5-8 100 of around or below 4. That’s my formula, make it so.
Kershaw last year:
126.1 innings, 2.28 ERA, .942 WHIP, 5.96 SO/W, 9.8 SO/9, 3.8 WAR.
Except for innings, all ACE numbers. I am having a tough time understanding why after 1 mediocre outing as opposed to 6 very good ones, I am hearing #3/#4 and expecting significant decline over not only last year, but so far in this one. He is healthy so far but I guess people feel his being injured is a given. Maybe so, but possibly not.
Until an injury happens can we please rate him on what he’s done so far this year. Once again, the negative nellies form longer term opinions based on very short term information (in this case 1 game). Please stop the insanity.
You don’t see that? REALLY?
Mookie called him “his little brother” and has said that what he is doing on defense is “pretty special.”
What has Mookie spooked?
Did you see Mookie back off a fly ball that he could have caught if not for Crash Vargas flying into the scene? Mookie had a wtf smile on his face. Mookie ran into Freddie too. Maybe he has a cold and nobody can hear him yelling.
I just don’t see Vargas as a second baseman. He might actually achieve league average status there, but it sure isn’t now.
If his deficiency as a second baseman is quickness then that deficiency follows him to third base. Maybe his best defensive position is LF. I wonder where he falls defensively against all starting second basemen. He could be top half.
If his deficiency as a second baseman is quickness
What kind of crap is that? That is dumber than hell!
Hell is dumb? The things one learns here at LADodgerTalk.
It’s my understanding that Vargas has good running speed but is slower out-the-gate than the smaller fast twitched second baseman and that carries over to the time he takes to pivot and throw on a double play or get to a smash to a third baseman.
If I don’t have the right understanding of Vargas’ deficiencies then I am merely wrong — “You have to do the best with what God gave you.” – Mrs. Gump
We had this same convo about Adrian Beltre about 20 years ago! I was right on that one too.
Badger,
I guess I am confused. I watched the game highlights, and here is what I saw:
1. It’s clear that Mookie did the “running into.”
2. Miguel Vargas was right there but in control and holding back.
Actually, from the video: Mookie ran into Freddie as Freddie was making the putout, and it was all on Mookie. Is there another clip that you were referring to?
Uh, if the outfielder is calling for the ball, the infielder gives way. That’s been true since Babe was a baby.
Yeah, when Roberts was asked directly about Vargas’s defense, he paused and eventually summed it up as “okay.” He did not call it stellar but offered faint praise. Roberts said there were some plays they wish they could have back and that they expect improvement.
That’s the Roberts’ report card: Need improvement.
A few days ago shared some of the LAT story, by Mike DiGiovanna, that addressed Vargas defense. Easy to google. I think it was the same day that a pop fly glanced off his glove for a hit. It was not an easy play–Freddie and Mookie were also converging– but I think plenty of second baseman would have caught that ball. Definitely a hit, not an error. But a superior fielder prevents hits.
As for Lux, I really don’t see any reason why he can’t come back at SS. Chipper Jones and now Ronald Acuna returned from ACL surgery in great shape. The Rams’ Cooper Kupp is another.
But yeah, what if the Dodgers try to go with Mookie at SS?
The Padres need a good shellacking from the Dodgers to reassert the regular season dominance we saw last year.
RHP Emmet Sheehan: Sheehan had a career 4.80 ERA at Boston College despite featuring a promising fastball-changeup combination. He’s since spent nearly two years in the Dodgers system after arriving as a sixth-round pick, which means that you shouldn’t be surprised to read the following sentence: he’s struck out 35 of the 78 Double-A batters he’s faced this season, a rate that translates to 16.3 strikeouts per nine innings. Yowza. Clearly Sheehan has good stuff; the question facing him now, and heading forward, is whether his purposeful operation will allow him to throw enough strikes to maximize its potency.
I was with you up until that last sentence, then you lost me.
….”whether his purposeful operation will allow him to throw enough strikes to maximize its potency.”
Wowza. Still taking post surgery medications? 🙂
I did not write that. It was written by MLB!
Now what?
You really put your foot in it that time!
Have foot will travel. Scenery isn’t always great.
“whether his purposeful operation will allow him to throw enough strikes to maximize its potency.”
I don’t care who wrote it, wtf does it mean?
Naw.
You should cite your sources.
So you don’t think throwing strikes is important?
I find it amazing that dodgers.com top 30 prospects doesn’t have Sheehan in the top 10. I’ve had him in my top 10 since the offseason. I do my own top 10 every offseason.
That’s quite a thing to post Eric.
Nice week for the Dodgers. Interesting series this weekend with the Padres. They have spent a lot of prospects and money on that team . That line up is really deep and those first four hitters are potentially as potent as the Betts, Freeman, Turner, Smith quartet at the top of the Dodger line up last year. Maybe more so. Hader gives them a legit closer from the left side – a tough match up for the Dodgers given their struggles against left handlers. Actually, I think the Dodger rotation stacks up pretty well against the Padre rotation. Snell has been tough on the Dodgers but his overall numbers don’t match up with Kershaw. I would take the Dodgers rotation over the Padres right now especially considering that Wacha and Lugo are their 4 and 5 starters. The Padres depth in their rotation is lacking and the Dodgers have Stone, Miller, Pepiot as options in the next weeks to months if Syndergaard struggles. Not to mention Knack and Frasso at AA, for now. Plus the Dodger bullpen will potentially add an arm or two from the group of Nelson, Hudson, Feyereisen, and Reyes once they return from injuries. I do not think it is a top end starter the Dodgers will be seeking though they certainly have the prospect depth to get one if needed. Not suggesting the Dodgers should build to beat San Diego because I think the Braves are as good or better than San Diego.
The line up has been showing signs of life recently. I think Vargas is starting to turn a corner offensively. I like the plan to use Rojas in a rotation at short with Betts and Taylor. Two starts a week or against left handed pitching makes sense for now. Would like to see Busch get some at bats during this time with Martinez on the DL. Is this back soreness more serious than we think given Mark’s comment? Anyway, thought that Betts at short last night with Busch as the DH and Peralta in left made sense. Rojas was 1 for 13 vs. Darvish.
If the Dodgers are going to make a move for anything a shortstop who is a rental like Ahmed Rosario makes sense or an outfielder (preferably right hand hitter) seem the most likely. They have 9 right hand pitchers at AA, AAA, or recuperating who can be part of a deal. Knack, Sheehan, Frasso, Nastrini, and Ryan plus the four already mentioned. Dodgers should let this play out for a few more weeks or more and then the picture becomes clearer as sample sizes get bigger in terms of at bats, innings pitched, starts, etc. If Martinez’s back is a long term injury concern maybe a third baseman becomes the move with Muncy going to DH. Muncy has been okay at third but he has struggled charging slow hit balls.
Who are you taking?
Dodgers’ 1-4 lineup or
Padres’ 1-4
Betts at short over Bogaarts
Machado at third over Muncy
Right now Smith is more productive than Soto.
Tatis and Acuna are going to battle it out for MVP so Tatis over Freeman
Tatis is on 13 hr in 37 games v Dodgers. .240 avg. but seems like every AB is a battle. .
Both he and Acuna are sketchy in RF. They’ll cost you a couple games with their bad reads on balls. Acuna especially can be atrocious.
Padres click and we’re in for a long summer. Darvish or Hader go down and they’re in trouble. Our pitching depth looks way better on paper.
Just for the record, I do not buy the Bullshit Badger is selling about Mookie being spooked about Vargas. He tried the same BS with me when I said that Adrian Beltre would be a Hall-of-Fame 3B. I don’t buy that weak shit! Mookie and Miggy have a bond. I don’t believe that BS… at all. You have never heard it from a reliable source!
Keeping Betts at short is like calling ghost busters regarding Vargas.
Explain that!
It relates to Vargas spooking Betts.
Don’t go there Mark. The debate was not about that, it was about whether the Dodgers offered him a contract. To that point, he had one good year and it was his contract year.
Shall we also talk about your love affair with McCourt?
I know what I saw. Mookie pulled up to avoid a collision, then gave Vargas a look.
Oh, I am going there. It was during his rookie season (not his contract year), and everyone was hating them some Beltre and I did love Mccourt (be glad to explain that if needed).
However, the foul ball to which I believe you are referring is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBS_MS3TxC0&t=307s at about the 1:52 point. It looks nothing like what you say.
I ask again…. are you ok?
That’s not the play I was talking about. The play I’m referring to Mookie pulled up and Vargas came flying in, it was as I recall a fair ball.
And I don’t remember the conversation about Beltre in his rookie year. He was 19, and if you predicted HOF for him then, yeah, I might have said something.
Take a deep breath buddy. It’s not worth the aggravation you’re obviously feeling.
Well, that is what I said back when Beltre was 19, but I do not get stressed out – it’s only baseball.
At least you have to agree that even Mookie can run into someone!
Yes, he sure did.
And you can agree that if an outfielder is calling for the ball, the infielder has to get out of the way.
That collision was not on Mookie. He was calling for the ball.
I understood what Watford Dodger was saying and he wasn’t being negative. Kershaw was outright amazing during his prime years and he no longer is. That is not a shot at Kershaw, it’s just acknowledging that Kershaw is no longer that out of this world amazing pitcher. I don’t want to speak for Watford Dodger, but he still thinks Kershaw is a very good pitcher, but not that 3 time Cy Young winner. There is nothing wrong with saying that and I think everyone would agree with that. Or maybe not, but should agree.
Was Clayton the Pitcher of the Month in the N.L. in April?
Yes. But I think Watford Dodger is talking about the big picture, not April.
And by the way, some people here are fast at calling others negative when they shouldn’t.
Only an idiot would be negative.
Ha
Yes, I also understood what Watford was saying very clearly:
Says he is no longer an ace-totally false and the numbers more than back that up. I wholeheartedly believe that he would be the best pitcher on the majority of major league staffs. In fact, during this short year, he has been the best pitcher on our team.
Calling him a #3 (#4 last year) is ridiculous on its face as made obvious in my earlier post.
Post season is where he struggles. Yes, he has struggled in some of his post season games. He has also been brilliant in many other post season games. Two current pitchers who will be in the Hall of Fame (Scherzer & Verlander) have both had similar struggles. Two guys already in the Hall (Maddox & Galvin) also had similar struggles.
Yes, he is not the pitcher he was in his prime, but he is still damn good (as I said earlier, #1 on most MLB staffs). So Watford can tick all he wants but the numbers (facts) say otherwise.
Tick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Are you talking about the small sample this year? If so, it’s a small sample and that’s NOT taking away anything from Kershaw. Also calling Kershaw the #4 last year is not wrong, because look at who the Dodgers had in the rotation last year Urias, Gonsolin, Anderson. And look at the stats and not E.R.A because that’s a flawed stat even though that shows Kershaw the #3,
Tick!!!!!
Last Year Eric-Large sample:
126.1 innings, 2.28 ERA, .942 WHIP, 5.96 SO/W, 9.8 SO/9, 3.8 WAR. Numbers that would have been #1 on most teams and followed up by even better numbers this April.
I believe Watford was ONLY talking about the Dodgers rotation, not other teams. But anyways.
22 starts.
Not ace like. In my book an ace takes the ball every 5th day. Do we even have an ace? Buehler, 33 starts, was. I don’t see one now, but by definition I suppose Urias is the best on our staff, though a 3.86 ERA isn’t acey.
He said he is no longer an ace. If he was only talking about the Dodgers, I can agree he is probably not the best pitcher on the staff. However, I believe the statement “He is no longer an ace” was meant to apply to baseball in general. If so, he is way off base. Also, if he is only talking about the Dodgers, then so far this year, he is the ace of our staff. Either way you cut it, he is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good article Mark!
I am a huge fan of Kershaw on and off the field. He is the best pitcher of his generation, and he has pitched great the last two years. He struggled last night with his control and walked 5 guys for the first time in 4 years. Still, the game was 1-1 headed to the bottom of 5th with Padres only run a HR by Tatis on a pretty good pitch. Players like Tatis can hit decent pitches out. Off the bat it looked like a pop up, but Tatis hit it 400 ft. It happens with great players.
In the 5th inning, Kershaw walked the lead off hitter on a pitch that looked like a strike. Then after getting two swings and misses from Tatis, Kershaw hung a slider and Tatis hit it out. Probably his worst pitch of the game in that circumstance. Sometimes hitters foul it back, sometimes they hit it out. The last run scored on a 55 mph roller that put Machado on, followed by a ground ball single to Soto, and an infield hit by Kim.
Sure Kershaw had a bad game, but just one bad pitch to Tatis and some bad luck turned a 1-1 game into a 4-1 game.
Maybe Watford Dodger is correct, and Kershaw is only a #3 pitcher. I usually agree with Watford, but I hope he is wrong here. To me, last night was an outlier for Kershaw, and I expect him to perform well the rest of the year. No matter how he performs, I will be a huge fan, and far from unbiased. But I am willing to give Clayton credit for his great performance in April, and not discount his great work last month based on one bad pitch. This could change as the season develops, but I am hopeful Kershaw will perform well.
I haven’t spoken a word about Bellinger since he left the Dodgers. But I watched the Cubs broadcast yesterday against the Marlins. The announcing team was discussing Belli. He’s hitting .297/.933, his walk rates up, his chase rate down, his k rate is down. They had discussed Belli with the Cubs Hitting Coach Dustin Kelly. Kelly pointed out that mechanically Bellinger was keeping his head more still. Kelly said he’s not crashing forward toward the ball, the way he had been the last couple years. Damn, I wish I had thought of that.
I also heard the Rays take all their infield practice reps at game speed. I like that. Fewer reps but more quality at game speed.
We have a lot of new names for old pitches. Now you got a 4 seam fastball, a two-seem fastball, a cutter, a slutter, a sweeper, curveball, power sinker, splitter, and various change ups. No knucklers anymore. The “new” sweeper seems to me to be the old Legion roundhouse curveball that got all the kids out in Little League especially a left handed one. As kids grew up and got better it became a hanger. Now it’s back as a sweeper, I guess.
I wonder how Vin would have described all these pitches? If you remember, he called any non-fastball a change. Even slow curves were change-ups in Vin’s vernacular.
Orel is a salesman. He took a routine 1-4-3 double play and made it into an historical web gem dp.
When we struggle offensively we are usually in a “pull mode”. Muncy took a Darvish curve way away that practically bounced into the right hand batters box and found a way away to pull it as a grounder to 2nd. That is a pitch that can’t be pulled. When he’s right he drives that ball to left center. He’s better but not there yet.
Not a curve at all:
https://blogs.fangraphs.com/the-secret-benefit-and-cost-of-sweeping-sliders/
Wasn’t a sweeper a frisbee curve? I found them easier to hit than an off the table curve.
The change I learned, and used effectively was basically a palm ball. The change ups I see being used now look like fadeaway two finger or maybe a circle change. Four seamers spin differently than any of those, similar to the palm change (backwards spin) but far more violently. It takes incredible eyesight to pick up the spin quickly.
Peralta might be more successful if he would take that outside pitch the other way. He rolls over on a lot of pitches.
Lots of people have lots of takes about players on this site, but when pressed, they have difficulty owinng their takes. Geeeeezzzzz!
You feeling ok?
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (19-14)
Padres (18-15)
SP Dustin May R
3-1 3.15 ERA
Blake Snell L
1-4 5.28 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Chris Taylor R
DH Max Muncy L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
LF T. Thompson R
SS Miguel Rojas R
Partly-cloudy-day
0%
63° Wind 14 mph L-R
Weak starting lineup
Bobby Miller’s second outing this season was unfortunately very short. After giving up a single run in the first inning, Miller allowed a two-run homer to start the bottom of the second. Then back-to-back errors meant a strike out and caught stealing still left one runner on base.
Miller would then issue a walk followed by two more hits. That ended Miller’s start but the damage continued as all those runners would score before OKC could close the second inning.
The final line for Miller was 1⅔ innings, seven runs (three earned), five hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Player of the day
Emmet Sheehan had an excellent start in the first of two Tulsa Driller wins on Friday. Sheehan pitched five scoreless innings where he struck out eight and scattered three hits.
Friday scores
El Paso 7, Oklahoma City 4
Tulsa 4, San Antonio 0
Tulsa 2, San Antonio 1
Quad Cities 7, Great Lakes 0
Lake Elsinore 12, Rancho Cucamonga 5
Saturday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Ronan Kopp) vs. Quad Cities (Mason Barnett)
1:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Payton Martin, Maddux Bruns) at Lake Elsinore (Fernando Sanchez, Jagger Haynes), doubleheader
5:05 p.m. : Tulsa (Nick Frasso) vs. San Antonio (Daniel Camarena),
5:35 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) at El Paso (Matt Waldron)
Does 1-4 and 5.28era shut us down again? I love Kersh’s response to the crying meme. If you don’t like it pitch better! The guy is just a class act even if he is a #4 rotation piece now!???? And NL pitcher of the month!
He’s currently #2. When everyone returns to full strength I have May and maybe even Gonsolin in front of him.
Kershaw will likely go on the IL sometime this year. The last two years he’s started 22. He hasn’t started 30 since 2015.
That’s called “owning your take”. And making a lot of sense. You are going to make some people angry doing that!
I would love to see Kershaw as our #4. That would mean a lot is going right!
Weak. Trolls.
https://twitter.com/PhillipMolnar/status/1654702224763936768?s=20
“ Over his career, Kershaw has a 2.12 ERA in 46 games vs. the Padres…”
Good deal. Taylor might be making his comeback.
The Weak Starting Lineup has produced!
Still early, need more, then can celebrate.
Thx CT3. Claiming earlier we get to Snell in the 4th. Bingo.
Jedi level 7
Not enough swing ‘n miss for May, but the bottom line thru 5 still works.
Snell is one bad slider that didn’t break against Taylor from no hitting us. What is it with this guy and the Dodgers? He could be in the middle of rehabbing from Tommy John and still shut us down!
6 shutout with 99 pitches. Good job. Big boost for Big Red.
May’s velo down, done thru 6. Another successful outing.
He’s building strength. He’s got #1 potential. Maybe #2 behind Urias. #3 behind Buehler and Urias.
Outman is getting exposed by good pitching. He’s gonna have to learn to foul off tough pitches.
Exactly
Who we got in 9th? Carpenter worries me. He’s due.
Vesia? Phillips.
Lakers crushing Dubs.
Unless Thompson does something spectacular soon, he’s done as a Dodger.
We may have won this game but this was another pathetic hitting performance against a good team. Cmon Mookie, earn your paycheck!
Tatis has been showing Mookie how to bat lead-off.
Time to beat the village people!
Most excellent win! Nice!
Padre fans wondering what exactly does Soto bring again? .220 average now.
Warm weather changes things but, it’s not exactly cold out here either.
Fire Roberts, Lehmann is DA MAN!!
Just kidding
Sweeper, Slider, Curve:
https://www.pitcherlist.com/a-sweeping-sensation-what-we-know-about-baseballs-hot-new-pitch/
Kershaw had a bad day. He’s entitled to the occasional bad day.
As I note before, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sign another one-year contract with the Dodgers…. for the next three or four years. Heck, maybe five or six. As long as the competitive fires burn, I expect Kershaw to be a Dodger–though the Rangers are improving and might need a replacement for deGrom. Remember, Kersh is a lot younger than peers like like Scherzer and Verlander and Greinke. Rich Hill is now 43 and still effective.
Anyway, after Kersh’s bad day, it was very nice to see Dustin May come through today. Perfect timing, because Snell was great too, except for that one mistake to Taylor.
And kudos to Taylor. Maybe his year-plus-long slump really is coming to an end. Over the last 15 days, Taylor has produced a .970 OPS, bestt on the team. Sure hope he keeps it going.
Also kudos to the bullpen. The Bazooka was a little shaky, but otherwise they locked it down. Dodgers had only 3 hits but came away with the W.
And since many here are on Outman Watch, let’s note that he was 0-3 with another K but also another BB. The walk is, perhaps, more evidence of his maturity as a player. Late in the game with Dodgers up 2-1, he steps up to plate with Max on first and one out. Outman could have tried to a be hero and knock in an insurance run. Instead he was careful–and I assume the pitcher was pitching him carefully as well. His walk put runners on first and second with one out. Unfortunately, Heyward and Rojas were unable to drive them in.
Speaking of walks, Will Smith collected another 3 today. He missed a bunch of games, of course, but Will now has 13 walks against only 6 Ks. That’s about a 2:1 ratio.
It could be something of a fluke, like Vargas’s high walk rate early in the season. But Will is the only Dodger who is walking more than striking out. It’s one reason why Will lead the team with a .400 OBP, just ahead of Max at .392
FWIW, it’s funny to me when we make declarations about who is a No. 1, 2 or 3 pitcher.
A few seasons back, although I opposed the Bauer deal, it seemed to me that the Dodgers had four aces: Kershaw, Buhler, Urias and Bauer.
May showed his ace-like talent today. Kershaw has been great this year until his last start. Urias has been inconsistent. Last year, Gonsolin was a Cy Young contender before he got hurt.
But here are a few recent “back end” starters for the Dodgers: Stripling, Wood and Tyler Anderson.
And each of these guys were selected for the all-star team–and sometimes the aces fell short.