Many times in life and in baseball as well (baseball is life, right?) there comes a defining moment where one can look back and say, “That was when it all changed.” The 9th inning of last night’s game could be one of those moments. Behind by 5 runs in the top of the 9th inning, the Dodgers pulled within one run on a Grand Slam by Jayson Heyward and won on a 3-run homer by Teoscar Hernandez, and here’s the cool part: “You knew it was going to happen!” When Heyward walked to the plate, I said, “he is going to hit a Grand Slam,” and he did, and then when Teo checked his swing, I said, “He is going to win this thing,” and he did! You could just feel it. Something changed last night!
To me, even though it is the Rockies, the Dodgers just “flipped the switch” last night and willed their way to victory. It was a sight to behold and quite possibly the turning point in their journey from very good to great! Miguel Vargas continues to make a case to play every day in left field as he got two hits and took a walk. He is not trying to do too much and is letting the game come to him. His bat is exactly what the Dodgers need at the bottom of the order and he does not need platooned.
It wasn’t all “peaches and cream” however, as Walker Buehler gave up 7 runs in his four innings.
Of course, Walker was pitching in Colorado, but maybe he needs a “reset.” The velocity is there, but the results are not.
Great comeback win! A game like that usually only happens for your favorit team every 50 years or so. MOF they say the last time the Dodgers did come back from 5 runs down in the 9th or later was the year before they left Brooklyn. So that is how rare it is.
I repeat what I said yesterday: Keep M.Vargas in the lineup even if you have to play him at 3b. He is exactly what this lineup needs with Mookie and MM out. Even when they get back there should be regular at bats for this kid.
What a video with Vin and Mays. You can see how Vins eyes light up as he turns into a young kid again when talking to his idol. All fan in this fascinating minutes between two of the greatest legends of this sport. One doing it on the field the other off the field in the pressbox. Legendary.
RIP Willie.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No on Vargas at third. That would be a disaster defensively. The kid is just not good over there. You refuse to see the stats that show just that.
Great comeback last night.
Wednesday scores
9:05 a.m. PT: Oklahoma City (TBA) vs. Albuquerque (Noah Davis)
4:05 p.m.: Great Lakes (Christian Romero) vs. Quad Cities (Steven Zobac)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Kendall Williams) at Northwest Arkansas (Mason Barnett)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Clayton Kershaw) vs. Inland Empire (Francis Texido)
Wednesday is the first minor league rehab start for Clayton Kershaw since his November shoulder surgery, and his first start in any competitive game in 256 days. He’s expected to pitch about three innings.
RIP Willie Mays. He was so much fun to watch even though he was on the Giants. He and Willie McCovey. Thanks for the video of Vinny holding court with Willie. What a memory Vinny had even at the end of his career. I think most of the readers of this blog were so fortunate to watch and listen to both of these legends. I didn’t remember Willie being Vinny’s favorite player. I thought it was Mike Piazza! Lol.
A comeback for the ages last night. I watch the entire game through the 8th inning. Things weren’t going the Dodgers way. Move on. Big mistake on my part! But, something that hadn’t happen in close to a 100 years who would have thunk they were going to win it an inning later? That would be no one else, except….. Mark Timmons.
Bobby Miller has a tough ballpark to restart his season. i know his stats weren’t that good in his rehab starts, but I don’t believe they were that good last year when he got called up. He had a nice season once he settled into the rotation. Let’s see if he can duplicate that now. With Buehler’s troubles, it would be helpful if Miller can step up and be a productive part of the rotation going forward. And, hopefully, Kershaw on deck to do the same!
Carry on
For the record….
Willie Mays missed the entire 1953 baseball season and played only 34 games in 1952 because of his service in the US Army. He was drafted; otherwise, his career statistics would have been even more impressive…a great player and person!
It’s fascinating to think if Willie had played all of 1952 and 1953 – at the height of his young career and abilities – he may very well have had another 54 homers or more to tie or exceed Babe Ruth’s career 714 home runs. Wouldn’t that have been a fantastic end to one of THE most stellar baseball careers ever?!
SO wonderful to see these two legends of the games meet and converse like old friends in such a down to earth remembrance of one of the golden ages of baseball. Rest in Paradise, gentlemen.
Just think what Ted Williams would have done with the almost 5 full seasons he lost.
Ok Mark, if Vargas plays every day in LF what do you do with Heyward and Teo? Can Heyward play CF and platoon with Pages since his splits against righties isn’t great. Or are you platooning Heyward and Teo in RF?
As stated numerous times, Vargas plays only against left handed pitching in LF unless Teo needs a day off.
Mark is advocating player him full time in LF. If Heyward can handle CF, then I agree. Give Vargas a shot.
Last I checked Mark isn’t the Manager.
Do we have to be the manager or GM to give our opinion?
Vargas & Pages should play full-time, neither should be platooned at this point in their development.
So for now, use Heyward as a pinch-hitter and late-innings defensive replacement.
Later, JHey can be a platoon outfielder ..if necessary.
Miguel Rojas…
Gets a hit 20-0
Scores a run 13-0
Has a RBI. 12-0
keep playing Rojas!
M
V
P
!!!!!
Improved to 21-0.
Wow! I have followed virtually every Dodger game since 1947, and can’t recall a ninth inning comeback as good as that. Fascinating game. Rocks got all the breaks early, seeing-eye grounders, Texas leaguers, an incredible catch, poor ball/strike calls. The Blue persevered, many contributors in the lineup, got their breaks late, and used their power to
Overcome incredible odds. Another huge lift, good job by Doc, Vesia and Phillips. Just Wow!
Dodgers are considering putting Buehler on the IL. Landon Knack would most likely replace him in the rotation. He needs a reset. He obviously is not the same pitcher, and since this is his free agent year, it is not looking good for him to be re-signed in the winter. Kershaw pitching tonight at Rancho. Bet they sell out.
With the Dodgers having a 9 game lead in their division they are in a position to take a calculated risk. With the pitching staff in shambles with injuries, it might be worth taking a look at Zac Greinke. He has stated that he still wants to pitch. The risk would be very low as it wouldn’t cost any prospects. It is well known that his intellect is over the top so at the very least he could be a great asset to our young pitchers that are gong to be thrown into the fire until some of our veterans recover. Greinke’s Cy Young days are behind him but his grit and knowledge will always be there. I think it’s worth a shot.
Glasnow, Stone, Miller, Paxton and Knack with Kersh soon to arrive, I wouldn’t call this a shambles. Grienke not even close to making this rotation
And don´t forget Wrobleski who is really coming on strong at AA. We saw last year with Sheehan that a jump from AA is not too big for some kids.
Would not surprsie me to see him get a spot start or two somewhere along.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
If we gave Greinke 5 starts, or Knack or Wrobleski 5 starts, I cannot imagine Greinke would significantly outperform either of them.
Keep the kids and let them grow/learn as we did with Miller, Stone, Sheehan last year.
Grenke is not exactly a team player. if he can’t pitch good, he would be a determent to he clubhouse. Bring up the prospects.
Grit–> ball 1
Mindset–> ball 2
Resiliency–> ball 3
Experience–>ball 4
Outstanding game and come back last night.
Oh Walker
You feel for him, he has that bull dog attitude and you can see the concern and frustration after all this time trying to get it back.
Could the Dodgers be interested in a 1 yr prove it deal with Walker next year ?
Of course much of that will depend on how this off season goes with Free Agency, the health of the returning current IR pitchers, Walkers heath, other offers and where his head is at?
If Walker struggles as a starter after his “Reset”
Do both consider a possible Bullpen reassignment in Sept to see if he can contribute in the bullpen going into the playoffs and what that might look like?
Go Dodgers !!
I doubt the Dodgers will be sentimental about Buehler. He needs to prove he can be more than a back-end starter, especially with Sasaki on the market.
Possible six-man rotation in ’25: Shohei, Glasnow, Yamamoto, Stone, Sasaki, Miller…. No lefty, but who knows about Kershaw?
And Crochet and Luzardo are both southpaws. Just sayin.
Landon Knack has a 2.61 ERA in 4 games with the Dodgers. Last season, Greinke had an ERA that was almost double Knacks’ ERA (5.06). I think a high ERA is not like a high BA. With Casparius and Wrobs, there’s no reason to sign Greinke. Kershaw will be back sooner rather than later, and I would not judge Miller by any of his rehab starts. We will see how he does tonight, but it’s hard to get amped up for a minor league game.
Tomorrow, I will discuss the Walker Buehler dilemma, but I don’t see him going back to the pen.
I agree that Vargas should only play LF. He looks awkward there, but with reps he will be fine. It’s the only place he can play and his bat will lengthen the lineup. He looks loose, relaxed an ready.
Don’t think Dodgers sign Buehler one year prove it deal just due to the numbers. Barring season ending injuries, Yamamoto, Glasnow, Stone, Miller return to the rotation. Likely Ohtani and Sheehan. Maybe Kershaw, May, and Gonsolin. Plus young pitchers like Knack, Ryan, Wroblieski, Frasso who may be ready. Not to mention signing Sasaki.
Left handers start about 30 per cent of major league games so Vargas may get two starts a week in a normal week. I think a day off for Pagés and Hernandez every two weeks is not unreasonable. That would give Vargas about 6 -7 starts every two weeks which would conceivably give the Dodgers enough at bats over the next 6 weeks in order to make a decision about his viability moving forward. He looks more comfortable in the box and more decisive. He generally has good at bats and does not chase much. Bottom line, there are enough starts in the next six weeks for these four outfielders – especially Pagés and Vargas. Just need to be a little creative outside of a straight platoon.
You want to start the clock on Casparius and Wrobleski for perhaps a couple of starts until our pitchers start coming back? Knack’s clock has started so sure bring him up. Wouldn’t it make sense to start the clock on someone who isn’t on the 40 man let alone MLB service time when we would get better value starting their time at the beginning of a season. Personally I wouldn’t burn a year of service time for a couple of starts.
fair point
If the Dodgers bring them up, I hope they keep them up for most of the season.
Have the Dodgers released any word about May?
Not for a while. There is no update on the Dodger website. May is supposedly in Arizona. Miller activated; no corresponding move announced yet. I think Buehler will go back on the IL.
8:40 PM ET
Dodgers (46-29)
Rockies (25-48)
SP Bobby Miller R
1-1 5.40 ERA
SP Ryan Feltner R
1-6 5.71 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
RF J. Heyward L
2B Gavin Lux L
3B Cavan Biggio L
SS E. Hernandez R
C A. Barnes R
49% Rain
72° Wind 9 mph R-L
06/19/24 Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Bobby Miller from the 15-day injured list.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly one of five teams interested in Miami Marlins closer Tanner Scott, and one of four top contenders reportedly trying to pursue him ahead of the trade deadline. The Dodgers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, as well as the Chicago Cubs, have interest in pursuing a trade for Scott, per the New York Post’s Jon Heyman.
May (elbow) has been throwing at the Dodgers’ complex in Arizona and has topped 90 mph on his fastball, per the Associated Press.
May continues to recover from the surgery he underwent on his right flexor tendon and UCL last July. He began throwing off a mound in mid-May, and based on the recent update about his velocity, appears to be progressing well. When healthy, May’s fastball typically rests in the upper-90s, so he still has a way to go before returning to his full velocity. That said, there’s a chance he could be ready to return to the Dodgers in the latter half of July if he continues to progress without any setbacks.
There are 4 young home grown position players I would like to see as starters next year.
-Vargas/ No platoon/ LF
-Outman/ Platoon?/CF
-Pages/No platoon/RF
4th is Cody Hoese/3B.
But the shot should come now while Muncy is out. I believe he will be a rule 5 after this year and if so a chance he is gone unless they protect him.
He has been a huge disappointment until this year. Had a good spring training with the MLB club.
Maybe a late bloomer like Max and Chris were. He will be 27yrs old in July
BA:306. OPS:846 Fielding % .951 with over 2100 innings at 3rd.
Other than Owings, Hoese is the next best fielding 3rd basemen on the current Dodgers AAA and the MLB rosters.
Kike and Taylor fielding % at 3rd are .925 and .937 respectively.
I believe Max is around .945 fielding %
If all goes well you can platoon Max and Hoese.
And based on how Mookie is doing Max has really played an excellent 2nd base over .980 fielding % if needed.
Just move/cut Kike or Taylor or maybe Biggio although I would like to see a little more of him and he is a lefty. Lux if necessary in a package for something.
Go Dodgers!!
I doubt that happens. Hoese is not even on the 40-man roster. Muncy is a much bigger power threat than Hoese. No way Max is platooned when he does come back. Hoese has zero chance of being their 3rd baseman next year, not with Muncy still under contract.
I would try Lipcius over Hoese.
Hoese only has six HR, while Andre has 17. Hoese may be a better fielder.
Lipcius has an OPS of 100 higher than Hoese.
40 man is not an issue.
There is more then enough underperforming bench guys that can be released
Based on Max’s injury history and his age, it is short sighted to believe he will be even a 1-2yr solution.
Max can be part of the solution for the next 1-2 yrs as a DH/2nd and 3rd basemen
Hoese has also demonstrated this year he can hit both lefty’s and righty’s equally well.
Remember 70% of the leagues pitchers are righties so Max will get more then enough at bats.
And based on his inability to stay healthy consistently playing less could prolong his career.
We have enough slug even without Max.
We could use some more bat to ball skills..
Go Dodgers!!
Max is not going to DH as long as Ohtani is on the team.
I have advocated for Lipcius as well, although he is not a good 3rd baseman .
Just something about Hoese.
I’m okay with Hoese or him but get one of them up here while Max is out or you probably lose both without getting a good look at what they can do.
As for Buehler, maybe he should try to become a closer, like Smoltz did.
He could start being a reliever, of course it is very easy to give an opinion after and not before, but I was not convinced to use him as a starter this season
He is a free agent after the season. It is not a lock that they will even re-sign him.
Manager Dave Roberts said Buehler is going on the 15 day injured list Wednesday due to hip discomfort, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
The right-hander was struck in the hip by a comebacker Tuesday against the Rockies, but he was also battling a hip issue prior to that incident. Buehler surrendered seven runs during Wednesday’s outing and has a 5.84 ERA through eight starts this season, and the IL stint will give him a chance to reset amid the struggles. He’s without an official timeline for his return but seems likely to be sidelined beyond the 15-day minumum.
Great win last night!! Ohtani with a clutch double!!
Just let the pitcher hit for Barnes.
Miller looking like rehab miller.
I am not impressed with Biggio so far. Swing looks slow, and he takes way too many hittable pitches.
Kershaw thru 3. 1 run 2 hits 5 ks 36 pitches
Ok,
I’ve seen enough of Biggio
I’m doubling down.
Hoese and Feduccia in
Barnes / Taylor / Kike and Biggio out.
We’ll play short handed.
Okay bring up Owings and Lipcius as well.
Boy, I can’t imagine both Miller and Walker in the same starting rotation right now.
Thank god for the 3 DP’S today.
But he bulled up tough after that.
A little dog there. Like it
Looking much better after that 1st inning.
Kershaw :
3.0ip
2-hits
1 -run
1 -BB
5-k’s
36 pitches
Defense: Biggio and Pages oh boy
Pages is a RF
Go Dodgers !!
Outman over those guys you suggested. Better defensive CF than Pages. Barnes is not going anywhere, and you know it. To get rid of Taylor, who has zero trade value, they are going to have to eat the rest of his contract, well over 20 million. Getting rid of Biggio is easy, Kike is the most versatile player on the team and AF loves the guy.
What is the difference ? You have to eat the 20 million anyway.
DFA him and get in a player who helps your t eam.
Go Dodger!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Cut Biggie now this guy is not the answer and wasting a roster spot.
He offers nothing offensively or defensively. Agree a complete waste of a spot on the 26 man roster.
He has a cool last name.
I am amazed with all of our issues we are still 9 games up. Get ready for a whole lot of experimentation lineup and pitching wise. Shut your extended pie hole on Roberts for the moves he’s going to make the next few weeks, it’s because he can. Listen to his post game tonight about Miller, he’s just glad the dude is back. Same with Bueller, when he comes back in a few weeks they are gonna trot him out there to get him his innings. I see it as a twisted blessing that Mookie and Yamamoto got hurt, notice the team is playing with a sense of focus the past two games. Get ready for some more CT3, Vargas.Lux, and Kike. Freidman has a whole month and a half to see what he’s got.
Extended pie hole?
How much longer do we have to put up with Barnes as a backup catcher and Biggio in a platoon at 3rd base? AF ,spend some trade capital and upgrade both positions. Two players that definitely should not be on the roster.
Anyone know why Teo was taken out of last night’s game?
Wednesday scores
Oklahoma City 5, Albuquerque 4 (11 innings)
Tulsa 8, Northwest Arkansas 5
Quad Cities 4, Great Lakes 2
Rancho Cucamonga 6, Inland Empire 2
Thursday Schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Peter Heubeck) vs. Quad Cities (Hunter Owen)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Chris Vallimont) vs. Albuquerque (Karl Kauffmann)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Jerming Rosario) at Northwest Arkansas (Tyson Guerrero)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Carlos Duran) vs. Inland Empire (Riley Bauman)