Walker Buehler’s time with the Dodgers could be coming to an unceremonious end and he knows it. He has at least one more start to get it together… maybe two, depending upon Kershaw and Glasnow. He was hitting 95 and 96 MPH in the first inning, but the harder he threw it, the better they hit it. He threw Cody Bellinger a 96 MPH fastball, and Cody hit out at 106 MPH. Walker’s fastball dropped down to 92-93 MPH in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings, and he was more effective. If he can’t do better… and there are flashes that can foster some hope, then he will not be on the p[layoff roster and his Dodger career (maybe his baseball career) is likely over.
Some fans wondered why Dave Roberts did not allow Michael Grove to come out for a second inning after throwing just thirteen pitches and striking out two. Well, it’s not a zero-sum game. It’s not this or that. It’s this, that, the other, and something else that we have not been consulted about. What’s a manager’s job? Just to win games? It’s a lot more than that. While I do not know all the reasons that Doc took Grove out, I could guess:
- Could he have had a “hot spot” on his finger that may have turned into a blister? They would not tell you if he did.
- What I think is more likely is that Grove has had a couple of rough outings, and after an excellent inning, Dave wanted to end it right there to give Michael some confidence. We don’t know what would have happened had he gone back out there. Maybe Doc is just building up his confidence. That’s one thing that Grove really needed: More Confidence!
- Also, if Grove pitches tonight, then we also know that Doc is also seeing how he pitches in back-to-back games.
- Additionally, he brought in Ramirez to see what he could do and hopefully get him sent back today.
There are lots of reasons why Doc could have taken Michael Grove out, which is why he is the manager and we are not. Since Ramires went two innings, it is likely he will not be available today. With Yamamoto not expected to go more than three or four innings, Grove and the bullpen will likely play a big role, which is reason enough to only pitch Grove one inning in a loss.
Today, it will be a tough battle with Imagana on the mound. I’m in St. George, Utah, for a few days on business. I did not watch the game live, but I will watch tonight’s game live. St. George is in Zion National Park, and it is beautiful… and hot. 100 degrees today.
I’ll take last nights game as a positive step for Walker. Freddy saw it. His spray pattern was much better than it has been. Give him another start or two and see what happens. At this point we need to keep our options open until later in the month when we know more than we do now.
If I had to guess what our post season rotation would be right now, it would be Glasnow, Yamamoto, Flaherty and Kershaw.
Glasnow, Yamamoto, Flaherty and Kershaw?
I call that a lot of confidence, especially when only one of them is active and proven.
That’s not confidence, it speculation. I believe that there is a larger plan in place that is in the process of playing out. The whole season has been a work in progress with the goal being to peak by the end of September and have our best starters healthy. We will see.
I expect that Ramirez will be DFA’d to make room for Yamamoto today.
The current rotation of Flaherty, Knack, Miller, Buehler, and Wrobleski is a disaster. Yamamoto’s return is vital to the Dodgers’ postseason chances. A rotation of Flaherty, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Kershaw could be really good. And of course we would all love to see Stone comeback too. The health of the rotation will mean everything in October.
And Buehler is improving? 9 hits and a walk in 5 innings is a WHIP of 2.0. 2 HR and 5 ER in 5 innings? He was allowing a lot of hard contact.
Wrobleski is in the minors. Knack is in the rotation right now.
Just remember… the Dodgers are very closed-lipped about injuries, and that is on both sides: It may be worse than they say or it may be a lot better than what we think. I just watch the games! 😉
Also in 10 days, this could be the rotation:
Flaherty
Yamamoto
Knack
Kershaw
Buehler
Miller
We don’t know what we don’t know!
With our bullpen and the numerous off days in the playoffs we just need our starters to go 5 innings while allowing 2 runs or less.
Treinan
Hudson
Kopech
Banda
Phillips
Graterol
Vesia
Brasier
Honeywell
Kelly?
Plus any starters not in the playoff rotation.
We should be able to really shorten games with our bullpen.
Our postseason rotation will be great, or as crappy as last year and every outcome in between. Phantom injuries, innings limits, speculation, over management and a front office that hides its involvement with in-game decisions. It sure is confusing being a Dodger’s fan. Haven’t seen Whatford for a while. I hope Mark didn’t ban him for disagreeing with him or saying that Doc is a bad manager. 😉
I only ban people for being morons, which is the path you are on. Watford is not a moron!
No one has ever been banned for disagreeing.
BTW, I know who you are.
… and what is confusing about being #1 in the power rankings and having the best record in baseball. I’m sorry if you are confused, I’m not!
Buehler is healthy and his speed throughout his repertoire is fine but they have no movement, no venom and they don’t fool anyone. At these moments he shows positive flashes and then regresses, I think that’s normal, he went a long time without pitching, don’t forget that it took Lux three months to find his rhythm of play.
I think WB will be fine in 2025 and will sign, for now, for one year with the Dodgers.
The Dodgers are a freaking dynasty! For over a decade no one is even close. I can here the naysayers now. But..but…they haven’t even won a REAL world series. I’m sorry but they won TWO. The Yanks of the 50’s only had to be hotter than one team. Now you have to be hotter than 11 teams. So # of championships should not determine a dynasty in baseball. I guess you could say the Braves of the 90’s were one too?
Book em
It seems as if Buehler losses another 0 and year off his free agent contract. He has to be upset, he was looking at an 8 figure contract in free agency perhaps as late as this spring training.
Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin will make his first minor league rehab start of the season on Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. The right-handed pitcher has not stepped on the mound in more than a year, with his last appearance on Aug. 18, 2023.
Oh wow. Cool
Kershaw speaks on trying to get back to pitching this season and for the postseason:
“Because, I really do – my body feels great. Shoulder, back, everything feels really good,” Kershaw said Monday afternoon. “It’s just that last little bit. If you can’t push off, you can’t create what you need to create. So I have to find a way to be able to push off.
“So yeah, it’s super frustrating, especially where we’re at as a team. But I still have some hope that I’ll be able to be in the conversation (for the postseason roster). That’s the goal right now.”
“Right now, I’m just trying everything to try and take the pressure off of it, to keep my arm going as best I can,” Kershaw said. “Trying to find different cleats that work, different shoes that work, different angles of my foot that work. Throwing off the mound, that turf mound, felt a little better today. So I feel like I’m doing enough to keep my arm going. It’s not there yet to be able to push off for a full game. But it’s getting better.”
Buehler and Kershaw are very “iffy”. Flaherty is the ace right now. Hopefully, Stone, Glasnow, and Yamamoto can battle back. Knack has showed he can contribute; 3.00 ERA. Bobby Miller, questionable. Koepech, Phillips, Vesia , Grove. If Koepech(sp) is lights out, a good relief corps
DFA candidate Michael Petersen claimed off waivers by the Marlins
It will be interesting to see how Tony Gonsolin does. I had it on pretty good authority that he was coming back and that he might be “built up” more than we think.
He could be a huge help if he could even serve as a long man during the playoffs. If he’s really back, he might be a better add to the bullpen than either Grove or Honeywell.
And in a best case scenario, maybe he’d be ready to go 5-6 innings in which case he could actually be used as a starter if needed.
I know you’ve pointed it out Mark, but people forget how spectacular his 2022 season was:
16-1, 0.87 WHIP, 2.14 ERA
Lifetime he’s 34-11 (.756 winning pct), with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP
It would not be unheard of that he could be built up to 4-6 innings by October.
Also, I am not counting Kershaw out, and Glasnow is not as bad as has been let on.
Miller and Buehler are the wild cards.
Trade them both
They aren’t bringing anything to the team
Well, they can’t be traded, so that is a problem. I guess they could be DFA’ed!
That would be smart! Right?
Insurance
09/10/24 Los Angeles Dodgers designated LHP Nick Ramirez for assignment.
09/10/24 Los Angeles Dodgers activated RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto from the 60-day injured list.
… as expected!
Nobody will likely claim Ramirez…
10:10 PM ET
Cubs (74-70)
Dodgers (86-58)
SP Shota Imanaga L
12-3 2.99 ERA
SP Y. Yamamoto R
6-2 2.92 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
CF Tommy Edman S
LF Andy Pages R
SS Miguel Rojas R
3B Max Muncy L
2B E. Hernandez R
C A. Barnes R
74° Wind 10 mph Out
Where’s Will Smith against a lefthander? Did Yamamoto request Barnes to catch him tonight? STRANGE!!!!!
1. Will is sucking wind – you are going to see him sitting more;
2. Yamamoto prefers Barnes; and
3. Teoscar is not bouncing back as quickly as expected.
Wow. If we get everyone back including Gonsolin. Geez you could put all their names in a hat and pick a great 4 man playoff rotation . Either way we will definitely be loaded come Oct. I think we are in a good spot right now. Bring it home boys!
Book em
I will be very happy if Gonsolin is the #4 starter to begin the 2025 season.
Yamamoto looked vintage. 4 IP. 5 the next time… then 6.
Current order:
1. Yamamoto
2. Flaherty
3. Glasnow
4. Kershaw?
If we get those three, I can live with whoever is #4
Banda broken hand
After punching wall. They need to hang up pillows in dugout and locker room for guys like this
I know we lost i hate to lose.
But THE most important thing was how Yamamoto looked and he was great.
I think the Dodgers slow played this and are making sure he is 100% ready to go come October…..brilliant. Same goes for Glasnow….
Checkers and chess. We got them all right where we want them. Might even sweep in playoffs!
Nice start by Yamamoto ruined by some really shoddy fielding and an anemic offense. 3 solo homers not enough when you play an inning like that. I felt bad for Phillips. But to be truthful, Vesia should never have been sent back out to pitch a second inning. He did not throw one single strike. That and Barnes error put Phillips behind the 8-ball. Crow-Armstrong showed why A-list defense is important.