Since Opening Day, we have seen Freddie Freeman and Blake Snell go on the IL with Hunter Feduccia and Matt Sauer taking their places. Rest assured, you are going to see a lot more of this. The Dodgers have massive depth, and you are going to see it maxed out. Kershaw, Ohtani, Miller, Wrobleski, Frasso, Phillips, Sheehan, Graterol, and others are all pitching possibilities. On the offensive side, it’s likely that we will see Rushing, Freeland, Kim, and maybe Ruiz.
Of course, some fans are calling for the Dodgers to replace, Taylor, Kike, Muncy and Pages. Slow Down! Patience Grasshoppers!
The Dodgers are 9-1 before today’s game. Tyler Glasnow has blown up inexplicably, but move along, there’s nothing to see here, Folks. I think it’s harder for a guy 6′ 8″ to throw off a muddy mount than it is for someone shorter. Stuff happens!
There will be peaks and valleys. Stay calm, breathe, and keep your sanity! Even with a Phillies Grand Slam. This is a long season. There will be twists and turns. Hang on.
We are still out to sea. Stopped at Ensenada, Mexico, and rode horses on the beach and ate some incredible Mexican food from a little “hole-in-the-wall.” We arrive back in Long Beach Tomorrow. Then we have a vendor to see in Valencia on Tuesday, and we fly back on Wednesday.
We almost ended up in jail, as when my wife boarded the cruise ship, they found a bullet in her purse. She went through TSA and the Dodger Stadium Metal Detectors, and they never found it, but the Cruise Ship did. They detained us for about 10 minutes and then laughed about it.
I don’t have much time… maybe I’ll post Monday or Tuesday…
CARRY ON!
P.S. I think that is Bluto in jail with us.
The home plate umpire has been universally terrible today. Only a Pages dinger from a tie. No such miracle today.
Plenty of time for miracles. It started with Dreyer.
Chippin away
I tried to tell you! 😉
Boy, did Pages really misread that ball!
Ball could have been knuckling. Hope so.
Fantastic come back. Decent bullpen work until Treinen. It ain’t over yet tho!!
You can’t walk 11 guys and win many games if any. Muncy inability to turn the double play in the bottom of the 8th was one of the key pays in the defeat. Time for Pages to get on a bus and head to Oklahoma City to learn how to hit again.
Funny, but every ball hit toward Pages seems to knuckle….
Roberts and the brass are giving Pages every opportunity to succeed–or not. By one report, he and Edman are the only Dodgers who have played in every inning.
But so far, Pages has been the team’s weakest link on both offense and defense.
Today’s good news: Dreyer making it hard for the front office to option him back to OKC. He had 4 Ks, zero hits and 2 walks in 2.1 innings….on a day when Vesia and Treinen were uncharacteristically hit hard.
But even if Dreyer continues with the lights-out pitching, he seems bound to be optioned at some point. Because he has options.
Is this a downside of so much depth?
If Max tried to short-hop it, he might have succeeded…. and he might have gotten nobody out.
He ain’t Matt Chapman or Arenado.
I would place fault on Pages for turning catchable drives into doubles before I’d blame Max for getting one out instead of two.
I think Andy is AAA… Mookie should be in center, Teo in right… whoever can hit more than 210 in left…Freddie, Tommy 2b, Trea Turner at short & trade Muncy for a real 3rd baseman.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
#Dodgers lose their first series of the season.
In many ways Dodgers beat themselves today and on Friday with mental and physical miscues.
#Phillies take 2/3.
I picture Bluto as much smaller.
Hey Mark… Is Hussong’s Cantina still in business?
Back in the day, getting drunk at Hussong’s–or at least getting a drink–was a rite of passage for every gringo growing up in SoCal…
No clue. I must have been too drunk.
Sounds like Kim is on his way up. Pages is not a CF. Can’t have poor AB’s, play sub-par defense, and be terrible running bases.
The bottom of the order needs to get on base occasionally. Pages, Kike, and Rojas aren’t doing that.
The Dodgers drop to 2nd place.
While we all noticed how the Padres were keeping pace with the Dodgers’ historic winning streak, the Giants were posting wins as well
And now…
Giants 8-1 .889 winning %
Dodgers 9-2 .818
Padres 8-2 .800
I’m shaking with fear !
Kim will likely go to 2B… may be!
I have absolutely no complaints. Baseball is back and my team is defending champions! I don’t know why everyone is nitpicking and criticizing. It’s frickin April. The Dodgers will, and I repeat ,will make the playoffs. So let’s enjoy the ride and see what they’re made of in October.
Book em
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports that the two sides have reached an agreement on a $500MM deal over 14 years, pending a physical. Davidi reports that there’s no deferred money in the deal, making it the second-largest deal in MLB history by net present value behind that of Soto. Heyman reports that the deal contains a full no-trade clause and comes with a signing bonus, while Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportset reports that the deal does not include an opt-outs.
Awesome Kershaw is back for 14 years!!!
Vlad Guerorro Jr. of the Ble Jays
Todays the day folks!!
Dodgers get to celebrate their 24 World Championship at the White House!!
The way things are going in this country,I wouldn’t be too happy to be there and I am an Independent voter.
To disrupt the Apple Cart sometimes you gotta deal with a little chaos.
All will be well!
Looking forward to see the CHamps at the White House today!
This might be the dumbest metaphor I’ve read today, but it’s early:
“To disrupt the Apple Cart sometimes you gotta deal with a little chaos.”
And sometimes you don’t! And if you’re smart or you plan, you can the apple cart apart quickly and efficiently, or you can just take the apples off and leave the cart intact.
Is that even English that you wrote?
Boy some of you are really miserable….
Yes, I lost the word “take” in my reply. I wish I could edit, but I cannot.
Apologies.
Or, you just have to reframe your understanding of the message, rather than get hung up on the syntax, which you are prone to doing; so much so I sometimes wonder if you’re on the spectrum.
You see, Matt is operating on the belief that a certain thing he is alluding to – upsetting the apple cart – is a good thing long term rather than a bad thing. Not that I agree, but I understand the point. It’s something akin to “creative disruption.”
Now, if you’re operating on the belief, as he is, that upsetting the apple cart is a good thing in the long run, then you can also accept that temporary chaos or pain is acceptable in the short-term to realize the gains in the long-term.
You may not agree with the premise in which that admittedly awkward metaphor combination is based, but the premise is at least defensible and makes sense metaphorically.
Yes, this was incorrect and needlessly verbose.
In this case and worthless, given this metaphor, upsetting the Apple cart is good IMHO.
The inane bit includes and comes after the words “sometimes you gotta” It’s ends justify the means thinking.
There was no plan to upset the Apple cart, there was no need to create chaos, it could’ve been done much better and should have.
Minimizing the unnecessary chaos with a trite metaphor is stupid
I don’t really understand what you just said, except for the last two sentences.
And, you could be right.
We’ll see. Fun times ahead.
It wasn’t my best! But I appreciate you understanding a third of it
Apology accepted…..
Now, go watch the Champs at the White House and stop being miserable.
Who is miserable?
I’m just calling out a stupid metaphor.
At least there is nothing unconstitutional about the Dodgers visiting the scene of so many crimes….
If I want misery I just have to look up my IRA.
That Andrew is just your lame political opinion. We don’t do that here. Please stick to Dodger Baseball.
It’s NOT a lame opinion. Open your eyes to what’s going in this country and in the world.
Not wanting to go to the White House as world champions because you’re not happy with X/Y/Z policies by the current President is most emphatically a lame opinion.
There are enough lame opinions about baseball here. When you introduce politics, the lameness grows exponentially – and I include myself among the lame.
Knock it off. That is literally just your opinion and a political one at that. And that is my independent opinion.
Shut up and comment!
Sunday scores
El Paso 6, Oklahoma City 4
NW Arkansas 14, Tulsa 3
Lake County 13, Great Lakes 2
Rancho Cucamonga 8, Lake Elsinore 1
For more detailed recaps,stats and box scores for Dodger minor league teams go to the top of the page and cIick on MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES.
I liked the “fight” the Dodgers brought to yesterday’s game after the grand slam. I can live with Vesia and Treinen having bad days because I know they will bring it when it counts most. My only concern is Pages. He has misplayed several fly balls, took a catch-and-throw oppty from Teoscar, and has two base running gaffs. What was Andy working on in the offseason? His low baseball-IQ does not play on the Dodgers. He will eventually hit better–how much I have no idea–but poor defense in center field is non-starter for the Dodgers.
Treinen would have been fine if not for the Pages misplay….
162 it happens….
I really was rooting for Pages. Was thinking that he would easily build off his decent rookie season. But, it’s just not happening. Almost the same as Outman last year. He doesn’t barrel up and drive the ball when he hits it. He obviously lacks some baseball instincts or IQ. The experiment of him playing full time might be about over. Is it time to see what HS Kim can do ? Thank God we have Tommy tanks to give us options in our lineup. What a truly splendid ball player. As many defensive gems that he’s already made at 2B, I’m not sure I would put him back in CF. I’m wondering if ahead of Tuesday’s game, we don’t bring up Knack and Wrobleski (sending down Garcia and Sauer) to piggy back that game. Each could throw 75 pitches, if they don’t get knocked out early. But, then we need a Wednesday starter . Maybe it’s Miller time again ? My 2 cents today.
I think either:
Wrobo-cop up, wrobo-cop optioned, Knack up through next week’s start
OR
Knack up, Knack optioned, Wrobo-cop up through next week’s start
OR
Either Knack/Wrobo-cop up, bullpen game.
Knack and Wrobleski have been summoned. Perhaps Miller will be next.
I root for all the Dodgers…but some more than others.
I root more for Outman and Max, for example, because they have often been unjustly dissed.
“Decent” is a good description for Pages’ rookie season. He was excellent against lefthanded pitching, but struggled against righties. He never proved to be a quality defender, especially in CF, where it was needed most. (Outman’s rookie season was much, much better–on both offense and defense–but then came the “sophomore jinx” that now has moved to his junior year.)
To me, Pages profiled as a platoon player who luckily was granted the CF opening out of spring training, so I hoped for the best. But now he’s wallowing in his own sophomore slump. I expected his defense to improve with the extra reps–but he still doesn’t inspire confidence.
Edman, Kike and Taylor all play centerfield better than Pages. And Pages’s bat isn’t making up for the difference.
I hope the rumors are true that Kim will be called up, which would enable Edman to handle CF full-time. Pages has earned a trip back to OKC.
Way too early to judge anyone’s performance.
Agree but I am not liking Pages in CF
Totally agree with that assessment. There are two guys on the bench usually, Kike and Taylor who are far superior defenders. Pages couldn’t catch a snail if he were riding a bike. But LA will wait to make a decision. Sporting News suggested that the Dodgers should trade him to Atlanta since they have so many outfield problems. My point is that why would they want him? They have Verdugo at AAA getting ready. Verdugo has played in 2 games and is 1-5.
True, however it was well established all of last year that Pages is not very well suited to playing CF. Great arm, but his reads are suspect.
Read some comments on Jeff’s site that I thought were interesting: Bringing up Kim and putting Edman in CF.
Dodgers don’t need to make a decision on Pages yet, but he’s not making a case for staying up with the team – yet.
For a great arm in today’s game, check out the recent highlights of the Wilyer Abreu of the Red Sox.
While Pages has a strong arm, I’m struggling to remember highlights of him gunning down a baserunner. I’m sure it’s happened. I can remember Mookie and Teo and Kiermeier doing it.
Disagree.
We’ve had a couple seasons to judge Pages, haven’t we?
Has he ever looked like a quality centerfielder? Has he ever flexed his bat against righthanded pitching?
We judge players’ performances constantly. The track record lengthens with every play.
The Dodger Whitehouse ceremony can be seen on yahoo and pbs.org if anyone is interested.
Google Dodgers at the Whitehouse and you can watch it on youtube. When available Mark can bring the full ceremony to this site.
Thanks, very nice ceremony. The President very complementary of our team/org.
Now lets go get a win today.
Watching the video,the Dodgers brought REALclass to the Whitehouse.
Im sure that’s some passive aggressive dig at our President.
It was a great ceremony all the way around, not need to disparage anyone…
I agree with Mr. Forte.
It’s nice that the Dodgers were able to bring some much-needed class to the White House.
You might want to settle for passive-aggessive commentary, Matt. I am often aggressive–with accuracy and respect for the Constitution. I root for the USA, and for Ukraine, and not Russia, Russia, Russia.
And that was before a certain someone sent my IRA into a nosedive.
Whiny bitch. Just because you don’t know how to invest, take your politics elsewhere. I have not lost a penny.
I root for the Dodgers.
At the risk of seeming passive-aggressive, I will also declare that I root
for democracy, the rule of law and the “due process” as described in the Constitution.
I root for justice and the American Way.
I root for federal prosecutors who are honest when answering a judge’s question–even if the honest answer leads to their wholly unjust termination by dishonest, corrupt leaders. (Look it up.) I root for scientists, park rangers, veterans and others whose jobs are being targeted with a chainsaw wielded by the richest man in the world. I root for basic fairness.
I root against vandalism–but I root harder against demagogues who call a trashed Tesla “terrorism.”
I root for Ukraine and our allies in NATO. I root for Canada and Greenland and Panama to be safe from a foreign aggressor. Et cetera.
And I root for sane economic policies and against actions that have triggered more than $6 trillion in losses in the stock market, severely damaging the nest eggs of millions of Americans.
Glad you haven’t lost any money, Porpoiseboy. Good for you!
But I wonder… what besides the Dodgers are you rooting for?
There you go again with your politics. And don’t try to say otherwise. Opinions are definitely like assholes.
Duke …. Wonder All you want. But F You and your lame opinions. You don’t know me at all. You’re just some old fossil. And knock off your phony rah rah shit. You only root for yourself and your own stupid opinions. Evidenced over and over right here.
I saw Landon Knack in the Whitehouse ceremonial video. I assume he will take Snell’s start in the rotation.
Bullpen game. Knack is not the best choice to start any game. Guy is homer prone.
Blake Snell Will Miss At Least 2 Starts for Dodgers: ‘We’ll See From There’ Says Dave Roberts
Good news
6:45 PM ET
Dodgers (9-2)
Nationals (3-6)
SP Dustin May R
0-0 .00 ERA
SP MacKenzie Gore L
0-1 2.45 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
CF Tommy Edman S
RF T. Hernandez R
C Will Smith R
1B E. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
2B Miguel Rojas R
LF Chris Taylor R
46% Rain
50° Wind 5 mph
NO Pages
“Pages, meet Doghouse!”
–Joe Davis, probaby
Pages missed the bus. It took him two hours to figure out the proper angle to get out of his hotel room.
Or maybe the bus was knuckling…
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed left-hander Justin Wrobleski will start on Tuesday in place of two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell.
Could our pitchers PLEASE throw strikes and stop walking guys !!!! What a mess we’re in with all these free passes. Mark Prior, please work with these guys and their control issues… WTF is going on ?
I’m sorry, Dave. I can’t do that right now.
I think that’s HAL, but I don’t get the joke.
Rojas and Betts on the diamond as the same time. I know which one I would play at SS.
Our lineup tonight is not deep in any sense of the word.
Deep shit?
You haters are showing your true colors. If you are unhappy now with the present political situation, you are going to be miserable for the next 11 years because I don’t see my any savior coming on the other side and changing the minds of the American voters.
So, let’s shut up about politics, concentrate on whether management replaces Max, Pages and CT3, and how effective Kershaw is gonna be. Mark created this site for baseball fans, not politics. Let’s respect his wishes.
Amen! Shut the eff up and PLAY BALL.
Kiki is NOT an everyday player. It was proven when he played for Boston. We need Freddie back in the lineup which extends the lineup and let’s Kiki be a role player on certain matchup days..The present bottom of the order is doing nothing right now and needs to improve. Pages should sent down and learn how to hit again and work on his defense. NO panic just some viable suggestions.
Bottom of the order:
Muncy .184BA .533 OPS
Pages .118BA .414OPS
Rojas .091BA .221OPS
Taylor .200 BA .400OPS
Barnes .000BA .000OPS
NO Homeruns from this group and Only 2 RBIs from Muncy
KIki .091BA .478OPS 3 HRs(his only hits)
I am going to suggest that we stick to baseball… which is something some of you know a little about, but think you know more. While economics, politics, and stopping wars are something most have no clue about. Stay away from that because you look like babbling fools. That’s the advice for today. History will be the judge.
I had a great post for today that just got lost in the ether!
The hell with it!
Just win tonight!
Long season fellas….
Mark,
Please look one more time in the ether. I need my daily fix 🙂
To those few posters who started talking politics and name calling – knock it off!
You have the power to not respond to a comment and have things escalate.
You need to make the decision if your need to respond is greater than your desire to have this site continue – pretty simple decision from my viewpoint.
It was like some of those posts above that drove Mark to stopping Dodgertalk a while back.
For selfish reasons I really want Mark continuing this site for at least this year.
I just want to say.
That is an excellent post!
Book em
An MRI confirmed that Snell is not facing any structural damage in his shoulder, per the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett. His treatment will likely include an injection of some sort, but the team is hopeful the two-time Cy Young winner will only require a short-term absence.
The Los Angeles Dodgers recalled Justin Wrobleski from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioned Matt Sauer prior to Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
6:45 PM ET
Dodgers (9-3)
Nationals (4-6)
SP Justin Wrobleski L
0-0 .00 ERA
SP Brad Lord R
0-0 4.50 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
2B Tommy Edman S
RF T. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
1B E. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
C A. Barnes R
46° Wind 16 mph
Weak Lineup!
weak? that’s putting it mildly
Here we go, walking guys again. As a team, we lead ALL of baseball with the most free passes. Wrobleski comes up, pitches a good inning and two thirds , then walks 3 in a row, including walking in a run. Then a two run single and we’re down by 5 runs. Soooooo irritating. What is going on with the top rated (preseason) pitching staff in baseball ?? Is there such a thing as not getting enough repetitions for throwing strikes ?? Come on guys, make these opposing hitters earn their runs instead of giving em away..
Leading the majors in giving up walks was not something I expected from this team…. Ugh.
Panic on the streets
No panic, just wake me up in July.
not panic. frustrating. max is a whiff machine. heck , taylor should have been in the lineup for mookie! lol
“The Road” was more uplifting than this trip.