Some days, you just can’t catch a break, or maybe you are sleepwalking. It was funny watching Miggy Ro pitch and imitate other pitchers. Other than that, just move on. There’s nothing to see.
If Andy Pages hadn’t reached over the wall to take away Michael Busch’s grand slam, it might have been 20-0. Nobody could pitch, and nobody could hit, but otherwise, it was a great game. The best news was that Sasaki looked like a good pitcher. Casparius, Garcia, and Rojas were arrested immediately after the game by the LAPD for impersonating a pitcher.
Dodger News
- The Good News is that OKC won 15-0. Hyeseong Kim hit two more home runs. I think they will give him a couple more weeks, but if he keeps this up, he is coming to LA.
- Alex Freeland continues to rake (.350/.923 OPS), but unless someone gets injured, he is at OKC for the year.
- Matt Sauer went five innings and allowed two hits. He is looking really good.
- James (Joey Gallo) Outman had a couple of hits to bring his average up to .169. He has a 42% K rate.
- Eddie Rosario is raking (.365/1.022 OPS).
- Bobby Miller is likely to be called up from Oklahoma City to make a start for the Dodgers on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies, meaning Yamamoto won’t pitch again until Friday to open a series at Texas.
Kim also had a ridiculous diving catch at SS. Kid is playing like he wants to join the big club. Maybe we should’ve done the same with Sasaki.
So, Phillips will replace Garcia. Gonsolin will replace whichever reliever draws the short stick. And Kim could unseat Taylor, who is buried so far on the back on the bench you can barely see him on the roster.
Thanks for the new post, Mark. Noone said back-to-back was going to be easy.
Kim probably replaces Pages.
That sounds right to me.
Pages is starting to make progress, but Kim is really coming on strong.
And then there’s Taylor’s contract, of course…
Just my luck. Going to the OKC game on Thursday, see Kershaw is pitching there on Wednesday.
Saturday scores
Oklahoma City 15, Round Rock 0
Arkansas 5, Tulsa 3
Great Lakes 12, Lansing 6,
Stockton 3, Rancho Cucamonga 0
Mike Sirota, the player the Dodgers received in the Gavin Lux trade, got two hits including a double, and now has four hits in his first eleven at-bats.
Sunday schedule
10:05 a.m. PT: Great Lakes (Christian Romero) at Lansing (Grant Judkins)
11:05 a.m.: Oklahoma City (Justin Wrobleski) at Round Rock (Jacob Latz)
11:35 a.m.: Tulsa (Jerming Rosario) at Arkansas (Adam Seminaris)
2:09 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Christian Zazueta) at Stockton (Sam Stuhr)
For more detailed recaps,stats,schedules, standings and box scores for Dodger minor league teams go to the top of this page and cIick on MINOR LEAGUE AFFLIATES.
That sounds right to me.
Pages is starting to make progress, but Kim is really coming on strong.
And then there’s Taylor’s contract, of course…
I just don’t see him getting DFA’d.
Three called third strikeouts in the first two innings is a problem Doc needs to do something about.
Ohtani needs to start swinging to get hits not home runs. My wife (Japanese), says he I s worrying too much about wife having their first child. Could be.
7:10 PM ET ESPN SUNDAY NIGHT BASEBALL
Cubs (10-7)
Dodgers (11-5)
SP Colin Rea R
0-0 .00 ERASP
SP Tyler Glasnow R
1-0 6.43 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
CF Tommy Edman S
RF T. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
1B E. Hernandez R
2B Miguel Rojas R
73° Wind 8 mph Out
Let Max make up a way to go on the IL and take a quick look at Freeland at 3rd.
I guess Pages could visit Oklahoma to give Kim a look in CF.
Maybe May 1, 2025.
Outman has a lot more to do before getting another chance.
That would mean putting Freeland on the roster and taking someone off. It could affect his control years. I would be surprised if that happened now.
True. Maybe one of the abundant righty pitchers deep down the 40 wouldn’t be missed.
The best players typically reach the majors at or before age 23. Bring him up.
Hope needs to be promoted to Tulsa.
Tulsa has nothing on offense.
After his two-dinger night, Outman struck out 4 times in OKC’s loss. Dodger Nation reported that the White Sox and Dodgers had been discussing a deal involving Outman, a Dodger prospect and Robert Jr. Teams have put the talks on hold for now. Three solo shots by the Cubs so far. Dodger bats silent once again. Ohtani with another ofer.
Hyeseong KimThriving in minors2BLos Angeles Dodgers AAA
Through 65 plate appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Kim is slashing .293/.359/.603 with three home runs, seven doubles, a triple, 16 runs, 13 RBI and four stolen bases.
Just to game this out…
If the Dodgers can get Luis Robert for a reasonable price, should they do it? I’m less bullish on Robert these days. But still…
Huge talent on both offense and defense, despite poor performance lately. The Dodgers would have to believe their coaches and culture could fix him. He’d be the youngest guy in the starting lineup.
He’d push Pages and Edman out of CF, with Edman moving to 2B. But what about Kim? If Kim progresses, could Edman and Kim share 2B?
Perhaps. And maybe Edman could share LF with Conforto as well.
Funny, but I used to always included a pitching prospect in these fantasy trades. But with Snell injured and Glasnow, Knack and Wrobo shaky…and uncertainty about Gonsolin, Kershaw and Shohei…
Yeah, trading Outman + a couple non-pitching prospects for Robert might be preferable.
I am going to suggest that a player with a strikeout rate nearing 50% has little to no value.
After hitting .224 with an OPS in the .600’s. Roberts is doing even worse this year. He is doing a Miguel Vargas imitation. I can’t see this deal ever becoming reality.
The whispers about Robert, Jr. revolve around Character.
Speaking of character, Alex Verdugo is hitting .182 at AAA!
Right about now, The Athletic nailed it:
““This isn’t the first time we’ve sucked for two weeks,” Betts said. “It just happens that it’s right now. If we panic, things get worse. If you don’t panic, it looks like we don’t care. So, what are we supposed to do?”
Something to ease the Dodgers’ concerns, at least in the short term: The Colorado Rockies, who come into town next, have a more legitimate gripe with the state of their offense. They just went into Petco Park and got swept by the San Diego Padres without scoring so much as a single run.”
Our weak bench of Rojas,Taylor,Kiki and Barnes is part of the offensive problem. No help from any one of them. Another question is Max Muncy all done? His offensive woes have continued from the World Series ( 16ABs no hits 10 Ks). Is Ohtoni too involved in marketing himself with endorsements and baseball is now secondary? Is the team showing it’s age? Is the starting pitching staff overrated? Viable questions that might lead to the real problems why the team is in a funk.
The whole team is in a funk, and it starts with the Big Three.
We go through this every year… usually multiple times. This too, shall pass!
I’m not worried about the big club at all. Mookie gave the perfect answer. When you’re in a bad stretch, you can’t win! Your team energy is low, the media is bashing you, the fans are bashing you……..etc. etc. Could you imagine if the Rocks swept us. Ha ha. Fried Brains and Doc would get pink slips. And Shohei would go back to the Angels. Anyway I really like how the young talent down on the farm is stepping up their game. Fun to watch. The Rockies are here.
Play ball.
Book em
This happens every year. And the fan reaction is always the same. My observation is that they really need some players who make contact with the ball. If you hit it, anything can happen. When you swing and miss, like many players on this team do way too often, it is a wasted at bat. A guy like Kyle Tucker would be the perfect piece to insert into this lineup. But when the top of your order is taking strike three right down Broadway, you are not going to win much, and when your 700-million-dollar superstar goes ofer, chances are you are not scoring much. Freddie not being in the lineup did not help either. The pitchers gave up three solo homers. That alone was enough to win the game for the Cubs. When a home run reliant offense does not homer, you usually lose.
Of course, the Cubs scored three of their runs on HR’s.
Its April, we have proved we can navigate 162….everyone relax and enjoy the ride….
Bet we are only on track to win 105 games!
Oh, woe is me!
😉
Seriously.
Everyone should take a walk, pour a drink, read a book.
And check back in a week when we figure it out.
Colorado is here for the next three games. If they do not hit over the next three games, then they have a problem. The Rockies couldn’t hit water if they fell out of a boat. They are far and away the worst team in baseball. Senzatela V May tonight, Senzatela has a +5 ERA, Feltner, a lefty V Knack on Tuesday. Feltner is their best right now, Knack has a +10 ERA. Wednesday’s game has Marquez, 4.60 ERA against TBD.
I dont care if the get swept the next 3 games, well I do but…….its 162 we will be fine…..
If the Rockies sweep the Dodgers at home, it would be one of the most embarrassing series of events this team has ever had. They should dominate a team this bad. Tonight, May was nails. He gave up one run, Banda relieved and allowed a 2-run homer.
I tried taking your advice, Brian.
Poured a drink and read a book while taking a walk.
Walked right into a tree.
There’s got to be a better way.
Dodgers don’t win 105 games. Bet it!!!!
Who cares, we won 98 last year and won the WS…..
That said we will win about 101-107
Luis Roberts Jr. is having one of the slowest starts in MLB history. Last season he hit .224. Why is he getting all this love on this blog? He’s hitting just over .160 this season. Some of us need a prescription of real pills.
He has been a favorite target of fans on this and other blogs for the last several years. A change of scenery and having some real hitters around him might actually do him some good. That being said, they guy does have an injury history and has played 100 games or more just twice in his career. When he has been healthy, he has been productive, but when your team is hitting just .201 as a team, you are not going to get a lot of pitches to hit.
And when your hitting below.180 your not hitting pitches you get. If Roberts walk to strikeout rate wasn’t so awful I could buy into that theory. He might be all that and if the Dodgers pursued him I’d be all in, my problem is what do you give the white Sox’s in return. Some suggestions have to had been drug induced.
At this point his value in trade is pretty low. Outman alone would not get it done, but Outman and a low tier pitching prospect might. Listening to the game on the radio feed on my computer, watching the game on the Rockies station on Spectrum. Can’t stand the Rocks announcers.
Methinks the cost would be higher. Outman plus a top prospect… because, as we are often reminded, even top prospects are suspects until proven otherwise. (Will De Paula be the next Yordan Alvarez or the next Miguel Vargas? )
The Dodger brass, I assume, wouldn’t be tempted if they didn’t believe the Dodgers’ culture could fix Robert and get him back to his silver slugger form of ’23: an .857 OPS with 38 HRs, 36 doubles and 20 steals in 145 games. His trophy case also includes the gold glove in ’20.
How often does that kind of talent get on the market?
Consider another frame of reference. Robert’s peers in terms of age and talent include Kyle Tucker, who at 28 is one year older, and Vlad Jr, who is one year younger.
If Tucker’s ’25 numbers are identical to what Robert produced in ’23, what kind of contract will he command as a free agent? Vlad Jr. just signed a $500 million long-term deal with Toronto. If the Dodgers can fix Robert, he could be a bargain.
Also important: Robert would replace Pages as the youngest player in the Dodgers starting lineup.
With the White Sox, Robert has the pressure of being The Man, the “face of the franchise.” There would be no such pressure on the superstar-studded Dodgers.
The Dodgers brass may have already done their due diligence and decided that Robert is not worth the risk. But if not, I hope they’d sweeten the offer with aging “4A” types like Ryan Ward, Gauthier and Hoese. These guys might have a chance on the Sox.
I would have to agree with you Duke. Sox are not going to let him go cheap. Many keep calling for a trade with the Cardinals for Arenado, who is off to a hot start. Herein lies the problem, although the Dodgers could easily afford what he is owed, which is a prorated portion of his 27-million-dollar contract, Colorado is paying him an additional 5. The tax would put the Dodgers on the hook for a lot more than 27 mil. Knack is pitching tonight, and you can bet the Rockies sluggers are licking their chops. Knack gives up dingers at about the same rate as Lance Lynn. I was informed by a friend, that they wanted a top prospect besides Outman, and AF/BG would not go for it.
10:10 PM ET
Rockies (3-12)
Dodgers (11-6)
SP A. Senzatela R
0-2 5.14 ERA
Dustin May R
0-1 .82 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
LF M. Conforto L
CF Tommy Edman S
3B Max Muncy L
2B E. Hernandez R
RF Andy Pages R
62° Wind 8 mph Out
NO Teo
“According to USA Today’s Gabe Lacques, Ohtani may not pitch for the Dodgers until closer to the All-Star Break. Realistically, the Dodgers’ priority for Ohtani is to be ready to pitch in the postseason.Manager Dave Roberts explained that the organization is in “lock step” with Ohtani over his slowed pitching progression”.
No need to rush Ohtani. His innings are obviously going to be restricted this season and ensuring he is able to pitch late in the season is likely the bigger priority.
Go Dodgers!
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts said Evan Phillips has another rehab outing this week and is gettting “antsy” to return. #Dodgers
IMO Phillips will replace Luis Garcia who along with his 7.21ERA will be DFA
Yes
Currently staying at the Alila Ventana in Big Sur for my 25th anniversary. It’s spectacular.
That is an amazing Hyatt hotel/ The rooms are over $2500 a night!
Happy Anniversary.
Colorado Clowns in LA for three.
A Dodger sweep is in view.
The Rockies stink.
They might be really bad right now, but they gave LA a scare last night. Knack is a long ball giving machine. And the Rocks have some players with some pop. Do not go to sleep on teams like this, they will jump up and bite you in the ass.
Dustin May beat out Miller, Knack and others to be the fifth starter.
Now he’s pitching like an ace, with an ERA of 1.06 and a WHIP of 0.76. His batting-average-against is . 119. In this game, May struck out seven and issued zero walks.
In a way, this isn’t surprising. We saw his talent years ago–but then the injuries kept him off the field.
If he keeps this up, he could win Comeback Player of the Year and collect some Cy Young votes as well.
My only worry is his rather violent delivery.
His talent is undeniable. But I think the Rockies helped him out on some pitches. Still he is doing really good.
Might be time for spring cleaning on the roster. Max, Taylor, Barnes, Kike, need to find a new team. Bring up Freeland, Feduccia (for his LH bat to spell our amazing catcher) and a few guys that are raking down on the farm to fill in the bench.
Rojas?
He’s cheap, great clubhouse guy and he can still defend. Plus, I think he could be a good coach or mgr next year in the minors. I just love his drive and baseball IQ.
Not being combative or disagreeing but I think the same could be said for the other four guys. I agree the Dodgers have maybe a little to much experience and maybe it’s time for a small transition.
Give the season time to breathe, do you forget what Kike did for us in the Postseason?? No Coincidence Roki has taken ig steps forward once Barnes started catching him….give these guys some credit…
They never make moves like that this early in the season. After about 50 games, they will have a better idea where the team is, then the changes will come.
Dream on
Tony Gonsolin is starting for Oklahoma City tonight while Clayton Kershaw begins his rehab there tomorrow. I said it before and I’ll say it again who goes and who stays when all the injured pitchers are ready to return?. Trades will probably help alleviate the situation along with returning to the minors for those who have options.It’s going to be interesting.
There will be injuries unfortunately you can never have enough arms
I don’t mind our light-hitting trio of bench players–Kike, Rojas, CT3–because they are very much a Swiss army knife group, play solid D, and are much needed on a veteran (older) team like ours.
My discomfort is light-hitting, poor defensive players like Muncy and Pages. Both players will likely be given time to sort their swing, but I have to believe Dodger brass are considering their options.
Conforto is not solid defensively either, which only amplifies our defensive weakness especially on the left side of the field.
Curious if Freeland could get a look at 3b at some point.
Freeland played at three levels last year, starting at Great Lakes, then moving to Tulsa and finally to OKC.
With every move upward his stats got worse.
He’s off to a great start at OKC but considering that the Dodgers tend to be cautious with their prospects, I’m guessing they’d rather give him a full season at OKC before promoting him. Injuries or continued bad play by Max and other potential subs might make them change their mind by July-August, but I’d be very surprised to see him here before then if at all this year.
He is not on the 40 man roster.
Good point
What Freeland has excelled at is moving up.
It seems like a lot of people think this is just Playstation 5, suggesting trades and moves as if it were something so simple and as if we were already in August.
It hasn’t even been 20 damn games and there are already several worried and scared to death people wanting to change half the team… No wonder there are idiots who are still worried about the SD faggots!
10:10 PM ET
Rockies (3-13)
Dodgers (12-6)
SP Ryan Feltner R
0-0 2.81 ERA
SP Landon Knack R
1-0 10.38 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
LF M. Conforto L
2B Tommy Edman S
3B Max Muncy L
CF Chris Taylor R
RF Andy Pages R
60° Wind 8 mph Out
NO Teo
How bad is Pages? Taylor bats before him!
7 run lineup
I could be off on this thought but it seems that the Dodgers pitchers and throwing strikes has been a issue. Not just the walks but falling behind in the count and putting the hitter in a much better place. It seems to me in the past the Dodgers would work the opponents pitch count up while the Dodgers would stay around the 15 pitches an inning. Hasn’t gone like that much this season.
Back in my coaching days I’d stress to my teams that we are our own toughest opponent. “ If we take care of what we can control and take advantage of our opponents mistakes we will be successful.”
More often than not a team doesn’t win a game as much as a team loses a game by making errors. Physically errors will happen, mental errors can’t be tolerated. My rant for today.
Dodgers are #7 in MLB for K rate thus far.