The Dodgers are not entirely motivated to play Arizona or the Marlins… maybe even the Friars. They know what they’ve got: The best personnel in baseball… even if an entire pitching staff and their All-Star SS stubbed his toe and broke it! Re-Tread Tony Gonsolin struggled through six innings and allowed five earned runs. Blueblood Max Fried gave up six runs in five innings, and the Junkyard Dogs added on two more for margin’s sake.
Dreyer, Casparius, and Tanner Scott got them through the seventh and eighth innings, and then with the guts of a cat burglar, Doc Roberts brought in Alex “Home Run Master” Vesia. Alex rewarded his confidence with an 11-pitch ninth inning to retire the heart of the Yankees Order. Sometimes you just have to have the guts to do something that can blow up in your face or make a season! When managing Champions who think they are JYD’s makes the job easier!
The Big Dodger in the Sky (with a little advice from Tommy) is making sure they stay humble as they drop like flies. Maybe by season’s end, they will thank their lucky stars, but right about now, they have another game to win today. Last night was a devastating loss to a team the Dodgers have owned since the start of last year’s World Series. With their almost unhittable ace on the mound, the World Champs again had their number. Let’s Roll… without the All-Star SS, I might add!
Down on the Farm
- James Outman led off and was 3-4 with 3 RBI, and a double (.265/.861).
- Alex Freeland hit 2nd and was 2-5 (.287/.846).
- Noah Miller is batting .467/.934 at Tulsa since his return from the Complex.
- Chris Campos lasted just one inning, giving up five hits and five earned runs. He alternates between great and horrible.
- Josue DePaula will soon be moving up. He was 3-3 last night (.292/.931). Conventional wisdom was that he might see the Show in 2027. It might be a year sooner!
- At GL, Joe Vetrano went 2-5 with 6 RBI, including a Grand Salami (.265/.832)!
- Luke Fox went six innings, allowing five hits and two runs while striking out eight!
- At RC, Christian Zazueta went six innings, allowing four hits and one run. Walked no one and struck out five. He’s a 6’3″ 200 200-pound, 20-year-old Righty.
- Also at RC, 19-year-old Eduardo Quintero was 3-4 (.331/1.018). He will move up when DePaula moves up.
- In the ACL, Ching-Hsien Ko (6’3,” 215-pound LH, 18-YO, CF) went 3-4 (.426/1.188)
STB! you called it! Fried got fried!! .. look. everyone says judge is the best player in baseball. hard to argue that, right? wrong! Ohtani i”is” on another planet!! i know he isn’t playing the field, i know he’s not pitching yet. BUT, he doesn’t have to do those two things to dominate a game ! AND, he will pitch this season at some point! …. Freddie is still in the top 3 for mvp at this time!! …. Give Dave his due, he had faith in vesia! (whew!!!!!!). …. Andy Pages is here! With him and Teo out there, that’s pretty damn good! … i do believe if Conforto doesn’t start hitting , an upgrade in left is coming. … Rojas? nowhere close to his offensive production from last season. Freeland down the road??? .. Dave can’t give poor ole Max a whole game off!! he deserves one! …. Give catman his due, he battled thru 6 innings. But 4 homers in less than 3 innings?? not acceptable! …. i keep seeing Dalton’s name in trade rumors. no way in hades they should even consider that! the skeenes talk(all talk)? tommy john and a possible cy young are most likely in his future. they traded away a couple of pretty good catchers before, don’t believe they will ever trade Dalton! Oh by the way, have you seen him throw to second? …. Hope Knack doesn’t get knocked tonight! last outing was good! They need another strong start from him. …. Confirto with the start against an excellent lefty last night, and a solid single. We keep waiting for some multiple hit games in a row. Better not keep the dodgers waiting to long!!…. Mark, any news on Statton and their plans for him?
On Statton: I am certain they are working with him on some mechanical things. It will take as long as it takes! 😉
Thanks for noticing, DD.
Sometimes people fail to realize my brilliance.
Did you see my other prediction from yesterday where I pick the Rockies to win the 2025 World Series? They haven’t officially been eliminated yet, you know.
Except for extreme emergency, I would definitely keep Outman and Miller at OKC to keep increasing their trade value.
Outman has no MLB future. He struck out 54% of the time with the Dodgers and is striking out at a 42% rate at AAA.
Contrast that with Ryan Ward with a 24% K rate! Ward will make it before Outman, and I doubt Ward makes it.
And they both will be up before Hoese!
It seems unfair for minor league players to be stuck in the minors who could be playing in the Show if they were in another team’s system. However, I think a minor league player benefits from playing on a winning minor league team. He gets used to winning and expects to win. He brings that with him to the Major’s.
Is Outman done? Was Muncy when he joined the Dodgers?
We know that, but does the unknown team that we want to trade him to know that? Are you sure that there’s nobody out there who thinks they can “fix” him? It would be quite a coup if someone out there could prove they know more than the Dodgers brass does.
Still dissing Outman, eh? Just can’t help yourself, it seems…
Now you are even declaring that he has “no MLB future,” suggesting he would even lack value in a trade.
A couple of facts that your Book-of-Moron analysis ignores:
–Outman began the season in Japan on the 26-man roster, thanks to Mookie’s illness. He remains on the 40-man roster.
–He plays quality defense, most importantly in CF.
Conforto had a nice game in today’s blowout, but if for any reason he, Pages or Teo wind up on the IL, why wouldn’t the brass consider Outman? He’s always been a streaky hitter–he’s on fire now–but he can win games with his glove and legs too. And of course he gets so lucky sometimes that he hits homers. Or, as you put, “sometimes he runs into one.”
I’d be happy if Ryan Ward gets the call because he’s paid his dues and deserves a chance. But Ward would have to be added to the 40-man roster, and it’s unlikely that Roberts would trust him to play CF or RF.
So yes, as you said years ago, Outman could be the 4th outfielder.
On the champion Dodgers.
But now you insist he has “no MLB future.”
Nice.
Conforto with a big walk.
Hopefully Knack keeps the ball in the yard today and gives the Dodgers a chance to win. We have to keep scoring to offset this AAAA pitching staff until our injured starters and relievers return. It’s going to be a struggle until then.
Knack was excellent today. Just what the team needed.
Every offseason I put him into a blockbuster trade package…. and then he winds up holding the rotation together as more talented guys get hurt.
It’s nice to read that Bobby Miller may be coming around… With Phillips and other relievers out, perhaps Miller could find his way to the bullpen.
Friday scores
Las Vegas 9, Oklahoma City 7
Wichita 7, Tulsa 1
Great Lakes 10, Fort Wayne 4
Modesto 2, Rancho Cucamonga 1
ACL Dodgers 9, ACL Rockies 6
Saturday schedule
Oklahoma City (Justin Wrobleski) at Las Vegas (Jack Cushing), 7:05 PM PST
Tulsa (Jared Karros) at Wichita (Trent Baker), 4:05 PM PST
Fort Wayne (Isaiah Lowe) at Great Lakes (Patrick Copen), 3:35 PM PST
Rancho Cucamonga (Sterling Patick) at Modesto (Christian Little), 6:40 PM PST
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.
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.
LA is definitely going to need some help in the pitching department. Either a reliever or ten and at least 1 starting pitcher. You can diss Muncy all you want, but that last line drive by Goldy was scalded and Max caught it. Conforto 1-3 with a clutch walk. Stratton still has not pitched, what the hell is he doing on the active roster if Doc is not going to use him?
It was a great win yesterday. But isn’t anyone concerned that Catman was throwing 90 MPH fastballs and gave up 4 HR in 3 IP?
They can’t assume they will score 8 runs per game. These are the Dodgers for heaven’s sake. They have been known since moving to LA for great pitching. But not now.
Every homer was hit on a pitch that hung in the zone. But after the third, his location on his fastball and all his other pitches was great. Dude has pitched in just 6 games since he came off of the IL after missing a whole season. Cut him a little slack. He is still better than Bobby Miller at this point. He is 37-12 in his career with a sub 3.50 ERA. And they beat an unbeaten pitcher with an ERA below 2.
This is the first time I can remember that a Dodger starting pitcher gave up five home runs and got the win. I admire the Cat’s sticktoitiveness…..
It was only 4 home runs,not 5.
I’m not sure where you saw that.
I looked. Gonsolin was at 93-94 for his four seamer in the first couple of innings. It was 92-93 in the 6th.
So far this year, his average FB velocity is 93.2. In 2022, the year he was 16-1 and went to the ASB, his average FB velo was 93.4.
To me, it seemed it didn’t have a good feel for his secondaries in the first couple of innings, which allowed the Yankees to adjust and wait on his fastball.
It would be good if he added a half tick on the four seamer, but I don’t think velo is the issue.
7:15 PM ET FOX
Yankees (35-21)
Dodgers (35-22)
SP Will Warren R
3-2 4.09 ERA
SP Landon Knack R
2-2 5.22 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF T. Hernandez R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
CF Andy Pages R
LF M. Conforto L
2B Tommy Edman S
SS Hyeseong Kim L
82° Wind 8 mph Out
The Dodgers have claimed catcher Chuckie Robinson off waivers and transferred RHP Tyler Glasnow to the 60-day injured list.Robinson has 51 Major League games on his resume, consisting of 25 appearances with the 2022 Reds and then 26 more games with the White Sox last season. The catcher has hit .132/.170/.194 over 136 plate appearances at the big league level.
I was hoping that eventually we would sign him. Its been 3 years in the making but finally done!!!
I don’t think I’d ever heard of Chuckie Robinson before…
Come to think of it, I don’t know the last name of the “Chuckie” from the horror flicks.
how can a billionaire owner sleep at night knowing his team could set the single season losses record? Must sleep pretty darn good!! The peasants keep buying tickets and the prodct on the field keeps getting worse! Oh the worries of being an owner these days! …. listening to mlb network while driving earlier. A commrent was made by one expert,” Mookie may be in decline “. . well i hope they tell Mookie that! Nothing could make me happier than that! Good times coming for mookie!! …. Also heard how comparible freddie and paul goldscmidt’s caree numbers are. pretty close! …. Ok STB, what’s your prediction for tonight?? i got 7-5 dodgers! Teo is big tonight!!! … oh by the way, freddie is 2 years younger than paul.!! so freddie rules!!!!
In an ideal world there would be a ‘Despansion’. Dissolve the Marlins, Rockies, White Sox Pittsburgh and have a draft of their players
not a bad idea David. but not the pirates! too much history there. maybe mlb should take control of the pirates and sell them to the fans! sign some offensive threats and take advantage of that young pitching!
I’m confused? The boys have a AAAA pitching staff? Why? Because of Knack?Knack is a stud. Why he gets no love I’m sure doesn’t bother him. He just keeps on performing. Just like well… nobody but Yamamoto. Yankees and pumped up D fans will give Landon a reason to shine. How about 2 quality starts in a row. I’m sticking my neck out there for you so make me proud!
Book em
Book’d
max better not make any errors tonight!!! lol
What to do with Kim – 4/4 with a walk, and one hell of an at bat ending in a bomb you expect from Ohtani.
Realize it is still a small sample size, but how do you not play him more?
Kim should definitely play more. As the kids say, “Let ‘im cook.”
The other day I noticed that Roberts had been using Kim, who bats lefty, almost exclusively against RHP.
But today Kim got an AB against a southpaw…
And he drove the pitch deep into the rightfield pavilion.
With Mookie out, I think we’ll see Kim at SS again tomorrow.
In this laugher, Edman and Kim, batting 8th and 9th, combined for eight hits including a homer and three doubles.
I think that hinges on Conforto. To play him in LF, Edman has to play second and Kim has to sit.
I think the consensus lineup amongst we blog commentators is Teoscar in LF, Edman CF, Pages right, and Kim at second.
We might see that in the playoffs. For now, they’re gonna roll with Conforto.
After 29 dates at home ,the Dodger’s attendance is 1,461,250, an average of 50,387. They mentioned on one of the broadcasts that when the Japanse visit the USA and LA ,80 percent of them will take in a Dodger game. The cash register just keeps ringing.
It was such a no-brainer signing.
The Dodgers are well above the CBT for the foreseeable future, but so worth it.
I still shake my head that there were commenters here and on Jeff’s site wailing when he was signed.
I feel badly for Trout, languishing in Angel purgatory. The Dodgers saved Shohei and gave him the platform to shine.
Mark – will you be able to attend any of the games.
The fans must be going crazy! 1st time in 25 years.
I have been to one game this year in LA.
I am not sure if I will get back this year or not, but I will see them in other cities.