Clayton Kershaw was called up to the Show in 2008 at the age of 20. In 107 IP, he allowed 109 hits, struck out 100, with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP. Of course, he went on to build a Hall-of-Fame Career!
Julio Urias was called up to the Show in 2016 at the age of 19. In 77 IP he allowed 81 hits, struck out 84, with a 3.39 ERA and a 1.455 WHIP. Now, after injury and other BS, he is 23 years old and finally ready to take up where he left off.
Julio Urias has pitched parts of 4 seasons in the Bigs, where he has a 3.18 ERA, 1,283 WHIP and in 184 IP has struck out 187. The Dodgers were treating him with kid gloves when he had a shoulder injury that caused him to miss parts of two seasons. He’s barely more than a rookie, but he’s mature beyond his years and has the repertoire of an Ace. The good news is that his shoulder suffered no structural damage.
Urias’ repertoire and usage thereof is extremely advanced., even at 23. His fastball is plus and will sit at 92-95 while touching 98 MPH. It can be fairly straight, but Urias generally commands it down or below the zone and to both sides of the plate. He generates lots of ground balls when he’s not catching hitters looking on the corners or blowing away the ones who struggle with velocity. The heater is complemented by a plus low-80s curveball and an 82-85 mph changeup that is consistently above average. Urias’ usage of his repertoire is just as impressive as his pure stuff. You’ll see him back door and back foot the curveball to right-handed hitters, pitch backward with it to lefties and rarely leave a secondary pitch hanging in a place where it can be punished.
On many teams, Julio would profile as an Ace, but he’s not needed to do that in LA. He’s going to start the season as the Dodgers Number Four Starter. I would say that he’s likely the very best number four starter in all of baseball. Dodgers.com, Ken Gurnick reports this today:
“It’s Julio’s time to make that jump and be a starter,” manager Dave Roberts said. “The challenge for Julio is to sustain it all year long. I think that that’s where the maturity has to come into place and, you know, the weight room and obviously stuff on the field matters, so it’s the consistency that we’re looking for from him.”
The Dodgers went from having high expectations for Urías to not knowing what to expect. Here’s what he expects from himself.
“If this season they give me the opportunity to really go out there and just pitch,” said Urías, “I feel like this year is the year I can really take off. I feel it’s a really important year for my career.”
Urías has not had the luxury of flying under the radar. “Expectations” could be on the back of his jersey as well. He was signed by Mike Brito on his 16th birthday while the Dodgers were pursuing Yasiel Puig, debuted at 19, underwent surgery on his shoulder capsule at 21 and throughout has had his innings limited — first because of his youth, then because of the injury.
A left-handed native of Mexico with poise and advanced off-speed pitches, Urías was compared with Fernando Valenzuela. Left-handed and hard-throwing with a repeatable delivery, he was compared with Clayton Kershaw. In 2016, MLB Pipeline ranked him the top left-handed pitching prospect in the game.
Then came the speed bumps, including Minor League demotions that he now concedes crept into his head and left him wondering if each Major League appearance could be his last.
“Sometimes you carry that into the game with that thought in your head that you’ll be gone after that game,” he said. “Last year I started focusing on controlling what I can control and being locked in and [showing] that confidence on the mound, as well.”
Last year, following his 20-game suspension, Urías wasn’t fit enough to handle a starter’s role down the stretch. Ultimately, that left the Dodgers to start Game 4 of the National League Division Series with Rich Hill, who was pitching with a torn elbow and lasted only 2 2/3 innings.
Fast forward, and Urías is being slotted into the fourth spot of the rotation, behind Kershaw, Walker Buehler and David Price, and ahead of the cattle-call competition for the fifth job — even though he’s averaged only 44 2/3 innings over his seven professional seasons, including 81 2/3 last year.
He understands he’s in this position in part because of his talent, and in part because so many expected so much.
“I’m proud that they compared me to those players,” he said. “You look at someone like Kershaw, one of the best pitchers of his generation. It’s something that makes me proud to have that expectation. There’s a reason they have me here, and I’m going to try to make my own career.”
His domestic violence issue last year was BS and that is all I am going to say about it in our politically incorrect society. He had to play along. It’s over… move on. There’s nothing to see here. Julio is not THAT guy!
I would love to see the Dodgers use a six-man rotation this season. I think it would be perfect for everyone involved, especially Kershaw, Price, Buehler, Urias, and Wood. Keep their innings at about 160-170 and be fresh for the playoffs.
Some fans think Urias would be better in the bullpen because he has a better ERA as a reliever. You never take a pitcher who has four elite pitches and put him in the pen unless there is some underlying reason. Starters are much rarer and more valuable than relievers and you would never move Julio to the bullpen unless Doctors or his own lack of control dictated that.
He is equally effective against RH or LH batters and has good control for someone so young. Since his fastball is very straight, it is important that he locate it properly to set up his other pitches. I hear that he is working with the pitching coaches to get more “bite” with his fastball. If they are successful in doing that, he’s your 1A!
I know some of you are skeptics, but Andrew Friedman refused to include Julio Urias in many potential trades. You are about to fund out why. It’s a BIG WHY!
Photo credit: Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Dodger News
- Tony Gonsolin will start Saturday’s Game and Alex Wood will start Sunday’s game. Let’s see if they can go 2 innings!
- I believe the Dodgers are television all the Spring Training Games this year. Last year some of the first games were not televised. The only ones not televised are split-squad games, but you may be able to get the other team feed.
- I buy the MLB TV Package and use https://www.hidemyass.com/en-us/pricing so that I can see games even when they are blacked out.
- I continue to be a big fan of this pitching staff. I think they will find 13 excellent pitchers… I just can’t predict who they all will be.
My comment from the last thread:
Meanwhile, Lance McCullers has opened his big mouth and talked more trash. That garbage (can) organization just does not get it:
“[The teams talking trash are] going to have to play us,” McCullers told The Washington Post. “Except for the guys who are popping off the most.”
“Those guys aren’t going to have to face us, which is maybe why they feel like they can speak like that,” McCullers continued. “But we’re moving on. That’s not what people may want to hear, but we stood here as men and we addressed [the scandal]. … We’re just looking forward to playing baseball again.”
McCullers and the other Astros pitchers should have to pitch in 2020 with every hitter knowing exactly what pitch was going to be thrown
You said Urias has 4 pitches, I only saw three listed (fastball, curve and change) what is his 4th pitch? Curveball? How does it grade out? Thanks!!! Love the site. I live in Alabama so I don’t get to see him pitch much. BTW, I am a big Stripling fan. I think he deserves more attention as a starter. His curve is filthy and I like his makeup. Interesting to see if Wood is back to his healthy days with his velocity up.
1. Fourseam fastball
2. Change
3. Slider
4. Curve
He also has a sinker that he rarely throws. Lots of stuff here:
http://www.brooksbaseball.net/landing.php?player=628711
Do you have a link on where to go, to learn how to read those graphs?
Two way to hold a 4 seem fastball
=)
(=
That’s 2 pitches right? (;
Agree Mark, Julio Urias is definitely a starter. Looking forward to seeing how he does over the course of a season, but I think he can be elite.
After the big three, I would expect Urias and Alex Wood to fill those slots. Wood signed with the Dodgers because they told him he would start so I expect him to get that opportunity right out of the gate. They didn’t make that commitment to Jimmy Nelson, who may be used as a starter and in the bullpen. At some point, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin figure to get starts.
Although I didn’t think the Dodgers needed David Price, they obviously wanted him to become part of a big three. He apparently is healthy and moving to the NL West offers him an incredible opportunity to be dominate. I’ve seen him when he’s pretty much untouchable. He may have a big year and with the Dodgers pitching depth, I would expect him to be fresh for the playoffs.
Lot of excitement around Brusdar Graterol. Definitely an exciting back of the bullpen guy. A hundred miles per hour with heavy sink and a biting slider. What’s not to like?
Great interview with AJ Pollock last night on the Dodgers channel. However left field plays out doesn’t seem to bother him. He’s healthy and expects to duplicate his second half performance. If Dave Roberts is able to make this work, left field could produce 50 homeruns.
Excellent interview in the LA Times this morning with former Dodger Andre Ethier saying analytics and the use of technology is what led to the Astros cheating scandal. He believes the overuse of analytics is ruining the sport. Part of the problem is that front offices believe they can help determine the outcome of the game. Just let the players play. I think he’s right.
Good column today, Mark.
Will left field out produce CF and RF at a cost of $19.5M AAV?
Given their depth in pitching, a high powered offense, and the likelihood that they may well run away with the division title, to the degree that it’s necessary, the Dodgers should have no problem managing Urias’ innings this year.
I am not ready to anoint Urias as being a top of the rotation starter, because that requires a track record. But there is no doubt that the talent and potential are there. I am confident that the sky is the limit, but as with everything the proof is in the pudding. And if he does reach his potential, there is no guarantee that it will be this year, which could turn out to be a stepping stone in that direction for the 23 year old (24 in August).
Enjoyed your article very much today, Mark. I also would be curious to see if a six-man rotation this year would work out for them. It certainly would decrease the use of the pitchers and keep them well rested. But, what does it do to the pitchers routine on an extra day off? And what about Stripling? Where does he fit in? Just wondering.
When I saw the picture of Urias I knew that you wrote the article Mark! I love him too. His stuff and his makeup are off the charts good. Maybe not this year but in years to come he will be that 1A with Buehler. There is a lot of question marks with our pitching this year but also a lot of potential if guys stay healthy! Can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
Every staff has questions, but the Dodgers have more options and answers!
Well Cassidy, I suppose there are always questions, but the Dodgers have potential answers.
I have questions about Gerrit Cole, for example, who I believe is a difference maker. The Dodgers made a serious attempt to sign him. But it’s an incredible amount of money for a pitcher.
Yes, Cole had an amazing 2019 season and playoffs, but while he was good in ‘18, he wasn’t a $300 million pitcher after that season. He had only one exceptional season with the Pirates. He posted a 19-8 record with a 2.60 ERA back in 2015. Which Cole do you get this year? It will be interesting to find out. I’m guessing he will be good, but there is still a degree of uncertainty. From a historical perspective, he doesn’t have a lengthy track record of success.
The Dodgers are faced with similar concerns. Will David Price become dominating? Can Urias step up? Will Wood bounce back? What about Dustin May?
But then it’s spring and these type of questions and concerns abound as the weather warms and the season nears. The difference between this and some years, are potential solutions and quality depth.
I suppose it’s not much different from Max Muncy in 2018. He had a great year. Was it a fluke or could he do it again? But then he duplicated it.
I’m very optimistic about the pitching staff.
Recently reading other comments about the Dodgers pitching question marks, which is certainly fair considering some of the medical histories that certain pitchers carry with them. Notwithstanding those questions, over my six decades of following the Dodgers I recall how very young pitchers like Orel Hershiser, Don Sutton, Fernando Valenzuela, Bill Singer, Ramon & Pedro Martinez, Bob Welch, et al made the transition to MLB seamlessly. I firmly believe that messrs Urias, May, and Gonsolin have the right stuff to do the same when given the opportunity.
So, SoCalBum. What do you think of a 6-man rotation?
6 man rotation, 162 games = 27 starts per season; 5 man rotation, just over 32 starts per season. Six man rotation your 6th best starting pitcher starts 27 games, taking 5 starts each from Buehler, Kershaw, Urias, etc. Then there is the effect on the bullpen; with six starters the bullpen can have no more than seven which is OK as long as your six starters go 6+ innings per start. I prefer the 5 man rotation and occasionally skip a start, but wish MLB would move to scheduling like Japan’s NPB which has one off day per week (usually, but not always, Monday).
Thank you SoCalBum.
I heard John Smoltz on MLBN mention that actually Dodgers won’t really need any SP to pitch 200 innings, since there are these other options to keep them all healthy enough to get through the PS should they get there.
Visited Mark yesterday at his company’s executive offices at production facilities. All of the staff at US Water Systems was extremely professional and personable at the same time and I was glad that I took the time to go. We also spent time talking Dodger Baseball from the 50’s to present day.
I wasn’t surprised that the topic of the day was Julio Urias because I expressed that I thought the pitching rotation coming out of Spring Training should be Buehler, Kershaw, Price, Wood and Stripling and he quickly responded that Urias had to be a part of the rotation because of the “filthiness of his stuff” and his advanced skill set as a pitcher.
I still feel that relying on the vets at the start of the season make sound sense especially if all of the young talent; Urias, May, Gonsolin, Gray, White, Santana, Ferguson, Graterol,, Kasowski, de Gues, Gilbert, and Sborz are assigned to AAA. All of the brain power that the Dodgers have gathered relating to pitching should then be focused on an Extended Spring Training @ real game experience during the first couple of months of the season so they can receive the best coaching possible and also face live action in the early part of the season.
Making this division of talent would permit the Dodgers to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the MLB experienced pitchers early and to determine changes that could be facilitated during May and June from the talent in Ok City. Any needs that continue to be seen could then be pursued at the ASG in LA and finalized by the end of the month and the trade deadline.
Is it just me? Or has Julio gained 20 to 25 pounds he looks awful thick around the middle and legs I sure hope he’s in shape I’ve always had high hopes for the kid
It’s just you. Julio is visibly lighter than last year. I would say 20-25 pounds lighter.
He was fat last year!
OK that’s good. I was actually talking about last year I haven’t seen him this year ,that’s good to hear go Dodgers
He was eating too much tacos and hanging out with Puig before anorther fatty now.
Oh I forgot to say how much I love reading the posts and the comments here. All of you are so knowledgeable. All the speculation and what if’s are what makes baseball so much fun
Conner Wong is in the RedSox lineup for their opener today, stating at C
What a difference in Farm Systems.
MLB Network showed Downs missing two balls at SS
And he made the highlight real.
I always liked Wong. The trade will be good for him. His path to the show is much more direct in Boston.
https://www.mlb.com/gameday/huskies-vs-red-sox/2020/02/21/607243#game_state=final,game_tab=videos,game=607243
DBM,
Hi, Mark and I discussed this yesterday also and both of us felt that it would be a viable idea. I think it would work really well with the vets if Nelson was ready at some point in the spring and the team wanted to try different pitchers in the bullpen as long relief or other roles. I am a big fan of this whenever the schedule demands such as when there a almost no days off over an extended period to keep the pitchers fresh.
I also am an advocate of the platooning of player to keep the starters as fresh as possible throughout the season and to make sure the bench players get enough playing time to maintain defensive excellence and also get enough at bats to be ready for pinch-hitting opps and playing time should an injury occur.
Thank you dodgerdenny. Good points on the pitchers.
Again Over Hyping Players. Same thing as Alex Verdugo. For you Mr Mark Timmons Verdugo was already a super star and super talented player and he had a nice season and has talent and potential but were already comparing him to Tony Gwyn , etc. The LA Dodgers Front office did not think that way as you and wanted to get Verdugo off the team and shopped him around obviously to get a top talent Mookie Betts. But there are rumors Verdugo lacks work ethic and attitude and has not been able to recover from injury and did not worked hard for that apparently either and seems they got tired of his attitude and lack of mental growth.
Urias has not proven his self yet as a starter and for you to say he is an Elite Starter is not true yet. He could be but he also needs to work on his work ethic and be consistent. Welcome Mookie Betts. Bye Verdugo .
LOL come on Mark there is not one team in the league where Urias would be the “Ace”
LOL
He would be on the Angels for one! The Orioles would be another. Urias has great stuff and a lot of potential. It may take a season for him to develop but by 21 he could be a co ace with Buehler. We’ll see
he’s 23 I believe
In 2021 season
I believe Urias would be the “ace” for the Pirates, Orioles, Royals, Tigers, Angels, and possibly Marlins
Question here…what is your opinion of Roberts potentially still having Joc lead off in certain games depending upon match ups? I feel Betts should be the lead off hitter against all comers unless he gets a day off .
Hard to argue against Pederson as a leadoff guy against RH pitchers with an .894 OPS in that spot last season and a 126 OPS+. The old paradigm of leadoff hitters is long gone — at least for now.
You might want to re-think that one…
Carlos,
I did not compare Verdugo to Tony Gwynn after his rookie year, I did it before his Rookie Year…. and if you think the Dodgers wanted to trade Verdugo, you are sadly mistaken. They HAD to trade a player of his caliber to get Betts.
Your new is stale news. Verdugo worked hard to get healthy and then suffered “stress fracture” in his back. Nothing you can do for that but rest.
I still say Verdugo is Gwynn-esque. Watch and learn!
Mark, let’s first see how Urias does in ST games, and for me, I would still prefer 2 RHP in rotation, as I am not so sure 4 LHP and only 1 RHP (Buehler) is the best idea, as it may make it easier for teams to match up but wss. As far as Verdugo goes, I am sure he will pick up where he left off once healthy again but IMHO he was expendable if for no other reason that Dodgers having already a plethora of LHB on roster. I say that because as of now Joc is still here and Roberts has already indicated that he will lead off in certain games base upon match ups again. My take is simple here…Betts should lead off against all comers PERIOD!
For his career, Urias has allowed lefties to hit .238 against him and righties have hit .239.
Clayton has allowed righties to hit .212 and lefties have hit .196.
David Price has allowed righties to hit .240 and lefties .227.
Alex Wood allows RHB to hit .250 and LHB to hit .248.
Walker Buehler allows righties t hit .220 and lefties are at .206.
With very little difference in what lefties and righties hit, I don’t think it makes that much difference, unless it’s a reliever laike Adam Kolarek who allowes lefties to hit .199 and righties to hit .299. Then there’s a problem!
I believe that an ACE is defined by generally accepted and probably debatable criteria, and that an ace for the Marlins, Pirates, etc. would be an ace for all other teams. I don’t believe that an ace is just a team’s best pitcher.
An “ace” for one team is only relative to the other pitchers on that team’s roster; that same pitcher might not even make another team’s starting rotation, let alone be its ace.
Does anyone think this crazy cuban Yadier Alvarez has a chance. Seems to have the arm but Puig would be considered a top teammate and model citizen compared to him.
To put it another way (referring to my comment above), a team’s #1 pitcher is not necessarily an ace.
Regarding Yadier Alvarez, if he has undergone a radical character adjustment, there is no reason to believe he can’t achieve a 180 degree reversal in his career trajectory. I wouldn’t bet the house on it, but there are instances in the lives of some people where the light, for whatever reason(s) suddenly goes on. And that’s why teams sometimes hold onto very talented players that seem hopeless. Sometimes it’s just maturity.
Certainly hope so for him as his trade value right now is ZERO. !
I watched two different videos of him striking out Eloy Jiminez when Alvarez was with the Loons. He hit 100 mph on the gun.
Couldn’t agree more Mark on Urias:
“I would love to see the Dodgers use a six-man rotation this season. I think it would be perfect for everyone involved, especially Kershaw, Price, Buehler, Urias, and Wood. Keep their innings at about 160-170 and be fresh for the playoffs.” With this potential pitching depth and hopefully a healthy Urias. a 6 man rotation especially prior to the all-star break make good sense to me.
Good post by sbuffalo on the Ethier comments about analytics ruining the sport:
“Andre Ethier saying analytics and the use of technology is what led to the Astros cheating scandal. He believes the overuse of analytics is ruining the sport. Part of the problem is that front offices believe they can help determine the outcome of the game. Just let the players play”. I think he’s right.
I’m not sure “ruin” is true just yet but it’s on the way. I usually try to post comments about a player’s perspective and not the fan base. I like to remind folks that these guys aren’t robots. They are human being in a competitive, production business doing the best they can. Most fans have no idea and have never walked a mile in their shoes.
I’m not sure just how much data can be digested to improve play? I actually love the potential for an automatic strike zone and a revamp of pitcher/catcher signals system. I’m fascinated with improvement in technology that I wish I could have used like Driveline, Rapsoto, Edgetronics, K-Vests, Stalker Pro II, Swingtracker, Kina Trax. But what is the point of diminishing returns with all of this when added with a war room with 20 non-baseball, Yale grad pencil necks crunching every metric they can get their hands on? How far can this pendulum swing?
I had dinner last Saturday night with 2 veteran scout friends. Both hate their jobs now. It seems both will either quit soon or be replaced with young slick scouts with backpacks full of high tech gear. Both feel their judgement has been diminished every year. They now are assigned which players to scout and turn in. They submit their ratings 2 to 8 (which have less value) a report on the metrics and always have to submit video to the upper level “experts” for evaluation. Their ability to find prospects and their personal evaluations are of almost no value. Both get flack for submitting insufficient data on spin rates, launch angles, exit velocity and much more measurable. Their experience and eyes no longer matter. And they hate it.
I’ve watch thousands of baseball games. When you evaluate the best defensive players in the game there are players clearly the best at their positions. Nolan Arenado is the best 3rd baseman now and maybe ever. He makes impossible plays look routine and is so athletic. I worked spring training with Cleveland for 4 years and watched Frankie Lindor who is the best defensive shortstop I’ve seen. He is a modern day Ozzie Smith who can hit. He is an acrobat in the 6 hole, up the middle, everywhere. He has a cannon and like the great players today, he can throw on the run and off balance from anywhere. Back in the day serviceable defensive players did what I coached for years to young defenders, “make routine plays, routinely! Highlite plays are a bonus”. The Billy Russell’s and the Larry Bowa’s were steady, error free shortstops with minimal range and skills compared to today’s players. If you don’t get to balls, you can’t boot em.
The best defensive first baseman now is Cody Bellinger who doesn’t play there much. He is the best right fielder in the game.
And don’t bother sending me any advanced metrics to support your arguments that I’m full of shit. I look at some metrics but I still use my EYES to evaluate players.
The Dodgers have both the old-school and the new analytic types. Old-school guys like Gerry Hunsicker, Pat Corrales, Raul Ibanez, Jose Vizcaino, Ralph Avila, and others. I dare say that no team has more invested in analytics, but also no team has more invested in old-school advisors than the Dodgers.
I would agree with that statement Mark. The scouts I spoke about don’t feel their organizations share that philosophy. That’s why the Dodgers are the Dodgers.
Would love to see Nolan in Dodger Blue one day. He is so good to watch.
I remember when the Dodgers were close to trading for Ryan when he was with the Mets. Centerpiece of players going to the Mets was catcher Bill Sudakis.
When I think about Nolen, I think about these guys:
https://www.nozzlenolen.com/
At Vero Beach, they had Nozzle Nolen all over the place.
I just posted a photo above in the blog (at the end).
As was mentioned above, there are not many off days in the first couple months of the season. I would not be surprised to see what would essentially be a 6 man rotation with the 6th man (?Stripling) spot starting when there is not an off day.
Of course the inevitable injuries will factor into how this plays out. May and Gonsolin starting at OKC initially as a way of limiting innings may be the plan. That would also allow them to tinker a little more with some of their secondary pitches. I’ve never pitched but suspect that would be helpful for young pitchers no matter how good they are.
I think your right. They should both start in AAA. I just hope they have a plan and don’t bring them up and send them down over and over again. The Dodgers have done that in the past and it really can effect young pitchers. I always liked Brock Stewart. But I think he cracked with being that spot guy one day and back to OKC the next. Over and over again.
I think where they start depends upon what happens with other pitchers. If Treinen, Nelsen, Stripling, and Wood are all healthy and Kelly, Baez, Ferguson, Floro, Graterol, and others excel, then they go back to OKC. However, I could see one or both in the bullpen.
Remember, innings at OKC or LA are still innings. If you want to limit innings, put them in the pen.
I think this is what everyone close to being involved should do:
https://theathletic.com/1625635/2020/02/21/astros-affiliate-pulls-seats-from-law-firm-that-filed-cheating-scandal-suits/
Astros affiliate pulls seats from law firm that filed cheating scandal suits
Flood em’ with Lawsuits.
An ace is a guy who can pitch 8 innings and win a 2-1 playoff game
That’s rare and happen’s infrequently so I guess many are not Ace’s.
What team would trade that pitcher? It is best to develop the co-Ace rather than hope that one becomes available.
We have a few in the pipeline…
Gosh, I did not realize hat it was time for exhibition games. Seeing that took me back for an instant to when I was a boy, and I would be so excited to hear Vin Scully and Jerry Doggett announce the first games. And each day, the Dodgers played another team, from another Florida locale. And since there was no interleague play, it was exciting to hear all those famous American League players in the game, even if they only played a few innings. And I would have lunch in the kitchen, and put on the radio and listen, even if my parents thought that I should be outside playing, and not listening to the whole game. When the Dodgers finally would leave Florida and go to Arizona, it was not as exciting, I was ready for the regular season to start. It is rather strange, I can still remember whole lineups from teams from when I was ten or eleven, maybe because I would play wiffle ball in my backyard, and bat from the side the player hit from, even though I have no ability to hit lefthanded. Those were great days in baseball, and I loved the pennant races involving all the teams in each league, and not the five-team divisions.
Segueing, the O/U on Dodgers season wins is 102.5, with the under being the favorite at -140. The Yankees are also at 102.5 at even money on both sides. I think the next highest in our division is Arizona at 90.5 or so. If indeed we are the class of the division, we of course want the best record in baseball, but the regular season games will also have an element of figuring out how best to approach the playoffs. Obviously, what it takes to win a 162 game season is not necessarily the same as what wins in the playoffs; witness last season, with 106 wins and then two playoff wins. So as others have intimated, we need to find our top three pitchers, the guys who will be able to match and beat the aces of the other playoff teams. You can never count on hitting in the playoffs. Washington won because their starters were great in the playoffs.
So where does Urias fit in? I heard all the hype from when he was 16. He has not lived up to any of it yet, but obviously he had arm surgery. I am sure that he is talented, we need to see him pitch significant innings to see if he can sustain it. Hopefully, he can. The starting staff is the biggest concern, because you do not really need aces in the regular season if your team is deep and talented, but you need them in short series playoffs. You know, as good as we look to be, and I am quite excited about it, if Buehler were to get hurt, we could not even get into the World Series. Every team has some injuries, and you just have to hope that it is not to you r best players. In my opinion, outside of Buehler, we have no ace, we do not have anyone to match the best #2s out there, unless Kershaw somehow gains another 3mph or so. Last year, he lost game 2, and cost us the win in game 5. I know that he felt very bad about it, but we all did.
So that is what I think is most important in the season: trying to find three starters who can match up with those of, say, Washington, or St. Louis or Atlanta, and then likely the Yankees’ hitters, if not staff. And then whether Graterol can be really good, and whether Treinen can come back to earlier form. If so, we will be really good. The individual games do not excite me as much as they might once have done, maybe that is mostly because all those wins last year, all those amazing comebacks, evaporated in a five-game NLDS. But I do agree with Mark that potentially, this is one of the great Dodgers teams, though no one should ever minimize how good the 1963 team was, simply because of superb pitching. Probably 1962 was our best team, but Koufax got hurt around late June, and when he came back in September, he could not recover his earlier form until the next season. Maybe if Alston had pitched Drysdale in relief in that last game, we would have won, and we would definitely have beaten the Yankees in the World Series. But here we are now, missing all of those players, and certainly Scully and Doggett, but ready for another season. The acquisition of Betts has made this much more exciting than it was looking like it was going to be.
I enjoy history. Actually, I enjoy it a lot.
But, here is where we are. We can’t go back. We can only go forward and for 57 of my 66 years on this earth, I have been rooting for the Dodgers every season.
This one is different in that I have never been more confident. I am ready…
It’s hard for me to believe that I am 66. I still work 10-12 hours a day and I have a blast.
They say only the good die young, so I’ll live to be 120!