It’s Hard Not to be Giddy About This Team

Posted By on February 28, 2020

Bleacher Report ranked all 30 MLB teams playoff odds and of course, the Dodgers were #1 with a 95% chance of making the playoffs. The Twins were second with a 90% chance and the Yankees were tied for third with an 85% chance (of course they pay in a tougher division). Surprisingly, the Tampa Bay Rays were only given a 60% chance. The Asstericks were also tied for third with the Yankees.

Surprisingly, the Mets were given a 60% chance, with the Braves being right behind them at 55% and the Nationals were given just a 50% chance. The Reds were given a 55% chance over the Cubs at 50%. Bleacher Report said this about the Dodgers:

“The difference between contenders in the American League and National League right now is one of tiers. In the AL, there are basically three tiers. In the NL, there are only two: the Los Angeles Dodgers and then everyone else.”

On paper, it doesn’t look fair. The Dodgers have the depth to survive just about any 10 or 20 serious injuries. However, they have to play the game… and therein lies the rub! I suppose these guys could read their press clipping and be fat cats, but there are too many high character players on this team and most of them have a chip on their shoulders due to being cheated out of one World Series already.

They are determined, resolute, galvanized, and locked-and-loaded with a huge chip on their collective shoulders. I think these guys are going to put their foot on the gas and never let up! Don’t get me wrong, there will be hiccups… there always are. However, the Dodger’s depth will solve just about any hiccup. Does Jimmy Nelson have groin soreness? Take your time, Jimmy…. come back in May or June.

Jimmy wasn’t likely to start this year, but rather be a multi-inning guy out of the pen. He may yet be that, but so far Ross Stripling and Tony Gonsolin have that role just about covered. Tony Gonsolin looks to be a huge weapon out of the pen. He can pitch 1, 2, or more innings: a RH Andrew Miller!

Kike Hernandez has changed his swing to compensate for ‘”loose hips” and it’s not a given that Gavin Lux will be the second baseman. I used to sa that Kike could be a “poor man’s JD Martinez.” Could he put it together in his last year before free agency? He could… I’m just not predicting it but maybe halfway predicting it.

Yadier Álvarez is trying to pitch his way off the restricted list after disciplinary issues last year, will pitch today along with Clayton Kershaw.

Injury Updates

  • Dustin May has a strained oblique and will likely start the season on the IL and then OKC. No need to rush anything!
  • I mentioned Jimmy Nelson earlier with groin soreness. Again, no need to rush anything.
  • Of course, Joc Pederson is injured! It would be foolhardy to hold him out as he would have no reason not to file a grievance. It sounds like a right oblique. Doc says he will be ready for the start of the season. I highly doubt that.
  • Brusdar Graterol has recovered from the flu and should pitch in the next day or so.

Dodger Notes

  • Fred Claire says that this is the best Dodger team he has been around.
  • Max Muncy and Tyler White could be twins.
  • Kaybear got his first Spring AB and of course, he did not strike out.
  • It’s hard for me to see anything right with Jeren Kendall.
  • Luke Raley could steal time fromMatt Beaty… except for the fact that Beaty might be JT’s understudy.
  • MLB featured one “Cult Hero” from each team and there had to be two finalists: Jay Johnstone and Mickey Hatcher. Of course, Hatcher won. Read it all HERE.
  • Some of you spend more time looking in the rear-view mirror than the windshield. There’s a reason the windshield is 20 times bigger.

Today’s Dodger Baseball Music

This article has 31 Comments

  1. Yadier Alvarez signed for $15 million in 2015, which was a very strange year for the Dodgers in the International market. Didn’t they spend something like $90 million (with penalties) and didn’t walk away with much? They even made a trade with Toronto to provide additional dollars to allow the Blue Jays to sign Vlad Guerrero Jr. —- who has turned out to be a pretty good hitter and maybe a future All-Star. The Dodgers also signed Yordan Alvarez for $2 million and traded him for Josh Fields. Obviously, they didn’t really know much about Alvarez, the hitter, they were just tossing around money to make up for Frank McCourt’s withdrawal from the international scene.

    I thought it was crazy to toss $15 million at Yadier Alvarez. I’m sure they were overwhelmed by his velocity, thinking he might to be next Aroldis Chapman, but in the form of a starter.

    I was hoping they would sign Guerrero, who had the bat to go with the bloodlines. Oh well.

    Alvarez is just the latest Cuban player with attitude issues. What’s the old saying, million dollar arm …

    The Dodgers appear to have straightened out their international effort with signings of players who have the opportunity to provide future impact. A far more measured approach.

    Who knows? Maybe Alvarez will figure it out and turn things around. But giving a young player $15 million just didn’t seem like a good idea. Not then, not now. Just throwing money at a problem never seems like a good idea or a solution.

    Glad to see Andrew Friedman made changes in that area.

    Mentioning Fred Claire brought back good memories. One of the nicest people in the game of baseball or anywhere for that matter. Always treated me very well even though I was just the sports editor of a small daily. His book is definitely worth reading.

    Nice write up today Mark.

  2. Good stuff Markie Mark, well said love the fact it’s the Dodgers and everyone else in NL !! Plus this aside I’m having great feelings that Seager and Kenley are gonna make this season a whole lot better! They look lights out! Now if we can only hope they stay healthy

    1. HI Joe. I also feel that Corey’s going to have a good year. Maybe an all star year (high hopes). And if Kenley’s 2 appearances so far this year are a sign of things to come, then watch out baseball, here come the mighty Dodgers.

  4. We have Kersh and Alvarez today. Buehler tomorrow. And Urias and Price coming up Sunday or Monday.

    Of all, I’m most interested in Alvarez. Seems to me he was a knucklehead who at a young age and with no maturity was given a ton of cash to play with. And he played.

    Now maybe he’s matured. Maybe he realized he was cocky and stupid. Or maybe he blew all his money and now wants more of it. Either way, let’s see if he’s figured things out. Because if he has, we have another dynamite arm for the pen.

  5. Good write-up Mark. I know it is early and it is said that spring training does not count. But, at this current showing, based on what I have seen so far, there is no way Caleb Ferguson or Tony Gonsolin can not make the OD roster. But we will see.

  6. Mark, I never post a comment on here but I just have to now. I just want to say how great full I am to God to have discovered your blog 5 years ago. You and the other writers have been responsible for me to enjoy Dodger baseball even more than I used to. To say nothing of the many very high baseball IQ commenters. Thank you all

  10. Shouldn’t that Houston team be called the Asstros? That’s what their cheating, lying, phony apologies, and fake denials all smell like, a dirty, rotten, butt in need of Pepto-Bismol.

  11. Mckinstry is really making a statement that he belongs on the opening day roster. As well as Gonsolin! Still wondering what a Joc, Strip and Kike combo brings back to LA! Got to believe that would open some serious dialog with a lot of teams as soon as Joc gets back.

    1. If you want open some serious dialog with a lot of teams why don’t you wonder what Bellinger might get? Go big or go home.

  12. Bellinger and Mookie look like they are ready. Good game for them. Also Peters, de Geus and McKinstry contributed a lot even though they did not win….but almost.

      1. Wood will be there as a starter! Not Stripling. Alex was brought in as a starter and is being paid a lot more. Unless Alex is injured he will be in the rotation.

        1. I think he still has to earn it. Between Wood and Stripling, let the best one start! Strongly saying Wood will start won’t do for him what he doesn’t do for himself.

          1. I don’t think he has to earn it this spring.

            I think it’s his job to lose.

            If he doesn’t deliver, he might lose it in May, but not now.

  14. For those of us who were hoping to see Yadier Alvarez on the mound today he apparently didn’t feel right when warming up. No other details.
    He used to have a great arm and a bad head. Now it looks like he has solved his head problem but his arm has gone bad. Actually that might be totally erroneous. There was nothing said as to exactly what didn’t feel right. Could have been anything. Hope he gets better soon because it would be very interesting to see what he could accomplish if he actually tried.

      1. I can’t believe I actually care what happens to him but I love a good comeback story, so here’s hoping.
        Yes, I know, how can you come back from where you’ve never been?

  15. A friend of mine sat behind home plate today. He said Clayton got up to 92 mph. If he can consistently sit at 93 mph then he will be back to CY Young level. He’s best at 93 mph and above while his slider sits at 87 or below.

  16. The Dodgers need to give these signees something like the NFL’s Wonderlich test before they hand out $15mil.

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