I know it is only exhibition games, and the Dodgers did not face MadBum, Robbie Ray, Zac Gallen, or Luke Weaver, nevertheless, it was an impressive display of offensive prowess over the Snakes. The DBacks figure to be the Dodgers chief challenger in the West. I think the Pads will begin to start to strut their stuff, but they are still a year away. They just do not have the pitching. They very well could next year, when MacKenzie Gore figures to be at the top of the rotation with Chris Paddack.
While the offense did not face the top SP, that was no slouch offense the DBacks trotted out. That lineup figures to score a lot of runs. Calhoun, Ketel Marte, Starling Marte, Escobar, Peralta, and Vargas will do some damage this year. Christian Walker will certainly replace Jake Lamb at 1B giving them another power source in the middle of the lineup. That makes what Mitch White and Julio Urias did for five innings each very impressive.
White was extremely efficient in making only 54 pitches in 5.0 innings. He gave up the 1st inning HR to Ketel Marte, and that was it. 1 run on 1 hit no walks and 2 strikeouts. After that 1st inning, White displayed a very good display of breaking balls (curve and slider) and a change to go with his upper 90’s fastball, and his confidence seemed to grow immensely. White seemingly believed he could get ML hitters out, and he did. He will now go back to USC to continue to stretch out, but he has at least shown that he is in the discussion for next year.
With 73 pitches over 5.0 IP, Urias was not as efficient, but he was still effective. He had one clean inning (the 3rd), but seemed in control in his other four. With a walk and HR in the 2nd, that was the only inning that he allowed more than one baserunner. He still nibbles and tries to be perfect, but this year he is in the rotation to stay. That should give him the confidence to let the ball go because he has the pitches.
KJ was simply outstanding in his one inning. He looks to be back to his 2017 form. He gives a great deal of credit to Driveline, and the pitching staff allowing him not to focus on velocity but more on movement and placement. While the pitching line may not show it, Blake Treinen looked very good last night with his sinker. If not for his own inability to catch a popup, he would have got through his inning 3 up and 3 down with a K. He got himself out of a jam. The Buffalo (Graterol), was popping at 100 (101). If he can command that fastball and then show that unhittable slider, he will dominate in late inning situations.
It was only four pitches, but AJ Ramos showed that he may have made it back from his shoulder issues the last two years, and AF may have just found a new Brandon Morrow. Victor Gonzalez is a year away, but he has shown that he could be a starter or 7th inning reliever. I think he relieves, but he may be a left handed Ross Stripling. Kolarek still dominates LH hitting, but is sooooo very hesitant with RH hitters. He should make the 30 and will get chances, but he is going to need to show some consistency with the RH hitters to stay on the 28 and 26 man roster. Dylan Floro still shows that he can get ML hitters out, but he needs consistency. He was He is another that should make the 30 man, but after that ?????.
In the past, I have been relentless against the Dodgers bullpen. But I think this year, the bullpen could be a strength of this team. The top 8 relievers that will make up the 26 man roster have a chance to be very special. But the proof is in the results. Let’s just say that I am more encouraged going into this season with this bullpen than at any time in the past several years. Yes, I know what the skeptics out there are saying. “But wait, Doc will screw it up.”
Offensively, the hitters should have punished the Snakes, and they did.
| Player | H-AB | DBL | HR | BB |
| ———- | ———- | ———- | ———- | ———- |
| Mookie | 3-6 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Muncy | 2-5 | 1 | 2 | |
| JT | 2-3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Belli | 4-7 | 1 | ||
| Corey | 4-5 | 2 | 1 | |
| AJ | 2-8 | |||
| Joc | 3-7 | 1 | 1 | |
| CT3 | 3-5 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Other 10 | 5-23 | 2 | ||
The first eight batters went a combined 23-46, with an OBP of 29-52 (.558).
Belli’s 1st inning GS on Sunday was nice to see, but it was his other hits that were impressive. He absolutely scorched his other two hits Sunday. Mookie and Seager look absolutely dialed in and ready to go. Joc absolutely unloaded on Taylor Clarke, but his other two hits were against LHP, including the one he scorched last night off Andrew Chafin.
The one question thus far seems to be Gavin Lux who appears to be assimilating a deer in headlights, both offensively and defensively. Is he overmatched right now? Perhaps. But with CT3, Gavin can afford to take some time. If this were ST, Gavin would be reporting to OKC, but he probably needs to stay with the ML club for development during a 60 game abbreviated season.
We get to see another in a line of projectable starters tonight when Jo Jo Gray takes the bump against another potentially deep lineup with LAA.
The Dodgers have posted their “official” 60 man player pool. It is actually 59 with 3 on the IL. One name thought to have been on the list, but is not currently, is Jake Vogel.
Dodgers have optioned Gavin Lux, which I guess means he won’t be able to be on the 30-man roster for the first 10 games?
McKinstry may yet make the opening day roster.
They have also signed Jake McGee to a 1 year contract. That doesn’t make much sense to me.
Jake is a LHRP who came out of Tampa Bay (AF knows him). We have not seen Scott Alexander pitch yet. Victor Gonzalez is a year away. I do not think anyone is comfortable with Kolarek against RH hitters . That would leave Caleb Ferguson. Jake pitched well most of the time in Tampa. Just don’t let him pitch in Colorado
Jake was with the Rox for 4 years, 3 of which (including the last one) were pretty awful. That said, I know that AF didn’t just sign him because he knows him. They must think they can fix him, or maybe they just plan to keep him until they get someone else to replace him with. I’m assuming Alexander won’t make the opening day roster. Kolarek must be a bit concerned at this point also, although they could carry three southpaws I suppose.
Are you sure AF doesn’t just go thru the waiver wires and pick up any warm body he knew in Tampa? jk! Otherwise, Longoria would have been a LAD. I think they believe they need a LHRP, and sometimes it is better to go with someone you know, especially this close to the start of the season. I was pushing for the two Jakes while they were in Tampa (Odorizzi and McGee). I have zero problems with this no risk pick up.
I would have gone with Brian Shaw, but he is not a lefty. Alexander has not pitched yet, as said, Gonzalez is a year away, and they have little confidence in Kolarek against righty’s. That being said, McGee does have nasty stuff. I was thinking they would send Lux down, and I also think he knew they were just not going to hand him the starters job with guys like Kike, Taylor and McKinstry playing well. Hell, Muncy can slide over there against RHP, and they can put Beatty at first. Makes the lineup even longer with Lux hitting like a little leaguer right now.
This isn’t al that surprising. He will be someplace working 8 hours a day getting ready. 100 cuts a day vs live pitching, 100 grounders a day, with throws from all over the diamond. He’ll be ready when the time comes. If it comes. I assume it will , but he looked like an amateur out there.
This team is stacked. On the telecast last night they said fangraphs ran the numbers and we still win the West with Chico in left. He’d cost over 4 wins but we are favored by 5. I take the over on that.
Lux showing up late to Summer Camp was odd, but I’m assuming he was either afflicted with Covid or was in contact with someone who was and was self-isolating the requisite time before reporting. His swing seems to have a hole in it right now and he’ll need to make an adjustment while working at the alternate camp.
Was hoping for big things from him this year and it still might happen but he must feel a bit deflated not breaking camp with the club. Keep working young man and the everyday second base job is yours in the future.
Mookie getting a day off:
Muncy 1B
JT 3B
Belli CF
Pollock DH
Seager SS
CT3 LF
Joc RF
Kike’ 2B
Barnes C
Gray P
Welcome back Badger, I had a funny feeling you would return within hours of my post. In any event, it is time for baseball and all baseball posters are welcome here or so it seems.I am reminded of the Journey song, Wheel in the Sky. Just popped into my mind for some reason.
Where does Lux get jettisoned, I mean, optioned to, there ain’t no minor leagues this season, and possibly forever. We may see a return to the colleges being the developmental league rather than a minor league system. Gonna have to do something about those toy bats, however.
Minor League baseball isn’t going anywhere. It’s just changing. Prospects the caliber of Gavin Lux won’t even notice a difference moving forward. It’s just going to be a much smaller professional system. How they structure the draft and compensation system following the next collective bargaining agreement will really determine how minor league baseball (and college baseball) will look going forward.
If they limit the number of rounds and compensation (like they did in 2020.. only 5 rounds) it will dramatically change college baseball. A lot of players who would have been mid round picks will certainly elect to play college ball over some pitifully small singing bonus ($20K was the cap for non-drafted free agents in 2020). I don’t expect future drafts to be limited to only 5 rounds again. But I also don’t expect we will go back to what has been the status quo.
I’m not happy about all the changes. I’ve expressed that before. But I don’t have a seat at the table. It could conceivably improve (possibly dramatically) the competitiveness of college baseball. Which would also squeeze out many players from college baseball who would have otherwise made a collegiate squad.
The net effect of losing 40 teams (at least, I think there are many bankruptcies coming in MiLB) won’t effect the upper echelon of pro talent. It will however shift many of the mid/lower range players out of pro ball and into the college teams and more collegiate players will finish out their eligibility who would have otherwise been drafted as underclassman. And many of those finishing out their eligibility will not get a shot at playing pro ball.
There is still a lot of uncertainty. And I am not optimistic it will be for the better.
beautiful song!!
Lux is going to the auxiliary facility at USC with the other members of the 60 man pool who will not be on the active roster. Expect him to be on call when he is ready.
Re: Lux
I’d like to think this was not a move to simply delay Lux’s free agency. From what I understand if they keep him off the 30 man for 15 days the math associated with the prorated season would mean he couldn’t (mathematically) meet the requirement for a full season in 2020. Which would delay his free agency by 1 year.
I hope it has more to do with his development. I feel bad for Lux as he was the subject of so much attention and hype going into Spring Training. Obviously there is a great deal of pressure that comes with that. Having ST shut down and locking down for several months, with all the uncertainty and drama that went along with it, could not have been easy from a mental preparation point of view. He didn’t seem comfortable against the D Backs. It might be better to let the season go a couple weeks and take the pressure off of him a bit. I’m not sure if sending him off to extended spring training over at USC (or whatever they are calling it) is better or worse than a trip to AAA would have been. None of the other young players on the roster are under the same microscope. One benefit of having such a deep roster is having the luxury to make moves like this. Especially since the DH is now part of the calculus.
Rios and Beaty aren’t under the same spotlight and provide solid bats from the left side. Having Rios, Beaty, Kike, Taylor and Pollock as chess pieces still provides some crazy solid options for lineups.
I just hope this is a minor bump in the road for Lux. He’s a good kid and I’d certainly like to see him reach his full potential. For his sake and for the Dodgers.
Well said Jayne Cobb, and I agree with you that Lux seems to be under a lot of pressure. He comes across as a good kid, works hard and hope he can overcome whatever is bothering him to succeed to the starting 2nd baseman position he may be destined to be.
The clamor for Lux being given the 2nd base job started last season when he was tearing up AAA. While many fans called for the call-up, the Dodgers didn’t do it until September. And he was so-so after coming up. AAA Player of the year with huge stats. Then this winter some folks were ready to give him the ROY.
So maybe he has succumbed to that pressure. But if you’re going to be a Dude you have to put that stuff away and just play. Everybody has pressure to perform. It’s a production business. He was a train wreck last night. In the field it was “bring on the dancing bears”. He looks so tight and unsure of himself that he needs some time away.
What I’ve seen (that I would like to not) is that he never looks like he has fun playing the game. The picture of him a few days ago on this site reflects what I see. He’s joyless. I don’t know the kid but he seems to beat himself up much like what I see in AJ Pollock but with less experience. He doesn’t “play” the game. He grinds at the game. That’s what I see, anyway. I hope he gets through this and can loosen up and enjoy the game.
Boy, Dennis Gilbert sure looks happy to be back in the front row behind home. Never seen him smile so much. He does look a little stiff however.
I’ve been one of the bigger Lux supporters on this board the last several years. But even from what I saw in spring training, and now in summer training, I’ve not been impressed. He doesn’t look ready, and last night with the strikeouts and then the errors, you could see it had mentally got to him.
I still think he’ll be a superstar, but this definitely the right move.
Having interacted with Gavin in different circumstances; that’s just his personality. Before and during a game he is serious as death. Totally focused. After and outside the stadium he is very much a fun loving kid. My son met him in the dugout and on the sidelines several times before games in Rancho. He was always courteous and polite but stone face and focused. Away from the field he’s a talkative and fun young man.
I can relate because I’ve always been the same way. I worked with people for years who thought I had a stick up my sphincter 9 feet long. Because work is work. My responsibilities don’t involve me being their buddy. Then they run into me at a bar after they no longer work with me and they realize I’m actually a foul mouthed jackass who won’t even entertain a serious conversation without finding a way to interject “taint” somewhere in whatever context that is made available.
Don’t read too much into his face when he’s on the field.
And sphincter. Always looking for opportunities to use sphincter.
Jayne, that’s good to know. As I said, I don’t know the kid. You do. My comments are based on facial expressions and body language and reading those things in a baseball player. I’ve watch for about 60 years. He just looks whipped. Back in the day we would have said, “He’s trying too hard”.
Hopefully he will “get well” soon and be back on this World Series team.
I think we all agree that Lux is not in a good place mentally right now, but assuming that he actually had Covid he might also be suffering from some physical after effects. In the long run I think AF did him a favor to take him out of the spotlight for a couple of weeks. He’s got the talent and the attitude to have a great career. It may just take a little longer than we thought.
Good point Phil about never seeing him smile. I’ve noticed that too. I think the “Can’t Miss” tag he’s wearing on his back is really wearing him down. Hopefully someone in the organization (whether player or coach) will be able to connect with him and ease that burden. Of course, not all players smile on the diamond. I can think of a pretty good second baseman who also never smiled, name of Chase Utley.
I don’t agree with that.
We are deep. He’s behind. We keep him an extra year.
Mentally has nothing to do with it.
OK, most of us agree, but some of us, including Benjamin (interesting choice of name) don’t.
Dave Roberts blamed himself a bit for Lux’s poor performance yesterday. He said that he told him that he was being optioned right before the game. Not exactly diplomatic! This is the same young man who was being asked in an interview recently how he felt about ROY. No wonder he was playing without joy! His head was messed up, his swing, his throwing, everything. He’s being sent to USC for a reset. We haven’t seen the last of him this season. Hopefully, this adversity will make him stronger. As for the Dodgers as a whole, what can you say? It looked like they were playing against a AAA team. Of course, Arizona isn’t going to give them a look at their best pitchers until the regular season, but still, what an impressive performance! Treinen, Graderol,.Ramos are great additions to the bullpen. And Mookie is as advertised. Now JT isn’t the only straw the stirs the drink.
I have a somewhat different take on the Lux option. I have never been shy about saying ad nauseum that I would have preferred the Dodgers had drafted Bo Bichette. But that does not mean that I do not believe that Lux can be an AS. IMO, this has everything to do with that the Dodgers need to get off to a fast start and fight until the end because this will be the last time this group of veterans will be together to get that ring. Right now Lux will not help the Dodgers like CT3 and Kike’ can. Doc can also move Muncy to 2B and have Beaty/Rios play 1B. That is three choices that Doc would prefer right now to Lux. If this were a 162 game schedule, the Dodgers would have the luxury of “carrying” Lux, but not in a 60 game season.
I would agree that telling Lux before the game that he was to be optioned was not ideal. But he had a chance to step up and show them they were wrong, and instead he proved them right. I still believe Lux will be an AS, but not the super star Bobby believes he can be. I hope Bobby is right in that regard, but he has never shown the confidence as did Seager and Belli.
I do not see Lux coming back unless one of CT3, Kike’, Beaty, or Rios go down physically or baseball wise. And for those that believe that the Dodgers optioned Lux to keep him from FA for an additional year, that is absurd. Anyone who has watched Lux since he was called up can see he is not ready to for prime time with this elite club.
Lux is a stud. He’ll be back and better. No cause for alarm or armchsir psychoanalysis.
I don’t think anyone is alarmed and arm chair psychoanalysis is what we do here.
I have no idea what’s going on with Lux but whatever it is Roberts doesn’t have time to nurse him through it. If he came in ripping the ball and playing decent defense the job was his. He did neither and the team doesn’t need him so it makes sense to bump him. If the team rolls without him it makes good business sense to keep him on ice. If he’s needed this year they can go get him.
Game time.
I was a not a Lux supporter in the beginning, but I am now.
I predict big things for him… but maybe not this year.
1. He is pretty stoic and does not smile a lot while playing, so I would not read much into that. I case you forget, here’s his first MLB HR:
2. What doesn’t kill you can make you stronger. Let’s hope that is what he does.
I think we’re reading too much into this. Probably because we’ve had so damn little to talk about.
Jake McGee isn’t helping his case
Hello, goodbye Jake. We hardly knew you!
Sounds like a Lionel Richey song
McGee is getting the league minimum from LA prorated. He is not going anywhere, and he has not pitched in a week. No, he did not look good, but AF signed the guy for a reason Taylor looks locked in and ready as does Corey.
I really like the looks of our bull pen. In this sprint, the bull pen is really going to be important. Jansen, and company have all looked good. Baez has not thrown yet. Ferguson and Grateral, two young kids, have looked good. May will be on the pen and Goslin will need some stretching out. I think the bull pen could be very good. I agree with Jeff.
Stating the obvious here we are the best team in the league. Most the national writers are saying so. Treinen said “this is the deepest 40 I’ve ever seen”. It’s certainly the deepest 30 I’ve ever seen. We are expected to win 65% of our games.
That said there are SO many things that could happen over the next 2 months. I’m not going to mention any of them, I may not even comment if someone else does. I’m just going to buckle up, hope for the best and enjoy the ride. It’s good to have baseball back and it’s great to be fielding the best team in the league.
Let’s hope that Roberts does not squander this opportunity. We all know his track record for the WS and…
Here is the comical side: In the two WS that the Dodgers got cheated upon, the Astros and the Red Sox do not have a * noted next to their titles. This year if the Dodgers win the WS, you know for sure there will be an * noted next to their title, heck they might put 2 or 3 * next to their recorded title in the record books.
Well, COVID-19 is the 800-pound gorilla – You can’t ignore it.
It could very well impact the pennant race and the World Championship. The teams that really are careful could skate through. OTOH, it could all blow up. There are no guarantees in life.
” Probably because we’ve had so damn little to talk about. ”
Oh Contraire J.C.
The posts in the last couple weeks talking LAD today and yesteryear are informative and damned interesting… If you’re a younger LAD fan or an old fart like me, there’s alot to learn about your team..
WTH… I’ve succesfully forgotten that gorilla for a week now or so…
I love the history of the team and the game. I am working on a story that I hope to post here soon.
Do we know yet why Pedro Baez hasn’t pitched yet?
He was late to camp Bobby. Probably visa problems. But he is working in the pen as from what I have heard. There is some buzz on twitter from some guy named Lou Merloni, Boston guy it seems who does some sort of reporting, he is saying that the Dodgers and Betts are close to a long term deal. Seems to me it is nothing more than a rumor, but he seems to believe it.
As Citibank will tell you, I also have Visa problems. Oh wait, wrong visa…
Ahh, been there done that. But getting it all under control. The buzz about a long term deal between Mookie and the Dodgers is heating up. WEEI in Boston is reporting they are nearing a 10 year 350 to 400 million dollar deal. If this is true, it would be the first time AF has signed a player to a 9 figure contract. The Boston fans are in some sort of panic over this because they felt Mook would come back. It is also being picked up by a couple of Dodger blogs as well. I am skeptical, but it would boost the morale of Dodger fans for sure.
The 3 exhibition games showed us something we all knew already, this team can hit. I was more impressed with the way they worked the count and ran up the pitchers pitch counts. They are deep and talented. But this is a sprint to the finish. They cannot afford a lapse of any length. They open with 4 at home and then head out on the road for 9 games. 2 of those being in Houston. I enjoyed watching the games and actually did not mind not seeing fans after the actual action started. The crack of the bat seemed louder. One un nerving thing was when Barnes got hit on the wrist the other day, you could here the ball hit more than you would have had their been fans there. But I think after a week or so, no one will notice, or really care that nobody is there. Kersh starting the first game, and Chicken Strip set up for the second. Buehler not pitching until the first road game in Houston.
Josh Harrison asked for and was granted his release by the Phillies. Bryvic Valera placed on the restricted list. Having problems getting out of Venezuela. Blue Jays will play their home games in Pittsburgh this year.
To Bear’s comment above, here’s the link:
https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb-rumors-mookie-betts-close-144516761.html
Thanks Bobby. It is good to know I was not hallucinating. MLBtraderumors is now reporting the same thing. Talks are “serious”.
Oh, buddy. Am I ever thrilled that baseball is going back on the field. Just hope that everyone involved with the restart stays healthy and all goes well.
Dodgers look really great at this point and I am encouraged that there will not be a slow start like we have experienced in past seasons. Expecting this team to really thrive because of the overall talent, depth and flexibility of the roster. Firmly convinced that the team’s scouting and analytics are second to none and are geared up to provide the front office, coaching staff and players with the tools to succeed.
Made the same $44.00 dollar investment as you did, Bear, in order to see all the games, but it seems like a great deal at seventy-three cents per game and a maximum of eight cents per inning.
HOPE ALL OF YOU ARE FEELING PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY STRONG AND THIS CONTINUES FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. GO DODGERS !!!!!!!
Are all of my texts being moderated for a reason? Just asking.
Got mine a little cheaper being a Vet, so I do not feel over charged. Besides, the hot dogs and drinks are much cheaper here! LOL. The Betts news should make most LA fans feel pretty good about things. And seeing the Red Sox bawl in their suds if it comes true will not bother me one bit. I am feeling pretty good for an old fart. No problems with the 19 here so far. Even though our governor thinks there are. There has not been any here where I live, and only 30 in the county. The games I won’t get are the ones with the Rockies. But I can watch them on my Spectrum account on Root Sports. Will be very strange seeing Kemp in a Rockies uni. He is wearing # 25 for the Rocks. I watched a little Red Sox ball yesterday. Verdugo is sporting #99 ala Manny.
CT3 looks fantastic, the best he’s been since 2017. Everything is clicking for him right now. The way that the bottom half of the lineup is playing, there’s no place to hide. Now the sprint to 60 begins!
Dodgers are 130 years old. Actually probably older, but joined the assn in 1890. Won their first flag that year. A long and proud member of the NL> Weird finish to that game last night. Angels started the 9th with a runner on 1st. Jansen wanted to work out of the stretch. When they got a double play, he told them to leave the runner on second. Then although winning the game, the Dodgers hit in the bottom of the 9th because Maddon wanted to get one of his pitchers some work. Joe and Orel quit trying to explain it. Opener against the Giants on ESPN. Have a great day everyone. My son is in town doing some repair work on the county jail’s A/C. So we are going out to lunch. After watching the last few games, I am now totally in favor of the NL adopting the DH. No more pitchers hitting for me. Besides, there are no pitchers on the Dodgers now who are as amusing to watch hit as Ryu and Hill.
Can’t wait until tomorrow. 42 wins is what I am thinking.
I hear it is 10 years – $375 Million.
https://nypost.com/2020/07/22/the-dodgers-primed-to-be-baseballs-next-dynasty/
Cant help but to think if we had signed Harper few years back wouldn’t been in the Mookie market. Definitely got the better player !!