To lose a game without learning something is a sad state of affairs. Yes, the Dodgers lost last night game, but they learned a few things in the process:
- If you can’t jump out of a boat and hit water, you probably won’t win (OK, OK, we already knew that);
- Hyun-jin Ryu has gone from being left off the playoff roster (in some of your minds) back to Cy Young Candidate (in case you have never watched, baseball is a game of streaks);
- Ryu is not comfortable pitching to Will Smith. Last night he pitched to Russ Martin and in the previous two games before his three-game “meltdown” he also pitched to Martin. In his three bad games, Will Smith was the catcher. You won’t see him pitch to Smith again… this year. If Ryu is back next year, he will have all of Spring Training to get on the same page with Will. This is not meant as an indictment of Smith… it’s just familiarity;
- Julio Urias has proven (for the 3rd or 4th time) that he is not a guy to bring in mid-inning. Roberts brought him in again last night with a runner on just to see how he performed. He is a starter and while he can be a weapon out of the pen for 2 or 3 innings, he needs to start with a clean slate – no mid-inning pitching. The same is true with Dustin May. By the way, if you are evaluating the Dodger’s bullpen on what happened last night, you are missing the entire point;
- If there is a silver lining to Cody Bellinger’s recent slump, it’s that he is not striking out like last year. I do think he is too anxious and just needs to relax and let the game come to him. As the rest of the team heats up (and they will), he will relax and snap out of it. He’s too good at making adjustments. This winter, he will work on going the other way more and I expect another level of play from him, even though he’s dang good now.
- Max Muncy will need a few games to get his stroke back. Hopefully, the wrist doesn’t bother him. I would play Muncy 100% at 1B with Lux and Kike or CT3 platooning at 2B and Joc and Kike or CT3 in RF. Kike is superior to CT3 defensively at both positions but obviously can only play one. Those are my two platoons;
- Gavin Lux looked like a rookie with 3 K’s in 3 AB’s last night. Hopefully, he adjusts quickly;
- Rich Hill has probably been told by the training staff, coaches and Doc that he risks hurting his arm with wearing a knee brace and changing his delivery, but I’m sure he said “This is probably my last shot at a World Series and helping this team. If I destroy my arm, it will be worth it. I’m probably done anyway!” That’s why we love Dick Mountain. Never count him out – it’s unlikely, but if anyone can do it, it’s Rich;
- Matt Beaty can play 3B! We just didn’t learn that last night, but his body of work indicates that he could take over for JT in 2021; and
- AJ Pollock is still learning LF. He has two weeks to master it. I am betting he does.
Parting Shot
A rising star in the Dodger’s organization is Raul Ibanez. I think the Dodgers will either promote him to GM or lose him to some other team, like the Giants. There will be several jobs like that available and he has to be high on the list.
DC’s 10th Inning
Saturday’s Scores:
Both the Drillers and Raptors came up short yesterday forcing a winner take all game today in both leagues.
Ogden Raptors 2 – Idaho Falls Chukars (KC) 6
Both the arms and the bats were missing in this game. Pitchers Alfredo Tavarez, Jeronimo Castro, and Antonio Hernandez all gave up 2 runs in alternating innings from the 4th inning on.
Catcher Marco Hernandez hit a second-inning home run for a good start but the thundering bats fell pretty much silent after that. Andrew Shaps drove in a run in the 4th inning with a double and Jeremy Orocho finished the hitting with 2 singles.
The Raptors starting pitcher for today’s game has not been announced. Elio Serrano has not been used for several days so it could be his turn. He was the Pioneer League Pitcher of the Week for the last week of the regular schedule.
Tulsa Drillers 0 – Amarillo Sod Poodles (SD) 3
The pitching wasn’t all that bad as starter Parker Curry gave up 2 runs over 4 innings and Jordan Sheffield one unearned run in the 6th as the defense fell apart with 2 ground ball errors.
The Drillers did have 7 hits, one more than the Sod Poodles, but couldn’t push any runs across. They had several opportunities, putting the leadoff man on base in the third, fourth and fifth innings, but could not score. In the fourth, they loaded the bases with just one out, but pinch-hitter Jared Walker struck out and Jeter Downs flied out.
Connor Wong and Donovan Casey both extended their postseason hitting streaks with one hit each. The two have now both hit safely in all nine of Tulsa’s playoff games, the only players to do so.
Right-hander Edwin Uceta gets the call for this afternoon’s game.
Discussion (71)
Disagree, not disagreeable
A heartening win, best in a while. Jansen looked good. The ninth inning was handled well, using Kolarek and Maeda. May looked pretty good. As for Gyorko, I am glad for him, he was gratified by contributing, as he should well be, but I hope we have better options for the playoff roster. Anyway, it was nice to see us come back in the late innings, and then hold on. It was the kind of win we were having early in the season, and it was in semi-playoff conditions, with the Mets desperately needing the win.
If anything, most, if not all teams have a bullpen weakness. I don’t read the blogs of other teams, but I suspect that a lot of the complaints I read here are the same as those voiced by fans of other teams, with respect to the pitching, hitting, defense, etc.
I keep telling everyone the bullpen will be fine.
Gyorko didn’t hit the HR I predicted, but he made up for it with the game winning hit.
I got anxious when Panik came to the plate. Remember he hit a few HRs against the Dodgers while with the Giants..
Ok, now THAT was a nice playoff type win.
I’ll take 2 of 3 in NY anytime. Now the magic number vs Atl is down to 7.
we all mocked the Kolarek trade, but he’s been a nice pickup. And it seems as if he’s gotten even better as the year has gone along.
He could be huge vs Freddie Freeman types late in October games.
This is why Kolarek may have a hard time finding a job next year, when pitchers will have to face a minimum of 3 hitters. The loogy may become extinct.
Our big three starters and Kenley back on track. Gotta get Turner back healthy and Seager and Belli hot and ready to do playoff da,age!
Here’s Kenta’s opportunity!
Ok well, Kenley, if you really have figured things out, here’s a great chance to prove it!
Kike and Gyroko!
This blogs two favorite players.
Book ’em!
HA! Ha! SHAAAADUUUUUPPPP!
Mark was that just a typo, or are you attributing divine traits to CT3? Freudian slip?
Compliments of Christ aylor
That’s another example of Muncy being affected by the fractured wrist.
Time for Gyorko’s first Dodger HR.
May closed it out rather impressively!
Electronic strike zone please.
How many hitters is it that that Dustin May has hit this. Seems like more than a couple. I like him a lot, but he’s not quite ready yet. From what I’ve seen, he’s certainly not playoff ready.
Several observations:
Plate umpire stinks
Taylor, Kike, Smith and Bellinger totally overmatched by Wheeler
Belli was 4 for 8 with 4 HR against Wheeler before tonight
Seager is swinging well
Muncy’s hustle scored the only run
Allegedly, Roberts told reporters that Buehler was going to have a short outing tonight. He was throwing very hard but was having trouble putting people away with 2 strikes
If Max Muncy was completely healthy that may well have been a different inning. It’s probably critical to the Dodgers that his wrist comes around by playoff time.
Taylor should be benched for not running out dropped strike 3 with a runner in second and a bad defensive catcher. If Joc is going to get benched for not running out s ball already in the first baseman’s glove then CT3 deserves the same treatment
What an absolutely pathetic job by the middle of the Dodger order. Guy on 2nd and nobody out, and we strike out 3 straight times??
Garbage
Hernandez and Taylor are starting today against a right hander. I’d like to see Beaty and Rios instead, stats say so too.
Urias has been probably the 2nd best reliever on the team behind Baez. But he didn’t get the job done yesterday. Another example of why the Dodgers need to improve the pitching in the off-season.
The offense hasn’t been great lately but Turner and Verdugo have been out, Roberts is being careful with Freese it seems which is good, we need him in the playoffs. Muncy from what I have read is still dealing with a little pain. Plus Dave Roberts questionable starting lineups. Plus Lux hasn’t really turned it on. All of that tells me the offense will be fine as long as everyone gets healthy and Roberts starts to play the right guys in the right situations.
So I’m worried about the pitching if anything and worried about Roberts decisions. And this has been a common theme all year for me.
Mark, you have no less talent than Mike Trout. It’s just different talent. 🙂
Mike Trout will have season ending surgery
Compare the two leagues Top MVP Candidates:
Since the All-Star Break, Cody Bellinger is hitting .267 while Mike Trout is hitting .274.
Bellinger is hitting .273 in September while Mike Trout is hitting .267.
Perspective!
I agree with much that Mark has to say today. but the bullpen is still a problem! They allow inherited runners to score way too much. Period. Relievers don’t always get a “clean inning” to start with. There’s only so many guys that you can say have to start with a clean inning before you have a problem. I agree that thus far, May hasn’t proven that he can pitch out of the ‘pen and that Urias still thinks that he’s a starter and can’t come in with men on base. But who can?
The only Dodger reliever who allows less than 1/3 of inherited runners to score is Adam Kolarek. (13%)
Here’s the rest:
Baez – 33%
Ferguson – 50%
Floro – 42%
Garcia – 35%
Jansen m- 33%
Kelly – 35%
Sadler – 100%
Urias – 67%
And HR allowed
Baez – 5
Ferguson – 7
Floro – 3
Garcia – 15
Jansen – 9
Kelly – 6
Sadler – 3
Kolarek – 1
The blown saves have much to do with the inability to keep inherited runners from scoring. And giving up HR
Blown saves – Jansen 7/36
Baez – 5/6
Kelly – 5/6
Floro – 2/2
Garcia – 2/2
Sadler – 1/2
Urias – 1/5
I will just say this – every time that a reliever comes into a close game, I get nervous. I don’t have faith in any of them right now.
Ryu didn’t give up any runs his first two starts with Smith. Martin catches about every third day. Smith is trying to avoid the rookie wall too. Catchers ERA is often due to sample size. It’s something to believe when it comes from the pitcher. Smith is Most likely the playoff catcher so it wouldn’t be like DoC and Friedman to use a personal catcher now. They need to get Ryu and Smith on the same page if it is truly an issue. This group had no problem shipping Kershaw’s buddy AJ our of town. I would bet we do see Smith catch Ryu again before the season is over.
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I don’t think Kike is superior to CT3 on defense either. No way Kike makes the play CT3 did in LF against the Brewers in the playoffs last year. Kike has a better arm in RF that the CT3 but that’s about it.
Ibanez might be bright, but he’s a steroid guy. I’d rather not have integrity-challenged people in my front office. Just my opinion.
Ibanez might be bright, but let’s remember he’s a steriod guy. I’d rather not have integrity challenged guys in my front office.
2 hit batters a walk and a double is what I saw. Flushed a good comeback from Ryu. Ryu could of used some runs but De Grom and the Mets BP were badass.
It looks as if the Dodgers have a number of question marks going into the playoffs, and that is not a good thing. No team is perfect,, but there are others with less question marks. Right now, we’ve got Bellinger in what is almost a three-month slump. Muncy trying to get back to form, and he’s hitting about .250 for the year, which is where most of the lineup is. Pederson, who gets plaudits when he has a good game, is hitting .246. Pollock is around .260, and so is Seager. It’s hard to score runs on a consistent basis when only one person in the lineup is hitting .300, and that is only because of a great first two months. Degrom is a very good pitcher, but the Braves now have a couple of starters who are comparable, and their lineup may be better than ours, and their bullpen as well. Certainly they have been playing better than we have for the last month.
What we’re all hoping for is that when the bell rings for the playoffs, we will start looking like the Dodgers of May and June. But I don’t know why that should happen. What was unnerving about yesterday’s game is that it is 0-0 in the 8th, and we finally go to our bullpen, and they give up three runs. This kind of thing happens much too often. There is not one pitcher in the bullpen whom we can feel confident about. I did not get to see the game; apparently Kelly came in, hit a batter, then Urias came in, hit a batter, walked another, and then gave up a double. If the Dodgers are counting on Urias to be a major factor late in games, they are taking a big risk. He is not consistent, and he is not a proven late-game pitcher. Other teams have those, we really do not.
And Roberts will always keep taking relievers out, apparently based on metrics, except that we rarely if ever get a clean inning out of any of them in a tight game. They do their best when we are either behind, or have a three- or four-run lead. Since the playoffs usually involve a series of games which are tied or one run apart in the last three innings, I am not optimistic about our chances of winning many of those. Wouldn’t Kelly at this point be able to just pitch a clean inning in a tie game? Is he not considered good enough to pitch through one runner on base? Is anybody in this bullpen? And does Roberts always seem to be just guessing when he decides which reliever to use in a given spot? If indeed Urias as is not good with men on base, then why is he in there, two weeks from the end of the season? When is the managerial learning curve completed, with regard to lining up the bullpen for the pressure games coming up? It just seems to me that i the playoffs, these same things are going to happen. Close games going into the seventh, and their bullpen outperforms ours.
Not sure Will Smith was the issue. Ryu was throwing a lot of flat pitches down the middle and getting hit hard. Maybe Ryu is more comfortable pitching to Russell Martin and next year will have more confidence with Smith. If there is a next year … seems like Bellinger is hitting something hard at least once or twice a game. But they’re attacking him with off speed pitches and he’s sometimes going outside the zone, chasing after balls down and away. There is usually a pitch earlier in the count, a fastball that he lets go by and it ends up being the best pitch he’ll see. The Dodgers really need a good hitter behind Bellinger to prevent teams from pitching around him. Day before Lux hits a three run homerun to put the Dodgers in Control, now he’s not ready. Tough crowd. Not paying attention to the stats, advanced or otherwise, still my sense that the bullpen is inconsistent, which may end up being a problem.
11th thing we learned is that good pitching will almost always beat good hitting. DeGrom and Ryu were both very good yesterday. Hitting a baseball is one of the hardest, if not the hardest, things to do in sports. When you have masters on the mound it becomes increasingly more difficult!
Raul Ibanez has already been interviewed by several other organizations. He will be promoted, or hired away this off-season. Like with the Astros, the Dodgers are so far ahead of other teams in their player development and scouting, etc., that other teams will look to hire their people if they can. We saw a taste of that last off-season. Expect more of the same this year.
Shocking hit to Culberson in the face!!
https://sports.yahoo.com/braves-charlie-culberson-carted-off-after-taking-91-mph-pitch-to-the-face-223528874.html
https://ladodgertalk.com/2019/02/06/what-does-the-future-hold-for-raul-ibanez/
Anyone who thinks the Dodger bullpen is in good shape is in denial.
Are any of the Dodgers relievers good when coming in with runners on.? It seems seems the other day must have been the 100th time Kershaw left the game with runners on and 99 times they scored. Also please stop saying a reliever is now doing great, because the next game the screw up.
Bellinger’s swing is really out of whack. He is swinging flatfooted. There appears to be no loading to generate rhythm and/or power. I am shocked by how someone with such success early in the year can look so unbalanced. I get it — hitting is hard! The hitting coach crew need to fix Belli fast — either that, or make him our leadoff hitter, as he is still great at getting on base and he is our fastest baserunner. If he continues to produce like he has the past month, he is NOT a #4 hitter. Anyone else see what I am seeing?