The Boys in Blue are playing at a blistering .778 pace and have the best record in MLB, but it’s way too small of a sampling to conclude anything except that they are way talented and way deep and can win without two of their superstars (Belli and Mookie). After last night, the Nationals are now 1-4 and the Cincinnati Reds are beating other teams’ pitchers like a rented mule. They have scored 66 runs in 8 games! Meanwhile, the Mets couldn’t jump out of a boat and hit water as they have scored 16 runs in 8 games. For those who struggle with math, that is an average of 2 runs a game… yet they are 4-4.
Jimmy Nelson looked much better in his 1.1 IP last night and Julio Urias looked effective until he didn’t when Soto took him deep with a runner on. There’s a lot to like about this team, but one wonders what’s up with the signing of RHP Ashton Goudeau. I think the Dodgers see a guy who has only two good pitches that might be effective in short bursts. He has a mid-90’s fastball and a big curve. He ditched his slider before last season. They must think they can tinker with something and re-claim him. Sometimes it happens. You have to try.
Kershaw and Scherzer this afternoon. It should be a fun game.
Jayne Cobb had a well-thought-out and articulated comment yesterday… I wish I had more confidence that politicians would try and work together. At this moment, I do not see a lot of evidence of that. Love him or hate them, that is what made JFK and Ronald Reagan great: they both worked with the other side. Right now, neither side wants to work with the other, however, I still have hope!
That’ all I got!
Discussion (44)
Disagree, not disagreeable
If Kenley’s performance – his 94 MPH cutter with sharp break – is really due to some mechanics tweaks by Prior, then, wow! A vintage Kenley is actually a huge development, and just made an already dominant team even more so. … I also have a hard time believing that to be the sole reason.
There are just certain inevitabilities in life. People get older. I’ve said before, Kenley can still be really effective. Roberts just needs to know how to use him properly.
When you’re older you don’t recover as well. With all of the analytics at the Dodgers disposal, it’s preposterous to me that they (or Roberts) haven’t figured out until now that Kenley is not effective when he pitches on back to back days.
Kenley is just not going to be as consistent with his performance, but Roberts needs to understand this and understand how to put him in the best possible position to succeed.
I do not believe I have seen a better Dodger team than this one. Two shutouts in three days. If Jansen can throw like Sunday, the bull pen will be great. Jansen is going to be a interesting piece going forward. Can he repeat Sunday’s performance or will he go back to 89 mph. We shall see. Two stars not in the line up and they win three games. McKinstry drives in all three runs. I just do not see any weakness in this team. And they have depth for injuries and it will happen. Taylor and McKinstry can play almost anywhere. I just hope they can open up Dodger stadium to full capacity soon.
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Tony Gonsolin’s return is “a ways away for me with where he’s at.” Roberts told Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register and other reporters that Gonsolin had yet to begin a throwing program since being placed on the 10-day injured list last Sunday. Gonsolin is sidelined with shoulder inflammation that began to bother the right-hander around Opening Day, which was why he didn’t get any game action prior to his IL placement.
At least Doc can’t use Jansen back to back tomorrow! That last cutter he threw for a strikeout at 94 broke a foot to the outside. That was vintage Kenley!
Jansen is useful but earlier in the game to begin an inning. This outing didn’t change my mind about that, but he did do good.
Jansen made me think that the fountain of youth does exist!! (At least for one day, but 95mph???)
Kenley looked pretty good today. So did Zack. Headed to Dodger Stadium Thursday.
Zach is here……. Bellinger, take all the time you need to get back (It doesn’t matter if it takes a couple of months) there’s no rush, your mostly ground balls to first base aren’t urgent or missed.
I gotta feel good for Kenley for his 9th inning work today.
Ok, that’s it. Jansen is on roids. That was 2016-2017 Kenley!!!
That darn Dodger bullpen blows it again! Blows it by them! What a weak link! Kenley says “ not so fast” I’m still here”!!!!! McKinstry ROY!!!!!! Kike who?
I believe Kenly Jansen just made a statement!
WOW!
Are we going to see Kenley in the 9th inning?
Does anyone know the problems and status of Gonsulin, Graterol and (who cares) Kelly?
Speaking of hope, a minor miracle has occurred: my wife has become a Dodgers fan! She had barely heard of baseball, much less the Dodgers, when we met 6 years ago. Now she pesters me every day about whether we’ll be able to watch them play live in our time zone. So anything is possible!
Yeah, Seager is slumping and still hitting .353. Smith is at .300. Seager hit the hardest ball he has hit in a week yesterday. He hit some too hard and right at people yesterday too. He is fine. Lux and McKinstry have cooled off a little. McKinstry did get an RBI hit yesterday. They are 7-2 with the B team out there. Pollock, who is down around .200, had a huge 3 run double to get the margin back to 6. They can rest Betts until he is 100 % and still win games because the pitching has been very good lately. Scherzer can’t win if his team doesn’t score.
Mookie still out, with another off day tomorrow. Starting lineup. Lux, Seager, Turner, Muncy, Taylor, Rios, McKinstry, Barnes, Kershaw.
Nelson’s curve looks much better at sea level! I still think he could be a huge piece for us this year! Even a below average Julio is pretty darn good! Besides the bomb to Soto he only gave up a couple of scoring clunkers. He left too many fastballs middle middle and didn’t throw his change up enough.
Some interesting stats:
Dodgers Offense .870 OPS 2nd in baseball.
Dodgers starting pitching E.R.A 2.88 8th in baseball.
Dodgers bullpen pitching E.R.A 5.25 20th in baseball.
So far my prediction is right, the bullpen is BY FAR the weakest part of the team. BUT Gonsolin and Graterol have not been seen at all so far this season. When they get back the bullpen will be better. BUT I will stand by my prediction that the bullpen will be the weakest part of the team. BUT don’t get me wrong, because I predict the offense and starting pitching will be good enough to carry the team, this team will in the end be a very good team.
Angels lose Fowler for the season. He will undergo season ending knee surgery. Another blow to the Halos who are trying to get back to the playoffs.
Would be nice to see, but I will settle for a division title, just too piss off those Padre fans, and a march to another championship.