Kirk and Spock, West and Baylor, Kareem and Magic

Curtis Granderson 0-4 in the #2 spot. Predicted result.

.

Logan Forsythe against RHP – 0-3, 2K, and GDP. Predicted result.

.

Pedro Baez – Enters in a high leverage situation, immediately walks 2, and then throws an 0-2 fastball to a batter which resulted in 2 runs (admittedly the error was not his fault). But they do not score if he does not come in and walk Chris Iannetta and AJ Pollock. Predicted result.

.

I cannot say that the results would have been different if Barnes plays 2nd and bats 2nd, Puig is in RF for Granderson, and Watson comes in the 10th instead of Baez. But maybe….

Bobby

Hope it was worth the late night…

Please make it stop with the Baez in high leverage situations. This is Hathcet revisited, trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. No, I am not jumping off the bandwagon, in fact, my seatbelt is on tight, just give me somebody, ANYBODY but Baez with the game in the balance. I don’t care how fast your fastball is, if you can’t locate your secondary pitch to put the guy away, you are toast in the big leagues.

no matter what you say about Baez, remember that the offense only scored 1 run (again) – you can’t win if you don’t score. Baez should never have been in that position in the 1st place.

–

Dodgers could have had Martinez at the deadline but got Granderson instead – great move!

No Goldschmidt in line up and they let another one get away. Poor job by Roberts and Baez. Taylor get gunned out with Tuner and Bellinger coming up classifies as a knucklehead play.

On the bright side, no matter how much Buehler struggled relieving at AAA , he can’t be any worse than Baez.

I’ve seen enough of Baez. I’ve seen enough of Granderson. I’ve seen enough of Forsythe hitting in situations where he shouldn’t be out there.

Doc needs to step up his game. He blew games in SD and he blew this game.

Unreal. Has Drury 0-2 and the guy was early on a fastball. Was there a better time to throw a slider? He should never see the field in the playoffs. Baez just doesn’t have the mental toughness to handle it.

Stand well back – Gas Can in operation

Why is wrong with bunting Forsythe there?

Snakes draw 1st blood – JD Martinez (of course) doubles and scores. Ryu at 63 pitches after only 3 1/3.

I think all the talk about the pen being gassed is pure fiction. The Dodgers are 14th in MLB in innings pitched by the bullpen. The Astros and Cubs have both had their bullpens pitch more innings. The National and Indians have the fewest bullpen innings.

–

The Nats average 2.88 innings by the bullpen a game and the Dodgers average 3.44, BUT (BIG BUT), the Dodgers have spread that out over a lot more pitchers.

–

But, Dave Roberts is trying to make sure they are fresh for the playoffs, thus they are being given opportunities they would not normally get.

–

Ryu is hitting 94-95 MPH. Nice…

Maybe our number 2 hitter who is batting .100 will bust out tonight. Joc and Trayce coming up. I don’t get it. I would let Joc get more AB’s in Tulsa. As for Trayce, I would call it a season. Let him rest his back and his .215 batting avg at AAA. TT’s focus should be on winter ball. Granerson, Gonzo, and Ethier starting tonight with Belly in CF.

My confidence in Baez has been shaken, but I stop short of characterizing him as having a “Ten Cent brain”. I realize that he’s had some time to learn how to pitch, but I also always remember that he didn’t start pitching until he was 25 in 2013. In fact, I don’t think he started pitching at the beginning of that year, so he probably spent ST as a 3rd baseman, not a pitcher. In total he pitched in 48 games split between Rancho and Chattanooga that year. The following year, in 2014, he pitched in a combined 40 games at Chattanooga and Albq., before being called up to the Dodgers for 20 games.

–

Chances are that he would have been better served remaining in the minors a bit longer to better hone his pitching skills. If there is one thing we know about Baez, it is that he has always lacked effective secondary pitches. This year it seemed as if he had begun to perfect those pitches. Maybe that’s something he needs to further refine to become the pitcher we’ve hoped he would be.

–

If Baez continues to melt down, there is no doubt that he should be considered for a lesser role on the playoff roster, perhaps even no role at all. But we’ve seen plenty of other pitchers (who started out as pitchers) who took years of seasoning in the minor leagues to finally harness their potential. Maybe Baez is one of those pitchers, and maybe not. I don’t think it’s a 10 cent brain, but he certainly does have issues that have yet to be resolved.

–

I definitely think that not having Cody and Corey together in the lineup has contributed to the recent Dodger slump, as did the recent slide of Justin Turner and even Curtis Granderson. All of those hitters feed off of each other, and working as a unit keeps pitchers from pitching around any of them. And not having Kershaw during a lot of that time certainly didn’t help. Maybe if the Dodgers were 4-7 instead of 1-10 in their last 11 games, there would be less pessimism. I like to think that this recent slide will ultimately help this team become better focused going forward into the playoffs. Sometimes winning requires the fear that you might lose. There are no guarantees for the Dodgers going forward, but my glass remains half full.

–

And by the way Mark, I think you’re wrong. If memory serves, the Dodgers were 1-10 vs. the Mets during the 1988 regular season, not 1-11. 🙂

–

I may not have this exactly right, but I believe that not only did the Dodgers win their last seven regular season games before being swept by the Mets in the 2006 NLDS (no long layoff before the WS can explain that one), but if memory serves, I believe that at one point during the season (I think just before and after the All-Star break), the Dodgers immediately followed a 1-14 slump with a 17-1 surge. I’m not saying that any of this stuff is a prognosticator of what’s going to come, but I am saying that this is baseball, and things can turn on a dime. And no, I’m not saying that the Dodgers can turn it on and off at will. But sometimes that stuff just happens, with no logical explanation.

I won’t be on too much this week due to hurricane Irma which is packing 185mph winds. To make matters worse, hurricane Jose is not too far behind her. According to latest reports it MAY(or may not) hit Miami then go NNW across the state to Tampa but they really don’t know until the last minute lake Charlie in 2004.

That one was supposed to hit Tampa but decided at the last moment to turn right up the gulf of Mexico and go into Charlotte Harbor. Boy,I remember that one. No electricity for over two weeks, National Guard out to prevent looting, etc.

Kareem and the Big O. Kareem did always have a great point guard for delivery then skyhook. Sure you remember Mark. 1971….Milwaukee’s only title. Martinez has proved he can hit a down the middle belly high straight as an arrow mediocre fastball. That’s for sure. Getting our 1 through 4 hitters back in play surely won’t hurt. Some pitching might help a bit too. Excited to see Buehler vs MLB. Hope it doesn’t bite him. I know the rumor was Dodgers were shutting him down for the season. I don’t see this slump lasting the rest of the season, but anything is possible I guess. As Walter Alston said…It’s a lot easier to be lucky with good pitching. I’ve noticed that the pitching hasn’t been that good last couple of weeks. And Dodgers have certainly been unlucky. Certainly don’t see how anyone could blame DR or the lineups for bad pitching and disappearing bats. If that makes me a company man so be it.

Watford is absolutely correct

This cannot be sugar-coated. Right now the Dodgers are playing bad baseball. Starting pitching is bad, relief pitching is bad, and offense is bad. I am generally a positive person, and try to make lemonade out of lemons, but there is none to make in the last 10 – 11 games. Last night was a disaster.

.

However, to minimize the loss of Corey Seager is short sighted. For the month of August he hit .333 with a .374 OBP. His slugging was way down due to only 1 HR and 3 doubles. He is #2 in the lineup and is critical for JT and Cody to produce. During the last 11 games, Corey started the first three and went 4-12 and the Dodgers won one of those three. Since he has been out, the Dodgers are 1-7, and the one game they did win was 1-0. You can draw your own conclusions. Some believe he is an offensive catalyst, and some do not. I believe he is, and I believe the Dodgers very much miss him in the lineup. #2 in the lineup is critical, and the Dodgers cannot find that person. In the last 8 games Seager has been out, Granderson was in the #2 slot 5 times and went 1-21 with 9 K. Kike’ was in the #2 twice going 0-8, and Barnes was in the #2 once and went 2-4. Unfortunately Kike’ was batting #3 that game. .

.

By the way, the last 11 games, JT has not stopped hitting. In 37 PA, JT has hit .333/.405/.606/1.11. I think having Corey in the #2 slot rather than Granderson (or Hernandez) would have produced a few more runs. The other questionable spot in the lineup is #5. In the last 8 games, the Dodgers are a combined 6-25 with 2 RBI’s, led by Grandal 2-9, Puig 2-7 (1 RBI), and AGon 2-3 (1 RBI). Barnes/Forsythe/Kike’ went 0-6.

.

I am also concerned about the number of HR’s the Dodgers have been giving up, especially early in the game. This is not due to Grandal or Barnes as both have been behind the plate for this. They go over the game plan with the coaches and pitchers, so the game plan is determined before pitch 1. I understand park conditions, but the 6 hit out last night were in Dodger Stadium; not Arizona. IMO this falls on the pre-game scouting report. The other consideration is that the Dodger pitching is becoming too predictable. You do not get hit that hard without guessing right most of the time. Even bloggers know that Dodger relievers are going to throw high fastballs. You do not think the other team knows that? How man splitters did Font throw? If he did not throw 1, then that is on the game prep or catcher. It is the splitter that keeps hitters guessing. If he is up there just throwing fastballs, every ML hitter can hit a 97-100 MPH fastball, especially if they know that is what is coming. The same is true with Baez. I do not see him waving off too many (if any) pitches, so he is pitching what is called. Is that the catcher, or is that the game report? Morrow’s fastball is elite, but only because his slider is also. If he is up there throwing fastballs, he is going to get hit. Josh Ravin only has a fastball, so I do not know why he comes in. Sometimes his fastball has life, most of the time, not so much.

.

As bad as the team is playing, it can obviously be turned around. While confidence is important, it is the players that hit, pitch, and defend. The team has talent, and it is the talent that won the games between April and September. I did not like the lineups for the Padres series. Doc is a great manager, but this weekend was all on him. The last three Padre games were winnable if the lineups were not made up of AAA players or Old Timers Game players. They also could have been won if AAA pitchers were not brought in high leverage situations. AAA players have a place on an expanded roster, but not to be counted on to win games at the ML level. If they had game changing capabilities they would have been on the 25 man before roster expansion. I have never wavered as to who I believe is responsible for the lineups, and Doc is responsible for those lineups. If Granderson bats 2nd in another game, that falls squarely on Doc.

Today’s panic-ers need not worry! We still have 31 days until the NLCS begins. The time to panic will be if this garbage is continuing on Sept 20. For now, we’re fine. Let the crap pass thru out system. Pretend we took an enema and metamucil all at once. We are being cleansed at the moment.

Sports is a funny business. All the sabre geek analysis in the world can’t really explain or predict or manipulate the element of psychology. When they were winning, everything was going right. It was uncanny, near miraculous. Now, the pendulum has swung in the opposite direction. It’s mostly the same collection of players. The difference lies in that nebulous world of human psychology and how it effects behavior.

*

It’s really weird. I can’t explain it. Maybe all these things: Roberts taking his foot off the gas, the Spring Training auditioning, Agon returning with his anemic bat…

*

I posted earlier that I was concerned that the Dodgers peaked early, but I was thinking – and still do – that the Dodgers just have such a collection of talented pieces in place that its success in the playoffs would be less dependent on the vicissitudes of being “on”.

*

It’s been said before, but the playoffs is a completely different season. I think Roberts is pulling a Greg Popovich and doing a little coasting to rest the team both physically and psychologically before the playoffs. One of the things I do is train athletes. There is a science to getting an athlete to peak at the right time, and there are only so many times an athlete can do this. Let’s hope Roberts can engineer a second peak in a few weeks, but the Dbacks have to be more confident right about now.

*

It’ll be pretty bitterly disappointing if the Dodgers don’t win it all this year after how good they played, but there are never guarantees. That’s why the games are played.

What is their record since Joc was sent down. We talk about chemistry but even if Granderson is a good guy, he is not Joc. Chemistry is a difficult thing to balance. Comfort is a difficult thing to describe. These guys were comfortable, they had a rhythm, now there are just too many guys wearing the uniform to give any sense of cohesion. They have lost all sense of rhythm and it is pathetic thing to behold.

Rick – agree with all your points above, but I have a theory as to why these strange things can happen in sport sometimes, and it’s not anything mind blowing.

Simply, I think it is a lack adrenaline.

I know it’s not right, but if you let your concentration, motivation & dedication slip just 10%, then this is what happens.

Adrenaline makes sure that all of your senses are heightened.

The Dodgers were playing at a very high level for a long time, to the point where they had virtually achieved the first objective of the season, namely qualifying for the post season.

The Adrenaline levels went down.

Conversely, the D’backs have it all to

play for, so their levels are high. It’s do or die for them.

You can sense that their desire is just that little bit higher. They need it.

Yes, the Dodgers should play every game like it’s their last, but that’s not human nature. There is no adrenaline.

I believe you will see a difference as soon as the Playoffs begin.

I know the argument can be made about form & momentum going into October, but I’ve also seen teams looking exhausted.

These guys are professionals. They will be primed and ready to go.

Doc is weighing up his options.

I’ve a feeling that once the adrenaline kicks in again, we will be fine.

I agree dodgerrick. Font, Castillo don’t look they are ready to contribute. We’ll have to see about Buehler. Granderson has been terrible and never liked the idea of trying to see what Agon had left. We went on our unbelievable tear without him and to “upset the apple cart” by putting Bellinger back in the OF seemed to create a domino.

Some players are playing themselves off the playoff roster and some playing themselves on the roster. Baez off and Paredes on. Font off and Forsythe on. I would not play Baez for the rest of the season except in mop up situations.

–

This was a total meltdown. Every facet of the game was bad. Arizona could still win the West. Maybe it is time for the team and Doc to admit they are playing crappy baseball. Saying we are not worried is getting old. Try winning a few games, will you.

“What the D-Bags are doing is called “peaking too soon.” Payback is a bitch.”

–

Maybe it was the Dodgers who peaked too soon when they went 52 – 10?

–

“Cody and Corey have not been in the lineup together for over two weeks. The Dodgers are 1-10 in their last 11 games.”

–

Really – that’s your best explanation of the past 3 weeks? Seager’s or Bellinger’s absence made the starters or the bullpen stop pitching? They made Turner stop hitting? They made Granderson hit .110? etc. etc. etc.

–

What’s wrong with the Dodgers?

1 – Notwithstanding protestations to the contrary, Roberts HAS taken his foot off of the gas. They are playing prevent defense and that never goes well.

2 – The Dodgers amazing record from the end of April to the beginning of August was in large part a function of confidence – a belief that they could and would win every game. Are they playing with confidence now?

3 – Too many guys playing who should not be playing. From Font and Castillo to Granderson and Gonzalez – these guys aren’t helping.

–

They have the talent to turn it around but as I have said before, it’s not like flipping a switch – they can’t just turn it on or off. If they are playing crummy baseball on 9/30 they won’t simply revert to form on 10/1. They aren’t playing with a sense of urgency now – will they recover it in time?