First of all, Happy St. Patrick’s Day. We are down to 10 ST games with one week to go in Arizona followed by 3 against LAA. Two games in Anaheim and one game at Dodger Stadium. Thus far the Dodgers are 12-8-2, as if that means anything. Who have been the surprises? Offensively, Kike’ Hernandez and Austin Barnes have been red hot and IMO have established themselves as starters. Kike’…
NL West First Look – Colorado Rockies
Less than two weeks to go before Opening Day, and I still have one more team to give my best shot an analyzing for the upcoming 2019 season. Today I am taking a look at what should be the Dodgers closest competition (only competition?) in the NL West…Colorado Rockies. Last year, after 162 games, they tied our Los Angeles Dodgers with a 91-61 record, tops in the NL West. They…
The Ron Porterfield Factor
Ron Porterfield was named the Tampa Bay Rays Head Baseball trainer in 2006 by Andrew Friedman and served in that capacity until 2017 when Friedman lured him to Camelback Ranch with the title of Director of Pitching Health or Medical Director, depending upon which article you believe. Throwing a baseball is not a natural act. It puts lots of stress on the human arm and sometimes creates extreme damage. Andrew…
Misc., Etc.
Andrew Toles The Dodger Beat Writers know what is up with Andrew Toles, but out of respect for his privacy (and to keep their jobs), they ain’t saying! That’s OK! Whatever it is… and I have an idea, I hope he gets to the right place soon. He still has a world of talent if he can solve his problems. Farmer, Wood, Puig & Kemp The Dodger Beat Writers also…
Dodgers Minor League Fourth Coaches – Full Season
A few years ago the Dodgers and perhaps other MLB teams developed a minor league coaching system that included fourth coaches. That is, a coach listed in addition to a manager, a pitching coach and a hitting coach. There had already been a system of roving coaches and instructors but now a fourth coach is listed for all Dodger affiliates. Their duties rarely seem to be revealed and initially it…
You Don’t Play to Win the Game!
In the regular season, your are always playing to win the game. I mean this game, or at least you try and put yourself in position to win more games. That is not true in Spring Training. If you are upset Doc let Stetson Allie, the wild fire-baller, walk batter-after-batter in the 9th inning only to take him out and let Yordy “Lordy, Lordy” Cabrera give up a three-run game killing…
The Dodgers Swiss Army Knives
The Dodgers under Andrew Friedman are known for their versatility. Both of their catchers can play 2 or 3 other positions. CT3 can play 6 positions while Cody Bellinger can play 4 positions. Max Muncy and Justin Turner can play 3 positions and David Freese can play 2 positions. However, no one can play more positions than one Enrique Hernandez. Right about now, Kike Hernandez is the “flavor-of-the-week” for some…
Opening Day Pitcher???
STARTING ROTATION? – There is a lot of talk on who should be the opening day pitcher. It does not appear that Clayton is going to be ready anytime soon, and Buehler seems headed to the #5 slot in the rotation to begin the season. Mark had a “half serious” idea on using an “Opener” for the opening game. Nyet on the half serious part that thinks they should. But…
This $&@! Just Got Serious
Actually, my wife owns some ice cream stores (hand-packed, 15% butterfat, if you want health food, eat carrots type) and one of the most popular flavors is called This $&@! Just Got Serious. It is a smooth salted caramel ice cream brimming with rich sea salt fudge and salted cashews. Of course, Spring Training is also getting serious! With Spring Training about half completed, Opening Day will soon be upon…
Me & Julio Down By The Schoolyard
After yesterday’s game, the Dodger’s record sits at 7-5 this Spring… not that it means absolutely anything. So far a few things have caught my eye, other than the fact that Joc Pederson looks totally lost: Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, Kike Hernandez and Daniel Castro (who?) look locked and loaded. Ross Stripling and Rich Hill are being stretched out. There are way too many arms for the bullpen… thus the…