Since Mookie and Freddie are having such great years, I thought I would look back on some of the best all-time record holders. Freeman, who is about as consistent a ballplayer as you will ever see, is now one hit away from his first 200 hit season. Think about that. 14 years in the league and this will be the first time reaching that mark. By comparison, Steve Garvey had…
Is There Hope for Clayton?
Last week, I said that unless Clayton could recover 3-5 MPH on his fastball, he could not be more than an “opener” and that we could not count on him to help carry the team. Well, last night he recovered at least 1 MPH on his fastball. His fastest pitch was 89.7 MPH. This leads me to believe that he could gain another 1-2 MPH in the next ten days….
Kendall Williams: Legend of the Fall
Kendall Williams is a 23-year-old, 6′ 6″ RH Starting pitcher who was acquired in the Ross Stripling deal. He just started his first game at OKC last night. It did not go well (6 IP/6 H/5 ER/5 BB2 K/2 HR), but since it was in Albaquacky (I can’t spell Albuquerque), maybe he really did pitch pretty well. Bunts routinely end up being 440-foot home runs there (I exaggerate only slightly)….
Elly De La Cruz is a Massive Bust
I did not say that, but the media in Cincinnati IS saying that. Elly is a couple of years younger than Miguel Vargas, who also flopped in his first season in MLB. The media makes a good argument as to De La Cruz’s regression, but where they lose me is the assertion that a several-month slump is an indication of De La Cruz’s future as a ball player, which is…
Let’s Get Done With this Season
In a season that has been so improbable, it has been a fun ride! But, now we are all dying to get to the Legends of the Fall (one of my favorite movies, BTW). Hopefully, some more legends will be made then. Bobby Miller has been anointed as the Dodgers Ace… a year or two earlier than anyone could have predicted. The only question is whether he starts game one…
Miguel Rojas: An MVP in his own right
A person on this site (I won’t say who) once said that Miguel Rojas was “garbage” and should not be on the team. They were absorbed by the statistics and “Fantasy Points” in baseball, and if you are looking for fantasy points, then you would be a moron to draft Miggy as his .237 BA and .619 OPS will not win you many fantasy championships. The thing is, this is…
J. Hey and The Freight Train
When the Dodgers signed David Peralta and Jason Heyward, Dodger fans were less than enthused. And I must admit, I was one of them. Heyward was coming off of a year where he was worse than horrendous. And the Cubs were willing to pay him for not playing. Peralta was coming back after a season in which he had been traded at the deadline. He did not impress anyone with…
Acuna for MVP? Wanna Bet(ts)?
I think the MVP Award for the NL will be partially decided in the last two weeks of the season. As of now, here is the comparison: The last two weeks will seal the deal. Right about now, Acuna is better in some areas, and Betts is better in others, but WAR, OPS+, and wRC+ are all “Advantage Betts.” This is “Mookie’s MVP to Win.” It shall be interesting to…
The Best in the West… Again!
I am not going to be labor the point, but most Dodger fans thought the Padres would be the team doing the celebrating. Dodger fans were outraged and irrational that the Padres and maybe the Giants and D-Backs had passed the Dodgers in talent. This was the mantra before and even during the season, and at the Trade Deadline, many fans pronounced the Dodgers dead on arrival for their lack…
The 23 Dodgers: They Are Who They Are.
2023, according to many, it is supposed to be a transitional year. In some ways, it has been. In others, not so much. Nothing has played out as expected. The only starting pitcher who was a starter out of spring training left standing, well leaning a little, is Clayton Kershaw. Syndergaard, traded, Urias, placed on admin leave, Gonsolin, injured and out until 25, Pepiot, injured and just returned. Grove injured…