With a little over a week until the August 1st trade deadline, I do not believe that the Dodgers’ fortunes hinge upon getting a quality starter or two. I believe that the Dodgers’ fortunes turn upon what happens with their own pitchers. Of course, it would be nice to get another RH bat, but that is not essential. In fact, it is possible that the RH bat could already be…
The Dodgers Should Not Be Here!
… or so said most of the people on this board! Throughout this entire season, I have read ad nauseum that the Dodgers do not have the team to compete with the big boys, namely Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Baltimore, New York (both), and Houston. I disagreed then, and I disagree now! I prefer vision over sight! I saw what JD Martinez could be when re-united with Mookie and Robert Van…
A Transition Year!
That is what Andrew Friedman told us at the beginning of the season, and I (for one) believe it. This is a “transition” year. Clayton Kershaw, Noah Syndergaard, Julio Urias, David Peralta, Jake Marisnick, Max Muncy, Jason Heyward, and JD Martinez are all on one-year deals, meaning that the Dodgers have the ability to move on from each of them next year… if they want! The Dodgers have a half…
Player Profile: Russell Martin
Russell Nathan Coltrane Jeanson Martin Jr. Born 2/15/1983 in East York, Ontario Canada. He is biracial. His father, Russell Martin Sr., is Black Canadian, his mother, Suzanne Jeanson, is Franco-Manitoban. He was named after his father, his grandfather, John Coltrane, whom his father admired and his mother’s family. When he was two, his parents separated. His father used to play saxophone in Montreal’s metro station to make money to pay…
Watch out for the Giants!
The Giants are breathing down the Dodgers ‘ necks. I think the D-Bags will fade (somewhat), but I fully expect the Giants to “sell out” for Shohei Ohtani. The Giants will be eager to “gut the farm” to stick it to the Dodgers. Prepare for it because I think it will happen. Hate them all you want – they just play baseball, and a 1-2-3 punch of Webb, Cobb, and…
Are You Paying Attention?
Since June 15th, the Dodgers have had one of the best bullpen ERAs in baseball. In fact, since that date, which happens to be the date Dave Roberts called out the bullpen and said, “they have to be better,” the Dodgers bullpen is tied for 2nd place in MLB with a 2.64 ERA (tied with the Braves). The Phillies are #1 with a 2.27 bullpen ERA. I am absolutely incredulous…
Could the Dodgers Stand Pat?
Gavin Stone’s last outing was a resounding success. Ryan Pepiot FINALLY went two innings in his 2023 debut. They will ramp him up over the next two weeks. Even Noah Syndergaard showed signs of life last night as he went five innings, allowing four hits and two earned runs while striking out six and walking nary a batter. Add in Clayton Kershaw, and in early August, Pepiot, Syndergaard, and Kershaw…
Ohtani or Bust!
Let me start this by telling you that I am not generally in favor of trading or signing Shohei Ohtani. He will be 30 years old next season, and the pure truth about pitchers is that in 2022, 51% of all MLB pitchers went on the IL for varying times. So, there is a pretty good chance that Ohtani, due to his age and due to being a pitcher, spends…
Miguel Vargas, Pavlov’s Dog, and the Trade Deadline
Over the years, I have made plenty of blunders with predictions. I once predicted that Andy LaRoche would be a superstar, and that never came close to working out. I plead insanity on that one. I also predicted great things for Frank McCourt as the owner of the Dodgers – I was looking at it as a small business owner, and I felt that he was in a position where…
Captain Clutch: Andre Ethier
Andre Everett Ethier was born on April 10th, 1982, in Phoenix, Arizona. He is one of seven children. He has three brothers, Adam, Devon and Steven, and three sisters, Catherine, Belinda, and Shaye. His father, Byron, has Cherokee and French-Canadian ancestry. His mother, Pricilla, is Mexican American. His father played ball under Gary Ward at Yavapai Junior College and was part of the JC National title winning team. His grandfather,…