The Science Behind Dodger Batting Orders

April 30, 2017

A picture is worth a thousand words, so I thought I would post scientific evidence of what led to Adrian Gonzalez and Yasmani Grandal hitting 3rd and 4th.  Any questions?  Actually, what else can you do but throw darts?  The lineup is less important than the players in it.  I would like to see Toles in everyday. Let him play.  Of course, Bellinger has to be in it as well….

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I Still Believe!

April 23, 2017

The Dodgers will win the NL West and go on the the World Series.  Some of you have already judged this team as lacking and are ready to throw in the towel and the baby and the bathwater!  NOT SO FAST! In case you haven’t heard, the season is 162 games long – that means there are 144 games left.  You can think what you want… and you will… but…

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DON’T GET ALL HAPPY… JUST YET!

April 10, 2017

Before I get into the game, it’s good to hear that Pedro Guerrero is improving. The Dodgers struggled against lefthanders the first two games of the season and I have never heard such wailing and gnashing of teeth.  I told you yo be patient, that this is baseball with peaks and valleys and two games meant nothing.  It’s a two-way street.  The Dodgers broke out against a lefthander yesterday, and…

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The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

April 8, 2017

Five games into the season and the Dodgers are 3-2. There’s really not much to go on, but we have seen some good things, some bad things and some ugly things. In baseball, it is all about Peaks and Valleys.  Peaks and Valleys – write that down! The Good 2.25 – That’s the Dodger’s team ERA.  They are among the best in baseball. The starters ERA is 2.93 and the…

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April 6, 2017 Game Chat

April 6, 2017

Todays’ Lineups Pos San Diego Padres Pos LA Dodgers LF 1.  Jankowski (L) LF 1.  Toles (L) CF 2.  Margot SS 2.  Seager (L) 1B 3.  Myers 3B 3.  Forsythe 2B 4.  Solarte (S) 1B 4.  Gonzalez (L) 3B 5.  Schimpf (L) CF 5.  Pederson (L) RF 6.  Renfroe 2B 6.  Utley (L) C 7.  Sanchez (S) RF 7.  Puig SS 8.  Aybar (S) C 8.  Barnes P 9.  Weaver…

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Trickle Down Isn’t Just Economic Policy

April 1, 2017

We now know who comprises the 25 man roster.  Is it what I would have chosen?  Probably not, but I do understand the reasons for the selections.  I was disappointed that Chris Taylor was not selected, but I understand why Kike’ was valued more as utility player.  I understand that Taylor is an infielder that needs to learn OF.  If Seager goes on the DL, it will not be Kike’…

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Barnes Loses It!

March 28, 2017

I AM POSTING THIS EARLY because I leave for Florida at 5 AM Wednesday Morning and won’t be back be back until Monday.  Hopefully Always Compete can keep you entertained – I’ll try and get a few in, but we have rented a 6 bedroom condo for the family Spring Break. Cheers! Here’s the IMPORTANT STUFF, the way I see it: Bobby Wilson hit a 2-out 2-run HR (his 4th of the pre-season)…

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Expect the Unexpected

March 28, 2017

The Dodgers agreed to a contract with Justin Masterson yesterday which will cause some peoples heads to explode… but others will get it. Low risk – high reward!  Brandon Morrow – Low risk – high reward!  MLB Trade Rumors said this: It’s not clear at this point whether Masterson will be assigned to a minor-league roster or instead spend some time at extended spring training working with his new organization’s staff….

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Monday Rants and Raves

March 27, 2017

I’m not a baseball professional, but Scott Kazmir’s hip still tightens up and interferes with his delivery – same as last year but his velocity is down.  It sounds like that unless he fixes the hip there is going to be no hop on his fastball. I’m not a doctor either, but it seems to me that if it can’t be fixed, it’s the end of the line for Mr….

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Kike Hernandez or Chris Taylor?

March 26, 2017

Andre Ethier is most certainly going to start the season on the DL, but Andrew Toles Grand Salami yesterday iced his place on the team.  I punched his ticket!  It also doesn’t hurt that he is hitting .348.  I think this kid may have Wally Pipped Ethier. Next up is our utility infielder position. Chris Taylor has garnered a lot of attention with his Spring success in the Cactus League.  He…

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