Return on Investment – Risk vs. Reward

November 7, 2017

Many have posited (including me) that the depth the Dodgers have generated were critical in their march to 104 wins. I have also written that the depth needs to be pruned at times so that the organization will continue to grow by clearing the way for new prospects or ML 25 man roster help.  That is why I had no problem with sending Jharel Cotton, Grant Holmes, and Frankie Montas…

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Thank You To All The Readers of LA Dodgers Talk!

November 5, 2017

I mean that from the bottom of my heart!  Even though the 2017 season ended bitterly, it was the most enjoyable seasons in the past 29 years.  I said that the season would be considered a failure if the Dodgers didn’t win the World Series…. and I still feel that way.  I think FAZ, Doc, the coaching staff and the players feel the same way.  However, that doesn’t mean they…

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2017-2018 Hot Stove

November 4, 2017

One of the positives about getting to the WS and extending it to 7 games, is that there is only 5 weeks before the Winter Meetings in Orlando.  We are going to have to pack in a lot of thought and suggestions about the restructuring of a 104 win team into a WS champion.  We are all so much smarter than Friedman and Zaidi sitting in front of a computer…

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Just Wait Until Next Year…

November 2, 2017

I hate saying that! It was a bitter loss… one that I am not likely to get over… ever! Early in Game 7 I blamed Roberts for leaving Yu Momma in for more than 3 seconds, and maybe that had an effect on the Dodgers psyche, but when you only score 1 run and are 1-13 with RISP, you can’t win.  End of story! Justin Turner hit .160 in the…

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Carpe Diem!

November 1, 2017

This Has Been Best World Series Ever…. Especially After Tonight! Justin Verlander was tough, very tough – he pitched 6 innings of 3 hit ball while striking out 9 and walking zero.  The three hits were timely and gave the Dodgers a lead that the bullpen would not relinquish! Morrow and Maeda were nails and Tony Watson held his own, but Kenley “Freaking” Jansen closed out the final six outs…

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When Your Best Is Not Good Enough

October 30, 2017

Last year, the Dodgers acquired Rich Hill and in the NLCS, it was all set for Kershaw to even the series and then Rich Hill could take the mound and do what the Dodgers acquired him for: win game seven.  Unfortunately, Clayton Kershaw surrendered 5 runs on two homers and lost the game and the game and the series. Fast forward a little over a year later and Kershaw did…

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Beyond the Statistics

October 29, 2017

Last night’s comeback victory was typical of how the Dodgers have came back to win all year, but this one was different in that Dave Roberts did not try and exploit the usual matchups.  It was not an analytic driven win. As much as some may dislike, it was a win that was made on “gut feelings” as much as analytics.  I thought Dave should have left Rich Hill in…

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Breakthrough!

October 25, 2017

Well, Clayton Kershaw did not go 9 innings last night, but he was very dominant over 7 innings and he likely could have went at least another innng or two, but that is not how this new version of the Dodgers works.  It was obvious before the game and during the game, that Clayton was intense, but not overly amped up.  He said he treated it like any other start…

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It All Comes Down to This!

October 24, 2017

I started to write an analysis of the World Series, but what could I write that hasn’t been written and re-written?  At one time, it seemed like it was me against the world as the FAZ-Bashers were relentless, but so was I, as I understood what they were trying to do, and I bought in early.  Now, most Dodger fans are on the FAZ Bandwagon, but it’s extra sweet for…

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Loyalty Rewarded in a 2017 NL Pennant

October 21, 2017

As I am sitting in my Friday office chair at Starbucks, waiting for my two former Giant clients and our regular Friday coffee business/baseball chat, I just cannot stop smiling.  A lot of the regulars came up and congratulated me knowing how faithfully I have worn my Dodgers jerseys win or lose.  Today it is Kershaw, on back to back days.  It’s been raining all night in NorCal, so I…

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