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Craig Kimbrel

62 posts

The Roster is Just About Finalized

So, I am writing this as I am digesting the news that I have to have back surgery for spinal stenosis and spondylolysis on April 24th. It’s pretty much what I had expected, but now it is real. Surgery is really easy… when it is performed on someone else ! The surgery is called…

By Mark Timmons · March 23, 202381

On the Alex Verdugo Comments

This is a few days old, but the latest player discrediting the Dodgers championship in 2020 is none other than former teammate Alex Verdugo. His quote: “ A 60-game season, it’s still hard to judge to this day. Like yeah, it’s a World Series, right? Yeah, they got a ring. But…

By Mark Timmons · October 6, 202255

A Championship Without a Designated Closer

I have always wondered about the predictability of having a closer and why teams have simply gone in the direction of having a 9 th inning man, no matter what the situation was. If you really think about it, throwing that “stopper” out there for the final three outs night after…

By Mark Timmons · September 29, 202264

Is Your Mind Open or Closed?

I do not read many other Dodger Blogs, but I do read www.LAdodgerChronicles.com . Jeff Dominique is a source of great knowledge, as is Harold Uhlman. I only comment here because I do not have that much bandwidth, but I read it every day. It’s at the top of this blog for a…

By Mark Timmons · September 28, 202254

Let's Get Real

As the season nears its end, I think we have to take a large dose of reality. The reality is that the Dodgers are the best team in baseball. Houston is making a late run, but if they try and catch LA to invoke “Home Field Advantage,” then they are likely to “flame out” in the…

By Mark Timmons · September 23, 202253

What Now?

The Dodgers have 101 wins, and the fact that they were the quickest team to win 100 games in the past 21 years should be duly noted. There are seventeen games left, and it is a foregone conclusion that the Dodgers will set an All-Time Franchise Record for wins. They hardly care…

By Mark Timmons · September 19, 202226

“Get It Out of the Grandstand!”

On a night when no other Dodgers drove in any runs, Max Muncy and Joey Gallo, the true “ Live by the HR, Die By the Strikeout Guys,” went yard three times and drove in all six Dodger runs. They didn’t have to get the Home Runs out of the ocean as Max did to Baumgarner, but they…

By Mark Timmons · September 7, 202272

What About Next Year?

I had already started this blog post when Whistling Ranger (welcome to LADT) posted this: “I look for the Dodgers to concentrate on roster management in the offseason. There is extreme competition for the 40-man roster. Look for them to trade older players for younger, promising…

By Mark Timmons · September 6, 202253

Kimbrel is Fixed… For Now!

That means he is really not fixed – you can just see the momentum shift as he throws strikes and then throws balls. I hope, wish, and pray he is fixed, but he’s not. I hope to the Big Dodger in the Sky that I am wrong. He’s Kenley Jansen revisited. The Dodgers will rue the day…

By Mark Timmons · August 30, 202294

Reviewing the Deadline

Mark’s going to be busy this week, so I’m going to try to fill a couple of days with posts while he’s out. It’s not going to be easy for me as I’m starting a six months Cyber Security program tonight, so I’m going to have a little less time going forward. Hopefully, OldBear and…

By Mark Timmons · August 23, 202282

Rant & Rave Monday

Joey Gallo – Gold Glove Defender in LF, Elite Arm, Excellent Base Runner, 1.038 OPS as a Dodger. He was 2-3 yesterday with a Walk, outstanding catch, laser throw, and impressive baserunning. When a RHP is throwing, you can’t keep Gallo off the field… based upon what I have seen…

By Mark Timmons · August 22, 202250

Kimbrelized Again!

There’s no way to spin this. Staked to a one-run lead on Justin Turner’s run-scoring single, Craig Kimbrel promptly coughed two runs to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory! I am sure Craig is a nice guy, but he can no longer pitch, and he goes through this more and more. Ask…

By Mark Timmons · August 17, 202273

Pitching Possibilities

With the playoffs a full month and a half away (48 games), it’s a bit of a reach to try to predict what a potential playoff bullpen will look like. We’ll know a lot more once we’re closer to the finish line, but from the looks of things, September will be a tryout for October…

By Mark Timmons · August 16, 2022100

Do You Still Not Get it?

DISCLAIMER : If this does not apply to you, don’t sweat it! When Andrew Friedman took over as President of the Dodgers, he made several moves that most Dodgers fans mocked and ridiculed, such as signing Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy, and Scott Kazmir. They mocked the trade of…

By Mark Timmons · August 5, 202268

Random Dodger Bullets

I have been away for a long while and will return to posting a piece now and then, now that I start this new phase in life called “retirement.” Some random Dodger bullets running through my mind. Friday, July 29th – Last Day before Retirement As disappointed as many fans are…

By Mark Timmons · August 4, 2022100

It's Time For a New Closer

Actually, it’s past time. I am so done with Craig Kimbrel! Three letters: DFA! It’s over, done; stick a fork in him! So, who’s the closer? Let’s run down the list: Evan Phillips – Tell me he can’t. He has the stuff, and while he has never done it, he looks cold-blooded and calm…

By Mark Timmons · July 30, 202279

The Best Win of the Year!

Behind 6-0, the Dodgers come back to win! That in and of itself was amazing, but the sub-stories are what it is all about. No pitcher has ever entered the All-Star Break undefeated and with an ERA under 2.00. Tony Gonsolin is still perfect… thanks to the Dodger’s comeback, but…

By Mark Timmons · July 14, 202249

I am not Leaving!

I want to thank everyone for the kind words and words of encouragement. I am of the belief that service to others is as important as doing what you want… maybe more so. Therefore, I am not going anywhere, however, I am going to look for another couple of writers over the next…

By Mark Timmons · July 4, 202251

Patience, Grasshoppers

This is just some random guy, but he nailed it! Like everyone else, I seek patience… and I want it NOW, Damnit! I admit that I have lost patience with Gavin Lux, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Robert Van Socyoc. Yes, the guy who preaches patience doesn’t practice…

By Mark Timmons · July 2, 202240

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

Let’s get right to it. THE GOOD Andrew Heaney – In his return from the IL, he took up where he left off with 5 IP, 5 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K’s. That was a very encouraging performance. The Bazooka – He did allow a hit, but closed out his inning with 2 Ks. Yency Almonte – He just does…

By Mark Timmons · June 20, 202276

Timing is Everything

When I was sticking up for the concept of playing Max Muncy, I never had any idea that he would drive in 5 runs yesterday. I’m glad that he did, but what about today? It’s one game. Yes, it’s progress, but it is a small sampling. I will be vindicated or indicted at the end of…

By Mark Timmons · June 10, 202254

We Think We Know… But We Really Don't

But that has never stopped us before… has it? We will say whatever we damn well please… and worry about the consequences later. So, here is what I think I know, and if you disagree you must be some kind of derelict! After all, 10 games into the season, we should have all the…

By Mark Timmons · April 22, 202260

Andrew Friedman Can't Build a Bullpen

For several years, Dodger fans complained about the Dodgers bullpen… or lack thereof of one. Maybe a lot of their ire was directed (unfairly) at one Kenley Jansen, but I think that many Dodger Fans believe that in the past Andrew Friedman simply did not value the bullpen and…

By Mark Timmons · April 18, 202282