DISCLAIMER: I swore long ago that I would never write this… BUT, here I am doing it! I could not resist. Also, I am truly sorry if I offend anyone. Many years ago, when my wife had a series of ice cream shops, she hired a new girl, and I asked how she was doing. Her response was, “She’s a mouth breather.” I was not initiated into that vernacular, so…
Just like every season, especially in the Spring, things never turn out the way you think… especially due to injuries, and the Dodgers have quietly had quite a few on the pitching side. Here’s the short list of injuries that will shape the Dodger’s Opening Day Roster: We are pretty sure these pitchers will be in the bullpen: By the Way, the Rotation will be: That leaves one spot in…
There are 1,458 innings in a 162-game baseball schedule. Of course, games will inevitably go into extra innings, so let’s call a season 1,500 innings (give or take). I have stated before that I would not be surprised if no Dodger starter pitched more than 125 innings. For argument’s sake, let’s say that is true. Let’s see how that looks: That’s just 750 Innings, half of what is needed in…
There are thirteen pitchers who love Austin Barnes. He is an “on-the-field-pitching coach.” He is not going anywhere, so get that out of your mind. Hunter Feduccia, who happens to be LH, may or may not be a better hitter, and maybe his arm is slightly better, but he is no Austin Barnes insofar as a receiver. Unless Barnes is injured, he is not going anywhere (did I mention that…
It seems like every other day, someone is blowing out their UCL and needing Tommy John Surgery. The Dodgers have had their share – Buehler, Gonsolin, May, Frasso, et al. What can be done to stop this? Can anything be done to stop this? I have been listening to all of the talk about this problem for a couple of weeks… and it is a growing problem. However, I do…
While it is clear that Yamamoto has some very filthy stuff, he finished Spring Training with a 8.38 ERA. In 9.2 IP, he allowed 15 Hits and 9 ER. He walked 4 and struck out 14. It also has been rumored that he is tipping pitches. I heard someone say, “It doesn’t matter if he ‘s tipping pitches – they still can’t hit him!” YES THEY CAN! Now, understand that…
Many… or at least some Dodger fans believe that this Winter, the Dodgers will do something they never have under Andrew Friedman and sign two or maybe even three starting pitchers to long-term deals. Let’s get this over with right now: It is not happening! If you look at Andrew Friedman’s past history, you will see that he rarely gives out long-term contacts – Mookie Betts was the lone exception….
Once again, Bruce Bochy demonstrated why he is a genius. Bochy’s strategy was this: After his starter gave up five runs in 4.2 IP, he told the bullpen not to give up any runs the rest of the way. No one else on the planet would have thought of something so ingenious. Then, in the 11th inning, he whispered into Adolis Garcia’s ear. “If you hit a Home Run, that…
So, maybe you are of the mindset that when Dustin May got into a little trouble in the 7th inning Doc should have taken him out? That’s silliness! It’s true that Dustin May was cruising after six innings, and he got two quick outs in the top of the 7th inning. I think he had only allowed two hits at the time. Dustin was under 90 pitchers at the time,…
For the record, it was discussed yesterday whether Clayton Kershaw was a #1, #2, or #3. I think the answer is d. Neither – Clayton is a #2.5. There. That’s my final statement on it. How many aces have 33 starts anymore? Only 31 pitchers in MLB had more than 31 starts last season. So there is that! Of those 31 pitchers who had ERA’s below 3.00, there are only…