29 posts
Emmet Sheehan made his Major League debut for the Dodgers on June 16, 2023 against the Giants and threw six no-hit innings. Yoshinobu Yamamoto has built up a reputation of being one of the greatest pitching talents to ever come out of Japan. His ability to command multiple…
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…
No, not for the Dodgers, but rather for me. I wrote this column last night after the game and I plan to write another one tomorrow, but it has been a whirlwind the past few days. Here’s a re-cap going back to last October: October – Had a cardioversion which was successful in…
The next big thing for the LA Dodgers occurs on Thursday, February 16, 2024. That’s when the pitchers and catchers report. The position players report by Monday, February 20, 2024. If the Dodgers have a big signing or trade between now and then, I will be surprised… but not…
I swear that some of the incoherent ramblings I read from some Dodger fans should be prefaced with “ Here’s Johnny! ” First, we hear that the Dodgers need more pitching – of course, even Ray Charles can see that! Fans get excited when they hear that the Dodgers might be in on…
Andrew Friedman characterized 2023 as a “Transition Year” long before the 2023 season started. I do not think that Dodger Fans fully understood what that really meant. In 2022, the Dodgers won 111 games, but in 2023, they “only” won 100 games as they utilized sixteen (count ’em…
I don’t think any Dodger fan (me included) has any idea what kind of effort goes into prospect evaluation, player development, and everything involved with that. How much time do you spend each week on things related to the Los Angeles Dodgers? 40 hours? No way! 20 hours? What…
Why Shohei Ohtani is not Coming to the Dodgers It is fun to think about Ohtani in the Dodgers lineup. There is a lot of talk about marketing opportunities, reaching the Japanese population, and jersey sales. However, let us not forget that the Dodgers put more butts in seats…
A few years ago, a player was called up by the Dodgers, and in his first call-up, he hit .143 with a .250 OB%. It was just eight plate appearances, so there was not much to go on. In his second season, he had 239 plate appearances and hit .215 with a .272 OB%. Well, like many of…
I really do. I also have an irrational fear of them. The Dodgers begin their postseason quest on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, who are fresh off of the Wild Card sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in what could likely be Craig Counsell’s last game for the Brewers. It is…
I did not say that, but the media in Cincinnati IS saying that. Elly is a couple of years younger than Miguel Vargas, who also flopped in his first season in MLB. The media makes a good argument as to De La Cruz’s regression, but where they lose me is the assertion that a…
It seems like a large number of Dodger fans do not like the platoons. They want to see a lineup that rolls out there every day and is the same. What they fail to realize is that is part of what has made the Dodgers one of the best teams in baseball over the last ten years. Some…
Nobody! John Mozeliak, the GM of the St. Louis Cardinals, now says that the Cards are not trading Nolan Arenado… and maybe they aren’t. However, don’t believe anything any MLB baseball executive tells you. PERIOD! Nolan has five years and $144MM remaining on his contract and…
The talent in the Dodger’s bullpen has gone from being the best team in baseball to literally being the worst team in baseball (or very close to it). What is the solution to the bullpen dilution? I think I have it figured out, and it involves Mark Prior. Before you lose your…
The simple way to blame someone for last night’s debacle ‘er, loss, is to say it was on Dave Roberts for starting Chris Taylor at 3B after Max Muncy’s big night. However, that would be short-sighted as well. Max has not fared well against Alex Wood – having just one hit in 9…
Every Dodger fan has their own idea of how to “fix” the Dodgers or how to build them for the playoffs. First of all, the Dodgers don’t need “fixed” – they won 111 games and picked a horrible time to turn cold. After leading MLB in hitting with RISP with a .272 BA (Houston was…
Note: Bulldogs & Penguins has persuaded me that I should post once a week, so that is what I am going to do. It was a good idea. Thanks, B & P! Sunday will be my day to post… except for this week (since today is Saturday). Before someone tries and put words in my mouth, I do not…
Everything is crystal clear! The Dodgers either have to win today, or the 2022 season is over for them. If the Dodgers win, they go back to Chavez Ravine for Game Five, where the winner takes all. If they lose, their best season… the season for the ages is over. It will be a…
The remainder of the regular season is going to be mostly tune-ups for the postseason teams now that a clearer picture has to be decided after the season’s final weekend. The most important series saw the Braves grudge match against the Mets’ two-headed monster, which didn’t go…
A better question is: Who cares what happens next year, this year? Here we are with three games to play, and the Dodgers are stuck on 110 wins. Will they lose 50 games this year? It’s a strong possibility. To put it in perspective, the Dodgers are 61 games over .500. There are…
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…
Do you remember when (not that long ago) when Dodger Fans were questioning whether Farhan Zaidi was the “ Genius behind Andrew Friedman ?” I hear Farhan is awesome at Fantasy Football and Fantasy Baseball, but suddenly his star is getting tarnished in the real thing. He caught…
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes finished the year 68-64 and will miss the playoffs for the first time (not due to COVID-19) since 2014. Scott Hennessey could be in trouble as the manager. The Great Lakes Loon’s season finale was rained out and will not be made up. They finished the…
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…
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…
A lot of Dodger fans have postulated that the Dodgers should “ just extend Trea Turner ” right about now, like “ just push a button, ” and he will be extended. If it were only that simple. I think that right about now, Trea Turner is the best SS in baseball. The Rangers signed…
As you know, a couple of weeks ago I went to Ft. Wayne to see the Great Lakes Loons play the Ft. Wayne Tin Caps and interview some future Dodgers. Earlier this week, I posted the interview with Future Dodger Manager Austin Chubb (I just made that up, but who says it won’t…
The Dodgers Big Hurt A couple of days ago we profiled Dodger relief pitcher Alex Vesia who came over to the Dodgers in the Dylan Floro trade with the Miami Marlins. Those were not the only two players involved in the trade. Right-hander Kyle Hurt also came the Dodgers way. The…
First, to Badger. I love trade scenarios. I do not care how outlandish they are or how realistic they may be. I enjoy reading Bums trade proposals. I am not sure that I ever read one that was realistic, but they are fun. Bluto sometimes gives us scenarios from the baseballtradevalues.com site. They are fun for me. That is what blogs are for. Throw out ideas. To the best of
