The Dodger starters are 11th in MLB ERA (3.68), while the relievers are 12th (3.64). Overall, the Dodgers rank 10th in MLB Team ERA (3.66). That has prompted much speculation by fans as to the Dodgers needing to trade for bullpen help. As usual, many fans have sight but lack vision. All over the blogosphere, some Dodger fans suggest that the Dodgers need a closer as Evan Phillips is 8-8…
Singer Ray Stevens is given credit for writing the phrase “There is none so blind as he who will not see” in a line from the song “Everything Is Beautiful” which was released in 1970. I actually think someone said it long before Crazy Ray. Now, I am not proclaiming that everything is beautiful in Dodgertown, but it is looking better. Houston Mitchell said it best: My name is Houston Mitchell, and…
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…
… and I am not talking about the Old Bear! Last night was just one of those games, where the bear got us! Some of you want to try and pin it on Roberts, Hernandez, Almonte, or Ferguson, and of course, it is just not that simple. Some of you wonder why on earth Roberts brought Phillips in on Friday night when the game was well in hand. Well, Phillips…
For a number of years, the Dodgers have had a “Designated Closer.” Most recently, it was Kenley Jansen, followed by Craig Kimbrel. A while before that, it was Game Over Gagne… and others. Many Dodgers fans wanted the Dodgers to sign a closer this Winter. Of course, the usual names came up: Liam Hendriks of the White Sox and David Bednar of the Pirates. I am going to suggest that…
After the craziness of the past couple of days… we are moving on. I have my opinions, and I do not care if you agree or not. In fact, I put my opinions out there so that you can disagree. Disagree with them all you want, but if you have a take and do not suck, that is fine. If you want to misquote me or attribute things I did…
There is an old saying in baseball that you can never have too much pitching, so it seems logical that Dodger fans want Andrew Friedman to pick up more pitchers. Some Dodger fans thought that Andrew Friedman would sign Justin Verlander or Jacob deGrom. He didn’t sign either one and then proceeded to let Andrew Heaney, Tyler Anderson, Chris Martin, and Tommy Kahnle walk. Now I hear Dodger fans want…
I know it bugs him, so here it is. 😉 The Dodgers clinched the NL West in May… or they might as well have done it then. Right about now, sitting on 108 wins and knowing they will play the Rockies for six games at home and then be off for the next five days, they aren’t exactly excited. Many players are just going through the paces. Gavin Lux’s neck…
I have always wondered about the predictability of having a closer and why teams have simply gone in the direction of having a 9th 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 night is probably not the best managerial strategy. It may be for teams with limited bullpen resources, but not with…
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 players that they don’t have to protect. If they don’t, they will lose some through the rule 5 draft or have to DFA them.”…