Game Number Four: A Night to Forget

March 4, 2021

Some games have highlight nd some have lowlights. It seems to me that last night’s game was of the lowlight variety. Nothing worth remembering… well, maybe a couple of things: The Pitchers Julio Urias has filthy stuff, but he still has not figured out the first inning. This needs to change. There is something about the first inning… Bring him in the second, fifth, ninth inning and he is fine….

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AC Observations After Three ST Games

March 3, 2021

The Spring is three games in, and to draw any conclusions would be foolhardy.  But I still have some observations from what I have seen thus far.  For the first three games, the pitching has been outstanding.  Albeit, without Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, Oakland’s offense is just north of woeful, as is Colorado without Trevor Story and Charlie Blackmon.  The Giants did not play but a couple of regulars….

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Game Two Analysis

March 2, 2021

Disclaimer: What we are seeing is through the microcosm of Spring Training. Current performance is not evidence of future prospects. It is a small sampling. Some of it is skill and some of it is luck. Take it all with a grain of salt. The Position Players It was great to see Gavin Lux get two hits in three at-bats. If anything, all he needs is confidence and he should…

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They Saved the Best for Last

March 1, 2021

NOTE: Jeff knew what I was going to lead off with today! 😉 Yes, I know it is early, but the best thing I saw all game yesterday… and I saw a lot of good things, was Michael Grove’s pitching! I wish there was a radar gun, but his stuff looked great. He has an arsenal of pitches and showed an excellent feel. I have always thought he would be…

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ST Begins – Dodgers with Overall Best Depth and Talent

February 28, 2021

October 27, 2020… After that unforgettable strikeout of Willy Adames  by Julio Urias Almost four months to the day, the Dodgers are going to be taking the field in an actual baseball game, even if it is only a ST game.  The Dodgers are starting 32 year old LHP, Mike Kickham.  Kickham signed a MiLB contract on January 27.  Lat year Kickham last year pitched for Boston, and pitched in…

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It’s (Almost) Time for Dodger Baseball

February 27, 2021

I wonder if the Dodgers could lure Vin Scully back to do a few games this year? It might give him some solace and joy and allow him some time away from his grief. It would also overjoy Dodger fans just to hear him one last time: Everyone processes grief differently, so it may be out of the question or well within reason. At any rate, it’s just an idea…

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All Positions are Set, But One!

February 25, 2021

Outfield is Set Cody Bellinger in CF is is allegedly healthy and should be ready for another “monster season” after shoulder surgery. Mookie Betts has RF nailed down for the next dozen years, so that is set. LF belongs to AJ Pollock as long as he can stay healthy. He hasn’t done that much, but when he did, he was All-Star Caliber. The outfield is set. The only question is…

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The Times, They are a-Changin’

February 23, 2021

I am sad to say that it appears to me that Street & Smith’s Baseball Yearbook has ceased production. Since I was a kid, I have always bought Athlon Sports Baseball Preview, Lindy’s Sports Baseball Preview, and Street & Smith’s Baseball. It appears that Street & Smith’s has bit the dust and Athlon and Lindy’s can’t be far behind. Time marches on but the nostalgia seems to be waning. Print…

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2021 – Gavin Lux Starts Over

February 21, 2021

It was Thursday, June 9, 2016.  What a great birthday present for me, Day 1 of the MLB Rule 4 (First Year Player) Draft.  Everything I was reading indicated that the Dodgers were leaning towards a HS shortstop as their #1 draft pick.  They had two other first rounders that they could spend on college picks (and did: Will Smith and Jordan Sheffield).  But the thought of grabbing a HS…

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Everything is on the Table

February 18, 2021

2021 could shape up to be the most unusual season on record… and that is saying a mouthful since COVID-19-2020 was absolutely Bat S___t Crazy! Here’s why: It was a 60 game season – some players struggle for 50 games only to shine for the next 100. Other players shine for 50 games and struggle the next 100 games. Some minor league prospects grow by two or three levels and…

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