Five Changes That Must Happen Immediately

September 9, 2017

Change #1 Of these four players, only one can be in the lineup at a time: Kike Hernandez Logan Forsythe Joc Pederson Curtis Granderson They are rally killers. Write those words down.  Live by them! Change #2 Justin Turner moves to the #2 spot in the batting order. Corey Seager moves to the #3 spot.  Yes, I know they want to split up the lefties, but Cody and Corey don’t…

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It’s All Dave Roberts Fault!

September 6, 2017

Remember when practically every Dodger fan (me included) wanted to get rid of Chase Utley?  Chase had hit .122 in April, but followed that up with a .314 BA in May.  In June, he was .203 followed by a .278 July.  In August he hit .239 and he is at .125 in 8 September AB’s.  Chase Utley has played a big role in this team’s success and I dare say,…

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Is It Time To Worry About Yu Darvish?

September 3, 2017

In a word, YES!  I was against the acquisition of Darvish or Verlander because I felt both of their arms were about to fall off. Well, it looks like Verlander glued his back on but Yu Darvish has struggled mightily this year.  Frankly, he looks no better than Ryu or Maeda… except that he pitches deeper into games…. well, except that he didn’t last night.  In fact, last night was…

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The Rented Mule Society

September 1, 2017

The Dodger starting pitchers were beat like a rented mule by the D-Bags this week. Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Rich Hill were all pounded without mercy.. and yet (Drummmmmmm Roooooolllllllllll), the Dodgers are still #1 in all of baseball in Team ERA (3.38)and Team WHIP (1.16). The Nationals are second and the Bags are third!   By the way, the bullpen is even better and is also #1 in…

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But, the Bullpen Has Been Awesome…

August 31, 2017

Anyone who suggests that the bullpen is somehow the problem hasn’t been paying attention.  Even after the past two games, the Dodgers starting pitching and bullpen remain the very best in baseball. I am not a meteorologist but I do know that sometimes it is more humid than others.  Barometric pressure, humidity, air temperature and other such things can create a good or poor environment for a pitcher.  No excuses….

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Just a Hiccup – Nothing Terminal

August 28, 2017

Two losses in a row!  The sky is falling!  We are doomed! Not really.  The Dodgers just have the hiccups. They don’t have cancer or heart disease! It will all be fine. It’s a 162 game season and there is no way you can “bring it” every day.  No way, no how!  You can try, but somedays it just ain’t there.  The last I checked, the game was played by…

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Rant and Rave Sunday

August 27, 2017

Last night’s game?  Forgetaboutit! Move on – nothing to see here folks. The team is still on pace to win 115 games.  To break the record they will have to have a .717 winning percentage. With the resting of players and looking at roles for the playoffs, it seems unlikely that they will go the requisite 25-9 the rest of the way in order to beat the record.  The record…

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The Big Blue Dodger Machine

August 26, 2017

I still like the name “The Big Blue Wrecking Crew” but that was another time and another team.  We can’t use the same name again – there are rules against such things.  The 1988 Dodgers were comprised of “The Stunt Men” who include Mickey Hatcher, so that was a fitting moniker too. I thought of other names like “The Blue Juggernaut.”  But, the way this team is built with a…

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King of the Hill

August 24, 2017

I was elated at the way Rich Hill pitched last night. He has had difficulty this year with the blisters and being on and off the DL and failing to get the “feel” for his game.  He has had some good outings starting in July, but, last night he finally put it all together and it is now apparent that the Dodgers have a #1 and three #2’s! Rich Hill…

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Ryu is Officially Back!

August 7, 2017

With three straight outings of seven innings during which time he has only allowed 2 earned runs, Hyun-Jin Ryu is officially back to the guy we used to have.  His velocity is back, his curve is wicked and his control is pinpoint.  He now has pitched 91.2 innings and his ERA is down to 3.53… and falling.  His ERA is better than these starters: Carlos Martinez Alex Cobb Chris Archer…

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