They Called Him a Dog… Turns Out he is a Horse!

May 11, 2024

When the Dodgers traded Ryan Pepiot and Jonny DeLuca for Tyler Glasnow, the naysayers were quick to call Glasnow “Fragile” and “Injury Prone” because they thought they knew what they didn’t know. As it turned out, the pitcher they thought was a dog turned out to be a Workhorse! Tyler Glasnow had one misdiagnosed injury that cost him almost four years of his career. His UCL was not properly attached…

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Who Stays? Who Goes?

May 10, 2024

As the Dodgers prepare to play the Padres in Slam Diego this weekend, it occurred to me that maybe there is a team sitting on a bad contract that the Dodgers might target to get rid of Chris Taylor. I have not had time to consider who that might be, but I’ll bet there is a longer, bigger, bad contract that the Dodgers might take a flyer on. Have fun!…

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FLASH: Progress is not Linear

May 9, 2024

Miguel Vargas, Gavin Stone, Diego Cartaya, Gavin Lux, James Outman and many other prospects prove that the old adage, “Progress in not Linear” is so true. Miguel Vargas had succeeded and mastered every level where he played… except on the MLB Level. Of course, he could play the “broken finger excuse card” but there are no excuses. It is what it is and your stats tell who you are. Miguel…

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It’s Time For CT3 to be the Ultimate Team Player

May 8, 2024

Chris Taylor has always been a big hit-or-miss guy with the bat, but he has selflessly played all over the field and has done a very credible job at it. Need a SS? He can play there. 2B? No problem, 3B? Of course! Anywhere in the outfield? All three spots! Yes, he strikes out a lot… a whole lot, but he is reported to be a very good teammate. In…

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Why Platoons?

May 6, 2024

I know that many of you hate platoons, but I am down with that. You want to see the best players in there every day (or at least, your idea of the best players). The problem is this: the best hitter against many left-handed pitchers is not a left-handed hitter. Sabermetrics and analytics now run baseball, and if you don’t think that is true, you probably believe in the Tooth…

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What’s Next?

May 4, 2024

The Dodgers have some decisions to make. Blake Treinen needs to be activated… probably today, and Walker Buehler is allegedly going to start Monday. So, at least two roster decisions loom. Both moves are obvious – Nabil Crismatt and Gus Varland will go back to OKC (or not, in the case of Crismatt, who is out of options). when Treinen and Buehler are optioned. Daniel Hudson has not been pitching…

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Vargas is Coming!

May 2, 2024

For all the flack that Yamamoto has taken, here he is with a 3-1 record with a 2.01 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Not bad for a guy who is just starting to pitch up to his capability. Knack went back to OKC so that the Dodgers could have a couple of fresh arms in the bullpen, and both Feyeriesen and Varland did their jobs last night. JP i not a…

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Dispense With the Reliever Speculation

April 30, 2024

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…

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Stoned!

April 27, 2024

Well, as much as I like Gavin Stone (and I like him a lot), I confess that I mostly saw him as a high-leverage bullpen piece… until yesterday. 7 IP, 2 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K. OK, yes, he was a bit lucky, but he went seven innings and allowed one earned run ! WOW! JUST WOW! In my defense, I have never seen Gavin Stone throw a…

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Everyone Hits, or Nobody Hits

April 25, 2024

Of course, that is a generalization that is not always true, but it is true enough of the time that I am concerned. Last night, the Dodgers scored 11 runs on 20 hits. Betts and Smith had 4 hits each, while Ohtani and Pages had 3 each. Muncy and Lux had two each. It was quite an offensive explosion, but I question why. Why is it frequently feast or famine?…

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