The Kershawshank Redemption

February 29, 2020

Ninety-Three! That’s all you need to know. Clayton Kershaw was clocked at 93 MPH in yesterday’s game. The last time he did that was over 2 years ago! This was his first Spring Game and he was giddy after it… because he knows there is more left in the tank. 94? 95? Maybe… but every MPH of separation between his fastball and slider is HUGE! He sat at 91-92 most…

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It’s Time For Dodger Baseball

February 22, 2020

Time for Dodger Baseball. I like the sound of that as we begin Spring Training games today against the hated Giants. We all know ST games are meaningless in wins and losses, but I still want to see a win in every game. If you compete, compete to win. Before I get into ST, I want to offer my response to the apparent skepticism about the Dodger pitching. Are there…

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Julio Urias: Elite Starter

February 21, 2020

Clayton Kershaw was called up to the Show in 2008 at the age of 20. In 107 IP, he allowed 109 hits, struck out 100, with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.495 WHIP. Of course, he went on to build a Hall-of-Fame Career! Julio Urias was called up to the Show in 2016 at the age of 19. In 77 IP he allowed 81 hits, struck out 84, with a…

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MLB Top Prospects

February 15, 2020

While I favor LAD farmhands and follow them closely, I am a fan of MiLB baseball period. I scour through the top publications to see what prospects the Dodgers might have some interest in, or in my opinion should have interest in. The top three baseball publications have all reported their top 100 prospects and the Dodgers are prominent in all three. Their least representative publication is MLB Pipeline (MLB)…

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The Best Pitching Staff in Baseball

February 1, 2020

Disclaimer: I am not saying that the LA Dodgers have the best pitching in MLB. However, the possibility exists that they COULD. They certainly have the quantity… the quality is in question by some. At the age of 28, he won the CY Young and the MVP with a 24-5 record and a 2.40 ERA. Over the next few years, here was his ERA: Age 29 – 2.64 ERA Age…

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Holding On To Prospects…Chess or Checkers?

January 18, 2020

One of the problems the Dodgers have of going “big game hunting” is that in order to get someone special, one needs to give up someone special.  More than most teams, the Dodgers are very reluctant to give up their top prospects.  Is it any surprise that teams are requiring Gavin Lux or Dustin May for an elite difference making pitcher (or Lindor or Mookie)? There is a big gap…

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Won’t Get Fooled Again!

January 9, 2020

It is highly doubtful that the Dodgers are done this off-season in trying to improve their roster, but let’s suppose this is it.  If the Dodgers make no further moves this off-season.  How will the season turn out? I say they still win the N.L. West by 7-8 games.  They finish the season with 96 wins.  They prepare for the postseason with a trade deadline deal to put them in…

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The Mookie and Price Dilemma

January 6, 2020

I know that many are afraid of a Betts/Price trade because of the financial concerns for David Price, and I can understand that.  So I went back and looked at the Nick Punto trade (I know Mark’s favorite subject); a previous time when the Dodgers assumed a huge financial obligation for a perceived benefit.  I pulled the below article: https://www.beyondtheboxscore.com/2018/3/29/17104518/gonzalez-beckett-crawford-red-sox-dodgers-trade-retrospective One of the lines that caught my eye was when…

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Let the Young Pups Play

January 5, 2020

Puppies . . .  who doesn’t love them?   Part of the charm of puppies is training them and teaching them to help them along the way in their growth to dogs.  “Raising a puppy is not necessarily easy, but it’s an adventure that’s full of rewards as you develop a deep bond with your pup that will last throughout his life. A lot of patience and a little extra effort…

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Stealing From Theo…If Not Now, When?

January 4, 2020

It is time for a little Devil’s Advocacy.  I have been an unapologetic fan of Andrew Friedman and what he has accomplished, and just as critical as to what he has NOT accomplished.  I was critical when AF did not beat out the Astros offer for Gerrit Cole before the 2018 season.  The Astros traded a #5 SP in Joe Musgrove, a decent but unceremonious 3B, Colin Moran, a RHRP…

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