Dodgers 3K Play-Off Plan

October 3, 2018

Actually, the Dodgers don’t have a 3K play-off plan, at least that I know of, although they would take it if it happened. Perhaps I should say when it happens. We have all heard of 3M and 3D as well as 3R which is a recycling motto – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.  Some of us will remember another 3R. For those too young, the 3 R’s referred to reading ‘riting and ‘rithmetic  …

Read More >>

Projected 2018 Dodgers NLDS Roster

October 2, 2018

Now that the regular season is through, we can begin to speculate as to what will make up the NLDS roster.  It really shouldn’t be that difficult for 23 of the 25 players, but those last two will surely draw some scrutiny. IMO the givens:   Starting Pitching (4): Clayton Kershaw Hyun-jin Ryu Walker Buehler Rich Hill   Bullpen (8): Kenley Jansen Kenta Maeda Alex Wood Pedro Baez Scott Alexander…

Read More >>

The Dodgers ARE in. HOW is the Question…

September 30, 2018

We should know the answer by later in the afternoon (EDT). The Dodgers will play: At the Brewers in the Wild Card game; At the Cubs in the Wild Card game; Verses the Rockies in Game 163; or Verses the Braves in Game 1 of the NLDS. It could take me until this evening to explain it all, so we will just wait and see what happens, but the best…

Read More >>

Player Development is not Always Linear

September 29, 2018

Pitchers and hitters don’t progress from one stage to another in a straight line. That’s what we would like, because we like predictable.  We like things neatly arranged and sequential, but baseball player development happens so differently… and sometimes, so maddeningly different than what we like, that we are frequently frustrated beyond belief. This time last year, Striker Buehler, who was then named “Walker” Buehler,  was stinking up the joint…

Read More >>

Is This the 2017 Big Blue Again?

September 20, 2018

I like contrarians.  They keep us thinking.  Sometimes we end up supporting a player more vociferously than may be called for.  Think Bums and Joc, Mark and Grandal, MJ and Toles, and of course me and Wood. Most of us have been frustrated with how this season has unfolded and have made some disparaging comments regarding FAZ or Doc, or players such as Joc, Wood, Puig, Dozier, CT3, and lately…

Read More >>

The Master Plan was Diabolical…

September 15, 2018

Maybe Guggenheim and Company invested heavily in a pharmaceutical firm that had a new blood pressure medication and the plan was for the Dodgers and their coaching staff to do whatever was necessary to keep to Dodgers treading water, choking in the clutch, implosions of the bullpen, freaky lineups to drive up Dodger fans’ blood pressure so that they would seeking this new wonder drug to lower their collective blood…

Read More >>

Legends of the Fall

September 13, 2018

I always use that title once this time of year. This is where legends are made and you never know who will step up when you least expect it. What better legend to feature that one Sanford Koufax, as his protegee goes tonight. If New Orleans is really The Big Easy, then St. Louis is The Big (It Ain’t) Easy for the LA Dodgers. With just two weekends left in…

Read More >>

Rant and Rave Wedenesday

September 5, 2018

Last night had a happy ending, but it looked bad for a while as Rich Hill gave up 4 runs in the first three innings.  He threw 103 pitches. 75 of which were strikes, and his curveball was amazing.  It really was a good outing and the two HR were (in my opinion) just one of those things. Hill pitched a strong 6 innings and kept the Dodgers in the…

Read More >>

Hang on for a Wild Ride!

September 3, 2018

A lot of things just changed over the weekend. Big Time! The Dodgers are in sole possession of First Place… hopefully to never relinquish it! Matt Kemp got his mojo back. Kenley Jansen got his back too. Kike Hernandez just rises to any occasion: HR, defense, bunt! The Dodgers won 3 back-to-back-to back games by the same score, 3-2. When was the last time that happened?  Like NEVER…. but I…

Read More >>

The Slime Art of Second-Guessing

September 1, 2018

OK, you all likely know what happened last night:  Joc Pederson drove in the first run against Zack Greinke. Hyun-Jin Ryu had pitched 7 strong innings when Roberts pinch-hit for him with Kike Hernandez.  On a 2-2 pitch from Greinke, Kike jacked the ball out of the stadium to tie the game at 2-2.  Next, Dylan Floro played the role of set-up man and shut down the D-Bags in the…

Read More >>