Wheelin’ and Dealin’

July 23, 2021

Earlier in the week, there was a little difference in opinion with respect to the Billy McKinney acquisition.   I continue to read how porous LAD’s defense is, and with a gimpy Mookie Betts who may need late-inning defensive help to get him off his hip, a slowing AJ Pollock, questionable defense of Matt Beaty, and the need for CT3 to spend more time in the infield, AF went out and…

Read More >>

The New Rotation

July 9, 2021

With Dustin May, Trevor Bauer, and Clayton Kershaw all out of the picture, at least for the time being, the Dodger starting rotation after the All-Star Break looks like this: Striker Buehler Julio Urias Tony Gonsolin David Price JoJo Gary Yes, I said JoJo Gray. He will get another start… or maybe two at OKC, and hopefully, be built up to at least four innings by then (hey, it’s better…

Read More >>

Phil Bickford – Riding the Simple Train

July 1, 2021

Right-hander Phil Bickford was claimed off waivers from the Brewers by the Dodgers on May 3, 2021. I expect the move was questioned by more than  a few Dodger faithful since the 25-year-old Bickford had previously pitched just two innings at the MLB level – both with the Brewers – resulting in four and two runs scored against him respectively and a Brewer ERA of 27.00. He debuted with the…

Read More >>

Is Clayton Kershaw Declining?

June 6, 2021

Going into last night’s game, Clayton Kershaw had the highest ERA I can remember at this juncture. His ERA was 3.33 before the game and 3.66 after he gave up 5 ER. However, his WHIP sits at 1.01 which is barely above his career average of 1.00. He is now 33 years-old and has started 369 games and pitched 2,403 innings with 2,603 strikeouts. He has 77 strikeouts in about…

Read More >>

At the 1/3 Mark, What is Next?

June 4, 2021

Up to the 1/3 point of this season, we have seen a slumping Mookie Betts, almost no cody Bellinger, some AJ Pollock and some Corey Seager. That’s kind of like an 8-cylinder engine without 4 spark plugs. Tonight Jimmy Nelson and AJ Pollock return and Alex Vesia and Edwin Uceta go back to AAA. You bullpen doom and gloomers are not going to like this, but both of these pitcher’s…

Read More >>

Some Random Thoughts From the Recliner – Doc Edition:

June 1, 2021

While I’m at it, let’s talk about Friedman for a bit. Where’s that vaunted depth I’ve heard so much about? Anybody with just a little bit of baseball knowledge could have seen that Dustin May would go down for the year, Gonsolin would miss significant time and that your number one prospect, Josiah Gray would get injured. Now’s the time to see that depth.

Read More >>

Why the Dodgers Should Trade Corey Seager

May 25, 2021

I have been a huge Corey Seager fan since he came into the league… actually before he came into the league. I said that he was ready in 2014, but Andrew Friedman didn’t listen to me and acquired Jimmy Rollins, instead! I said that Seager could remain at Shortstop and I still believe that he can stay there… for the foreseeable future, but, if the right trade happens to come…

Read More >>

Joe Kelly Has to Pitch

May 21, 2021

I will give you 8 Million reasons why… but those reasons do not last forever. However, at the present juncture Dave Roberts has to find out if Joe Kelly is a viable option. Last night, he did not pitch well (and that is being kind). In his two previous outings he looked much better, while in his first outing, he was bombed. At some point in the next couple of…

Read More >>

Darien Nunez Time?

May 18, 2021

What does Albert Pujols bring to the table? How about just poking the ball through the hole at SS to score Mookie from 3B. That play was better than a thousand words. When you have a chance to score the runner from 3B, you do it. Forget the long ball. Take notes, kids! This is what HOF’ers do!

Read More >>

The Price is Right

April 16, 2021

Here’s an interesting question: How many different pitchers will have saves for the Dodgers this season? The Dodgers already have three different pitchers with saves after Dave Roberts elected to use David Price in a save situation last night. It looked like a bad choice for a minute as Daza and Trejo both singled to start the inning. Then Trevor Story pinch hit and Price fell behind 2-0 only to…

Read More >>