19 Games To Go – Do They Go to the Whip?
My quick answer is NO! The Dodgers are going to make the playoffs barring a horrific collapse. These next three games with Colorado are the Rockies’ World Series, so watch out. I talked with a friend of mine who is a big baseball fan (not the Dodgers), and we came up with some…
My quick answer is NO! The Dodgers are going to make the playoffs barring a horrific collapse. These next three games with Colorado are the Rockies’ World Series, so watch out. I talked with a friend of mine who is a big baseball fan (not the Dodgers), and we came up with some engaging scenarios. He thinks that the Dodgers are “sandbagging.” Here’s what he means by that: We all know that the Dodgers’ Analytics are among the best (if not THE best) in baseball. Other teams are gaining ground, but they are not there yet.
He thinks they are sandbagging in that each hitter and pitcher has a “book” on them:
- What is their go-to pitch in certain situations of the game, or where they are in the count?
- What patterns do hitters and pitchers have?
- The Dodgers and other teams have been compiling this all season, knowing that they can “flip the script” in the playoffs.
It sounds pretty far out and dangerous to me, but we shall see. I did question him on the fact that the Dodgers are the only MLB team that pushes DEI, and they have lost 30% more time to the IL than any other team. His response was that “maybe it’s a shocking coincidence.” Could be…
At any rate, what if the Dodgers hitters and pitchers change up their patterns in the playoffs? It’s worth considering… Batting average (.236) in 2025 is on pace to be the lowest in MLB history—lower than any full season since records began in 1871.OPS (.698) is the weakest since 1989 and ranks among the bottom 40 seasons in over 150 years of professional baseball. Here’s a comparison of the past several years:
Maybe it makes Michael Conforto’s stats look a little better. Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge are the only players with an OPS over 1.000. There are only six players with an OPS over 900.
Several factors contribute to the declining offense, namely, enhanced pitching depth and velocity: Bullpens are loaded with high-velocity pitchers, and hitters rarely face the same arm multiple times in a game. Hitters aren’t seeing the same pitcher 3-4 times … facing a guy who throws 100 mph and a splitter in the 6th … is incredibly difficult.
There is still time for Yates, Scott, and Treinen to “find” themselves… or maybe Ohtani becomes the closer.
Dave Roberts is receiving a lot of criticism (all unwarranted in my opinion, as he is not going to the whip, but I am certain that is an organizational decision). They are saving the best for last!
P.S. Anyone who thinks Andy Pages should have caught that home run should seek help.
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Discussion (92)
Disagree, not disagreeable
10:10 PM ET
Rockies (40-103)
Dodgers (79-64)
SP Chase Dollander R
2-12 6.76 ERA
SP Tyler Glasnow R
1-3 3.41 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
RF T. Hernandez R
LF M. Conforto L
2B Hyeseong Kim L
CF Andy Pages R
C Ben Rortvedt L
74° Wind 10 mph Out
The Los Angeles Dodgers promoted their No. 1 and No. 2 prospects, Josue De Paula and Zhyir Hope, to Double-A Tulsa on Monday. De Paula ranks as the No. 12 prospect in baseball, while Hope is No. 19.
The Braves have claimed RP Alexis Diaz off waivers from the Dodgers, according to David O’Brien of The Athletic. Atlanta has space available on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move is necessary to bring Diaz into the organization.
09/08/25 Los Angeles Dodgers activated 3B Max Muncy from the 10-day injured list.
09/08/25 Los Angeles Dodgers optioned C Chuckie Robinson to Oklahoma City Comets.
Edman (ankle) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Manager Dave Roberts stated he’s hopeful Smith (hand) will return to the starting lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Rockies, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Vesia (oblique) expects to be activated from the 15-day injured list before Tuesday’s game against the Rockies, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
That was quite the string of comments on the prior thread. Well done.
My initial take is that – that sounds far-fetched.
Why would any hitter do that?
Although I could see pitchers doing something different then their normal sequences to set up future scenarios.
I agree that Roberts is not blame for the majority of the problems over the past 2-months, but he has made some mistakes also.
While I know that the Dodgers will go with experience over youth – the combo of Yates and Scott scare the crap out of me.
I am not buying the DEI as each player mentioned would be welcomed on 90% of the other teams out there. – saying “coincidence” but reserve the right to change my mind:)
I am undecided on Ohtani – pitcher/DH vs. DH, as the sample size is too small at this time.
While Treinen was the main reason for the debacle the other night I still have faith in him based on his performances in the playoffs.
Well, now, we certainly see what Tyler Glasnow brings to the table…
Holy shit, now what? He’s gone 7 but is up to 105 pitch count, wouldn’t want to be Roberts right now,
On another topic. You have to give Roberts credit for throwing Treinen and Scott out there again after their last debacle. So it goes down as a bold move showing that he has confidence in his players. If they failed again, there would probably be a lynch mob at his door. So in the end its up to the players to perform
Funny, but it seems to me that “sandbagging” and a heavy use of the “IL” actually fit hand in glove.
And you’ve presented zero evidence that DEI is a factor. Seems like pure speculation. Or maybe, worse, wishful thinking.
At any rate, isn’t “slow-playing” a form of sandbagging?
With their money and depth, the Dodgers don’t have to put their best team on the field to make the playoffs. They want to keep players healthy and save their best for last– for this final push.
On a small-market team fighting for a playoff spot, a star catcher with a bruised hand might be needed on the field.
Whether we call it sandbagging or slow-playing, the plan seems to be falling into place.
Max and Vesia are back, and Edman should be soon, followed by Rushing. Very soon Smith will be back behind the dish.
Today, Glasnow was superb, and followed Yamamoto and Kershaw in reminding us just how formidable the rotation can be. (Given Glasnow’s apparent fragility, I was fine with Roberts taking him out.)
Tanner Scott, in blowing the shared no-hitter, reminded us of just how shaky the bullpen is. I was half-expecting him to give up a homer to tie the score–but the batter lined it into Max’s glove. That’s maybe a millimeter on the barrel away from a double down the line. This time, Scott may have simply dodged a bullet.
To my mind, the optimal lineup hasn’t changed much from early season. Mostly we’ve learned that Kim can play and that Conforto should be on the bench.
Let’s go to the whip with this:
Shohei DH
Mookie SS
Freddie 1B
Smith C
Max 3B
Pages RF
Teo LF
Edman CF
Kim/Rojas 2B
Bench: Rushing, Kike, Conforto, Call
It’s been obvious for months that Pages should play RF and Teo could move back to LF. Plus, he has been out-performing Teo on offense, and the math says he should be batting ahead of Teo in the lineup.
Edman’s return should take care of CF, with Kike and Call as options as well. I was tempted to just go with Kim at 2B, but Rojas has been playing so well that a platoon seems like a good idea.
BTW, I think Mark’s theory as to why offense is in decline is spot-on.
The evidence shows just so much velocity in the game today. Meanwhile, batting coaches like RVS are emphasizing power over contact.
Perhaps the pendulum could swing back a bit. Mookie credits his recent surge to a change in his swing to emphasize line drives over loft. Down the road, maybe a guy like Kendall George can benefit with his contact-first approach.
The matter of velocity brings to mind a YouTube video I stumbled upon a while back featuring the old “Game of the Week.” Todd Stottlemeyer was pitching, and announcer Keith Jackson intoned that he could “throw 92 and 93 miles per hour…. So he brings the heat!”
Boy, are people upset when you challenge the use of DEI.
“Circle the wagons – this heretic must be stopped.”
I will acknowledge that DEI started out as a noble thing, but you have to consider that it may not be that in practice.
If you are so inclined, then check out Professor Glenn Loury of Brown University on the subject.
I am not going to discuss it any more because if you were rational, you would not think it.
In the win, the Dodgers still got just four hits.
The offense is offensive.
Hopefully Max and Tommy help.
The Padres beat the Reds to stay a game behind in the NL West.
Lux took the collar and is now at .268/.719 OPS
Glasnow, while he had a few too many 3-2 counts, was dealing last night. it’s become a common practice for pitchers to throw 100 pitches and not reach 7 innings. is it pitch calling? probably some as pitchers look for chase. patient hitters won’t chase. like say Teo and Pages sometimes do. Does umpiring have anything to do with it? absolutely! extended at bats, more base on balls, ABS. could help there. Defensive miscues? absolutely. especially dodger outfield defense. throws to the wrong base, missing the cutoff man. Nibbling? yes. Point? there are no more Graig Maddux’s around anymore. Teams don’t want to risk hurting the arms of their “prized “ possessions. Yamamoto 112 pitches saturday. Glasnow 105 last night. you can bet they probably won’t get close to that next start. Strange that The dodgers limit Clayton to 75-80 pitches at 37 years old. he’s never had arm issues! Snell? great stuff ! As good as anyone in the league. But Blake doesn’t seem to mind the base on balls even though it cuts into his game longevity. I guess i just yearn for the days of 7-9 innings with 90 100 pitches the norm. Great job last night Tyler! if you do things like that , you’re worth every penny you signed for! ….. is it possible Teo could find more ‘Bench “ time when Edman returns? He looks absolutely horrible at the plate ! Pages in right field. Edman in center field. a platoon of conforto and call in left? The Dodgers still looking for big hits with runners in scoring position and less than 2 outs. Mookie was money last night! Teo is awful right now and time is running out for him to get his groove back! …. Felt sorry for the dodger catcher last night. Tyler was obviously aggravated with him last night. Tough position for him! …. Dodgers starters are really dealing right now now! Perfect timing right? Bullpen? Very scary! … Emmit goes 7 tonight! Book it, right Dano?
I know you’re not talking about it, but I agree 100% with you Mark about the DEI subject. Someone mentioned earlier in this thread that the last out last night was only inches from being a double…. I’d like to add that Tanner was hit pretty hard by everyone he faced last night. I’m very happy he got a save and we won, but he was far from the dominant lefty he used to be. Tyler was masterful pitching last night… even though he wasn’t real happy with his catcher. ( tough spot for the young guy). Who goes down when Vesia comes back tonight ?
wrobleski should stay . sample size says he’s more valuable. he can pitch short or long. Henriquez is lucky to make it through 1 inning lately. 101 is nice, but give me Wrobleski and his 98-99.
Teo still has value with his power. Maybe a trade could be made for a few prospects in the off-season. After the lack of solid D this year, it may be a Dodgers priority next year, but I doubt they will sacrifice dingers for defense.
Big set of brass ones for doc to send out the two guys who blew the last two games.
175 games a year the last three years for most of this team plus spring training. They could be a little gassed.
If the lights out starting pitching continues, this team will go far.
kyle tucker is coming to chavez ravine next year! teo probably ends up back in toronto i would guess.
just having fun. there are rumors he will end up in la. i don’t see teo in right field next year. Maybe left, but not right. He probably needs to DH from now on. i’m not kicking him to the curb, just want him to get right at the plate! he can be a monster offensively!
Many Dodgers fans are still saying that Pages should have caught the Home Run that broke up Yamamoto’s no-hitter.
Yeah, he would have caught it had he been a foot taller with a 65-inch vertical leap.
They are seeing with their hearts… not their eyes.
wasn’t meant to be! but the starting pitching is really starting to jell. i’m afraid Teo doesn’t get to a ball 95%. of right fielders in baseball catch. love the guy’s smile. we just have not seen it enough lately!