Kimbrel is Fixed… For Now!
That means he is really not fixed – you can just see the momentum shift as he throws strikes and then throws balls. I hope, wish, and pray he is fixed, but he’s not. I hope to the Big Dodger in the Sky that I am wrong. He’s Kenley Jansen revisited. The Dodgers will rue the day…
That means he is really not fixed – you can just see the momentum shift as he throws strikes and then throws balls. I hope, wish, and pray he is fixed, but he’s not. I hope to the Big Dodger in the Sky that I am wrong. He’s Kenley Jansen revisited. The Dodgers will rue the day they did not DFA him. He looked great his last time out as well as in the 9th inning, but then the Dodgers had to rely on Chris Martin to bail them out. Craig Kimbrel will break our hearts… if allowed!
I would have taken him out after the 9th inning, but I am not going to criticize Doc for letting him in. I am sure Mark Prior endorsed it as well. I just thought Kimbrel should have had the opportunity to build on another good inning. It was a decision that was made, and I will not second guess it like many fans who have never had to make such a decision but are quick to criticize Doc when Doc has so much more inside information than them. I guess it makes them feel important to criticize the manager who has the best record in baseball (All-Time).
I see fans say, “that was a horrible decision.” OK, when things don’t work, yeah, it did not work out. But was it a horrible decision, or did the player just not execute? It’s like some fans think Doc does things just to lose the game. That is really some horrible thinking. No, it is a total lack of thinking! I call it “immense moronism.” Of course, Doc wants to win every game, but he also knows that JT had a low-grade fever, that Gavin LUx had a stiff neck, and Caleb Ferguson had an ingrown toenail removed today. I made all that up, but it’s stuff you will never know, that Doc does, and yet you pretend to know better than Doc. GROW UP!
In the 2019 playoffs, when Kershaw gave up two back-to-back Home Runs, was that on Doc? Hell no! Many Dodger fans blame Clayton, but Doc did not throw a pitch. Clayton himself will tell you he messed up. It was on Clayton. If Clayton had executed his pitches, he was out of the inning. He didn’t, and that was that. You can blame Doc, but I blame Clayton. Truth be known, Clayton blames himself too. It was not Doc’s managing that cost the Dodgers the win; it was Clayton’s lack of execution.
Why did Trayce not start against the RHP, because we all know he has reverse splits? Was he tweaked? Was he sick? Was he tired? Does he have a bad record against Lopez? No clue, but I guarantee that Doc wants to win as badly as anyone. Actually, more because he has financial incentives attached to winning… to say nothing of his job. Very few of us have a clue of what inside information Dave Robert has access to, but many pretend they do…. because… well, because it makes them feel important!
When something goes wrong, we like to be able to blame someone. “IT’S THEIR FAULT!” Doc can put the players in a position to be successful, but the rest is up to them. AS Bluto reminded us last night, the Dodgers are on track to win the most games in franchise history… barring a total collapse. And… let’s not forget how they did that:
- Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Cody Bellinger underperformed much of the season.
- Craig Kimbrel was a bust as a closer for much of the season.
- Walker Buehler blew out his arm and was never a factor.
- Clayton Kershaw was on the DL twice.
- Relievers were dropping like flies, but Friedman bought them cheap and stacked them deep!
Despite the adversity, here they are. The best team in baseball with one of the most criticized managers because… well… I think most of you understand that to have the best manager’s record, you have to be pretty dang good. Dave Roberts is not perfect, but he has made more right decisions more often than not, and in fact, has made the right decisions more than any other manager in baseball since he started managing. Yes, Andrew Fredman gave him a good team, and Dave Roberts managed it accordingly.
I also think that if you understood how much Doc collaborated with the front office, you would understand that the decisions you place on him are the product of the Dodgers’ Braintrust. It is a fact that the Dodgers have an “Inner Circle” composed of about a dozen individuals who make these decisions and “brainstorm” situations and solutions. Who is in that group? Here’s the list:
- Andrew Friedman
- Dave Roberts
- Brandon Gomes
- Josh Byrnes
- Jeffery Kingston
- David Finley
- Ron Roenicke
- Pat Corrales
- Chase Utley
- Matt McGrath
- Jose Vizcaino
- Sam Elias
… and coaches like Mark Prior, Josh Bard, Conner McGuiness, and Danny Lehmann can also be involved. It could be an informal meeting or a Zoom call with 12 to 15 people on the call, discussing game planning and strategy. So, when you blame Dave Roberts for many of your imagined failings, you are really blaming the Dodger’s Braintrust. I guess that makes you smarter than them all. Andrew Friedman could just fire them and save a lot of money by only paying you. Ha, Ha!
The Dodgers are in a very good position right about now. Even losing Tony Gonsolin for a couple of weeks won’t hurt. In fact, it will likely help him be fresh… providing there really is really no bad underlying injury… just a strain. The thing is: the Dodgers play the injuries very close to their vests, so we really don’t know. What we do know is that the arm injury was of the degree that the Dodgers training staff were willing to sign their names and sign off to it, so it is not a phantom injury. Tony Gonsolin has pitched 128.1 innings and needs 33.9 innings in order to qualify for the ERA title. He will not likely get that requisite number of innings, but he can still win the Cy Young. It all boils down to who does what the rest of the way. Tony is in the running, but so are Sanda Alcantra and Julio Urias. Tyler Anderson has an outside chance.
It’s time to accept that in a short playoff series, this may be the Dodgers rotation:
- Julio Urias
- Dustin May
- Tony Gonsolin
- Clayton Kershaw
That leaves Heaney and Anderson to eat some chunks of the game. The truth is, the Dodgers could withstand another injury to their staff. Gonsolin may be out longer than we believe. Forearm strains are frequently indicators that Tommy John is imminent. The Dodgers think they caught it early, so he may be fine, but you never know. They have so many arms coming back that it is insane. Dave Roberts will only use Craig Kimbrel for one inning from now on… we have seen that movie, and it won’t happen again, but Man-O-Man, did Chris Martin sack up or what? Don’t forget about Andrew Miller and Gavin Stone as well.
Andrew Friedman is intrigued by Danny Duffy in high-leverage situations. He may just get his wish soon. This team is loaded, and it would be awesome to take two out of three from the Mets. Andrew Heaney takes the mound tonight!
Enjoy!
Miguel Vargas is just getting his “man strength.” Watch out! No way the Dodgers trade this guy. He is going to be a star. Write it down.
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Discussion (94)
Disagree, not disagreeable
And meanwhile, Outman hits for the cycle…AGAIN.
Unreal.
Of course I hope that Belli and Gallo and Taylor stay healthy…. of course I do!…, but I would mind seeing Outman come back up either.
So Doc brings in a new call-up in the ninth to save the game. the guy does his job and Mark’s comment is “I’d rather be lucky than good”. Wow! how about acknowledging that Doc put the right guys in the right positions at the right time and they won the game. How about Buck? Any comments about him? He seems to be everyone’s manager of the year.
Doc has the best winning percentage in the history of baseball. Period!
So what would you have done Mark? Phillips in the 8th to face the heart of their lineup. Reed comes in to face the bottom in the 9th. Why would you risk any possible injury tonPhillips coming back for a 2nd inning in the rain?
Miguel Vargas was pulled out tonite on the second inning and is heading to New York to join Dodgers in the taxi squad!
I’d rather be lucky than good.
Well, FWIW, Doc said there wasn’t anyone more available. 4 bullpen pitchers, the thing was how to jugle them.
Strange use of the BP in the 9th but it worked out so all is good. What a crowd, felt and sounded like a playoff crowd. Clearly the Mets fans want the Mets to be what the Dodgers are and they were into the game from play ball.
Love the Citi Field experience, Long Island Railroad from
Penn Station to the game was east but very crowded with Mets fans and US Open Tennis fans and getting back on the LIRR out of the stadium was quite the experience.
Would highly recommend NYC for Dodger fans if it’s on your bucket list.
Who are Hembree and Reed? How did these guys get brought up? Why qualified Reed to close? I know Kimbrel pitched yesterday…but certainly they had someone more worthy than Reed, didn’t they?
Of course, I’m glad he saved it.
This win almost seemed disrespectful….
“We’re so good, Mets, that we’ll turn a close game on the road over to a couple of guys we just called in from OKC.”
Nice to have Lux back. And Trayce just keeps hitting…,
On the downside, Heaney still gives up HRs…..
Stat check: As measured by OPS of qualified players, Dodgers rank first in the MLB at catcher, SS and RF, and Freeman is second to Goldschmidt. Lux is 4th at 2B.
Among all outfielders, Mookie is second to Judge. (Since returning to the Dodgers, Trayce’s OPS would be among the leaders.)
Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers are just showing off now Jake Reed for the save.
Doc sure is a genius today!
Who said this was an important, playoff preview.
Jake Reed with zero saves is in as the closer
It’ll be nice to have Miguel Vargas in LF next year, and not the “swing and miss’ brothers we have in the OF now.
Home run ball is starting to become worrisome
Oops….. concerning
Heath Hembree?
Wow, way to start off playing like a bad Little league team. Just give them a two run head start, at least.
Why so many gloom and doom comments?
We will roll-over these Mets .
Let’s GO DODGERS!!
Win4Vin
At Citi Field for my 20th MLB ballpark visit. Beautiful park with an exceptional front door that is a rotunda and an excellent museum to the Mets.
Weather right now is beautiful with a subway that was packed with baseball and US Open tennis fans.
Go Dodgers!
JayB, it seems like the only time you comment on this site is to talk about Doc. I’m not taking the bait. You want to run cover for him like Mark? Be my guest.
I’ll just leave this right here…
Open on www.google.comhttps://www.google.com/search?q=dave+roberts+questionable+moves&sxsrf=ALiCzsZz6DD8uR883EkBSFvKjOZ1tRZptA%3A1661893469300&source=hp&ei=XXsOY9miDLDXkPIP7qq96Aw&iflsig=AJiK0e8AAAAAYw6JbSK3Pmu_4SSTqfavdSk1fupIcYS5&ved=0ahUKEwiZxYvPu-_5AhWwK0QIHW5VD80Q4dUDCAk&uact=5&oq=dave+roberts+questionable+moves&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAMyBAgjECc6BwgjEOoCECc6DQguEMcBEK8BEOoCECdQygRYygRglQloAXAAeACAAY0BiAGNAZIBAzAuMZgBAKABAqABAbABCg&sclient=gws-wizHere’s one of my favorites…
Open on www.sportingnews.comhttps://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/six-dave-roberts-moves-in-game-5-that-were-head-scratching-at-best-malpractice-at-worst/1lloesxdfzr9q1iizjhzxmyzj2Roster moves:
Bickford and Grove to OKC
Eddy Alvarez dfa
Reed and Heath Hembree to LA.
Hembree’s stay is sure to be a very short one.
Rating of player skills is not a definite science, however……………………………………
Baseball America has just published their year end “Best Tools” list for AAA.
Their choice for the best DEFENSIVE third baseman – Miguel Vargas
They also picked him as best PCL batting prospect, but that was probably to be expected.
Taylor’s K rate has reached epidemic proportions. I see no light on the horizon. He continues to chase pitches he cannot square up. Hate to tell you this Dodgerram. but of the five guys you mentioned, the only one on the bubble I see is Gallo. Muncy, CT3, Barnes and Hanser are making the team. No way they bring a rookie into a pressure packed playoff scenario. As much as I like Vargas and Busch, they have about as much chance of being on the playoff roster as me. Rios is a real possibility. He has been there before. Jorge, MLB makes the rules about the roster limits. 14 pitchers and 14 position players. And do not even bring up Bellinger. His defense is what he is in there for. And he is simply the best out there.
7:10 PM ET
Dodgers (89-38)
Mets (82-47)
SP Andrew Heaney L
2-1 1.94 ERA 41.2IP 12BB 62K
SPTaijuan Walker R
10-3 3.37 ERA 117.1IP 35BB 88K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
DH Joey Gallo L
2B Gavin Lux L
LF T. Thompson R
CF C. Bellinger L
C A. Barnes R
Partly-cloudy-day
6% Rain
79° Wind 14 mph R-L
My Lineup has some added info.
So as I’ve said as a fan and poster here, Alls Well that Ends Well. If the outcome is positive it didn’t matter how we played.
But as a coach, I don’t actually believe that. I want to see good performances.
I never coached to WIN. Winning is a product of your players playing well. If you have good players and they execute well, your chances of winning are good. Sometimes some dude just shoves it up your nose or a batter hits your best pitch out of the park. They get paid too.
To me, winning is a Journey. Not a Destination. I played that way too. You do your best but you expect to do well in big situations. Failing to show up in post season is unacceptable if you prepared properly throughout the season and you are healthy.
It’s a long season. It’s hard to be motivated sometimes especially with a big lead and when Doc is trying stuff. But I’m not satisfied with 2 infield errors in one inning, or failing to hit a cut-off man, or failing to back up a base. Hustling and doing what’s expected takes no talent and should be the minimum standard.
I am concerned about left field and our difficulties with LHP. I would like to see Vargas and maybe Outman get a look but there is only room for 1 call up. And while that’s doable, it doesn’t help us much for the playoffs this year. I’m pretty sure Thompson, CT3, and Gallo will be out there and not a rookie call-up. And you know Bellinger will be in center for his defense, speed and base running and the hope that he will occasionally run into one.
I don’t like what I’m seeing from all the outfielders except Mookie. Last night, for example, Trayce, CT3, Gallo and Belli were 1 for 11 with 7 K’s. And this wasn’t against a quality staff. Thompson is killing RHP but nobody can hit LHP. I’m not referring to one game. I am not comfortable with the bottom of our order especially against playoff pitching.
Unless CT3 gets it going, I’d suggest that despite his experience and versatility, he wouldn’t make my playoff roster. Since he returned on August 5th, he’s hitting .185 with 30 K’s in 65 AB’s. That’s pushing a 50% strikeout rate. I might take my chances with Outman or Vargas if CT3 doesn’t get better.
For the next 30 games, I’m looking for somebody who can hit LHP. But for now, All’s Well that Ends Well”.
did anyone see Houston Mitchell’s article in the LA Times? He shows how the
Dodgers have fared against pitchers from the other likely NL playoff teams. Read and enjoy:
deGrom– 0-4
Scherzer–5-5
Fried–2-2
Nola–2-0
Wheeler–2-2
Wainwright–7-5
Musgrove–0=5
Darvish–2-5
That’s an overall record of 20 wins and 28 losses vs. the Dodgers. The Dodgers are a REALLY good team. You shouldn’t be so worried about who they play and who pitches against them. They are quite capable of beating anyone.
Go Blue!