Back From the Grave
In a Theme from a Halloween Movie, the Dodgers came back from the grave and led by Christ Aylor’s three-home run night (see what I did there) scored 11 runs as they pounded the Atlanta Braves 11-2, and send the series back to the ATL on Saturday. The Braves are putting on a…
In a Theme from a Halloween Movie, the Dodgers came back from the grave and led by Christ Aylor’s three-home run night (see what I did there) scored 11 runs as they pounded the Atlanta Braves 11-2, and send the series back to the ATL on Saturday. The Braves are putting on a “Brave Face” saying that they are confident they are going to win, but after last night’s “beat down” they have to be wondering “Are they going to do that to us again?” This time, however, it will be harder because the last two games are on the road.
Yes, it will be harder, but we all saw some big-time adjustments by the Dodgers as they banged out 17 hits and drew 8 walks. The Braves Ace now has a 5.91 ERA in the NLCS. The momentum has now turned. The Dodgers will start Max Scherzer and Striker Buehler on normal rest and the bullpen will also be rested and ready.
Chris Taylor is now hitting .529 (1.776 OPS), while Bellinger is hitting .429 (1.143 OPS), and AJ is at .353 (1.118 OPS). I think the next game it is Mookie, Trea, and Corey who do some damage. That’s how it is supposed to work. Will Smith is also due, but CT3 went off like a gasoline tanker with a stick of dynamite. Kike Hernandez has nothing on CT3.
Joe Kelly was a causality last night as he suffered a biceps injury. I think David Price or Mitch White gets the call. We really have no idea what is going on with Price, but it does not seem to me that The Price is Right! Maybe he is good for a couple of innings… Maybe V-Gon has overcome his feet problems. We shall see, but we will miss Joe Kelly!
At any rate, on Saturday it is Max Scherzer against Ian Anderson. I like the Dodgers’ Chances in that game. If Game 7 is needed, Striker Buehler will face everyone from the ATL, including Fried! The Talking Part is over. Now it is the Doing Part!
Is the Problem Really Dave Roberts.. or Something (one) Else?
What follows is a response to some of you who fail to grasp that you actually have to hit and score runs in order to win a playoff game. Instead, you want to blame some pitching moves on Dave Roberts when the problem CLEARLY was the Dodger’s failure to score runs. As Badger likes to say: “We score, we win.” As the TBS announcing crew stated: “This series is a second-guesser’s dream.” As you may know, I have zero respect for second-guessers because they are generally people who have never accomplished a damn thing in their lives and in their misery, they love to second-guess and blame people because it somehow makes them feel better about themselves. I ain’t buying it!
I did not have time to address something that William posted yesterday. Of course, William starts out every comment under the premise that Dave Roberts is horrible and should be fired, even though he has the best winning percentage of any manager in baseball history (.622%). Joe McCarthy is second at .615%. I guess that does not impress him. Somehow, William knows that “Roberts made a big mistake, and he did it out of a certain need to micromanage, be some kind of genius.” Of course, he was talking about pitching decisions in a game where the Dodgers couldn’t score, but somehow the fault was Roberts in failing to make or making certain pitching changes.
Next, he goes on to talk about how the Dodgers need “an infusion of talent. The feeling I have watching these games, is that we are a team soon to be in transition, with some talent, but now needing to depend on our minor league system to provide more stars, or being able to somehow, without trade chips, being able to pick up top talent. This current group, minus Seager, is not going to win a pennant. I don’t think this series is bad luck or even Roberts’ mistakes. We look overmatched by a team which has more active bats, runs at every opportunity, and seems to have more esprit right now. In short, a team with Trea Turner batting third is unlikely to win a title.”
So, to summarize, William says Roberts is a bad manager and should be fired and the team is not very good, needs an infusion of talent, is overmatched, has more spirit, and is not likely to win a title. AND YET, DAVE ROBERTS HAS THE HIGHEST WINNING PERCENTAGE OF ALL TIME with a “team is not very good, needs an infusion of talent, is overmatched, [the Braves] have more spirit, and is not likely to win a title.“
Explain that one, William. That was why my comment yesterday was that you are disconnected from reality and your rabid hatred of Dave Roberts (for reasons that are unknown to me) outweighs your thinking process. I am truly sorry… but that is nonsensical. I personally did not like using Urias in relief, but it is an opinion – not right or wrong. On MLB.Radio yesterday, someone asked if the 14 pitches Urias threw in the game had an effect on his next start and Ryan Spilborghs said “None! He didn’t throw a side session which might be up to 40 pitches, so NO 14 pitches had no effect. He has been tired for a while.” That’s also his opinion – you can disagree but you can’t have it both ways: Dave Roberts is a bad manager and should be fired, but this is a bad team… and oh, yeah, Doc has the best winning percentage of all time.” Nonsense, to say the least!
A Glimpse of Next Year
This is also my opinion, but the Dodger Farm System is in remarkably good shape – they may be TOP 5 in all of baseball. Certainly, they are Top 10, which is amazing considering where they have drafted. Bobby Miller and Landon KNack both got roughed u (a little) in the AFL last night BOXSCORE as they are working on specific aspects of their games. Both are strong possibilities at some point next year. Many fans have lamented that the minor league systems did not produce much this year, but you need to remember that progress is not linear.
Max Fried was up and down until he became what he is now. In 2017, he was 2-11 with a 5.54 ERA in the minors. AJ MInter was up and down… mostly down, until recently. Adam Duval had his best season this year at age 33. I can cite example after example, but player development is now resulting in more players making the Show in their late 20’s. Zach McKinstry started off good this season, then got injured and never was the same. Reks, Raley, Noisy, even McKinney are still in their mid-to-late 20’s and could be very useful players.
Steven Souza, Jr. is a role player for the Dodgers, but he is a professional (I am not implying he will be back next year). Remember Mitch Moreland in 2018? Baseball is a crazy game – you never know, but I am excited about Pages, Miller, Kanck, Busch, Pepeiot, Cartaya, Vargas, Beeter, Bruns, Diaz, Valera, Taylor, Leonard, and others. Sometimes, it is one step forward and two steps back before it is two steps forward and one step back. Patience Grasshoppers.
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Discussion (152)
Disagree, not disagreeable
My only cred is more than 60 years as a fan. I played some in high school and a lot of softball in the service. I am not a baseball savant. I am simply a fan. I love the Dodgers, always have. I am a student of their history and baseball history. I did not go to college, I served my country instead. And the glue that kept me sane was following the Dodgers. I have been able to share some of that history since I began writing for this site. The one thing that bothers me is how so many who have the love of the team I do, can get so mean with each other. We all have opinions, and that is all they are. This is a forum to post those opinions. One of the things a fan does, and quite often, is criticize. Especially after a crucial loss. Some do it after a win. Unlike when I was younger, I do not get as upset as I once did. I used to throw stuff when some boneheaded play was made. When Broxton gave up that HR to Matt Stairs, I was livid. I am much more mellow now. The biggest enjoyment I go out of last night’s game was the Dodgers shutting up that Braves bench. They have one clown in there who was waving a sword and acting like they had already signed the Dodgers vacation papers after Freeman’s homer. At the end of the game, the sword was no where to be seen. As for Roberts, he has made some mistakes in big games. But many managers in his position have done the same, including Alston and Lasorda. How about Hinch last year in the series pulling Snell after a single by Barnes…..That one move probably cost his team a chance at getting to a game 7. Talk about bonehead moves, Kapler when managing the Phillies went out to take a pitcher out of the game, and had no one warming up when he did it.
Humans are far from perfect. Mistakes in baseball cost games. Mistakes in life can cost a life. Alec Baldwin learned that the hard way yesterday. His prop gun killed one of the crew.
As far as who would you want managing in crucial games, some say Lasorda, some Alston, one guy said LaRussa. How about Dick Williams. He managed the A’s to 3 straight titles. Bobby Cox? 14 division titles. Most series wins, Stengel and McCarthy. Bochy? He was great with the Giants, not so much with the Padres. Dave Roberts has flaws as a manager, but most of his managerial decisions made in game are based on info he receives from the front office. Price was left off of the NLCS roster because he did not match up well with the Braves lineup. Reason is simple, they have a lot of RH power. I am no huge Roberts fan, but I recognize that for this organization, he is the right guy in the right place at the right time.
The idea of going with Julio in that inning in Atlanta was good on paper, because Julio has been there before and with very good results, it just didn’t work out, but here is something key: “that move was not necessary,” while the year In the past it made a lot of sense for all the problems that the bullpen had, today the situation is different, today the bullpen is a strength so that movement was not necessary
I do not criticize the movement for the result, I understand perfectly what the idea was when doing it, only that with this incredible bullpen it was not necessary.
Last night made me feel like Redd Foxx playing Fred Sanford.
“I’m a comin’ Elizabeth!” Sheesh.
On the “small stuff” in the game …… so glad to see so many when not jacking it out, going oppo.
And Pollock, he looks in as good a shape as he has all year. Did anyone else notice his wheels when he went 1st to 3rd on that Pujols single? We have AT LEAST 6 guys who can almost be guaranteed to be able to steal 2nd at just about any time these days.
cheers
pb+
Okay, I’m just speculating, but I think the Dodgers will make a serious run at re-signing Chris Taylor. Makes sense, he can play third, short and second in the infield and play all three outfield spots. He already starts so there is really not an issue with playing time and he’s a more consistent bat than Kike or Joc.
As to Dave Roberts, he’s like glue for this team. Does he make mistakes? Of course, he does. What manager doesn’t?
As to using starters as relievers. Not a fan unless it’s the final game. It’s not just about the number of pitches thrown, but the emotional energy spent, which can drain a pitcher. Relievers, more or less, have learned how to cope, better to stick to those roles. In 2020, Urias was both a starter and a reliever, this year a starter.
Maybe none of this matters if Clayton Kershaw were healthy and Dustin May didn’t get hurt or Trevor Bauer … well.
I really like Andrew Friedman, great GM and baseball operations exec. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t make mistakes. Maybe he gets to cover mistakes with payroll, but he was pretty good in Tampa too.
Hey, we all make mistakes and sometimes there is a tendency to overthink things, especially in baseball.
Perhaps the Dodgers are guilty of that. But they did win 106 games, win the wildcard and send the Giants packing. They are still in this. Will Max Scherzer step up and if he does and it goes to game seven, will we see Walker Buehler, who is one of the best big game pitchers in baseball, rise to the top of his game. If the Dodgers continue to hit, I did notice a change in approach, LA could arrive back in the World Series with home field advantage.
All this while missing Kershaw, Max Muncy and Justin Turner.
For the record, I have no problem with not liking the move made by Doc to bring in Urias. I did happen to like bringing in Kershaw against the Nats, although neither move turned out well. The Dodgers (not just Doc or AF) are not afraid to try things that are unconventional. Actually, I like that.
I think that just about any move could be called dumb or smart depending upon your perspective.
What I do mind is people equating that kind of move to “Roberts is an idiot and needs to be fired!”
Last night, the announcers questioned why Roberts let Graterol hit and then took him out of the game. It’s a valid question and the answer is apparent, but not everyone will accept that. OK.
Doc still is the winningest MLB manager of all time.
If I could have one manager to win one series, my choice would be…..
[Drum Roll]
How many more injuries can this team absorb and still stand tall ?
Amazing, and speaks volumes to the talent and depth this franchise has assembled under AF.
Hats off no matter how this ends.
However: That decision to go with Julio in game 2 as a reliever insteand of trusting your bullpen probably cost not only 1 but 2 games. There is no sugarcoating this decision.
And if you look a little closer at pitching in this series: We have not gotten ONE quality start in 5 games. Our big three all had one start and with Julio one shot to nail down one in relief. We are 0-3 in those games. Had we only one 1 of those games we would be in the driver seat up 3-2. Starting pitching was assumed to be our ticket to the WS with 3 Cy Young hopefuls on our roster.
Can the Dodgers rerplace Gonsolin on the roster with White ? I assume they will call on DP for Kelly but TG should be off the roster as well. I have more confidence in White or V-Gon than him.
Catman appears just not made for playoff pressure.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It’s down to the basics in games 6 & 7. The Dodgers have two well rested Cy Young candidates starting. The BP should be locked and loaded. The biggest question mark is will the team hit? Whatever it takes to make contact for productive at bats. Hit the other way where the defense isn’t. Get on base. Continue to steal at every opportunity. But constant pressure on the Braves like last night destroy their will. If everyone does their job it will minimize the chance for Roberts/FO to do something unexpected.
To hear that AF consulted with Urias about relieving and using that feedback to allow him to pitch is surprising. What competitor is going to back down from that challenge? The player will always want to take the ball. Maybe, relying on Mark Pryor ‘s opinion might have been a better way to evaluate the possibility. Anyway, it’s over and done with. In the end a lack of run production made it a mute point.
Two more wins. The Dodgers can help them relive their 90’s playoff experience.
Carry on.
So whatever decision is made, right or wrong, if the player comes thru then it worked.
Anyway, If we believe that Scherzer and Urias were not tired out by their short relief stints, and were tired before, then chances are they will still be tired for the next two games. Their last few games showed that they were not in peak form anymore. Striker likewise. So maybe that’s why bullpen games have worked for both teams.
I never played High school baseball, or coached any team, or have a BS in anything
Anyway I feel we will win the next two games. Management has to make informed, logical decisions. As a fan I am not required to do that
GO DODGERS!!!
William doesn’t speak for me, and I wouldn’t advocate that Roberts be “fired.” If the Dodgers lose I still prefer Roberts be drawn and quartered. The Dodgers could sell tickets. I think public executions are due for a comeback.
I think I read it was AF who talked to Urias and asked if he would be available to pitch in relief between starts, so it’s not a Roberts thing. I think it was a collaborative decision to use Urias and Max in relief roles.
On paper, it seems like a brilliant move – use your most talented starting pitchers as extra relievers. It’s like the ultimate relief corps force multiplier.
As we’ve witnessed, there are costs to messing with workloads of your pitchers, especially after a long season where players are wearing down, getting tired, getting injured. Urias has been beaten like a rented mule this season … and now AF wants him to do even more … in high leverage situations. I’m generally supportive of AF, but I’m criticizing these decisions. They are dumb … and Roberts should’ve learned after his Kershaw debacle with Soto.
I couldn’t give two shits what Spilborghs has to say. #1 He was an outfielder. #2 He gets paid to have takes … to have edgy stuff to say … to be adversarial and controversial because it gets attention and gets clicks. To me, he’s basically Jim Rome. Same thing with the Ken Rosen-whatever tweet. Bear was right. Just a guy with an opinion vying for attention with nothing particularly insightful to say.
Damn Mark, don’t just lump Brandon “Fat Boy” Lewis in with “and others”. That was the best nickname you ever gave to anyone! Let’s go Brandon!
Well, the Braves beat us down 9-2 on Wednesday, so naturally the Dodgers said “Hold my beer” and two upped them 11-2 by replacing their star third baseman JT with their star third baseman CT3 “Freaking Bombs!”. Both games were mismatches with an ace facing a bullpen, so naturally the bullpen won each game.
Lost in CT3’s masterpiece was Pollock’s 5 3 3 4 night which better cement him into the lineup against lefties as well as righties going forward. If you blinked, you probably didn’t notice that new whipping boy and MLB batting champ did his thing by picking up 3 hits while this season’s whipping boy Belli did the same.
I scratched my head at least once during the game. Why did Graterol hit for himself only to be replaced on the mound by Treinen? Doc doing Doc things.
The Grim Reaper claimed another as he has all year. This time it was Joe Kelly. RIP my friend, you sure were fun to watch this year. Now you get to hang out with Kershaw, JT, Max and others. At this rate I’m not sure we’ll have enough players to finish this thing.
After Kelly, the rest of the pen pitched a shutout. Even Phillips? Wow. Graterol throwing 100+ MPH Bowling balls, Vesia, Treinen, Knebel and Jansen making it look easy.
I’m curious how TM will improve this team by benching the next star. Are you now concerned about Will Smith? Maybe it’s Mookies turn to wear the target. Seags now has the lowest postseason batting average so he’s as good a target as any I guess.
Baseball is a crazy game. Never lose faith. Off to the ATL for a two game beat down.
Let’s go Dodgers! Let’s go Brandon!!
BTW – I did say recently that I’m amazed at the quantity of prospects in the minors and said this farm would be ranked top 5 by the start of next season. We’ve got a couple of top of the rotation guys and I can’t remember the last time we had so many bats. I’m really excited about “Fat Boy”. Talk about light tower power. He holds the all time record for homers at UC Irvine and that place is impossible to hit bombs with the damp air and the huge fences all the way around.
Here is the plan: win Game 6.
The plan will be updated afterwards.
And the decision to pitch Urias in relief in game two wasn’t Robert’s alone. It was spearheaded by AF and his analytical staff. Now if you want to call that group idiots then that’s a pretty bold statement to back up. Please send us your qualifications to do so. What team has your number on speed dial to get your input? Tho I must say that my brilliant mind to bench Bellinger for the playoffs has panned out.
Down 3-2 after 5 games. We’ve been here before. We’ve got them right where we want them.
Starting number -166, headed north -171! I like it!!