Back in First Place!
Except for bad pitch selection (4 fastballs) to his last batter, Rich Hill was again terrific. No blisters = a very good pitcher. This is the pitcher the Dodgers are paying for and if he keeps it up, he s a bargain! Blisters have been his kyrptonite! The bullpen was very good again: Floro, Alexander, Chargois and Jansen handled a hot A s team. Oakland has the 4th best bullpen ERA in
- Except for bad pitch selection (4 fastballs) to his last batter, Rich Hill was again terrific. No blisters = a very good pitcher. This is the pitcher the Dodgers are paying for and if he keeps it up, he’s a bargain! Blisters have been his kyrptonite!
- The bullpen was very good again: Floro, Alexander, Chargois and Jansen handled a hot A’s team.
- Oakland has the 4th best bullpen ERA in MLB and it got better when they picked Shawn Kelley from the Nats. Manaea is most respects is their best starter – the Dodgers just made him throw lots of pitches. The RISP stat wasn’t good last night, but the A’s are a tough team.
- The fact that the Dodgers are saying Corey Seager can remain at shortstop is just boilerplate. Of course, they are saying that. What are they supposed to say? Maybe this: “It’s going to be very hard for him to come back so we have some contingency plans?” NO! They have to give him their full support and I hope he is the Dodgers’ starting shortstop next year, but I think it will be difficult. Shortstops make some of the most contorted and difficult throws of any player on the team. I’m not worried too much about his hip.
- Brian Dozier should stay at leadoff – Period!
- Turner is hitting the ball right on the screws. He’s back!
- Looks like it’s Kemp and Bellinger’s turn to get hot!
- This is game of ebb and flow. I smell a hot streak coming!
- From Rotoworld: “Ryu made the start at Triple-A Reno, a very hitter-friendly environment. He scattered five hits and struck out three batters without issuing a walk, throwing 51 of his 71 pitches for strikes and inducing eight groundouts to three flyouts. Ryu should be cleared to rejoin the Dodgers’ starting rotation after one more minor league rehab outing. He’s been sidelined since early May due to a severe groin strain.” So, he will be back soon and someone will go to the pen. Will they be more interested in Starting or Winning? This will prove to be interesting.
- Both Brian Dozier and Logan Forsythe are hitting .412 since the trade in 17 AB’s. Forsythe is OPS’ing .971 and Dozier is OPS’ing 1.506!
- Mike Fiers goes today and once, no hit the Dodgers – It’s time for Payback!
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Discussion (69)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Hudson on DL with right forearm tightness.
Not good news if you’ve already had 2 TJ surgeries.
I wouldn’t say Hill was “terrific.” Let’s be honest he’s effectively wild and walks WAY TOO many hitters. If he doesn’t get his control under control (see what I did there) those walks will come back to bite him.
If Machado signs with the Dodgers (and I hope he does), then I am fully confident that between him, Seager and the Dodgers, they will amicably figure out who plays where. And as much as I like Bellinger at 1B, if the Dodgers determined that Seager (who is 6’4″) could play 1B, then I wouldn’t be opposed to Bellinger moving to the OF. And then, whenever Turner begins to show the effects of Father Time, then Seager could move over to 3B, and Bellinger could move back to 1B. Of course, there are about 18 billion variables that could change all of this, so whatever I’m suggesting is probably moot.
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I like both Verdugo and Puig, but with there depth in the outfield there is a question as to what happens if Bellinger moves to the OF. Trades, etc. are probably the only solution to break the logjam.
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And because of the all the variables I alluded to, it’s likely that whatever happens will be completely unexpected.
I went back and did a little more research on middle infielders some of you came up with.
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Cesar Izturis – Surgery September 2005 – Returned June 2006. He was 25 at the time of the surgery. Played 3B for LAD because the Dodgers signed Rafael Furcal to play SS. Izturis was traded to the Cubs for Greg Maddux at the trade deadline. He did play a couple of games at SS for LAD but was primarily a SS for the Cubs, and for the rest of his career.
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Gleyber Torres – Surgery June 2017, reported to ST in 2018 and was in starting lineup for Scranton (AAA). He had the surgery at 20 years old. He played 2B, 3B, and SS for his short stay in AAA. He is the regular 2B for NYY, but has played SS. He would probably be the SS if Gregorius was not there.
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Rafael Furcal – Surgery March 3013 – Returned 2014 played some 2B for Miami because Adeiny Hechavarria was their SS and because of Furcal’s age (35 at time of surgery).
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After reviewing those three I am still not convinced that Seager cannot come fully comeback to be the regular SS. The only comparable was Izturis, and he played sparkling D after returning. Led the AL in range factor at least one year. Torres was not going to play SS this year. He was auditioning for 2B in ST with Gregorius the SS. The other encouraging point is that both Izturis and Torres were back competing at 9 months. Izturis had the surgery September 16 and was in the Dodgers lineup on June 20 (after 15 games in rehab). That is 8-9 months and then competing. Torres’ surgery was in late June, and announced he was 100% in February and reported to ST on time and ready to go. Furcal was at the end of his career, trying to come back at 36.
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There is a very small sample size, but there are maybe 2 comparable scenarios with young middle infielders having the surgery. Both returned within 9 months and with no restrictions. I will go with the athletic Seager making a full recovery and assuming SS at ST 2019. Unless FAZ does sign Machado and Seager agrees to move to a new position (which I do not see). If both Machado and Seager insist on playing SS, who do you want there in 2019. I am going with Seager.
Juan Soto played 8 games above Single-A before reaching the majors. It doesn’t look like he’ll ever go back. I saw him yesterday and was trying to think who he reminded me of. Strangely the first name that popped into my head was Kenny Lofton. What are other comps? Bryce Harper? 😉
Tonight: would like to see kershaw go at least six. Baez and Ferguson can back him. A clean late inning appearance for Ferguson would be nice. Axford looks to have a positive outing and I’m sure we’ll feed him the 9th if we’re up big. And if things get silly we have the arms of vendetta to push a two-handed mop. Big win tonight. Feels like a home game.
Joe mentioned last night that going back to May 1, Puig has hit over .300. I have watched his average slowly climb, but did not realize the .300+ thing. I have really enjoyed his performance this year and am a little disappointed when I tune in and he is not in the lineup
The four games at altitude starting tomorrow night has me a tad worried. I really hate that ballpark as Dodgers sport pitchers above throwers and Coors Field favors the latter. Seams and spin have too little effect at a mile high. But if our hitters are locked in all should be fine. Still can’t help but hate that ballpark.
Mark – I was wondering – what has happened to Bobbie17?
We havnt heard from him for ages, and I’m sure he is enjoying our position compared to his hated Giants?
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Hope he is ok?
It is a great sign for turner! Very strange bullpen moves last night for Roberts. Floro pitches to one batter and is taken out with the lefty coming up. However, the next several batters were right handed and only in the sixth inning. We win it worked but don’t know what the thinking was at that point. Good luck to Forsythe apparently a good guy who doesn’t perform under the big lights. Dozier off to great start. Need to jump on Fiers early tonight.
Bullpen was lights out. Great to see. Is the Hudson injury a real one or a roster-friendly DL move? I wonder if any of these players (or their agents) take exception to phantom DL stints. I know I wouldn’t be crazy about having it on my record.