Most fan bases would be excited, even giddy, to have a pitching staff like the Dodgers… but not Dodger fans. They won’t settle for less than five #1 starters. Of course, they are not happy with Clayton Kershaw (1.80 ERA) and Andrew Heaney (0.00 ERA) since they are on the IL with what is generally realized as “minor injuries.” Both should be back soon, but Walker Buehler, the Ace, only has a 2.81 ERA, and 20-game winner in 2021, Julio Urias, has a bloated 3.00 ERA. To top it all off, the Dodgers’ #5 starter, Tony Gonsolin, has a 1.64 ERA.
Dig this: the Dodger starting pitchers are #1 in all of baseball! NUMBER ONE! NUMERO UNO! They have a 2.47 ERA and lead the majors with 17 wins from their starters. (By the way, they are #2 in team ERA to the Yankees – 2.77 to 2.72) After last night’s game, Dodger fans lost the right to bitch about Tony Gonsolin, so now they have to look elsewhere – “MAX MUNCY, yeah, that’s the ticket! Whoops, oh, he was 2-4. Dang! Can’t bitch about that!” To those of you who believed Max should be sent to OKC, I say you should be sent to Mars, or maybe Uranus! I do not pronounce Max “cured” but it was a good step in the right direction.
I have read some very eloquent and well-written, Knee jerk, perspectiveless, circular thinking, silly drivel here recently by people who should know better. I mean, if you have been on the planet for 60 or 70 years have you not learned anything… especially about baseball? Speaking as a stock picker, if a Dodger fan says “short that stock,” I am buying because the contrarian viewpoint is almost always right!
I have been telling you that Tony Gonsolin just needs to pitch. He needs to build up and he is. I think we will see him pitch into the 7th inning soon. He has four very good pitches, but remember 3 or 4 years ago when he used to touch 100 MPH? He has turned it down a notch and is not that high-effort thrower. He is typically at 93 to 94 and is much more effective. Walker Buehler is doing the same thing. Fans are in love with guys who throw 100 MPH, but for the most part, their careers are short-lived. For every Nolan Ryan or Randy Johnson, there are 20 guys who throw 100 MPH too but can’t stay on the field. Jacob de Grom is a classic example.
I am going to tell you that the Bazooka will not ever be a great pitcher until he learns to pitch at 96 to 98 MPH with movement. I know of what I speak – I used to hit triple digits with a fastball flatter than the Great Plains. Man-o-man, if I had learned then, what I know now! Speed Kills – Pitching Careers! Pitchers who learn to take a few ticks off their fastballs will live to fight another day. Those who don’t will live to rehab another day. Remember Kerry Wood and his 100 MPH 20 strikeout game? Short-lived career!
Here is what I know: The Dodgers are a damn good team. They don’t have many holes. I call BS on those who say their starting pitching is not playoff quality. If you gave those same individuals an enema, you could bury them in a shoebox! This is a long season. The Dodgers have not yet hit on all cylinders, but they are in first place with the best record in the NL. They have scored the most runs and given up the fewest! That’s a good formula for winning… and they are not hitting on all cylinders… yet!
The season has not even reached its first turn. It’s about 20% complete. On August 1st of last season, the Braves were 52-55, in third place, and we all know what happened. Dave Roberts and the Dodgers do not want this to “peak” early. The keyword is don’t panic. Ok, that’s two words, but you get my drift! If Max and Cody are batting below .200 in August, then maybe you send them to OKC, but you sure as hell don’t do it now. What are you? Crazy?
I also know that the Dodgers will make the playoffs, and I also know that winning the World Series is hard and takes incredible skill… and luck. Take some advice from Houston Mitchell:
If following a team isn’t an overall enjoyable experience for you, then you may want to find something else to do with your time. It’s not worth the stress.There are fans of other teams that haven’t made the playoffs in years. So, if you are angry or sad, spend some time with your friends. Hug your significant other. Play with your kids. Pet your dog. But you can still ignore your cat, because cats are evil and were sent here from an alien planet as spies.
That’s the best advice I can give you because if some of you keep up these foolish rants, your family and friends are going to have you institutionalized! Get a grip on reality… and the reality is that this 2022 Dodger team is very, very good… and whatever they need may already be in the house! Some of the best things in baseball have been accomplished by some of the least likely individuals.
Discussion (27)
Disagree, not disagreeable
05/17/22 Los Angeles Dodgers designated RHP Shane Greene for assignment.
05/17/22 Los Angeles Dodgers activated LHP David Price from the 10-day injured list.
Fresh post-doubleheader stats… and some of the usual suspects are at the top of OPS, with one exception.
The unreal Taylor Ward, who missed five or six games early, gives the Angels the top pair, having outhit the very real Trout (so far). Ward is up over 1.200 and leads the majors in both OBP (.484) and slugging % (.783).
After them come Judge, Machado, Harper… Top Dodger is Freddie at No. 13. At 8th is a guy who should be a Dodger: Yordan Alvarez, given up by AF for Josh Fields… ….. Next Dodger is Mookie at .836. The only other Dodgers over .800 are part-timers Rios and Barnes.
But this is really strange: While the individual Dodgers aren’t even up in the Top Ten, the team as a whole essentially tied for second in OPS with the Angels. Both teams are at .743, behind only the Yanks’ .756.
What’s more, today’s victories pushed Dodgers’ MLB lead in runs scored to 198. That’s 7 more than the Angels, though the Dodgers have played 3 fewer games.
So collectively the offense is doing fine–despite the struggles of Max, Belli and others…and the nagging sense that some others are falling short. (No doubt the deadened ball has contributed to this feeling.)
As for pitching, the Yankees and Dodgers are 1-2 in ERA, while the Dodgers lead in WHIP at 1.07.
The stats leave me wondering: Did the Anaheim Stadium lose its humidor?
The deadened ball has made a measurable impact that we see in depressed hitting stats–though it doesn’t seem to matter to beasts like Trout, Machado and Harper. Can Ward possibly keep it up?
Nice easy win in the second game, Rios 3 run shot pretty much sealed it. Alberto on the mound in the 9th.
GREAT GREAT COMEBACK WIN!
Go Mookie Go!
For the record, I don’t care that Arizona scored one run in the 9th because we were leading by 2. Besides, he struck out the side. 8 for 8 I believe…saves.
Sweep? I hope.
An excited TM
At the trade deadline would the Dodgers consider going after Chris Sale if he’s made available?
At the trade deadline, would the Dodgers consider going after Chris Sale?
Busch is in the lineup playing second base for AAA Oklahoma City tonight.
An admitted drug peddler inside a MLB clubhouse (Matt Harvey/LA Angels) gets a 60 game suspension while TB gets a two year suspension for “rough sex” on his own time, in the privacy of his own home and with an alleged willing/consenting partner.
One of the persons who took drugs from Harvey was Tyler Skaggs who died in an Arlington, TX hotel room from a fatal drug OD. Harvey was granted immunity and admitted to his criminal acts but cannot be prosecuted. Conversely, TB had to wait for the LA County DA to file or decline charges and not rely upon immunity but received a two-year suspension. I’m not a huge fan of TB, but once again the buffoonery that is Manfred is on full display. Dude has to go!
In one instance Harvey committed a criminal act, a felony that resulted in, or possibly contributed to, the death of someone else, while TB had some “weird/kinky” sex that got him a two-year ban.
Second Game 10:10 PM ET
Diamondbacks (18-19)
Dodgers (23-12)
Tyler Anderson L
3-0 4.40 ERA 27K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
DH Edwin Rios L
LF Chris Taylor R
3B Max Muncy L
CF C. Bellinger L
C A. Barnes R
2B Gavin Lux L
Clear-day
0% Rain
65° Wind 5 mph O
“And the mustard came off the hotdog!”
I’ve missed Chick Hearn for many years now… Second best sportscaster in LA history, with a very different style than the best ever, anywhere.
So yeah, that was my thought on Alberto’s sloppy, utterly unnecessary glove flip. A well executed glove flip is exciting in those rare right circumstances… but Alberto had ample time to transfer the ball and make an accurate toss to end the inning. Maddening.
I have actually witnessed a young “pro” coach in Hong Kong have 9-year-olds practicing glove flips.. I pointed out these kids are just learning the fundamentals, like simply a quick transfer to the throwing had. Most of these kids were erratic with underhanded tosses, much less a glove flip. (He was a “pro” in the sense that wealthy expats were willing to pay him $50 an hour.)
Sure, it all worked out in the end–even though Kimbrel created another one-run victory. (I prefers closers who are ABC–Always Be Closing–than the ones who add to the tension.)
Those were the lowlights.
Mookie was the highlight, leading an overdue power surge.
Power out all day here so not seeing the game. Box score shows Pepiot with 87 pitches in 4 innings, 3 earned runs. Same message. Throw strikes kid.
Man, Mookie Betts is on fire
And Busch is getting promoted to OKC…
DODGERS ADD RYAN PEPIOT, MITCH WHITE & JUSTIN BRUIHL
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers added right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot as the “27th-man”, activated Mitch White from the injured list, recalled left-handed pitcher Justin Bruihl, optioned left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson and placed right-handed pitcher Tommy Kahnle on the injured list with right forearm inflammation. Additionally, the Dodgers transferred right-handed pitcher Blake Treinen to the 60-day injured list to make room for White on the 40-man roster.
Pepiot, 24, made his Major League debut on Wednesday against the Pirates and will make his second scheduled start this afternoon. He went 3.0 innings against the Pirates, allowing one hit, five walks while striking out three. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he went 2-0 with a 2.05 ERA (6 ER/26.1 IP) and 36 strikeouts in six starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City. The Indiana native has spent parts of three seasons in the minor leagues with the Dodgers, going 7-9 with a 3.75 ERA (63 ER/151.0 IP) and 194 strikeouts in 45 games (38 starts). He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the third round (102nd overall) of the 2019 First Year Player Draft out of Butler.
White, 26, returns from the injured list after missing 15 games. On the season, he is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA (4 ER/8.0 IP) and eight strikeouts in four games for the Dodgers. In 27 Major League games (four starts), he is a combined 2-3 with a 3.59 ERA (4 ER/57.2 IP) and 59 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in the second round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of Santa Clara University.
Bruihl, 24, appeared in eight games for the Dodgers, allowing three runs in 8.0 innings with six strikeouts. Last season, he made his Major League debut, appearing in 21 games (two starts), posting an 0-1 record with a 2.89 ERA (6 ER/18.2 IP) and 11 strikeouts. In parts of three minor league seasons, he is 14-2 with a 3.73 ERA (46 ER/111.0 IP) and 145 strikeouts. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on July 15, 2017.
Ferguson, 25, made his first appearance since September 15, 2020 last night, firing one scoreless inning with one strikeout. Prior to joining the Dodgers, the Ohio native made six rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 0-1 with an 11.57 ERA (6 ER/4.2 IP) and five strikeouts. In four seasons in the Major Leagues, he is 10-5 with a 3.89 ERA (49 ER/113.1 IP) and 141 strikeouts in 97 games (six starts) with the Dodgers. He was originally drafted by the Dodgers in the 38th round of the 2014 First Year Player Draft out of West Jefferson High School.
Kahnle, 32, will make his second trip to the injured list this season after appearing in four games with the Dodgers. In those games, he was 0-0 with a 6.75 ERA (3 ER/4.0 IP) and five strikeouts. He has spent parts of eight seasons in the Major Leagues with Colorado (2014-2015), Chicago-AL (2016-17), New York-AL (2017-2020) and Los Angeles (2022), going a combined 9-9 with a 3.87 ERA (121 ER/281.2 IP) and 349 strikeouts in 289 career games. He was originally drafted by the New York Yankees in the fifth round of the 2010 First Year Player Draft out of Lynn University.
So Mark, we are back to name calling? If you question the Dodgers’ starting pitching you are full of Sh**?
Obviously I did yesterday so I am full of it now?
‘Bye.
Someone asked for it, sooooo… it turns out that Freddie Freeman is working with Lux and Bellinger… and the rest of the Dodgers:
https://theathletic.com/3316071/2022/05/17/freddie-freeman-brought-a-hitting-drill-from-atlanta-to-the-dodgers-and-its-catching-on/?source=dailyemail&campaign=601983
First Game 3:10 PM ET
Dodgers 22-12
SP Ryan Pepiot R
0-0 .00 ERA 3K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
SS Trea Turner R
C Will Smith R
2B Max Muncy L
DH J. Turner R
CF C. Bellinger L
LF Chris Taylor R
3B H. Alberto R
Clear-day
0% Rain
69° Wind 8 mph Out
Looking forward to Pepiot second game. He should be more settled and confident coming into this game. If he can get through 3-4 innings without giving up any runs I would be happy for him. I’m hoping he is pulling on some of the veteran pitchers ears in between starts.
That thing about Buehler and Gonsolin not throwing 100 mph because they don’t want to is not true, they don’t throw 100 mph because they can’t anymore, but their off-speed pitches are very good and they throw more and more, both have had to adapt throwing fewer fastballs and increasing the diet of curves and sliders.
The score could have been higher and would have last year. They crushed several that died at the warning track. The new ball is definitely making a difference in this teams power numbers and probably will be a factor until it gets hotter. Note to Mark. Muncy’s two hits combined had an exit velocity of about 45MPH. Freeman hit a rocket that was caught. Breaks of the game.
I know nothing about drama queens.
But one of the coolest things that happened last night was Max Muncy’s bunt. Apparently Cody Bellinger and Muncy have been working together on dropping bunts. Muncy did it first, hopefully Bellinger will follow. It led to a two run Chris Taylor homer, the difference in the game.
Hey, I like Tony Gonsolin, good stuff.
No idea what to make of hitting right now. Changes to the ball and all. Hitting is down across the board.
But if you just spent $250 to $300 million plus on some hitter and his average now rests below .250, how exactly do you feel good about the long term deal. Maybe as temps rise, balls will fly. But with the shifts still in play, bunting looks better and better.
It appears that both Clayton Kershaw and Andrew Heaney was nearing a return so that will be good news.
Meanwhile in Anaheim, the stadium deal took a turn for the worst. Talk about drama.
Why consistently be so critical of Dodger fans Mark? It’s a theme with you. Kind of annoying after 20+ years.
“Pointless pontification”. Kinda defines the internet chat culture doesn’t it?
The Dodgers pitching staff has put up decent numbers, that is true. Our #5, Heaney, has given us 10 innings of 0.00 ERA. Outstanding. Kershaw, our #3, has given us 30 innings 1.8. Our ace Buehler is still averaging under 6 per start, He coughed up a hairball last time out, but I’m sure it was just a glitch. Same story with Urias, but again just a bump. Gonsolin now has 7 starts and 33 innings of 1.64 ERA. It would appear as our #4 he’s removed before third time through order, but he threw 90 pitches for the first time this year so, who knows. Maybe he’s now ready to be a mid rotation starter. Tyler Anderson is who he is. #5, 4.4 and rising ERA .
We currently have, including Bauer and Price, 5 starters not available to us. That doesn’t seem to concern those who didn’t see any issues coming, but some of us had concerns and sure enough, AAA and AA pitchers are being asked to step up. Maybe we’ll be just fine. Maybe Kershaw returns, May returns,Heaney returns, Bellinger and Muncy start to thump, Lux figures out he is indeed a Major League Baseball player and Trae Turner will finally dazzle at short. When all that happens – yippee. Won’t even suggest it might not happen as that is asking for ridicule around here.
There was a lot of online ink spilled here recently about the state of the Dodgers starting pitching and need for another starter. I tuned out. It’s a lot of pointless pontificating, which we are all prone to do here, and overlooks the reality is that there is no one to be had. There is no Max Scherzer to trade for at the deadline. There is no languishing team who wants to unload their ace with the expiring contract. There’s Frankie Montas, and that’s about it, and Frankie Montas just isn’t that good. He’s not going to make that much of a difference, and is not worth trading away prospects with a future.
The Dodgers got what they got, and there’s no help coming – except Danny Duffy, maybe. Even then, he doesn’t fill the perceived playoff need. The Dodgers need pitching depth and quality to get through the regular season atop the division, but they really need three stud starters to get through the playoffs. It seems Beuhler, Urias and Kershaw fit that need. If they are injured or underperform come playoff time, then the Dodgers are at a disadvantage, but to wring our hands over a need for another frontline starter is pointless. Yes, Bauer would’ve been nice, but not only has that ship sailed and is over the horizon, but it hit and iceberg and is at the bottom of the ocean. Talking about him like it’s a possibility is insane.
And we don’t even mention Gonsolin, who we keep expecting to start getting knocked around because of his walk rate, but still keeps going out there and putting up quality starts. “But he doesn’t get through the 7th inning!” No one cares about that anymore. The 70s called. They want their starting pitching strategy back.
It’s actually a little hard to judge pitching this year because of the dead/high drag ball.
Our expectations were the Dodgers were going to be an unstoppable juggernaut superteam for the ages that were going to win 120 games. Accepting reality when it changes is hard. Now the Yankees are the unstoppable juggernaut, until they’re not.
Judging by this post, this place must have been a shit show for the last few days. Lucky for me, I took the weekend off from the computer to party with some old friends at the Cruel World festival in Pasadena…
https://cruelworldfest.com/
I was too busy being drunk, from the moment I got there at 2:30 PM Saturday through Sunday at 1AM when I finally went to bed after the concert, to pay close attention to the websites I typically read.
Sadly, we lost a wolf from our pack, getting the call just as we were leaving the venue. It was somber news, as Jordan was just 52 years old and was my friend’s best friend since high school. RIP Jordan, you were one of the good ones.
Devo stole the show, as always, their graphics on the big screen were as entertaining as their music. More performance art than a typical rock show. Blondie did her best, but didn’t have that beautiful falsetto voice that she was known for. Bauhaus was so creepy and they sounded more like a studio production than a live performance. The Dammed energized the crowd and Dave Vanian’s voice was as good as it ever was. Johnny Rotten’s performance with PIL was amazing. He’s a true legend. The Psychedelic Furs, The Church and The Violent Femmes were all amazing and sounded as good as ever. It was a once in a lifetime lineup.
The bad was that it was a festival. Way too many people, too much sun and a very long day. The sound was really cranked up at the venue. You could hear everything loud and clear from a football field away.
All in all it was a great time spent with a couple of buddies, brothers, that I’ve been friends with since my teenage years. And it kept my mind off the losing streak.
As I’m rubbing the bender out of my eyes the Dodgers now have a new dawn. A two game winning streak and a double-header today as I slide back into work mode.
There will be peaks and valleys during the season. Right now we’re a little banged up, but it seems like help is on the way. CK has already began throwing as is Heaney. The rookies impressed during short outings and they will build on that experience. Bobby Miller, who dominated the Angles in the preseason, still hasn’t got to his debut, but will at some point this season, no doubt.
Like Mark said, it’s still very early in the season. After seeing Pepiot and Miller pitch (A little, since I was pre-occupied), I’m not sure if reinforcements at the trade deadline will be necessary. But, we sure have some chips if AF decides to go that way. Game 1 is at noon and TDB (aka Pepiot?) will be starting. Tyler Anderson will be looking to rebound in Game 2 at 7PM. I gan’t wait for 6+ hours of baseball today.
How many clean 9th innings has Kimbrel had for the Dodgers this year? And to what extent has he been hurt by a short spring training and intermittent work. The games I’ve seen he seems to have some control issues with his breaking pitch.
Fire Doc. DFA Beli and Muncie. Bring back Pollock and Kike–Both batting under .200. And maybe Grandal also. batting under .200
That’s what aces do. Restore order! Way to go Catman! And let’s give Bellinger a fair chance here. Say .150 by August 1st