Did You Learn Anything?
Before the Dodgers played the Cardinals, they had won 14 out of 16 games, and then they lost 3 out of 4 to the Cardinals, and many of you lost your minds, wanting to trade away the farm for Timmy Anderson or somebody, anybody… “ this team sucks ” and all the rest of the BS that…
Before the Dodgers played the Cardinals, they had won 14 out of 16 games, and then they lost 3 out of 4 to the Cardinals, and many of you lost your minds, wanting to trade away the farm for Timmy Anderson or somebody, anybody… “this team sucks” and all the rest of the BS that you spew when the Dodgers lose. Come on, people, this 2023 version of the Dodgers is pretty dang good. I refuse to lose my mind over these kinds of things… besides, I don’t have much mind to lose! Hopefully, you have learned that this is a pretty dang good team, and it may get better, but I think they are committed to the youngsters, and rightfully so!
What I See
- Max Muncy was a defensive wizard last night! He is actually improving… just like I told you he would!
- Baseball scouts can see that Miguel Vargas has a great “hit tool,” and people with “vision” can see what he is destined to be. I was mocked and ridiculed for calling James Outman a 5th outfielder (which is still pretty damn good), but this is the story of the tortoise and the hare. Outman jumped off to a huge lead, but Vargas is catching up while MLB has discovered large holes in Outman’s swing. His number of strikeouts is alarming! While neither is going back to the minors, if one were – it would be Outman. I like James Outman. I love his hustle and his opportunism. The Dodgers need him to be their centerfielder, and I hope I am wrong about him… but it is a very long season, and I stand by my pick of Miguel Vargas as ROY! Don’t pound your chests until the season is over. Live and learn!
- Will Smith has become an elite hitter – do you understand why I want to move him so as to protect his melon? I would love to see the Dodgers trade for Salvadore Perez! Maybe WIll doesn’t want that either…
- Leave Miguel Rojas at SS!
- It looks like Stone and Miller will be in the rotation for a while. How long may be up to them? Gavin Stone just needs to trust his changeup. He doesn’t need another pitch. An exceptional changeup (which he has) is two or three pitches, anyway.
- Who still would rather have Justin Turner over JDM? (JDM – 9 HR 30 RBI .881 OPS). JT (5 HR 18 RBI .787 OPS). After the Red Sox let him walk, maybe he will have a role with the Dodgers next year?
- I think Trayce Thompson is not long for the team… and yes… Life is not fair!
- Jason Heyward does the little stuff and comes up big at times. .820 OPS ain’t nothing to sneeze at!
- The bullpen has turned it around! Their demise was greatly exaggerated!
- Four starters on the IL, and the Dodgers have the best record in the NL! Wow!
- The Catman is due for a BIG GAME today!
- Bobby MIller’s interview starts at the 11:11 mark of the video below. It’s very humbling!
Minor League News
- OKC is now 34-12!
- For those pining for Jonny DeLuca, he is hitting .214!
- Andy Pages is still on the IL.
- Andre Jackson must still be tipping his pitches. How can they hit you when your stuff is that filthy? Last night 3 IP/3H/3 ER/5 BB (5 BB? – That’s the story)
- Emmet Sheehan is doing nothing to dispel that he is not a Top Prospect. He sometimes needs to cut down on walks, but his 1.66 ERA is commensurate with his 0.82 WHIP. He will move to AAA by All-Star Time.
- Diego Cartaya can’t jump out of a boat and hit water. Cut him! just Kidding! Progress is not… (you know the rest)
- Jake Vogel started the season at Tulsa, and he is now back at GL… hitting .185. Sad!
- Maddux Bruns is very young and very much on the radar. Boy, he can be something…
Parting Shot
The Dudes of Indulgence may do for the Dodgers what Dylan Mulvaney did for Bud Light. Social Justice and DIE have no place in baseball, and Mark Walter is a Dumbass!
UPDATE: I got this e-mail from a Dodger fan and it hits hard:
“A buddy of mine is a huge Dodger fan and also a practicing Catholic in his 60s. He’s genuinely considering just dropping baseball, altogether. Would they give an award to a bunch of women dressed like sexualized Hasidic Rabbis?”
Here’s a very interesting article that presents both sides: https://www.themonastery.org/blog/mlb-team-rescinds-invite-to-controversial-lgbtq-group-after-catholic-backlash
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Discussion (70)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Maybe fans should temper their euphoria over Miller’s great introduction. Yes, he throws hard, but he needs more late movement, and his fastballs were straight down the middle.
He can get away with that in his first start, but MLB players, the more they see him, will eventually time and catch up to his pitches. There’s a reason he’s had a + 4.00 ERA in the minor leagues.
Still a nice win by the Dodgers last night.
… I have a to LOL a little at the fact the Padres have one of the worst offenses in baseball. Preller paid for an offensive juggernaut. Now the Pads are barely out of last place.
I’m not sure how I feel about that. I am enjoying the schadenfreude, I admit, but having a legitimate rivalry is good for the Dodgers and good for baseball. San Diegans were embracing baseball, which I think is a good thing. The Preller experiment appeared at first to be a success. If things continue the way they are there’s now a risk that Preller gets fired and/or they blow up the team. Machado’s underlying offensive metrics are already declining, and they’re stuck with him.
If Eric wants to describe the Dodgers as a “mess,” be glad you’re not a Padres fan.
Update above!
Excellent game by Bobby Miller considering it was his MLB debut and against one of the top 5 lineups in all of baseball. On the road.
Liked his stuff a LOT. A little more movement on the heater and this kid has ace written all over him. In the last two innings he was nails and with better movement on the 4 seamer.
Stone-Age and Miller-Time. What a time for Dodger fans who are into home grown talent.
Vargas will be a candiated for a batting crown down the line sometimes. Outman will be okay. Similar number to Belly but for the league minimum.
Agree on the those Dudes of Indulgence.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, Muncy has improved on defense–just like you told us he would!
I need a Magic 8 Ball.
Seriously, kudos to Max, who has been such a grinder and valuable Dodger since his arrival. He arrived as a guy many thought should be a DH only–I remember Billy Ripken urging the Dodgers to trade him to the AL–and he turned himself into a top 5 first baseman and then moved to 2B and 3B to make room for Freddie. A real gamer. And by MLB standards, he is underpaid.
Speaking of grinders who exceeded expectations, the Sporting News has an article about how Outman flew under the radar on all those prospect lists. The link:
Open on www.sportingnews.comhttps://www.sportingnews.com/us/mlb/news/james-outman-dodgers-rookie-slugger-fly-under-radar-heading-2023/qr9j4gf3t9qqck7l1ixmlkjnAs Andrew points out, Miller was pretty phenomenal in his debut. Maybe it’s just his size–and maybe it’s nostalgia–but I get that intimidating Drysdale vibe. The radio broadcast described a stare down between Acuna and Miller. (Acuna is playing like an MVP after ACL surgery. Hope for Lux getting back to full strength and mobility.) I like how in postgame interviews Miller talked openly about trying to keep his poker face and hide his nerves.
Agree about the parting shot, just unreal WOKE BS.
Ill be in LA June 16-22, I will NOT be going to pride night, I will however be there for Fathers day.
Freddie is 32 hits from 2K, man how cool would it be to get 2K on Fathers day in Dodger Stadium with his dad there, well and me too and my son, but he probably doesn’t care about that 🙂
My son is playing for the Palm Springs Power this summer…
Bobby Miller hit 100 mph 19 times and 101 three times in last night’s game. His last inning’s pitches had more movement. If he can be more consistent with his off speed pitches , the Dodgers have a number one for the future. Great performance by the kid. Keep the kids coming.
The Dodgers have to figure out what to do with Barnes, Thompson and Taylor. They should NEVER be in the lineup at the same time. Thank God there are only 29% left handed starting pitchers in baseball.