… some Dodger fans thought Farhan Zaidi was the real genius and Andrew Friedman was just the “front man?”
Neither do I! But, AF is humming, “How do you like me now?” Gabe Kapler was fired from his second manager job (maybe his third time, if you count getting picked over for Doc Roberts). Actually, this is just Farhan Zaidi trying to save his job! Maybe it works… maybe not. But we do know that he’s not the genius!
… some Dodger fans questioned why Ryan Yarbrough started in Denver and then pitched four innings and gave up a million runs at Coors?
Neither Do I! Actually, the Dodgers just wanted Ryan to throw 4 or 5 innings and not waste the bullpen. They knew his breaking stuff wouldn’t break there. They just needed him to be ready to throw 4 or 5 in the playoffs, and last time I checked, there were no games scheduled at Coors in the playoffs.
… when some Dodger fans said this team would be lucky to win 85 games?
Neither Do I! Actually, some fans had them at less and some had them sub .500. What a run! Now they are looking for #100.
… some Dodger fans thought the bullpen would be the Dodgers’ Achilles Heel?
Neither Do I! Actually, I do. Before June 20th, the Dodger’s Bullpen was #29 in MLB in ERA. Since then, they have been #1, and they are currently in the #2 spot in all of baseball, with a 3.42 Bullpen ERA. The Yankees are still #1 with a 3.38 ERA. What a turnaround! The Brewers are #3 with a 3.43 Bullpen ERA.
Games Number 160 & 161
- It was good to see David Peralta get a couple of hits last night. They will need him against those RHP.
- Lance Lynn did not have his best stuff as he walked four, but he allowed just two hits and two earned runs and limited the HRs to one. I think the key is that if he walks a couple of batters or they fill the bases, you have to come get him then.
- I am mildly surprised that Clayton is pitching as well as he is. At 89 MPH, he has no margin for error. He will likely start Game 1, but last night he was pitching against a bunch of bums, so I still need to see what he does against better competition.
- It was good to see Will Smith get a Big Fly Friday night to CF. He needs one more for an even 20!
- Among pitchers with at least 120 innings pitched, Clayton Kershaw is #2 in ERA among starters. Only Blake Snell is better – 2.25 to 2.46 ERA. However, Clayton’s arm and shoulder are held on with duct tape and baling wire!
- Mookie has cooled off in September, but with two games left in the season, he has a 8.2 WAR to Acuna’s 8.1 WAR. You can make a case for both, but Acuna is bright and shiny!
- Today is the last game and the final chance to win 100 – not that winning 100 means much! It would be nice to see Bobby Miller win his 12th game and lower his ERA even more!
Yes, the OKC Dodgers are the PCL Champs, but not the AAA champs. From MiLB.com:
Michael Busch and Miguel Vargas both homered as the Oklahoma City Dodgers put together a four-run rally with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday night, but the Norfolk Tides held on to defeat the Dodgers, 7-6, in the Triple-A National Championship Game at Las Vegas Ballpark. The International League Champion Tides (3-1/90-59) grabbed the game’s first lead in the third inning when Coby Mayo was caught stealing second base and a run scored from second base for a 1-0 Norfolk advantage. The Pacific Coast League Champion Dodgers (2-1/90-58) fought back to take the lead. Hunter Feduccia hit a solo home run in the fifth inning out to right field to tie the score, 1-1. Then in the sixth inning, the Dodgers went in front, 2-1. Miguel Vargas doubled and later scored on a RBI single by Jonny DeLuca for a 2-1 OKC advantage. The Tides went on to load the bases in the seventh inning before Colton Cowser hit a grand slam out to center field for a 5-2 lead. A two-run homer by Connor Norby in the ninth inning extended the Tides to a 7-2 lead. The Dodgers then rallied with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Drew Avans connected on a RBI single. Busch followed with a two-run homer out to right field before Vargas connected on a solo homer out to left field to cut the deficit to one run.
Discussion (22)
Disagree, not disagreeable
TW
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZPR7AUEPm/
Let’s enjoy this year its been fun. I don’t expect guys 35 years old and older to be able to produce next year like this year. Maybe next year will be the transition year.
Most baseball executives call a 100 win year a career achievement. AF calls it a transition year! All you 80 something win year in 2023 please step forward and pick up your moron badges! At least the past 11 years should have taught us is no complaining until the end of August. And Robert’s should be NL manager of the year. Hands down! And AF, well he’s just on another planet!
not a nelson fan ! too phony. like Karros. nerdy nelson. shouldn’t we hit at least 1 san francisco batter?
I trade Lux.
Showalter out as manager of the Mets. Tim Wakefield, the knuckleball pitcher passed away at age 57. RIP.
Final game of the year and the Giants pitcher has already hit 3 batters, Freeman, Smith, Taylor, and it is only the 4th inning. Miller looking good so far. I will worry about next season after this one is over. Not going to make any predictions. I like Lux’s bat, but his glove at any position besides second is very suspect. No to him moving to the outfield.
If I was a GM in 2024: (Most will be happy I’m not a GM.) This roster is made without any trades or Free Agent signings. If there were trades or FAA signings they would include a catcher (all FA catchers don’t appear to make the Dodgers better); and a left handed starter. Catchers would be Smith, Barnes and Feduccia, slowly start the transition of Smith to 2nd base. Other infielders, Freeman, Taylor, Rojas, Busch and Lux. Outfielders, Betts, Heyward, Outman and Deluca. DH Martinez. Outside looking in would be Miguel Vargas and Andy Pages. I’ll post pitching staff later. I’m not in the same opinion as many of you in that having a staff of 4 or five right handed starters isn’t bad. I’m trying to think of a team especially in our division that has predominantly left handed hitters. If Cartaya would step up that would take Feduccia out of the picture.
Just wondering on what kind of contract JDM can garner elsewhere? At his age. He missed alot of games this year and is one pulled muscle away from disaster
I think it was on Scott’s old board, but it may have been here.
There were actually some “fans” who took exception at Farhan playing Fantasy Football with players. It still brings a smile to my face.
3:05 PM ET
Dodgers (99-62)
Giants (79-82)
SP Bobby Miller R
11-4 3.89 ERA
SP Kyle Harrison L
1-1 4.85 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
DH J. Martinez R
3B Max Muncy L
LF Chris Taylor R
2B Amed Rosario R
CF James Outman L
SS E. Hernandez R
65° Wind 5 mph Out
Let’s get our 100th win today!!!
Bill Plunkett
@billplunkettocr
Dave Roberts acknowledges that it’s “pretty much a no-brainer” that Clayton Kershaw will start Game 1 of the NLDS for the #Dodgers next Saturday. “That’s how it’s lining up” as long as Kershaw comes out of tonight’s starting feeling fine.
ROJAS has earned the right to play every game. Lux should not play one game at SS. He is so inferior to Rojas in the field and his bat is only slightly better. Besides, put Lux in the OF (see below).
Lynn has earned the right to pitch in the playoffs. He was huge for us down the stretch….a great inning eater too.
I hope Grove stays in the pen and is on the playoff roster. I trust him much more than Yarbrough. But I know team is looking for hopefully two lefties in the bullpen. VESIA + anybody not named Ferguson.
Marvelous Max should be on the team next season….show him some respect, over 100 RBIs. I don’t like to read guys dissing him. He’s a good guy and loves being a Dodger. We got rid of Bellinger….don’t make the same mistake here.
Still undecided about James Outman. I applaud his 23 HRs and near .800 OPS….but not sure he would make a difference over Gavin Lux playing the OF. I would resign Heyward for sure if we needed another CF or we didn’t think Lux can play CF. I think he could learn to.
Mark, you suggest what basically amounts to a platoon DH next year with Max sharing duties with JT or JDM.
In what universe do you think either of those guys willingly comes back as a part time player?
I agree Mark, Acuna is the flashy media darling! think if Freddie gets 60 doubles think they stop the game and he holds the 2nd base bag above his head? don’t think so, but in today’s sports world anything is possible. how long has been since Ronald got yanked in the inning for not hustling? I don’t think Dodgers have anyone like that on their roster (Verdugo) been a lot of fun being on here this season. through. all the bad, good moronic, great and just plain funny ideas we have all floated around, great minds all stink alike! Thanks Mark and Bear for keeping it so much informative and fun! still want Arenado Mark! call me a moron for the memories!
Mookie has great numbers. But don’t think it will even be close as Acuna runs away with MVP
NEXT YEAR:
1. I can see a platoon of Rojas and Lux at SS (at least initially).
2. Betts may go to 2B.
3. Heyward signs a two-year deal and platoons with Jonny D in RF
4. Vargas or Busch to LF and 3B.
5. Max at DH with a RH compliment? JDM? JT?
Max at 3rd is a liabilty. He cost CK the game yesterday in the 6th.
First he does not tag the runner coming right at him from 2nd and instead goes to first, leaving runners on the corners.
then he butchers a taylor made dp ball allowing the eventual winning run to score.
Make him the DH next season, he will be a bargain if he puts up the same numbers as this season and bring in a guy like Chapman or Arenado to play 3rd.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Forgot to post this last night:
DODGERS RECALL VICTOR GONZÁLEZ
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have recalled left-handed pitcher Victor González and placed right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn on the bereavement list.
González, 27, joins the team for his fourth stint and he is 2-3 with a 4.13 ERA (15 ER/32.2 IP) and 29 strikeouts on the season. He has been with the Dodgers parts of three seasons, and he is a combined 8-4 with a 3.26 ERA (32 ER/88.1 IP) and 85 strikeouts against 31 walks. With Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA (12 ER/20.0 IP) and 22 strikeouts in 20 games. He has pitched in 159 minor league games (77 starts) and he is a combined 22-29 with a 4.39 ERA (205 ER/420.2 IP) and 416 strikeouts. He was signed by the Dodgers as an international free agent on July 2, 2012 from Tuxpan, Nayarit, Mexico.
Lynn, 36, recorded the win last night, tossing 6.0 innings and striking out four to record his seventh win since joining the Dodgers. On the season, he is a combined 13-11 with a 5.73 ERA (117 ER/183.2 IP) and 191 strikeouts between Los Angeles and Chicago-AL. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of 12 seasons with St. Louis (2011-17), Minnesota (2018), New York-AL (2018), Texas (2019-20), Chicago-AL (2021-23), Los Angeles (2023) and he is a combined 136-95 with a 3.74 ERA (784 ER/1889.0 IP) and 1906 strikeouts. He was originally drafted in the first round (39th overall) of 2008 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Mississippi by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Colorado and USC was a great game yesterday. The Buffs were without two of their best players (Travis Hunter), but if not for some casual clock management, they might’ve tied it late.
i hold my breath every time a ball is hit to Max! He’s done a respect job there this season, but he’s not an everyday 3rd baseman. it will be interesting to see who’s at 3rd next year. Mark, do you resign JD or go after Ohtani? Martinez has put up terrific numbers! Do you trade Max? Dodgers need an upgrade defensively at 3rd. that error last night didn’t cost Clayton the win, but it did give him the loss. hopefully number 100 today! Hope bobby has a great game today. I think he should pitch game 1 with Clayton game 2, with Grove staying warm, just my opinion.
I always enjoy the last game of the regular season. A win gives the Dodgers 100 and yes that would be cool.
Hoping Mookie finally hits number 40 and Freeman gets his 30th homerun and 60th double.
I was never a big fan of Farhan Zaidi. After he left, some fans were in a panic and yah there was the 107 win season. He connected all the dots that year. But that’s hard to do. He got lucky. You really need an exceptional farm system to sustain that kind of success. I’m hoping the Dodgers don’t bring back Kapler. Some of the things he says are a little weird. Do people really talk like that? Apparently the clubhouse environment in Frisco wasn’t all that great.