Dodgers Are Still Series Favorites
OK, this is going to be the last I ever speak of this.. well, that s a lie I probably will speak of it again. However, Las Vegas now has the Dodgers and Astros at +600 odds to make the World Series. The Yankees and Red Sox are next in line with +650 and +700 odds while the Phillies and Cubs are +1000. So, I have a problem when people
OK, this is going to be the last I ever speak of this.. well, that’s a lie – I probably will speak of it again. However, Las Vegas now has the Dodgers and Astros at +600 odds to make the World Series. The Yankees and Red Sox are next in line with +650 and +700 odds while the Phillies and Cubs are +1000. So, I have a problem when people whine and bitch about the Dodgers. Do you want some cheese with that whine? You saw it last night with the return of the guy many of say is done. Clayton pitched 7 strong innings and yes he made a mistake to the Wild Horse, but overall for his first start he was amazing.
Will the Dodgers get back to the World Series again? That’s the big question. Many of you disagree with Vegas because why? Ask yourself that question. The Dodgers have the team, the depth, the pitching and the power to do so, but you have to play the game. Maybe they won’t make it, but when people come out and list 500 things wrong with the Dodgers, Roberts and Friedman, I get a total disconnect. They have no credibility. Zero, Zip, Zilch. ZZZ! If you want to say they they have ‘bullpen problems” then I would understand, but to run a laundry list of what is wrong with them is simply your illusion.
I was listening to the National Broadcast last night and the announcers were absolutely bashing Yasiel Puig about his failure to accept coaching, tardiness and his self-centered attitude. Of course, he was late to the game last night (again), in typical Wild Horse fashion. “Tearing up positioning cards in front of coaches” shows you how absurd he really was. That cancer now belongs to the Reds! He does possess a knack for the dramatic, however.
Clayton Kershaw was vintage last night… minus 1 or 2 MPH. He might regain a couple of those digits, but when he uses his curve and slider like last night, he’s still the Dodgers’ Ace and he showed us why last night. The Athletic’s Pedro Moura wrote this:
“He stuck to his same three-pitch mix: fastball, curveball, slider. There were no changeups to be found. His fastball topped out at 91.3 mph, a tad slower than at this time last year, but not significantly so, and right around where he was in the playoffs. He did not lose velocity during the game. He threw 68 percent strikes and worked efficiently. He located most of his fastballs. He even elicited 14 missed swings from the Reds, as many as he amassed between his two World Series starts. “
Here’s where figures lie: Joc’s jack in the bottom of the 9th was not with RISP, so that stat may not look as good as it really was. I loved Joc’s reaction after the blast! Good on him! Dave Roberts showed Joc that he had confidence in him by not having him bunt the tying run into scoring position. Joc’s biggest cheerleader, Bumsrap, is very happy – of that I am sure!
Remember when we wanted Raisel Iglesias? He now has a 6.75 ERA and has lost 3 games this season. The fans in Cincy hate him like Dodger fans hate Joe Kelly. Bullpen pieces are so unpredictable. Iglesias has imploded after signing a new deal, making it all the more bothersome.
For those of you who wonder why Verdugo doesn’t play CF more, the real answer is that he can’t! Oh, he can fill in if there is a pinch, but Taylor and Bellinger are better…. maybe Joc too. Alex simply lacks the foot speed to be a CF, but he does posses the power to be a corner outfielder.
X-Rays were negative on Bellinger’s knee, but he could miss a game or two with soreness and swelling, I suppose. There was no intent to hit Bellinger which is why no one retaliated. Castillo was wild all night and while he has filthy stuff, he can’t control it well. That, my friends, is a hazard of the game. I am the first one to want retaliation when it is on purpose, like when Kelly drilled Hanley Ramirez (who is back in baseball and struggling at .182 – I don’t understand why the Indians let Brad Miller go instead of Hanley).
The Dodgers are now 10-8 and Hill and Ryu will be back in the next two weeks, meaning that Urias and someone else may go to the pen. If Chicken Strip keeps it up, that someone could be Maeda. I think the Dodgers will keep Urias in the pen for a couple of months… at least. Maeda is battling for his spot as a starter tonight as he goes against Right Hander Tyler Mahle who has been very good this year.
AC’S MINOR LEAGUE REPORT
Great Lakes Loons – South Bend Cubs 6
There was not much to write about except for OF Niko Hulsizer. DC called it last week that at some point Hulsizer’s doubles will turn into HRs. Well, he did in a big way. Niko hit 3 HRs (his first three in 2019) and got 4 RBIs in a losing cause. Jacob Amaya got his 4th double of the season, for the 5th RBI, as the only other offensive highlight.
Stephen Kolek started for the Loons and went 3.2 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. He hit his pitch limit with 2 out in the 4th at 77. Alfredo Tavarez replaced Kolek and itched 3 innings allowing 3 hits, 1 walk, and 2 strikeouts. Tavarez left 2 runners on base when Joel Inoa came on in relief and promptly gave up a 2 out double for two runs which turned out to be the runs needed for the win. Inoa’s final line was 1.1 IP, 2 hits, 2 walks, and 1 strikeout.
RC Quakes 4 – Lake Elsinore Storm 1 (Padres)
Jeren Kendall led off the game with a single and stole 2nd with his 5th SB on the season. Jeter Downs moved him to 3rd on a ground out. Connor Wong then hit his 4th HR of the season. After Carlos Rincon flew out for out #2, Donovan Casey singled. Casey came around to score on Devin Mann’s 4th HR of the season. That was all the runs the Quakes would get on the night, and all that they needed. Carlos Rincon and Marcus Chiu each had 2 hit nights with Rincon getting his 4th double.
21-year-old RHP Edwin Uceta went 4.1 innings reaching 83 pitches. He allowed one unearned run on 6 hits, 2 walks, and 5 strikeouts. 20-year-old RHRP Elio Serrano made his 2019 debut, with 1.2 IP allowing 2 runs and 2 walks. Ryan Moseley had a very nice outing going 2.0 innings giving up 1 hit, 2 walks, and 3 Ks. Moseley gave way to new RC closer, Jordan Sheffield, who found himself in a little trouble by walking his first two batters. He got a flyout and a double play to end the game and earn his third save in 3 save opportunities.
Tulsa Driller 5 – Springfield Cardinals 6
Justin De Fratus started and went 5.0 innings giving up 5 runs on 4 hits, 1 walk 3 strikeouts and 3 HRs. The 3 HRs accounted for all 5 runs De Fratus allowed. Nolan Long relieved De Fratus and threw 1.2 innings allowing only a pair of walks and 2 K’s. Shea Spitzbarth followed and walked the first two batters, and one scored on a single which turned out to be the winning run. Luis Vazquez finished the 8th with a strikeout.
Down 6-4, Gavin Lux led off the 9th with his 2nd HR of the season, which was followed by an Omar Estevez single, his 3rd hit on the night. But that was it as Keibert Ruiz lined out to left and DJ Peters and Chris Parmalee each struck out. Overall offensively, Omar Estevez had a 3-5 night with his 5th double, and Zach Reks went 3-4. Keibert Ruiz is showing signs of life with a 2-4 night including his first XBH, a double. Lux went 2-4 with his 2nd HR and a walk. Cody Thomas and Chris Parmalee both hit their 2nd HR.
OKC 10 – Iowa Cubs 5
OKC finished off their 1st road trip with a victory highlighted by season high in hits (14), runs (10), and XBH (6). Drew Jackson was leadoff hitter, playing CF, went 3-4 with a double. Batting 2nd, Matt Beaty had a 2-5 night. Batting 3rd Will Smith also had a 2-hit night going 2-4 with his 3rd double and 3rd HR. Cameron Perkins went 3-4 hitting his 3rd double. The fifth batter with a multi-hit night was starting pitcher Rob Zastryzny including his first double. Kyle Garlick also hit a double on the night.
Zastryzny started and went 4.0 innings allowing 3 runs on 6 hits. He did not issue a walk, got 4 Ks. Layne Somsen was not as sharp tonight going 1.1 innings He surrendered 2 runs on 3 hits, 1 walk and 1 K. Bot Zastryzny and Somsen served up HRs. Josh Smoker, Joe Broussard, Kevin Quackenbush, and Stetson Allie threw the final 3.2 innings with no runs scored. Broussard struck out the side in the 7th.
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Discussion (72)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It’s a funny thing that I notice about myself that I never compare players as being like this one or that one. It just never occurs to me. What I do notice about Verdugo is that he is making (perhaps made) his case for a starting job or at least, an everyday role in the games. He is a natural in RF, chases balls and is alert, and is developing his hitting to a fine degree. This will allow Cody to play 1B more. I don’t think Verdugo is a natural CF and that Pollock still holds the edge there, but Pollock’s bat is lagging and I can see Cody also playing CF with Verdugo in RF, and either Freese or Muncy at 1B. For me, Freese has the edge at 1B because of his length. Muncy cannot stretch out like Freese or Cody does. His body is too thick and squat. But, he’s not bad. We have a lot of options.
Joc has proved to me that he can be an every day player, but it is his power that the Dodgers want and as long as he delivers it, he is untouchable. Joc actually has more BB than SO’s this season. It shows me that he is seeing the ball much better and will achieve an even more impressive season total of HR’s. OTOH, he is not an ideal LFer. He is a bit slow in chasing balls, getting a late jump, and his arm is not as strong as it could be, but overall he is fine. Taylor is his natural replacement if he ever gets it together. I’m not holding my breath on that one.
Pollock is the most troublesome player on my mind, so far. He is not playing anywhere near what we need from him. There is no history of him being the kind of player that people think he is. One year of playing well out of all the years he’s played, is not the way analysts would go about selecting a player. That’s wishful thinking. Maybe this will change sometime this season, but he doesn’t strike me as an aggressive player or a particularly skilled one. Maybe I’m missing something here. There is little to get excited about in his play. I don’t feel the magic there, the burn of wanting to be great. We need another firebrand in CF. Who that would be I don’t know. I get the feeling Pollock will be another Dozier or Reddick, adequate in the field, inadequate at the plate. I want to see a base stealer in CF. Unless Pollock starts to exhibit some power, he will not get my support. Turner, who is not exhibiting power, has my full support because of his overall play and clutchness.
I’ve been wondering when was the right time to ask this question.
This is not hindsight because a number of very regular posters here, primarily MJ, Brooklyn and others asked repeatedly why Verdugo was not given more opportunity to play towards the back end of last season, because it was obvious that the team needed his hitting skill set.
It was particularly obvious in the Post Season that we needed someone to make consistent contact and get on base with line drives and good Baseball intelligence.
Our reliance on the long ball was ridiculous.
People said he was immature, a poor teammate and that he wasn’t as good as players we already had in the outfield, Puig, Taylor, kike, Kemp, Joc, Bellinger, and that he wasn’t ready as he hadn’t shown much in the few chances he had been afforded.
I’m not sure how he can have improved so much between September and April without playing any meaningful Baseball?
I would suggest that he was exactly the type of player the Dodgers were crying out for, and that the powers that be dropped the ball big time. He was there, in the Dugout and I think thathe would really of helped us given the opportunity?