If I had as bad a record of predicting what would happen with the Dodgers as many of you do, I would quit being a baseball fan. Before the season and even during the season, many of you make these dire, wild predictions about how bad some aspect of the Dodgers is, and for ten years now, Andrew Friedman comes back and shoves it in your face. The next time you make one of those predictions, I am running to the sportsbook and placing a bet 180 degrees opposite.
This year, we have heard how bad the bullpen is and how the Dodgers were idiots for moving Lux and Betts defensively. Since April 10th, the Dodgers have had the best record in baseball, and a third of the way through the season, they were third in the major leagues in FanGraphs’ defensive runs saved. By the way, last year, I said that I would have Mookie play SS, and most of you thought that was really dumb. How do you like me now? To top it all off, Mookie is loving it! Doug Padilla published a piece in the OC Register that I am going to share parts of.
The Dodgers built a grand palace with some termites in the walls, it was said. They were a race car on 87 octane. A classic novel with a chapter missing.
Sure the Dodgers assembled one of their more anticipated rosters in a long time, but it had the potential to be destroyed from within by its defense. Or more specifically: infield defense.
That’s how the narrative went, anyway.
Gavin Lux was moved off shortstop in spring training because of throwing issues and placed at second base. Mookie Betts moved to short as a career outfielder who merely dabbled on the dirt in recent years. Third baseman Max Muncy never has been considered a Gold Glove contender.
To top it off, the Dodgers moved one of the top defensive shortstops in Miguel Rojas into a backup middle infielder role.
All of it was believed to be an overall flaw that would make the Dodgers’ offensive machine a little less potent.
Doug goes on to say:
Flash forward to just shy of one-third through the season and the Dodgers were third in the major leagues in FanGraphs’ defensive runs saved, heading into Wednesday’s game against the Miami Marlins. Defense isn’t a liability, it’s a strength, at least in the early going for the Dodgers.
“Defense, sometimes there is a ceiling individually, but I think the floor a lot of times, isn’t raised as high as it should be and that’s because of effort,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “And our guys have put forth the effort to raise the floor and the ceiling … coincidentally.”
Roberts noted the hard work put forward by Muncy and Betts in order to pull their weight, as well as the mentorship from Rojas, who has been trying to pass on as many tricks of the trade as possible. Lux’s determination to improve has been noted.
The infield has been stellar… not perfect, but it is now a strength and (as I told you) Max Muncy has improved greatly at 3B. He is actually more than above average… he’s actually “solid and sometimes spectacular!
This Bullpen is No Bull
With Brusdar Graterol, Evan Phillips, Joe Kelly, and Kyle Hurt all out because of injuries, Dave Roberts has had to manage their workload, and with the naysayers who despise Doc, all I will say is “Scoreboard.” Docs’ record with the bullpen speaks for itself, while your record does too! Ha, Ha! After early hiccups, Michael Grove has been very good. Alex Vesia has allowed eight hits in 18 innings. Yes, he walks a few, but his WHIP is an excellent 1.07, and now JP Feyereisen is rounding into form as one of the best set-up men in the game.
Some of you criticized Doc for not bringing out Treinen for a second inning last week because, well, you hate Doc and love to guess a second any time you can. It turns out that Treinen will pitch one inning at a time for the foreseeable future. They want him to be there in October. These are not decisions made by Dave Roberts alone – they are made by the Dodgers medical staff, the coaches, and the front office. They have a “game plan” for every game that is discussed with that group before each game, and I am going to respectfully say that most of you “Don’t know a damn thing!” Man, enjoy this season instead of bitching about everything. Do you love to make yourself miserable? Is that your goal… and then you need company?
Yamamoto Evolution & Other Stuff
- Yamamoto is stubborn, but he is going to have to pitch differently. They are waiting on that first pitch. He has to evolve and not throw so many pitches in the zone. MLB hitters will get that cheese.
- On the latest MLB Top 100 Prospects, the Dodgers now have just three: Andy Pages at #52, Dalton Rushing at #53, and Josue DePaula at #83. Vargas is no longer a prospect, but he would be in the Top 30 if he was. By season’s end, there will be more.
- There is a very fine line between success and failure in baseball – hopefully, Diego Cartaya’s breakout game Sunday gets him going. Such a generational talent!
- Gavin Lux is slowly coming out of his slump.
- James Outman is just lost, and CT3 is loster!
- Changes will be made … soon!
- I am looking for someone who wants to post the Minor League Results every day (Monday is generally the only day off). All you have to do is e-mail it to me, and you will get the Press Credit. The pay is lousy, and the boss is a SOB.
Discussion (15)
Disagree, not disagreeable
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Dave Roberts said Bobby Miller is going to pitch to hitters tomorrow at Camelback Ranch. 2 innings. #Dodgers
Gotta love Stone’s makeup. No panic in this kid
Nice ab by Lux. He’s beginning to look like his old self. Time to say goodbye to Outman
James Outman just punched his ticket to OKC.
Gavin “Freaking” Lux!
Jason Heyward staring his rehab assignment today at AAA Oklahoma City playing RF was 0-3 with 2Ks.
lite day huh guys? lux. goes deep! write it down!
Mark, just a suggestion to ease your burden for the daily Dodger Minor Leagues, just post the link to each of the affiliate’s’ box scores and we can all get the necessary information we are looking for on players and stats. Also you don’t have to post daily, just leave the comments section open on your last article posted. We all understand the hard work and time that you devote to this wonderful site.
9:45 PM ET
Dodgers (28-15)
Giants (19-24)
SP Gavin Stone R
3-1 3.55 ERA
SP Keaton Winn R
3-5 5.63 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
LF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
RF Andy Pages R
2B Gavin Lux L
CF James Outman L
59° Wind 10 mph Out
https://x.com/sis_baseball/status/1790087924962201828?s=46
I tip my hat to MM. Called him a butcher at 3b at times but he has improved his defense a LOT.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Smith got his average up to .309 with his 2-5 day. Mookie climbed back over .340. Could have had a three-hit day, but a great catch by Yaz robbed him. Ohtani still has a tendency to try and do too much with men in scoring position. Teo had a bad day at the office, but that is his MO, sot strike out a bunch. Max made all the plays, and he has been pretty good over there at third, proof that hard work pays off. I have seen fans on other sites still calling for the Dodgers to try and trade for Arenado. But Arenado is having a mediocre year again. His homer last night was only his third. Rockies held on to beat the Padres. D-Backs had a walk off against the Reds, who we get for four this weekend.
I agree with just about everything you write Mark, especially this, “Man, enjoy this season instead of bitching about everything.” It is absolutely fun to be a Dodger fan and watch Betts, Ohtani, Freeman, Smith, Muncy, and T. Hernandez, hit, and Glasnow, Stone, Yamamoto, Paxton, and Buehler pitch, with Miller and Kershaw coming back soon. We are playing great defense, we have a very good bullpen with great arms soon to return, and we have a capable manager who does his best day after day.
Lux made a great turn on the game ending dp. In tight games that can be the difference. Of course Muncy with the feed and Freeman picked it but lux was quick and had something on the throw.
I have been harsh on Vesia so I have to say he is pitching really well now. I just don’t think he ever got comfortable last year. Throwing quality strikes is the challenge for him. He is doing it now.
When things aren’t going well we just need Cassidy to motivate. Smith got on board going 2-2 including the game winner. Now get Freeman going lol
Luxy is turning it around. Happy for the kid and the team. We can certainly use him at the bottom of the lineup.
His defense has been flawless all season. Prime example how well he turned that game ending DP yesterday.
Joendry Vargas finally played his first game at the ACL going 1-5. I am pretty sure we will see him at RC sometime this season.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!1