Dodgers Rule! Padres Drool!
The Padres gutted their farm system in order to acquire veteran players and a superstar so as to be able to compete with the Dodgers. Even though they gutted the farm, they still cannot hang with the Dodgers! A team does not become great because of one player. Otherwise, the…
The Padres gutted their farm system in order to acquire veteran players and a superstar so as to be able to compete with the Dodgers. Even though they gutted the farm, they still cannot hang with the Dodgers!
A team does not become great because of one player. Otherwise, the Angels with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani would be bound for the World Series… again. It takes a team to win. Andrew Friedman knows that… AJ Preller Might (I said “might”) eventually learn it, but I doubt it. AJ is the Master of the Dope-Fiend Move. When he first came to San Diego, he tried to build a powerhouse with veteran players like Matt Kemp. When that didn’t work… actually, I should re-phrase that: When that failed miserably, he tried to build up the farm, but he never allowed that to come to fruition, so he gutted the farm and acquired Drury, Hader, Bell, and Soto. Here is a glimpse of the Padres Farm System:
Right about now, the Padres need a Priest to administer last rites. There are a multitude of reasons why you do not build a team this way, and AJ Preller has violated just about everyone. I guess Dodger fans should be thanking him.
Your LA Dodgers
The Dodgers rode all year with Max Muncy, and it appears that he might be stepping out of the quagmire he was stuck in. It’s not a sure thing, but he has been hitting better (in places) of late, and that 3-Run HR was a nice step. Cody Bellinger continues to have a low Batting Average, but he makes the most of it, and his play in CF and on the bases is stellar. The Dodgers will give Joey Gallo a few weeks, and if they can’t “fix” him, maybe they will turn him into a pitcher. Allegedly, he has a 100 MPH fastball… sort of a “Reverse Rick Ankiel.”
If not, Trayce Tompson and/or CT3 are fine in LF, but they could use a LH Platoon Partner, like, say… Mike Busch. If Joey Gallo can’t get it together, look for Busch at the end of this month, or it could be Edwin Rios, who should be ready in a week or so.
Also, do not forget that the team with the best record in all of baseball is also getting Dustin May back very soon, as well as Blake Treinen and the Bazooka. Danny Duffy is hitting 93 MPH and is facing live hitters, while Tommy Kahnle is also making progress. Walker Buehler will almost certainly be back, but not built up as a starter. He will be a weapon out of the bullpen. The Dodgers still maintain that Victor Gonzalez will also return, but even if only half of those pitchers return, it will be a huge shot in the arm.
Remember that the Dodgers have the best pitching in baseball (2.90 ERA). Their starters have a 2.73 ERA, which is #1, and they are up to #5 in Bullpen ERA. With the return of several of the above-mentioned bullpen arms, it is not out of the realm of probability that the Dodgers will be #2 in Bullpen ERA by the end of the season (I don’t think they can catch Houston… unless Houston’s bullpen blows up… and it could!).
I like Andrew Heaney as a swingman. He is not built up, and I would not push him hard this year after two bouts of shoulder soreness. Call up Gavin Stone and manage both of their workloads. Gavin is Stone-Cold Ready. Here are his strikeouts last night. It was a little foggy!
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- OKC lost to Salt Lake 4-3
- The game was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the 9th when Mark Washington gave up a 2-out HR.
- Mike Grove had a great start. He went five innings and allowed two hits (both HRs) and 2 ER. He did not walk anyone and struck out 7.
- Edwin Rios was 1-2 (a double) with an RBI.
- Tulsa beat NW Arkansas 9-2
- Gavin Stone started and went four innings, allowing four hits and no runs. He walked 2 while striking out 7. His ERA now sits at 1.32. He should be in LA. He needs to be on the playoff roster in the role Julio Urias had a couple of years ago.
- The Great Lakes Loons lost 6-3 to Lake County
- Diego Cartaya was 1-3 with 2 BB.
- Jose Ramos hit his 23rd HR to go with 81 RBI. He is very much a prospect.
- Rancho Cucamonga beat IE 9-4
- 2022 Draft Pick Chris Alleyne was 3-5 with 4 Runs scored. He hit leadoff and stole a base.
- Catcher Dalton Rushing was 3-4 with 2 RBI and a walk.
- Yunior Garcia was 3-5 with 2 RBI
- Kyle Nevin was 2-4.
I think Tyler Anderson and the Dodgers will be motivated to destroy the Friars’ season hopes today. Bring out the brooms and take it to that Mental Midget, You Dogfish!
R.I.P. Doleres
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Discussion (71)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I see the wildcards standing in the MLB application, but my question is if it is possible for SD to be out of the playoffs? The wildcards will be those with the best record, regardless of the division, or there will necessarily have to be the best two of each division (that is, 6 teams) and the other two will be those with the best record, no matter if they are from the same division ?
It could be that from the same division there were 4 teams… Not this year. but it’s a possibility, right?
I’m sorry, but after several changes and new rules (some very stupid, by the way) I don’t know how it is anymore!
3 Wild card teams with the best record . Best wild card team place 2nd best, 3rd best the division winner with the worst record.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a doubt, in the playoffs the two teams with the best record (LA and NYM) will have rest in the first series, but how are the wild cards going to qualify? The first two places in each division? Or the 6 teams with the best record?
In other words, this year SD has practically secured the wild card as second place in the division, regardless of the fact that there are teams with a better record than them?
I would like SD not to qualify for the playoffs, so I will support the Brewers so they finish with a better record, they are only 2.5 games behind
Pepiot should take Claytons place in the rotation until he or May return.
Miller has been somewhat of a disappointment this season. He has had a few good outings where you could see the talent and stuff but overall not so good. Hope we will not regret not making him available in a big trade this trade deadline.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From the Mariners Julio Rodriguez: “The best pitcher I faced in the minor league is probably Ryan Pepiot. I really give props to that guy. Really good competitor. I got a few off of him, but I also got a few strikeouts too, so… he was a tough guy.” (hat tip Dodgers Nation)
A sweep today would pretty much close out the season for the Padres. So then we can concentrate on getting ready for October. we still have games left with them, but their chances are probably 3% to win the division
Daulton Rushing is at Rancho already? Way to go Daulton!
The Dodgers can certainly afford to play Gallo for a while although I would hate for it to result in losing home-field advantage. 0-2 with 2 K’s last night. I’m just waiting for him to hit something hard.
Stone is dirty. It’s not unheard of to bring up a pitcher from AA, but there’s better options with all of the others you already mentioned. There’s only so many roster spots.
Chris Martin has given up a solo shot and nothing else in 4 games with the Dodgers. Nothing else as in no other baserunners at all, no walks, no hits. That was a great pickup so far. His OPS up until the point of the trade didn’t scare off AF. You have to dig a little deeper.
We should all be riding high on our favorite team right now. Back to back 4 game sweeps of the Giants and a three-game losing streak for the Padres after their huge deadline. They’ll get another shot in the arm when Tatis comes back, but can he pitch?
Of course, the Padres just have to get into the playoffs and they can get hot like the Braves last year, or the Nats a few years ago. At least Doc doesn’t have to manage by National League rules anymore, but he did use a pitcher as a pinch hitter. But then again, so did Melvin.
I’m really hoping Anderson brings his A game tonight for the Nationally Televised Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN so we can embarrass the Padres in front of the entire country. Unfortunately for us, Davish has some pretty extreme reverse splits this year, so no doubt, we’ll be stacking lefties against him.
If we can manage to stay healthy, the lineup at the end of the year will look a lot like the lineup at the beginning of the year. The main difference being where Lux hits and Mookie and Trea batting back to back at the top of the lineup.
RF Mookie R
SS Trea R
1B Freeman L
C Smith R
DH Muncy L
3B Turner R
2B JT L
LF CT3 R
CF Belli L
It was nice seeing a glimpse of Vargas and Outman, but I don’t see how they crack the lineup for a post-season run unless injuries happen.
It’s amazing looking back at all the young talent gone from the top rated Pads prospect lists of 18 and 19! There’s no way you can balance payroll and sustain a winning organization with that strategy. Thank you AF and team for your brilliant understanding of the game.
I have the impression that the Dodgers have a harder time winning on Sunday, I wish I knew the record on Sunday, but today I think they will win!
Guardians Designate Franmil Reyes For Assignment, I like that player, he’s a real power hitter, and I think with 2 more years of control and he’s not very expensive.
Maybe thinking about the next season and not so much for this one, either for a bench or an opportunity to play LF