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 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!

Gavin Stone he had another strong outing for Tulsa, as he lowered his MiLB-leading ERA to 1.32. Today's line:

4.0 IP
4 hits
0 runs
2 BBs
7 Ks⬇️ pic.twitter.com/zoTgzD0rve

— Josh Thomas (@jokeylocomotive) August 7, 2022

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