Dodgers Suffer Loss on Jackie Robinson Night

Tough night for the Dodgers on Jackie Robinson night.  The team got in late from San Francisco and did not look ready to play.  These games happen. Forget about it, get some sleep, and come back tomorrow.

It would be easy to pick apart the game, but no team can play on all cylinders each and every game.  The Dodgers started out well enough with a pair of singles by Mookie and Corey.  However as became evident throughout the game, the team just could not help itself with RISP, and neither runner scored.  The team put two runners on base again in the 3^rd and 4^th inning and did not score again. 

Mike Minor looked like a CY winner instead of the pitcher with the 2^nd highest ERA in the AL.  He shut out the Dodgers for 6.0 innings with four singles and three walks.  They also struck out six times against the soft throwing LHP.  I cannot determine if it is their usual inability to hit LHP or just a very lethargic game.

Texas native, Dustin May, took the mound in the stadium he grew up 30 miles from.  He grew up a Texas Rangers fan, so he was excited.  It is too bad that he could not have family and friends there to cheer him on.  Dustin continues to show that someday he is going to be a dominant pitcher.  But as a pitcher with his speed and movement, his lack of strikeouts is going to cost him until he convinces himself that he needs to get his offspeed (curve or change) to be thrown for strikes.  When Orel indicated that Dustin only lands his curve for a strike 3 times a game, that fact does not go unnoticed to opposing teams.  Orel also made the point that in this last three games combined, May had a total of 5 K’s.  May could be a top of the rotation pitcher, and I believe he will be one day.  Will he be there as a true #3 playoff pitcher in 2020????

May was down 2-0 going into the top of 7^th, and Will Smith starts the inning with a double, and the Dodgers again had a runner in scoring position.  After a Kike’ ground out and a Mookie strike out, the team was now 0-10 WRISP.  However, that brought up Corey Seager who is unworldly this year so far with runners in scoring position with 2 outs.  Before tonight, Seager was 9-18 with an HBP with runners in scoring position and 2 outs.  What does Corey do…he lines a double to score Smith making it a one run game.  JT follows that with a single that scored Corey and tied it up. 

Dodgers looked like they were ready to take control, and then everything broke down.  I made an argument why Lance Lynn would be a good addition because he has an ability to pitch 100+ pitches per outing.  However, it is clear to me that an ability to throw 100+ pitches is just not important to Dave Roberts.  In his postgame presser, Dustin said that after the 3^rd inning he decided to mix up his pitches more and he gained a lot more confidence.  It is something that he will use in future outings.  He only threw 80 pitches, and was still strong as he hit 100mph in the 6^th.  He only threw 12 pitches in the 5^th and 6^th innings.  Why not let Dustin build on that confidence?  How else is he going to be able to get through the 7^th or maybe the 8^th.  He had a good opportunity to show that he has the length to go deeper into the game.

But the bullpen has been so good this year, why not turn it over to them and let the offense wake up.  McGee gave up the long fly to Derek Dietrich, then 3 singles to the next 4 hitters, and Jake’s first bad outing as a Dodger was over.  The usually reliable Dylan Floro gave up a double and a sac fly to allow the final two runs to score.  Just a bad night from two very reliable relievers.  It happens.  The only problem that it has now happened in two of the last six games.  The bullpen is just throwing too many innings this year, and this was a good opportunity to let Dustin stretch it out.  Is he a game three playoff pitcher?  Let him prove it on the field.  I would have rather seen him try and fail.

One positive outcome was Mitch White making his MLB debut and pitching a scoreless 8^th inning, finishing it in style with a K of Shin-Soo Choo.  Congratulations Mitch on an impressive debut.

One potentially negative concern was JT leaving after stealing 2^nd base in the 7^th inning.  After the game, Doc said that it was something in his hammy.  The current thinking is that it is cramping but nothing more than a very mild strain.  JT will not play tomorrow.  They do not seem overly concerned.  Just being precautionary with as large of a lead in the standing as they have.

Saturday – Another Texas RHP, Ross Stripling vs. Lance Lynn.

I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that during the game, we learned the tremendous actor, Chadwick Boseman, who expertly played Jackie Robinson in one of my absolute favorite movies (genre notwithstanding) 42, lost his battle with prostate cancer and passed away at 43.  Ironically, Chadwick passed away on the 75^th anniversary of the meeting between Jackie and Branch Rickey.  Jackie will be idolized throughout history, and Chadwick will be remembered for his outstanding portrayal of the legend.  Chadwick, rest in peace.

https://www.si.com/mlb/video/2020/08/28/si-insider-jackie-robinson-75th-anniversary