Getting No-Hit May be the Best Thing That has Happened to This Team
Being no-hit in baseball is humbling, humiliating, embarrassing, and in this case, it is a wake-up-call! Bear was right yesterday, these are not the 2020 Dodgers. This version is different from last year. Gone are the all-or-nothing bats of Kike and Joc who have been replaced by McKinstry and Lux. That has not been a problem. The problems is that the team has gotten poor production from Betts, Seager and
Being no-hit in baseball is humbling, humiliating, embarrassing, and in this case, it is a wake-up-call! Bear was right yesterday, these are not the 2020 Dodgers. This version is different from last year. Gone are the “all-or-nothing” bats of Kike and Joc who have been replaced by McKinstry and Lux. That has not been a problem. The problems is that the team has gotten poor production from Betts, Seager and Bellinger. Of course, injuries have been a part of it, but that is no excuse. The mantra is “next-man-up!” The next man up has also not delivered. I happen to think that will change, but change is hard.
This 2021 version of the Dodgers is not the same as the 2020 version – that much is true, but when they are back to full health… which is not far off, last night’s embarrassment could be the impetus to change. We know these guys can hit and score runs – they have done that better than any other NL team. They are #1 in runs scored in the NL. The problem is that some nights, they simply show up and sleepwalk through the game. It’s something you can see or at least “sense.” Last night, I went to bed in the 4th inning (which is about the 5th or 6th time I have done that) because I was certain that they were not going to hit. When I got up today and saw the no-no, I was not surprised.
This problem is not a lack of talent. It’s a lack of resolve. It involves changing your thinking and as a result, your mindset. The Dodgers can put up runs line no other NL team, but it seems like it is feast or famine: Everyone hits or no one hits! These guys have to change their thinking. They have to realize that “I can make a difference in this at-bat” and feel the need to do so. I am not in their heads, but it may involve a change in visualization. Successful athletes in all sports can visualize what happens before it happens and that helps make it happen. 50% of this problem is 80% mental.
Last night’s no-no can be a “stepping stone” or a “stumbling block”. This is the choice the Dodger hitter now face. “you were no-hit… what are you going to do about it?” I say “ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.” Mookie and JT need to have a “players only” meeting and challenge the entire team to get better. It’s not one big thing… it’s a dozen little things:
- Hitting the other way
- Laying down a bunt when the other team shifts
- Not always trying the pull the ball
- Stealing a base
- Hitting behind the runner
- Threatening to steal to disrupt the pitcher
- Focusing and visualizing what you want to happen
Those things don’t always work, but if they work only 20% of the time, it will impact games. Some have asked why Turner was not playing last night or why Price was pitching. It’s easy to tell you why Price was pitching: BECAUSE HE HAS TO! He is learning a new role in the bullpen and he has to pitch as much as possible if he is going to be a factor down the stretch and in the playoffs.
Why Justin Turner did not play is something we will probably never know, but to somehow put it on Doc is pretty ignorant. He could have felt sick, maybe his knee was tweaked, maybe he was a little tired, or maybe it was his planned day off. We don’t have the inside information, but Dave Roberts does. This team is very, very good, and capable of scoring lots of runs. Witness their 13-2 start. Maybe that start caused this malaise. There is such a thing as a “World Series Hangover.” They have played well in spurts and poorly in other spurts.
Dave Roberts can literally “push the button” and get them to focus and play better, but the key is: DO NOT DO IT TOO SOON. I think it will cure itself. These guys will wake up and win the NL West GOING AWAY! In six games, they will be at the halfway point. This is a horse race and they are almost at that halfway point. They don’t have to do what Calidoscopio did in the Breeders Cup in 2018, when he went from last to first, blowing the entire field away, in what may have been the best horse race ever. The Dodgers are just 4.5 games back. That can be made up in a week!
So, I do not see doom and gloom. I do not think the bullpen is bad and I give little credence to those who only comment when things are not going well. It’s a knee-jerk reaction. This team will get hot down the stretch and win it all, just like Calidoscopio did, because they are thoroughbreds… maybe right about now, they need to act like junkyard dogs!
Tomorrow, we have another real treat from Dodger Chatter. Stay tuned!
Dodger Minor League Player Notes
- Kaybear was 2-3 and walked twice.
- Scott Alexander and the Bazooka each pitched an inning and gave up runs. Alexander is getting close, but they are working with the Bazooka on some new stuff. Bazooka might be down for a while.
- It was good to see Jacob Amaya go 3-4 with a BB. He has been struggling.
- 6′ 7″ Mark Washington continues to dazzle at Tulsa, He is 2-0 with a 1.19 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP. He has a 94-95 MPH fastball, a nice change, and a decent slider. The rap on him in the past is that he walks too many batters. He has solved that problem this year and could move up rapidly. He pitched 1.2 hitless innings last night, striking out 3.
- Brandon Lewis hit his 10th HR of the season at RC. Watch this guy.
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Discussion (86)
Disagree, not disagreeable
It was a fun game for me because they did what I have been asking: “Mookie, Lux, Bellinger and CT3 have to steal bases” and today they did, in the first run scored Bellinger steals the base and scores, great !!!
The offense takes on another dimension if you add the base steal to a line up that has the potential from 1 to 8 to finish with 20 + HR.
I hope that adding the SB there was something planned before the game and not something that Bellinger and Mookie came up with at the time, I hope that combining power + speed on offense is the new way, a strategy, of the team, that would be a lot of fun to see, they can do it !!!
Yeah, because the Dodgers had a four-run lead, it wasn’t a save for Kenley.
But after these last four games, it sure felt like one…
Nice that McKinstry and Pollock came through, and also Mookie and Muncy in the end.
But Lux continues to struggle.
When Seager comes back, should Lux continue to start? And if it’s a platoon at 2B, should it be Taylor/McKinstry?
Nice seeing Jansen come in to close a non-save at home for a change.
It wasn’t a clean inning by Jansen, but he look good
Man I’m glad for Pollock, he needed that and so did the Dodgers
Now let’s keep it going!!
Dodgers 0 for 7 RISP, 7 LOB after 5 innings.
Arrieta the latest pitcher with a plus – 5.00 ERA to shut the Dodgers down.
Pages & Valera double-donging tonight.
Bad news. Giants won again.
Lux’s Batting Average dropping like a re-entry capsule returning to earth.
Kelly seems to be continuing his progression.
Knock on wood !!!
Gonsolin ,,, Pitching well and decent pitch count and doc pulls him?
and just like that…….Belli makes me look dumb.
A base hit and a stolen base!!
lol
Bravo a hit!!!!
I can’t believe the dislike of Gonsolin here. Take a look at his career stats. When he is healthy he is good.
First inning Dodger’s pitcher recives a HR..game over…as usual… unbelievable
5th straight game with a HR given up in first inning, unbelievable.
0-4 against Cubs this year, will they show up tonight. Not feeling real optimistic the way Gonsolin has been so far this year.
Jo Jo Gray allegedly threw live batting practice today. If he gets healthy, he will be on the MLB team.
I’m not sure how this comes down to Corey or Cody. In reality it comes down to contract demands and if it makes sense. They tried to give Corey an extension, he apparently wants to see what’s out there like Justin did.
I find it odd that they don’t lock up some guys long term early on like other teams seem to do. I haven’t see that happen under this regime.
And then the biggest thing to consider is there isn’t a CBA beyond this year, so it’s hard to figure out what Cody will get without know what the cap or tax is going to look like.
Other options are to let Kershaw walk and to trade Betts. After seeing a preview of what Mookie’s sunset years are going to look like, I would definitely trade him before he locks in 5 and 10 rights on this team. But, then again, that could be gone in the next CBA as well.
So great being a baseball fan. A new day is a new chance to win. No thinking about the last loss for a few days or a week.
Who would you rather have, player A or player B?
Player A – .247/.365/.453/.818
Player B – .282/.349/.447/.796
Interesting read on ESPN about how MLB is trying to fix the game. Moving the mound back is about to be implemented in an Independent league. Modifying the rules of the shift is also out there. And one other thing, playing normal baseball through 11 innings, and then having the runner on second after that. But the big focus is on cutting down strikeouts and increasing the action. Kidd to become the coach of the Mavericks.
Tonight’s Line up…..Betts, RF Muncy, 1B Turner, 3B Bellinger, CF Smith, C Lux, SS Pollock, LF McKinstry, 2B Gonsolin, P…..Arietta has a 5-8 record and a ERA of 5.45. He is not a huge strikeout pitcher, so they should be able to at least make some contact off of him. Aaron Nola of the Phillies has tied Tom Seaver’s mark of 10 straight strikeouts in the Phil’s game tonight against the Mets. And he also contributed a double to the offense.
I know that my opinion will not be popular but there is zero chance that I sign Bellinger long term. No way. I don’t think I sign him even to a “home town discount” deal. I just really don’t want him long term and with Boras in the meeting, theres no chance of that.
He was a great player for the first half of 2019 and really, that is about it. For the deal he is going to want, Ill take my chances without him. He may be the least clutch hitter on the team from a eyeball perspective and I don’t think his body holds up with that swing. I have seen some compare to Tiger Woods, which I agree with, but also a Tim Lincecum, who was amazing, but his body couldn’t handle the torque.
Defensively, Belli is fantastic at multiple positions for sure but that isn’t enough for a HUGE deal
Seager, who knows. I could literally flip a coin and not be disappointed with either outcome. With Lindor off the table, maybe sign him. I think that I would still rather have Story.
It going to be interesting to see how this team changes over the next 3 years. I don’t think it’ll look anything like it does this year.
Two former Dodgers in the baseball news today, Danny Columbe selected by the Twins and brought to the roster and Brett deGues was claimed on waivers by the D-Backs.
With our four game skid it is time for Tony G. to step up and pitch big. Unfortunately I’m going pessimistic and thinking he won’t even pitch 3 innings and he’ll get “lit up.” Then again what does it matter when the Dodger offense can’t do anything. Fire RVS.
Ever ask yourself why the Dodgers have a “game planning” coach? What exactly does a game planning coach do and why does he fail so miserably at that job? Baseball really is an easy sport to play. See ball…hit ball. See ball…catch ball. Go the other way as a hitter, if you’re a pitcher… pitch strikes and avoid the free passes. On defense… play fundamental baseball, don’t try to be too cute and glove throw the ball three feet above the first baseman. No when to “eat the ball,” rather than give up an extra base. Steal a base on offense, if you’re a pitcher hold a runner.
We need a “game planning” coach for what reason? Asking for a friend.
Perhaps we should acquire two more hitting coaches or an assistant to the assistant hitting coach. I feel better now. Win a freaking game.
I do not see a need for Adam Frazier. If everyone is healthy, CT3 is the 2B and while Frazier is having his best year, there’s not much difference between the two players… certainly not enough to give up a big trade chip.