That’s what “THEY” say. “THEY” always say stuff like that. Who is “THEY? They must make the big bucks…
Since Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi (FAZ) took over the Dodgers, they have shown nothing if not patience. Depending upon the day, Dodger fans have wanted to demote, trade or get rid of Max Muncy, Logan Forsythe, Cody Bellinger, Chase Utley (well he is on the DL), Joc Pederson, Matt Kemp, Yasiel Puig, Chris Taylor, El Gasolino and others, but FAZ has stayed the course, NO DOPE FIEND MOVES could be their mantra.
Currently, the Dodgers have Rich Hill, Clayton Kershaw, Tom Koehlor, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dennis Santana and Julio Urias on the Disabled List with Striker Buehler also unable to pitch due rib soreness. That’s eight (count ’em 8) starters injured at one time. Now, Koehler is technically not a starter, because the Dodgers plan to use him in the pen, but he has been a starter in the past, so for the purposes of this post, the Dodgers have a full staff and 3/5 of injured starting pitchers… and yet, here they are – the hottest team in the NL.
This has largely been accomplished with an offense that is becoming explosive, smoke and mirrors and junkyard dogs! The 1988 Dodgers have nothing on these stunt men. What a turnaround – to be 9 games out of first and run off a hot streak with an entire starting pitching staff (and more) on the DL. If this team is going to continue to win, it’s going to be because they hit their way out of it! They are morphing back into the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. They are one healthy Justin Turner and one Cody Bellinger (who is getting his groove back) away from being a monster offense.
The Dodgers are currently 3rd in runs scored in the NL – just 10 runs behind the Braves for the #1 spot. They are second in HR behind Milwaukee (just 1 behind). They are second in doubles, third in triples, 4th in walks (8 behind the leader Cubs) and #3 in OPS. If Cody starts hitting on all cylinders and JT gets healthy, the sky is the limit. I have a special shout-out to Joc Pederson who now sits at .275 with a .347 OB%. If he can hit like that, these guys are not to be denied.
The unquestioned leader of the offense right about now is none other than Matt Kemp, who just shows up, steps ups and shuts up. He is beloved by players and coaches both. What an offensive catalyst he has become… to say nothing of his defense. It’s not gold glove, but he gets after it and is not afraid to get his uniform dirty. I have a newfound respect for Old Man Kemp! It would be a great story if he won the MVP. He is currently in the discussion. His stats are of the superstar variety and his WAR sits at 1.9. Not bad for a guy who had “no value” 90 days ago. In fact, Max Muncy has a 2.0 WAR and Chris Taylor has a 1.6 WAR. The TOP THREE Dodger position players in WAR are “bone-pile pickups” and Yasmani Grandal is 4th at 1.4. You would think foolish people would quit mocking FAZ for these bonepile pickups… at some point!
Caleb Ferguson goes tonight. Maeda probably goes tomorrow and Rich Hill could start by the weekend. Ryu is ready to throw off a mound, as are Tom Koehler and Julio Urias…. and of course, Clayton Kershaw says he is fine and chomping at the bit! There’s no panic in these guys. It’as a long season, but these guys know they will be there at the end. You can feel the steely resolve because good things come to those who wait!
Dodger Notes
- Matt Beaty started his 3rd game of the year at 2B last night for OKC… just sayin’…
- Edwin Rios!
- Today in The LA Times, Andy McCullough writes a great piece about Adrian Beltre and why he left the Dodgers. I haved always maintained that it was the fault of Paul DePodesta, while certain tormenters of mine always blamed it on Beltre and McCourt. Scott Borass, refused to throw DePo under the bus (professional courtesy), but Adrian has no such loyality. Beltre said this:
Beltre had a slightly different take. “I think it was more the GM than anything,” he said. Beltre blamed himself for telegraphing that he didn’t want to leave. “It was a mistake on my part to show it too much, that I wanted to stay back then,” he said. “They wanted to use that against me in the negotiation.”
To me, losing Beltre was worse than losing Pedro or Piazza. When he was 19, I predicted Adrian Beltre would be a Hall-of-Famer and took lots of ridicule for it from “Haters.” Two things: (1) I am done with the haters – they have been banished; and (2) Vindication is sweet, but it would have been sweeter if Adrian goes into the Hall as a Dodger. Damn you Depo!
Discussion (47)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Anyone know who the young(ish) guy is in the Dodger dugout who just called down to the bullpen?
I noticed that too, but he was only on the camera for less than a second so I couldn’t tell
Damn, after hearing all the Dodger “fans” for the last few weeks on Roggin & Rodney’s radio show and Vasseys podcast calling for Turner Ward and Doc’s job, this is sweet redemption. Totally agree that FAZ is patient almost to a fault, and won’t pull the trigger on a trade just to make one. All of this without 4/5’s of our rotation. Wow.
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner!
Joc “Freaking” Pederson: I tried to tell Bumsrap about this guy!
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As did I.
Ferguson just might need to make another start or two and Doc wanted to go easy with him, but the kid should have been given the chance to get a W
Mark your characterization of Syndegaard as a knucklehead is in line with what I’ve heard from a number of Met fans. I’ve heard “head case” quite a few times.
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Ferguson no doubt could use another pitch, but just as importantly he needs better command and control. I have no doubt that Doc had a good reason for removing Ferguson from the game w/o a chance for the win, but I’m also certain that he would have remained in the game for another inning or two had he not become inefficient with his pitches.
Knucklehead: def. Head case!
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Hopefully, Fergie can develop that 3rd pitch and be a starter, but he could play a huge role in the pen NOW!
Ferguson could have struck out just like Forsythe, or he might have been able to sacrifice. He only had 65 pitches. He could have gone another inning to get the win. If the bullpen is taxed, why not let Ferguson go one more.
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I agree that Ferguson relies a little too much on the 4 seamer when he does have a good curve. If he can develop the change, he will be a good starting pitcher. Pitchers have a tendency to keep going to the pitch that they used to get batters out in MiLB. That is why so many good MiLB pitchers have problems when they first come up (right Walker? right Clayton?? right Julio??) For Ferguson his 4 seamer is that pitch. But I do agree that he could be a bullpen piece come September (October??). I think I trust him more than Yimi Garcia, and I know I trust him more than Pedro Baez.
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Command is the last thing to come for MLB pitchers. What are often called strikes at MiLB are not strikes at the next level. Urias had the exact same problem when he first came up. I do think Ferguson will be a good pitcher, and as much as I like Strip, it will not take Caleb as long as it did Strip.
Totally agree!
This is what my argument has been let the pitchers pitch. A guy has 65 pitches and out and then talk about a taxed bullpen. This was a prime example with a big lead and he had a clean 4th inning. I just don’t get it but maybe there are things we didn’t know. With maeda pitching tomorrow you know it will be short why not let him have another inning.
Would like to have seen Ferguson the W but Doc gotta do what he gotta do!
Stay hot Puig and Pederson!!!
Joc Pederson: My new Favorite player!
Muncy is mine!
MJ mentioned after Ferguson’s last start (and I’ve thought the same thing since watching him on the MILB.com app), that Ferguson has a lot of mannerisms similar to Kersh.
I’m seeing it again tonight, and, man, I really like this guy’s stuff! You can tell he has excellent placement of his 94mph fastball. Once he gets another pitch, look out!
My prediction? He is part of the deal to get deGrom or Syndegaard next month.
I think Syndegaard is a knucklehead and a huge injury risk. DeGrom could be fine, but do they need him?
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If everyone is healthy, Ferguson could be great in the pen THIS year and start next year.
For the record, I do not think Caleb Ferguson can be a successful starting pitcher THIS year without another pitch, but I do believe he can be successful for a few games.
You couldn’t have been more right! 2 pitches at most and not good command.
Right rib microfracture!
DODGERS RECALL CALEB FERGUSON
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LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson from Triple-A Oklahoma City and placed right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler on the 10-day disabled list (right rib microfracture).
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Ferguson, who will make his second career start tonight against the Rangers, made his Major League debut on June 6 against the Pirates, allowing four runs on two hits and struck out two over 1.2 innings. Ferguson, who is rated by MLB.com as the Dodgers’ No. 15 prospect, has made 10 combined starts with Double-A Tulsa and Triple-A Oklahoma City this season, going 3-0 with a 1.53 ERA (8 ER/47.0 IP). The southpaw has also held hitters to a .213 combined average, while striking out 52 batters against 17 walks in 47.0 innings and posting a 1.15 WHIP.
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Buehler, 23, has started nine games for Los Angeles this season, going 4-1 with a 2.63 ERA (15 ER/ 51.1 IP) and striking out 54 batters and issuing 11 walks.
If Buehler injury is the small floating rib at the bottom of the cage it can be really painful and take quite a little while to heal. I knocked loose the floating rib on the right side and it took 2 months for the pain to go away.
I feel this is our best lineup yet. Hopefully, it carries us to victory. Regardless if all of our guys were hitting to their capabilities I think this is the best lineup we have available. We need to get Turner right while bellinger, Puig,Taylor are trending positive. Grandal average is heading the wrong way but the power is there and kemp, Muncy, Pederson are at their best right now. Now if we can just beat a 45 year old.
Max Muncy!! My new fave player
If Muncy is adequate at 2nd base, do you think the Dodgers will eventually release Utley?
I’m not sure Chase can recover from that finger injury – it may be career-ending!
From Gurnick:
Taylor, SS
Muncy, 2B
Turner, 3B
Kemp, LF
Bellinger, 1B
Grandal, C
Puig, RF
Pederson, CF
Ferguson, P
“The #Dodgers send Caleb Ferguson to the mound to face Bartolo Colon in tonight’s 7:10 PM series opener vs. the Rangers on SportsNet LA.”
I totally did NOT call this in spring training. Just saying . . .
Looks like Muncy will be playing third for awhile. If Turner goes to the DL if he already hasn’t, Salano or Farmer could get promoted. I think the Dodgers need a righty bat. Farmer would let Barnes play more.
A great article about Dodgers’ 31st round draft pick in The Athletic (pay site, but worth it).
https://theathletic.com/386633/2018/06/12/a-nice-little-day-how-andrew-shaps-once-all-but-out-of-baseball-became-the-dodgers-31st-round-pick/
That is a great read.
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I will be rooting for him.
California League All Stars have been selected, and 6 Quakes were named. SS Gavin Lux, 3B Rylan Bannon, LF Logan Landon, and C Connor Wong will all start next week’s All Star game. Tony Gonsolin and Dean Kremer were named to the All Star team as pitchers.
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In other news, Manny Banuelos and Starling Heredia were both placed on the temporary inactive list. That is a catch all list that can mean anything. “This list is used only during the season for short absences and may be used at the team’s discretion for bereavement leave, family events which require a player to be away from his team, or other non-injury related reasons. Players placed on the temporary inactive list must remain on the list for a minimum of three consecutive days.” For Heredia it could mean, that he is being assigned to Ogden or AZL Dodgers and needs to report there. He is having a rough go of it in Great Lakes. For Banuelos, I hate to conjecture what it could mean.
My initial thought (with no facts whatsoever to support this thought) was that he’s upset he wasn’t promoted and given a chance in LA, when Santana, Corcino, Ferguson, and tons of others have been promoted throughout the year, especially when Banuelos has had a really good year.
Let’s see what the real reason is
Wow 4 hits for Lux?? Who’s the SS/2b in Tulsa who are preventing Lux from being promoted? Dude is having a fantastic year!
Primarily Errol Robinson (SS) and Drew Jackson (2B).
While it is nice to have Dodgers on the All Star team, I would rather the players get a break and get ready for the 2nd half of the season.
MINOR LEAGUE RECAP by AlwaysCompete
Dodger affiliates won 5 out of the 6 games played on June 11.
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OKC 5-4 Win over Fresno Grizzlies (Astros)
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OKC needed 10 innings, but scored a 5-4 victory to split the 4 game series with the Grizzlies. The completed a west coast trip with a 4-3 record, and are now 5.0 games up in the PCL American North Division with a PCL best .617 winning percentage. The Dodgers made the best out of their 6 hits, which included a HR from Travis Taijeron (5), and doubles from Matt Beaty (4) and Rob Segedin (4). Segedin had the sole multi-hit night with 2.
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OKC trotted out 6 relief pitchers started by Chad Girodo; his 2nd in 3 nights, and 3rd since June 3 (with two relief appearances in between). JT Chargois, Michael Johnson, Pat Venditte, Brian Schlitter, and Joe Broussard followed. Broussard could not hold the 4-2 lead in the 9th, but struck out the side in the 10th to preserve the victory.
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The Dodgers are off today as they head back to OKC to begin a 7 game home-stand against the Salt Lake Bees (Angels) and Las Vegas 51s (Mets) on Wednesday.
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Tulsa 6-3 Win over Springfield Cardinals
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The Drillers got 4 HRs to support their 3rd consecutive victory over the Cardinals. Zach Reks (1), Connor Joe (11), Tyler Goeddel (3) and Jacob Scavuzzo (6) hit HRs. Yusniel Diaz had 2 singles for the only multi hit game.
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Logan Bawcom started and went 6.0 innings, and finally registered his 1st victory of 2018. He allowed 3 runs, largely due to the 2 HRs he allowed to Cardinals SS Edmundo Sosa. He offered up 1 walk, and got 3 Ks. Brian Moran, Layne Somsen, and Dylan Baker each pitched a single scoreless inning to get the win.
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The Drillers remain 2 games back with 7 to play to complete the 1st half in the Texas League North.
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Rancho Cucamonga 8-7 Win over Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres)
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The Quakes scored 4 runs in the 9th to register the 8-7 come from behind victory over the Division leading Storm. The offense was led by a pair of 4 hit games from Gavin Lux and Cody Thomas, and a pair of 3 hit games from Omar Estevez and Saige Jenco. Hamlet Marte had a 2 hit game. Lux, (16), Thomas (14) and Marte (7) each hit doubles on the night.
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In yet another bullpen game, the Quakes started reliever turned starter Parker Curry. Curry has started his last three games, never going more than 3.2 innings. Jason Richman and Nolan Long followed. Long came in with the bases loaded and two outs surrendering a single scoring 2 of the inherited runners, the final two runs to be scored by the Storm. Stetson Allie and Zach Pop finished the 8th and 9th in scoreless fashion to get the win.
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The victory puts the Quakes 1 game back with 6 to play in the 1st half.
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Great Lakes 7-6 Win over Lake County Captains (Indians)
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The Loons scored 4 runs in the last 2 frames to record a 7-6 come from behind win. Brayan Morales, Jared Walker, and Romer Cuadrado each had 2 hits on the night. Morales hit his 5th triple, and Walker hit his 8th HR. Morales also added 2 stolen bases, bringing his season total to 29.Victor Gonzalez started and was followed by Justin Hoyt, Riley Ottesen, and Connor Strain. The quartet surrendered the 6 runs. Strain and James Carter pitched the final two innings for the win.
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DSL Dodgers Guerrero 13-10 Loss to DSL Rays 2
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Highlights – LF Jaime Perez (2) hit a grand slam, and RF Andy Pages (1) hit a 3 run HR. Perez and C Andres Noriega had 2 hit nights.
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DSL Dodgers Robinson 11-6 Win over DSL Royals 1
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2B Jorbit Vivas – 3-4 – double (3)
3B Luis Yanel Diaz – 2-4
C Wladimir Chalo – 2-3 – double (2)
LF Luis Carlos Diaz – 2-3 – double (4)
DH Imanol Vargas – HR (1)
Update above on Adrian Beltre!
Letting Beltre go was a move that has left a bad taste in my mouth for all these years. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
Beltre, Piazza, Martin, Sax, Clemente, John, Martinez, Sutton, Snider,
That Rios darn it.
With Turner going on the DL could Rois be the next man up.
I’m waiting to hear about any draft signings.
The Dodgers usually announce them in bulk. But I would not anticipate too much longer. The Pioneer League (Rookie) Ogden Raptors starts Friday, June 15, while Rookie League AZL starts Monday June 18. The Pioneer League is generally for the older players (college and last year’s players not yet assigned), while the AZL is generally for the younger players (HS and DSL). There will be some older players at AZL.
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I think we will finally get a chance to see James Marinan and Cooper Morgan take the mound soon. When Morgan takes the mound for the next time, it will be his first professional appearance.
Thanks, AC.