It Ain't Over
I’ll deal with whatever happens after it happens. I know the Dodgers could be swept, and most of you think that will happen. I also know that they could win out. It’s hard to hold out that hope right about now, but it is still within the realm of probability. Many Dodger fans…
I’ll deal with whatever happens after it happens. I know the Dodgers could be swept, and most of you think that will happen. I also know that they could win out. It’s hard to hold out that hope right about now, but it is still within the realm of probability. Many Dodger fans are blaming Andrew Friedman, Dave Roberst, Robert Van Socyoc, and anyone else who moves for being down 0-2 to the Diamondbacks. Feel free to blame someone – that is what we do. We attach blame to every damn thing. It’s somebody’s fault! Hang the MF!
By the way, RVS’s star pupil (JDM) is the only Dodger who is hitting. If the Dodgers are going to win Mookie, Freddie, and Max are going to have to hit their way out of the wet paper bag they are in. Someone said they are tired. Hell, they had a week off. They should be fresh as a daisy. You can rest in the offseason. Man up! It’s win or go home.
If life were only that simple! Some morons are saying that Andrew Friedman does not know how to build a pitching staff. There is no dumbass vaccine! Like he should have known that his former 20-game and 17-game winner would pitch like crap and then take it out on his wife. He should have known that Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May were going to have to have their arms surgically repaired and that Ryan Pepiot would miss most of the season with an “oblique injury.” He did build the best bullpen in baseball despite a boatload of injuries. You have to be a lunatic not to understand that when you sign a long-term deal with any starting pitcher, you are playing Russian Roulette. The Mets signed two of the best starters available (Scherzer and Verlander), and how did that end up? Cohen is still choking on the money he had to cough up.
Maybe he should have signed Tyler Anderson again, but the fact of the matter is that if you look at last year’s starting pitcher free agents, most were flat-out busts, including the pitcher formerly known as Thor. Ohtani’s arm already blew out (again). Look at the LIST: Do Sonny Gray (age 34), and Jordon Montgomery (age 31). Marcus Stroman, Alex Wood, et all inspire confidence… right? There are pitchers who have had Tommy John (once, twice, or more) and those who will. The Nats signed Stephen Strasburg for a billion dollars, and he effectively never pitched again, being a boat anchor on the team’s ability to move forward.
I went back and looked at some recent history in the playoffs and World Series. I can see some patterns. It is harder to get to the World Series than ever, but one thing is certain: you have to get out of the Division Series in order to advance. Even Ray Charles can see that!
2014- The last time the Giants won the World Series, they played as a Wild Card, beating the Pirates in a single Wild Card Game. They then beat the Reds three games to two in the NLDS and the Cardinals four games to three before sweeping the World Series. Madison Bumgarner was out of his mind, pitching 53 innings in the playoffs.
2017 – The Astros won the AL Division Series over the Red Sox three games to one. Then they beat the Yankees four games to three and finally beat the Dodgers to win the World Series four games to three. It is established that they cheated in every series along that journey.
2018 – The Red Sox were a juggernaut and played only three teams to win the World Series. They lost just one game in each series. There were rumors of cheating, but nothing was established.
2019 – The Washington Nationals won the World Series. They were the Wild Card and beat Milwaukee in the Wild Card (one game). They then played the Dodgers in the Division Series and beat them three games to two. Next, they swept the Cardinals four straight games and advanced to the World Series which they won four games to three over the Astros. They rode Stephen Strasburg so hard that he has never pitched again.
2020 – The Dodgers won the World Series for the only time in history that a team has had to play four rounds in order to win. There was no Wild Card Game. Instead, it was a three-game series, which the Dodgers won 2-0. They then beat the Padres 3-0 in the Division Series and the Braves 4-3 in the Championship Series. They finally beat the Rays four games to two. Some people think that this was somehow tainted, but the fact of the matter is that with four rounds, it was the most difficult.
2021 – The Braves won the World Series after beating the Brewers three games to one in the NLDS and the Dodgers four games to two in the NLCS. They went on to beat the Astros four games to two in the World Series.
2022 – The Astros won the World Series four games to two, after sweeping the ALDS and the ALCS. What is notable is that they did it with a 39-year-old pitcher and four youngsters. One was 28, another was 27, and two more were 25.
The times, they are a changing. The Wild Card round was initially introduced in 2012 as a single-game playoff between two wild-card teams in each league, with the winner advancing to the Division Series. With the adoption of MLB’s new collective bargaining agreement in November 2011, baseball commissioner Bud Selig announced that a new playoff system would begin within the next two years; the change was ultimately implemented in 2012. Under the format adopted in 2022, the Wild Card game became a “best of three series.” The Division Series is a best of five, with the Championship Series being a best of seven.
As we know, this means that the division winners have up to a week off before having to play a best-of-five series with the Wild Card Winner. The Dodgers came out flat last year against the Padres, and they appear to be doing the same this year… but as we all know, it is not over. Back in the day, a team played the regular season, and then the two League Winners played the World Series. It’s a lot more difficult now with all of the rounds that have to be played. However, none are as difficult as 2020 due to the extra round. Also, remember that the Asstros cheated their ass off in 2017 and stole a title that should have been the Dodgers.
I don’t know who will show up tonight – we know that the Dodgers can hit, but will they? You can talk about the pitching all you want, but with even a little hitting, the series should be 1-1. A lot of you are talking about pitching, but who would you get: Dotel? A lot of you wanted him. How did that work out? The long-term answer is to sign an occasional free agent, make an occasional trade and grow your own, which is exactly what Andrew Friedman is doing.
Next year, Walker Buehler will be back to go with Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, Nick Frasso and others. They do need a lefty, but I doubt Kershaw is the one. You just have to understand that most of the pitchers who will be on the market are ticking arm bombs – Signing a free-agent pitcher is truly a crapshoot!
Arizona Fall League
Yenier Fernandez continues to shine with a .353 BA and a 1.182 OPS. I do not believe he has caught a game as he is playing 2B and SS exclusively. Jake Pilarski pitched an inning yesterday and struck out two while walking none and not allowing a hit. Here’s what MLB says about Fernandez:
An infielder/pitcher on Venezuela’s 2015 Little League World Series team, Fernandez later moved behind the plate and developed into one of the best catchers in the 2019 international class. Signed for $717,500, he had his pro debut delayed a year by the pandemic and came to the United States in 2021, when he hit .355/.414/.488 and reached Single-A at age 18. He had to share time at that level last season with Diego Cartaya and Dalton Rushing, but showed his versatility by playing a nice second base while finishing sixth in the California League batting race at .292.
— MLB.com
Fernandez has an unusual profile for a catcher, with his hitting ability his standout tool and his athleticism outshining his physicality. A right-handed hitter, he recognizes pitches, manages the strike zone and puts the bat on the ball more easily than most players his age. He won’t ever be a slugger, but he did drive the ball in the air more frequently last season and has a quick, compact swing that could translate into 12-15 homers per season if he gets stronger.
Close to an average runner, Fernandez is quicker than most backstops and moves well behind the plate. He continues to improve his receiving and blocking with experience and his fringy arm strength plays up a tick thanks to his fast release and accuracy. He can develop into an average defender as a catcher and also handles second base well, a la Dodgers backup Austin Barnes, and there are scouts who think Fernandez might have more upside at the latter position.
More on Trevor Bauer
Finally, Trevor Bauefr has been exonerated! Period. Imagine how the team would look with him as a starter! The media has portrayed him as an asshole, and baseball players are fearful of being associated with him because of how all of this was handled… rather”Mis-handled!” The media mob is very effective at making you believe the narrative they propound. Sometimes it is true, Oft times it is a damned lie! Here’s more video about the scumbag who accused him:
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Discussion (137)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Deep breath.
The Dodgers can certainly win this series. Whatever happens, happens. If Mookie and Freddie lead the way, the odds of the Dodgers coming back increase greatly. If Lance Lynn battles and finds a way to keep the ball in the ball park, the Dodgers chances of coming out on top increases. If someone steps up and gets hot with the bat, again LA improves the chances of coming back.
If the Dodgers break out on top, it would be a big boost.
When all the dust settles, there will plenty of time to debate what went wrong or right, to discuss the future.
If things go wrong, all I will say is it’s tough to fix a crapshoot.
Lots of good info coming out here and on Jeff’s site. Jeff explained the monetary restraints and why LA just could not go out and grab any pitcher they wanted. If and when the D-Backs get that third win, and that has not happened yet, then fans can sit back and bitch all winter. It won’t change anything.
They win or lose, and it is on the players. Your stars do not perform up to star standards, you are going to lose. Unless the scrubs go nutso. In 2018, the Dodgers were beaten by the Red Sox. Who was the series MVP? Steve Pearce. A journeyman outfielder-first baseman who had 4 hits in that series. Why did he win? 3 of those hits left the yard and drove in 8 runs. Everyone needs to play better baseball.
Oh and Lindsey Hill should be in JAIL
LOCK HER UP
Dont let the Dodgers get HOT.
AZ doesnt win tonight, they get a Kersh revenge game in Game 4 after we just won game 3.
And then in Game 5 back at Dodger Stadium anything can happen.
AZ doesn’t sweep tonight we win this series.
BURN THE SHIPS
Houston Mitchell:
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell and you have to wonder if Shohei Ohtani is watching and saying to himself, “Maybe I should rethink this whole Dodgers thing.”
Some random thoughts:
—That was not the start the Dodgers were looking for from Bobby Miller. He was throwing hard but had no idea where the ball was going. He had a look in his eyes that read as “The minors weren’t like this.”
—If nothing else, this will be a great learning experience.
—But it’s a lot different sending Miller out there for Game 2 compared to sending out Walker Buehler or Dustin May.
You have to appreciate Brusdar Graterol. Dave Roberts was booed by some when he removed Graterol from the game. While walking off the mound, Graterol motioned to the crowd to start applauding and support the team. And it did.
—While it’s always stylish to blame Roberts for postseason losses, you can’t really blame him for this 2-0 deficit. He’s not the one striking out in key situations, and he’s not starting any games on the mound.
—My only quibble might be hitting Kolten Wong for Miguel Rojas, since Rojas had some key hits down the stretch. But that’s assuming Rojas would have gotten a hit. If Rojas had made an out, we could say “Why is Kolten Wong on the roster if you don’t use him right there?”
—Dodgers starting pitching in the NLDS: 2 IP, 10 hits, 9 ER, 3 walks, 1 K. ERA: 40.50
—Mookie Betts this postseason: 0 for 7.
—Freddie Freeman this postseason: one for seven.
Dodgers with runners in scoring position this postseason: two for 12.
—Betts in his last three postseason series: six for 44. He led the Dodgers to the 2020 title but has been as responsible as anyone for the failures since then.
—You know, if James Outman doesn’t swing and miss at ball four with the bases loaded …
—Every season, the Dodgers offense works counts, rarely swings at bad pitches and punishes their opponent. And every postseason, all that goes out the window and they take bad at-bat after bad at-bat.
—Dodgers offense with runners in scoring position in their last five postseason games (all losses): four for 38.
—TBS announcer Ron Darling has a firm grasp of the obvious. I actually think he and Bob Costas make a pretty good team, but my favorite part is when Darling explains something, and then Costas jumps in and explains it a different way.
—Also, Costas complaining that they never should have gotten rid of the four-pitch intentional walk is a perfect example of “You kids get off my lawn.”
Who are those Penélope Cruz Air Emirates ads aimed at? I checked and the lowest price to fly in the cabin she mentions is $11,000. Too rich for my blood. I need to save my $11,000 to buy tickets to Dodgers postseason games.
—OK, here’s what’s going to happen. Lance Lynn vs. Brandon Pfaadt tonight. That’s 12-10 Dodgers. Then, Clayton Kershaw has one last brilliant start in him and holds Arizona to one hit in six innings as the Dodgers win, 4-0. And then, back home, the Dodgers offense wins in a laugher, 13-2.
—Also, if I flap my arms hard enough, I might fly.
The Athletic:
“The current, newish format gives the top two division winners in each league a bye through the Wild Card round and home-field advantage in a best-of-five Division Series. On paper, it makes sense. The better regular-season team can theoretically rest up and, if it protects home turf, needs just one win on the road to book a trip to the LCS.
The premise hasn’t worked as intended. Lower seeds have won five of these eight series in the last two seasons. You can win as many games as you want in the regular season, then sit through a weird layoff and run into two great pitchers on a 90-win team. Poof, advantage gone.”
Bauer’s accuser admits her intentions to damage Bauer for what could only be her financial gain as a motive. How much homework she did in the design of this matter probably won’t ever be brought to the public but she did enough to pick out who would be the simplest target. If there were no previous accusers she likely would find someone that would fit her plans. However bad her intentions were MLB criminally made moves that cost Bauer to a much greater extent. Perhaps the real agenda was motivated by MLB to hire/use her to damage Bauer. MLB used this issue far above what should be considered a standard. All of this is outside of Bauer’s element as he’s dedicated his existence to baseball only. Now he’ll be the poster boy of how one better behave themselves off the field. And probably made clear at the moment of signing any contract.
One thing for sure – It seemingly can’t get any worse for the Dodgers. They’ve sunk to all-time lows with their SP’s and batters, so they have nowhere else to go but up.
Now don’t misunderstand my next statement! I despise Alex Bregman, but the Dodgers need a 3rd baseman with his athleticism, hit tool and attitude similar to the cheater! I really admired him and wanted him as a Dodger before the truth came out. this team needs a fire starter! Agree this series isn’t over, but someone or ones has to pull their heads out of their ass’s and step up! Maybe Doc needs to explode for once! This is not on him, (excuse for the “Wong” hitter). but lite a fire and let’s go!
Here’s a look at the MLB Postseason Problems:
Open on www.outkick.comhttps://www.outkick.com/mlb-postseason-problem-ideas-how-to-fix-it/It really illustrates how the best teams do not win, and it is obviously a “crapshoot.”
Here’s a snippet:
October is here, and with it, MLB’s postseason tournament. This season marks year two of the league’s new wild-card format, meaning we now have more information on what it means for the postseason moving forward.
And even though there’s a few more games remaining in the division series matchups, it’s safe to say that we know enough to form some conclusions. Especially with regards to what MLB’s decisions mean for the value of the regular season.
In short, it’s solidified that the 162-game schedule is almost entirely irrelevant past 84-85 wins.
Four teams, two in each league, were given byes into their respective division series, as well as home field advantage: the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles and Atlanta Braves.
Through the first two home games of each series, those teams, who won an average of 99 games this year, went a combined 2-6. And one of those two wins required a miraculous 4-run comeback from the Braves.
It’d be easy to pass that off as a one year aberration…if the same thing hadn’t happened in 2022. The 111-win Dodgers won one game, losing the NLDS 3-1 to the 89-win Padres. The 101-win Atlanta Braves lost their series 3-1 to the 87-win Phillies.
Between the two leagues, the team with the better record in the 2022 division series went 8-8 over the wild card teams. Including a three-game Astros sweep.
While there’s nothing wrong or concerning with upsets or underdogs making postseason runs, it’s become abundantly clear that MLB’s postseason changes have made the postseason even more of a random coin flip than it already was. And demolished the value of the regular season in the process.
The anemic performance of the 100-win, bye-having, home field advantage enjoying teams the past two seasons isn’t surprising. Not because of some inherent flaw, or because those organizations or players are “chokers,” or managerial flaws, but because that’s how baseball works.
It’s been estimated that in order for the better baseball team to enjoy the same likelihood of winning a postseason series as the better team in the NBA does in their playoff format, MLB would have to play best-of-75 game series. Each round. Obviously that’s not happening.
Baseball teams are too evenly matched, something that plays out frequently during the regular season. The Kansas City Royals won a series over the 100-win Dodgers this year. The division-winning Astros lost two consecutive series in September to the lowly A’s and Royals.
If you put either of the MLB-worst Royals or A’s in the playoffs, they’d win the World Series 5-6% of the time. The best team in baseball, this year the Atlanta Braves, wins it just 17-20% of the time.
There’s a lot more!
Next year’s rotation:
Buehler
Miller
Pepiot
Stone
Sheehan
Let ‘er rip
How many MFing catching prospects do we have?!
I have an idea: Win Tonight
And I now have a great new defense when I get in trouble with my wife. “Honey, that’s a super valid question!”
Oh, I forgot to mention that Baltimore (101 Wins) got swept last night!
We have to break out offensively against this guy tonight and then a Kersh redemption game 4 and we’re back in LA where Miller throws his breaking ball for strikes. Then we’re off to Atlanta! Easy!