It Gets Worse Before It Gets Better
Usually when change is involved, things get worse before they get better. That s true in just about everything: life, business and sports. Since this is a Dodger Blog, you might be wondering what that has to do with the Dodgers. So, I am talking about three pitchers in general: Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw. I think that before Spring Training, the Dodgers had a plan with each pitcher .
Usually when change is involved, things get worse before they get better. That’s true in just about everything: life, business and sports. Since this is a Dodger Blog, you might be wondering what that has to do with the Dodgers. So, I am talking about three pitchers in general: Joe Kelly, Kenley Jansen and Clayton Kershaw.
I think that before Spring Training, the Dodgers had a plan with each pitcher. It wasn’t the same plan for each one, but it was a plan to change how they typically pitched, including pitch selection and pitch pattern. It took a couple of months, but in his last outing Kenley Jansen flashed the results of his newfound slider and mixing it up. Clayton Kershaw is more of an evolution, not a revolution, but his pitching pattern is also changing.
The Dodger’s plan with Joe Kelly was a little more audacious. The Dodgers wanted Joe Kelly to use his curve and changeup more. It’s not that Kelly was resistant, it was more like he wasn’t comfortable doing that yet. In his last outing before his meltdown last night, Kelly threw almost as many curves and changeups as fastballs. The results were pretty good and he looked to be turning the corner. NOT SO FAST!
Remember what happens with change. It’s clear to me that one of three things will happen with Joe Kelly: (1) He will stay the same; (2) He will get better; or (3) He will get even worse. The Dodgers signed Kelly for 3 years with the full intention of changing what type of pitcher he was. They think they saw something no one else did. Maybe they did… or maybe they saw something that wasn’t even there.
It’s over two months into the season and Joe Kelly still is not fixed. We have to consider the possibility that it won’t happen this year. Since he is signed for two and a half more seasons, he is not going to be cut, but maybe he has to take time off to clear his head. He is out of options so it’s going to have to be something “creative” to get him off the roster. 50% of the problem may be 80% mental. It’s in his head and Dave Roberts acknowledged as much. One can only hope it is just about ready to get better because it can’t get much worse. If not for the bullpen, this team might have a 10 game lead on the rest of baseball.
The Dodgers can’t assume Kelly will be “fixed” at least not this year. He might be suffering from Steve Sax Syndrome and may need a sports psychologist… or some such help. Contrary to what Andrew Friedman says, the Dodgers are actively looking for bullpen arms. With two months of the season gone, it appears that change is in order. It’s still possible that Honeycutt and Prior can solve Kelly’s problems, but I am not holding my breath.
Dodger Notes
- It was inevitable that Cody Bellinger would cool off. I have never said that Cody was Ted Wiliams, but there certainly are similarities. You can’t compare them until later in his career, but one cannot help but see the physical resemblance. Cody will adjust and will heat up again. Baseball is a game of streaks and getting locked in is something he certainly has done and will do. Teams are not pitching o him and he might be pressing because of that, but he will figure it out… sooner than later.
- It would be a bold move, but my opinion is that Ross Stripling and Kenta Maeda are both starters and both have considerable value. It may be time to trade those two arms for two high leverage bullpen arms. I know that injury plays a factor, but a rotation of Ryu, Kershaw, Buehler, Hill, and Urias is pretty dang good. Neither one is ever going to become a lockdown reliever – they simply aren’t wired that way. Urias is the same – he is a starter. It’s time to realize that and get some more guys who ARE relievers.
- BTW, for those of you who question Roberts taking out Stripling and bringing in Floro, do your homework. Trout owns Strip. Just because it didn’t work doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right move.
MINOR LEAGUE REPORT BY AC
OKC Dodgers 6 – Fresno Grizzlies 5 (Nats)
OKC had half of their 8 hits and scored all 6 runs in the 5th inning. After a two out three run HR off of Brock Stewart in the top of the 5th, the Dodgers found themselves trailing 3-0. A Jake Peter single, an Errol Robinson double (6), and a Joe Connor HBP loaded the bases for Zach Reks. Reks singled home 2 to narrow the lead to 3-2. Will Smith walked to reload the bases and a Shane Peterson triple (3) emptied the bases and the Dodgers took a 5-3 lead. Peterson then scored the final and as it turns out the deciding run on a wild pitch.
Stewart pitched a quality 4.2 innings before surrendering the HR. None of the four relievers who followed had a clean outing. Justin Grimm walked 2 in his 1.0 IP but did strike out 3. Stetson Allie and Jaime Schultz both allowed a run to get the score close. After a 2out single in the ninth, Kevin Quackenbush relieved Schultz and promptly loaded the bases before striking out Matt Reynolds to end the game.
Jake Peter had 2 hits including his 5th double, while Will Smith got his 9th double.
Tulsa Drillers had the night off before they start a 3-game series against the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers).
RC Quakes 7 – Inland Empire 66ers 5 (LAA)
With their win last night, the Quakes have reduced their magic number to one with 6 games remaining to win the first half of the California League South. Down 1-0, Jordan Procyshen hit a 2-run double (3) giving the Quakes a 2-1 lead they never relinquished. Donovan Casey had two hits including a 2 run single in the 4th. However, the player of the game was the much-maligned CF Jeren Kendall who slugged his 3rd HR and hit his 4th triple. Nick Yarnall and Drew Avans each doubled for the 4th time this year.
Andre Jackson started his 2nd game for the Quakes after his June 4th promotion, and pitched 4.2 innings. He was certainly not sharp as he surrendered 10 hits and 2 walks to go with his 6 strikeouts. Melvin Jimenez followed with 2.1 innings. He did allow a 2-run 2-out HR to the recently signed and assigned OF Gareth Morgan but got the win. Logan Salow finished the final 2 innings without allowing a hit, although he did walk one and struck out 3 to get his 5th save.
The Quakes are now 14 games over .500 and will try to wrap up the Cal League Southern Division 1st half championship today as Gerardo Carrillo takes the bump for the final game of the five-game series against the 66ers.
Great Lakes Loons 8 – Iowa Cubs 3
The Loons continued with their march to the 1st half Midwest League Eastern Division championship with their victory over the Cubs. They have retained their 3.5 game lead over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (Tampa Bay), and 4.0 games over the Lake County Captains (Cleveland).
The Loons scored their 8 runs on 9 hits and 8 walks. Jacob Amaya, Miguel Vargas, and Leonel Valera each had two hits. Vargas had two doubles (17), while Amaya (16) and Chris Roller (7) each had a double.
RHSP Jose Martinez pitched the first 5.0 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits. He registered 6 strikeouts without surrendering a walk. James Bruihl allowed 2 runs on 4 hits in his 0.2 IP before Zach Willeman came on to finish the final 3.1 shutout innings. In his 3.1 IP, he allowed a single and a walk but struck out 7 Cubs for his 1st save.
DSL Dodgers Bautista 4 – DSL Rays (1) 5
Diego Cartaya continued with his quick start to his professional career with another 3 hit game. The 17-year-old catcher went 3-5 with his 2nd double and 2 RBIs.
18-year-old RHP Abel Moya started his 2nd game and pitched 4.0 innings surrendered 2 runs on 2 hits and 1 walk. He did have 4 Ks in his 4.0 IP. LH relievers Cristian Peralta and Andrew Budier followed and allowed 3 unearned runs on 4 hits in their 1.0 inning each. 18-year-old RHP Axel Acevedo pitched 2 perfect innings with 2 K’s and 17-year-old RHP Heisell Baro finished the game and pitched a perfect 1.0 inning. Acevedo has now appeared in 3 games and pitched 5.0 scoreless innings giving up 1 hit and 2 walks, with 5 Ks. Baro has also appeared in 3 games and has pitched 4.0 scoreless and hitless innings. He has issued 1 walk while striking out 5.
DSL Dodgers Shoemaker 7 – DSL Cubs (1) 2
The Shoemakers had 11 hits including 3 HRs; Hector Martinez (1), Christian Hidalgo (1), and Bladmir De La Rosa (2). 18-year-old CF Rushenten Tomsjansen had 3 hits while De La Rosa had 2. Martinez’s HR was a 3 run shot. 17-year-old OF Hidalgo walked three times in addition to his HR. Tomsjansen from Dordrecht, Netherlands is now batting .348 with 1 walk and 2 strikeouts in his 24 PA.
Yamil Castillo started and pitched 3.2 innings. He did surrender the 2 runs on 4 hits and 2 walks to go with his 4 Ks. 17-year-old RHP Eli Moron followed and pitched 2 shutout winnings to get his 2nd win. Carlos Rodriguez and Frankelyn Feliz pitched the final 3.0 scoreless innings.
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Discussion (135)
Disagree, not disagreeable
There was something mentioned about why Floro threw so many sliders in a row, the last one resulting in the homer that tied the game? Was that pitch called by the catcher, the bench or the pitcher? I guess we will not ever know. Oh well new game tonight. Go Dodgers.
I know it’s a long way off, but every loss, in games we probably should have won, Will matter if we don’t secure a Home Field advantage through out the Playoffs.
Might be better to call for the Cavalry sooner rather than later.
We are very good at Dodger Stadium.
Trust me, Freidman knows what a special team he has right now. While they are not going to give up on Kelly just yet, you know he is already lining up possible trades for some legit arms. I think he knows he can’t go bargain basement shopping like he did last year with the ‘pen, he needs some tried and true guys. It just a matter of how much he has to give up in major league players and minor league guys to get a deal done. It might sting us fans a bit with the guys he will trade, but you have to give to get, and this team has a totally legitimate chance to win it all this year.
DODGERS RECALL LHP CALEB FERGUSON
LHP SCOTT ALEXANDER PLACED ON IL
LOS ANGELES –The Los Angeles Dodgers today recalled left-handed pitcher Caleb Ferguson and placed left-handed pitcher Scott Alexander on the 10-day injured list, retroactive June 8, with left forearm inflammation.
Ferguson, 22, returns for his second stint with the team after making his first career Opening Day roster. In 17 games (one start) for the Dodgers, he is 0-1 with 5.94 ERA (11 ER/16.2 IP) and 16 strikeouts. The Columbus, Ohio native was optioned on May 27 and appeared in six games for Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 0.00 ERA (0 ER/6.0 IP) with 11 strikeouts. In his two seasons with the Dodgers, he is a combined 7-3 with two saves and a 4.11 ERA (30 ER/65.2 IP).
Alexander, 29, will make his first trip to the injured list this season after appearing in 28 games for the Dodgers. The southpaw is 3-2 with a 3.63 ERA (7 ER/17.1 IP) and nine strikeouts for the Dodgers this year. Since joining Los Angeles in 2018, he has posted a 5-3 mark with a 3.67 ERA (34 ER/83.1 IP) and 65 strikeouts. He is in his fifth Major League season and has a 10-7 overall record with a 3.20 ERA (63 ER/177.1 IP).
From The Athletic
House of Cards in St. Louis
It’s difficult to say which is more of a disappointment – the Cardinals’ rotation, which ranks 11th in the NL with a 4.35 ERA, or their offense, which was supposed to evolve into more of a force with the addition of first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.
The Cardinals are actually worse with Goldschmidt than they were without him, averaging 4.64 runs per game, down from 4.69 last season. Their month-by-month averages highlight their decline since the season started – the Cardinals were at 5.45 in March/April, second only to the Cubs in the NL, and have since dropped to 4.30 in May (13th) and 2.88 in June (14th).
Other aspects of the Cardinals’ game are strong – they rank third in the majors in FanGraphs’ baserunning metric, and eighth in defensive runs saved. But they’ve scored two or fewer runs in 15 of their last 34 games, going (12-22) in that time.
A year ago, while with the Diamondbacks, Goldschmidt had a .719 OPS before popping a 1.199 in June. He has not struggled as badly with the Cardinals, producing a .799 OPS, but he has not gotten as hot, either. Even Marcell Ozuna’s team-high .872 OPS ranks just 47th in the majors.
As one Cardinals official puts it, “Every lineup needs anchors.” To this point, the Cardinals’ anchors have not been good enough.
————-
What would it take to get Goldschmidt?
We don’t need Mad Bum. Kershaw, Bueller, Ryu, Urias is the playoff rotation. Hill can pitch in relief, giving you another lefty on lefty. Maeda or Hill need to go to the pen in July and Urias back into the rotation.
I don’t agree with AC on getting Matt Moore. At least I’m hoping he’s wrong. We need Brad Hand and Shane Green if Friedman wants to be the boss man. That would be a legitimate three headed monster!
Don’t shoot me down, I know that’s unlikely.
Trading Joc is not an option. It just creates another hole. They can probably afford to trade Maeda or Stripling. I wouldn’t trade Maeda when Hill and Ryu might be gone next year. Off the current 25 man roster, I would only be willing to trade Yimi (because he’s out of option), Stripling (because he’s never gonna be more than a swingman for us) and one of CT3 or Kike (because they’re essentially the same player) and none of our top 5 prospects for any reliever.
I keep hearing people say that Cody Bellinger needs to move back to 1B, because he is the best defensive 1B in baseball. I disagree that he needs to move, even though I agree he is the best defensive 1B in baseball. You see, he may be the best right fielder too… and there is this:
The Athletic ranks the Dodgers infield as the best in baseball. So, if you move Cody to 1B, they will still have the best infield defense, but RF will not be elite anymore. How dumb would that be?
Here’s what they wrote:
Given how frequently the Dodgers use shifts (they rank fourth in MLB in batted balls defended with them) and how good they are at thwarting opponents when using one, they’re going to deny a lot of scoring chances.
The Dodgers have also had a couple of defensive revelations this season.
One is that Kiké Hernández has been pretty good at second base. His five runs saved there are considerably better than the minus-5 he totaled prior to this season. Corey Seager is right behind him with four. Seager is good — he ranks second among shortstops in success rate at making plays on his forehand and third on his backhand the last three seasons (among the 35 with the most opportunities).
The other is that Max Muncy has handled a utility role with aplomb. He’s saved seven runs split between first base, second base, and third base. He fared better in his brief stint at the hot corner than usually stellar Justin Turner. But he’s useful wherever he is.
Really, the Dodgers’ position players are getting it done most of the time as are the starting pitchers. The bullpen – that’s another matter.
Leave Cody where he is. There will be playing time for Verdugo, Joc and AJ when Pollock returns.
Get us some relievers. And no to Ken Giles. His numbers are fine this year but stunk in 2016 when he went to the Astros to close, and were bad last year too. Too inconsistent and hasn’t pitched well for playoff teams.
Matt Moore is on the 60-day IL and will miss the rest of the season after knee surgery, but he is someone who Friedman might target next year.
Morons on other Dodger sites are saying to bring back Ned Colletti.
The Dodgers are tied for the best record in baseball and the idiots are running rampant!
It is comical… and sad that they have no modicum of intellect.
1. Pederson LF
2. Muncy 3B
3. Turner DH
4. Bellinger RF
5. Seager SS
6. Verdugo CF
7. Taylor 2B
8. Kike 1B
9. Barnes C
Otani hit the HR and got in Maeda’s head. The Dude is toast!
Maeda is not mentally tough.
I would trade him… immediately if not sooner.
I hate that stupid grin on his face.
Do you mean he actually inhabited his body? Must be a very Zen thing they know in Japan.
Ok guys, as the Angels are taking our asses to the woodshed, I challenge everyone on this site. Bullpen is trash, we all want to cancel Joe Kelly bobblehead night and run his ass out of town, most of you guys on this site hate Roberts and think he sucks as a manager (Which by the way, both MLB and ESPSN sportswriters love the dude and how he keeps the team together, and do the research and check out his win percentage as a Dodger manager) and most of you want to ship Taylor, Kike, and Joc , and anybody else in a prolonged slump, to a team for a warm six pack, and all together now, “I can’t believe what an idiot Freidman is for assembling such a fractured team!”. Dave Vassegh and J-Hair took a bunch of butt hurt Dodger fans calls after last nights loss on the podcast, and one dude was saying how he paid good money to go to the game and didn’t want to see Kelly pitch like crap and our offense suck, and both Vasseghe and Hairston jumped him and said we should be celebrating the last 4 years of Dodger success. In all my my years dating back to the early 70’s, I have never seen a run like we have had the last 3 or 4 years, and once again, poised to win the NL pennant . Come on guys, celebrate the DAMN moment, this is something that most of us Dodger fans will never see in our lifetime, and so many of us are bitching because it’s just not enough. Hairston touched on something. He said that if you asked any baseball player in MLB if he had the chance to be on a team that lost two World Series in a row, they would take that chance any day versus being on a team that never made the play-offs. This is supposed to be a positive Dodger site, one in which we throw down for our boys in blue, but some of you guys act like friggin Giant fans. 162 games is a long season, so many things can happen. Buckle up, enjoy the ride, and everything will work out. Relax and eat a cheeseburger or a Dodger dog. Trust me, the September and October heroes have yet to be determined for this team. As for Kelly, I don’t care if he sucks all year, I just need him to be flat out filthy for two weeks in October.Gas like his play big time in the play-offs. He could be the second coming of El Gasolino.
I love Caleb Ferguson. Now let us hope DR does not overuse him.
If only we had a smarter GM and a better manager we’d be up by 10 games by now!
Hard to win baseball games with 3 black holes in a row in your lineup! Even you Mark have to be getting tired of this!
Bad news – Corey out with grade 2 left Hamsring Strain.
Gonna need our depth.