It's Getting Late… Late!
I am encouraged by what I see on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It is all coming together. The starting pitching is possibly the best in baseball. However, the bullpen is definitely the worst in baseball. Fans have openly wondered where Clayton Kershaw will fit…
I am encouraged by what I see on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. It is all coming together. The starting pitching is possibly the best in baseball. However, the bullpen is definitely the worst in baseball. Fans have openly wondered where Clayton Kershaw will fit in the rotation and I give Jeff Dominique credit suggesting this: When Ohtani pitches, bring him out in the 4th or 5th inning and turn him loose. After seeing Ohtani’s 100 MPH fastballs, they might screw themselves in the ground when facing a soft-tossing lefty.
The rotation looks like this going into the playoffs:
- Yamamoto
- Snell
- Glasnow
- Ohtani/Kershaw
That would position Sheehan, Heaney, and Sazaki as multi-inning options.
Then you have your single-innings guys: Banda, Vesia, Dreyer, Scott, and Kopech. Since Ohtani is a two-way player, the Dodgers have one open spot. I believe that Yates, WErobleski, and Treinen have pitched their way out of contention for it. Casparius is an option, so is Henriquez… maybe Kyle Hurt… but the clock is ticking. Brock Stewart pitched an inning last night and threw 19 pitches. If he can secure a couple more successful outings, he will take the final spot.
As bad as it looks, the pitching is in much better shape going into the playoffs than it was last year… when you chop out all the deadwood. However, Blake Treinen is signed through 2026. Sorry, Blake, but you have to sit this one out.
Losing like this to the Phillies could be the best thing that happened to this team.
Shohei Ohtani said that he’d be willing to play outfield for the Dodgers in the postseason – “I’ve been having various conversations with different people, and that topic has come up as well. That applies to the mound, and possibly even the outfield. If I end up going as a reliever, then depending on what follows, there could be situations where I also need to play defense in the outfield. So no matter what situation arises, I want to make sure I’m prepared to handle it.” Well… there you go… Starter or reliver? Hummmm…
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Discussion (129)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Ugly game, put it in the rear-view mirror and move on.
Do the Dodgers have a single reliever that you trust with a 1 run lead in the 9th inning?
Depends on which Kershaw shows up in October, the new Maddux or the guy who got clobbered in his last outing. I know that is blasphemy, but we will be facing four of the best teams in baseball. He is most vernable in the first and second inning so, yes, let him relieve.
I also think Conforto has earned a bench slot along with Kike and Kim.
But we have two equally poor hitters as backup catchers, with Rushing being passed as the better defensive backstop. Still, probably Rushing stays.
So much of this year has been waiting for players to round into form. Betts, Snell, Ohtani as a pitcher, Muncy, Snell, Glasnow.
Some still haven’t: Scott, Trienen, etc.
If some more do, it could be a good plays run. Just need that luck.
Yup tough, but I still believe in these guys.
When the Yankees repeated as World Champs in 2000 they won 87 games.
They went 4-13 in their last 17 games…..things happen in October and our guys have been there.
Look better this happen now than in October.
We have proven the last 5 game we can beat the best Starters in baseball….
Win today and we move….