However, the 2023 Version of the LA Dodgers should at least stifle the “Wild Imaginings” of “the Lunatic Fringe” part of the Dodgers’ fanbase who feel that Andrew Friedman should have an All-Star at every position and another All-Star as a backup, or the team is doomed to lose every game. Yes, it’s only one game, but the Dodgers made a statement. One game is a microcosm, and pretending it is a macrocosm is silly!
We already hear the Muncy-Bashers saying, “Max struck out five times – Get rid of the bum!” This is the part where Badger predicted I would call some fans “idiots.” Max strikes out a lot, but tonight he might hit three bombs. It’s a long season – in case you do not know, there are 161 more games left in it! Mookie and Max look out of sync, while Smith, Freeman, Outman, Peralta, and even Rojas look in mid-season form. We also saw that Miguel Vargas is not swinging at baseballs unless you put them in the strike zone.
Julio Urias struggled early as he was only throwing strikes and getting too much of the zone, but he settled down and pitched six strong innings. Phil Bickford, Shelby Miller, and Yency Almonte each pitched a scoreless inning as the bullpen did exactly what they were supposed to do. I usually don’t do game re-caps here – you can find them all over the web, but since this is the first game, I am a little more excited.
Last season, the bottom of the lineup was a “black hole.” It was mostly famine, with an occasional feast! Even Gavin Lux struck out at an alarming rate for someone who hit a few HRs. Then there were Cody Bellinger, Trayce Thompson, Joey Gallo, and others who kept Dodger Stadium well-ventilated! Miguel Rojas is a hitter who does not walk much and also does not strike out much. He puts the bat on the ball, and the ball is in play. He also has a knack for getting the big hit. I cannot for the life of me figure out why so many fans want to trade for another SS… probably because they play too much Fantasy Baseball and have no regard for defense!
I saw Jason Heyward hug James Outman when he hit the HR. Maybe that’s his role. David Peralta is a professional hitter, as is JDM – we saw JD shorten up and just place the ball to RF when it was essential to drive in another run to break the D-Backs spirit! This could be contagious. Correction: It will be contagious! There will be changes (there always are), such as Mike Busch and maybe Andy Pages at some point, but this has to play out.
Gavin Stone will be up soon enough, but tonight it’s the Dustin May Show. I shall be watching intently. I think this is his year to bloom. One final note: we saw what Will Smith can do if he stays fresh. He is going to have to DH occasionally (when a tough LHP is on the bump), and JDM will have to play LF. JD like that anyway!
Down on the Farm
The Oklahoma City Dodgers start their season tomorrow vs. the Tacoma Rainiers at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, with Gavin Stone given the starting assignment. I doubt that he will be at AAA long. Mike Busch is joining him there, as is Devin Mann, Yonny Hernandez, Hunter Feduccia, Drew Avans, Luke Williams, Steven Duggar, Bradley Zimmer, Jahmai Jones, Justin Yurchak, Ryan Ward, and Michael Reed. The Rosters are not finalized, so I will not speculate who plays where. Currently, Bobby Miller is on the OKC Roster as well.
Tulsa, Great Lakes, and Rancho Cucamonga all start their season on April 6th. I will have the final rosters in the upcoming days. Remember that if you have the MLB Package, you also get the Minor League Games as well, and I will be watching Gavin Stone. Gametime is at 7:05 CDT or 8:05 EDT.
Cover Photo Credit: MLB/LA Dodgers
Discussion (35)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I can’t believe some of you actually think JD isn’t slow. Not sure what’s slower his foot speed or his bat speed.
I was just asking about former Dodgers since done here track what Justin Turner is doing and like see he can still hit. But I don’t remember last year they tracked Verdugo or kiki every game but now we’re going to get updates about Justin on a nightly bases. Um he plays for the Red Soxs now. That’s why I said why tell us. When Martinez did fine last nite that was my point.
If someone said May will pitch seven innings of shut out ball, but you’ll have to take a two to one loss.
I’ll take it at this point in the season
I’m old enough to remember bozo the clown so the hair kind of bugs me too. But to each his own if he wants to rock with it I’m cool with it.
I was busy again and only saw the last inning. But I just wanted to say to Mark that’s a good picture today. My 2 favorites Outman and Smith.
I like May a lot but that hair bugs me.
I hope they let Outman hit I don’t trust Taylor or Thompson quite yet.
A Casino should hire Mookie as their spokesperson, and the Tag Line is MOOKIE BETS!
MOOKIE!
Welcome back Dustin!!!
How did Bellinger do tonite? How did AJ Pollack do tonite? How did Matt Beatty so tonite? How did Alex Verdigo do tonite? How did um Max do tonite with the Mets? How did Joc Pederson do tonite? All former Dodgers.
I am very impressed with Miguel Vargas at 2B.
For what it’s worth Steve Nelson isn’t terrible filling in for Joe Davis
Mike Busch with an RBI. It’s now 6-4 in the 5th.
Hunter Feduccia just hit a 3-run jack after Luke Williams hit a triple.
It’s now 6-3.
Gavin Stone got beat like a Rented Mule tonight.
2.2 IP
5 H
6 ER
3 BB
3 K
1 HR (2 on)
The Dodgers are behind 6-0 in the 3rd.
It was 30-Year-old Colin Moran who took Stone deep.
Welcome to Opening Day, Kid!
To me, it looked like a case of the nerves. He had no location and looked like a deer in the headlights.
10:10 PM ET
Diamondbacks (0-1)
Dodgers (1-0)
SPMerrill Kelly R
0-0 .00 ERA
SPDustin May R
0-0 .00 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH J. Martinez R
LF D. Peralta L
2B M. Vargas R
CF James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
Cloudy
0% Rain
57° Wind 6 mph Out
“When Julio is pitching, there is that extra ramp-up of excitement, joy, fire,” Roberts said in the hours leading up to his start, calling those who soak in those nights — the mariachis, the electricity, the passion — a “cult following.”
“I feel like I’m in Mexico when I’m here,” Urías said. “I couldn’t ask for more. I feel like I’m with my people. … You feel that they’re with you every five, every six days.”
Aren’t we a Dodgers forum chat why the heck do we get info on Res Soxs games yes three Dodgers play for them now. If your going to do that. Be fair and not such cry babies that they left. They left because we needed better and because they were old. How did Pederson do for the Giants? What About Kibert Ruiz? How did he do. Oh I can keep going all day about exdodgers. If your going to keep posting Turners at bats with the Red Soxs and cry. And say how he should be a Dodger. It gets old. Did you see how his replacement did in Martinez. And he can run to. Turner can’t. That’s why they went with a different DH. This is the Dodgers forum. Its not the Red Sox or Cubs or the dam Giants which have about eight exdodgers and you didn’t mention any of them.
Bottom of lineup may be more productive than last year. However, once Dave Roberts starts playing everyone he will screw it up. No hate on DR just facts.
I sure hope we sweep! It would make it really fun for me as I’m leaving Sunday to drive to Arizona to pick up a new puppy. And I will be fully outfitted in Dodger gear.
Cheers
I can’t help but look forward; that’s what I do…
2024:
1. Betts RF
2. Freeman 1B
3. Smith C
4. Muncy DH
5. Vargas 3B
6. Outman CF
7. Pages/Lux LF
8. Busch 2B
9. Rojas SS
I think you guys are underestimating the D’Backs. Let’s see how we end up after 8 of the first 10 against them before we write them off.
Nice win last night.
The bottom of this line up was an asset. We needed some production from 6-9 and less strikeouts. I hope this line up can do that consistently.
I’m sure they have addressed Urias’s warm up routine, But is a warrior and doesn’t let a poor start bother him. . After a typical slow start, he settled down and sails through innings. He is so competitive. He just shuts off the faucet.
Great start for Outman.
Mookie takes anything spinning and gets behind in counts. Taking too many hittable pitches as did Muncy.
Nice start.
Still No Agreement Between Pirates And Bryan Reynolds Due To Opt-Out Clause
By Darragh McDonald | March 31, 2023 at 12:40pm CDT
March 31: The conceptual issue is indeed an opt-out clause, reports Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic. He adds that the two sides have come to an agreement around $106MM on the guarantee, roughly the middle point between the previous asking prices, but that Reynolds and his reps want an opt-out that the Pirates appear unwilling to give thus far.
Clean takedown
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRcRumJK/
I think that lineup they put out there last night is better than the regular ones they had last year and much less prone to the strikeout which tickles me pink. Max’s five K’s don’t worry me none. He’ll be fine in the long run and contribute often. Not a prettier play in baseball than a outfielder gunning down a runner. Even when Mookie has a bad day at the plate still finds ways to help us win. Looks like Outman got a good arm to. Love it
Notes from Internet:
Borg: Any interest in Michael Grove while he’s the 5th starter?
Dan Szymborski: Not personally, but Dodgers are creepy good at finding performance. I have that problem with the Astros and Dodgers. I don’t want them to make the playoff but also they have some fun and good players that I don’t want to root against.
The Athletic’s Keith Law on the Cactus League ($$$$$)
https://theathletic.com/4367417/2023/03/31/cactus-league-scouting-dodgers-cubs/
On River Ryan, “…If what I saw from him in a minor league start on Tuesday is any indication, though, he’ll be a top 25 prospect before the year is out.”
On Nastrini, “He threw just two innings but was 93-96 mph with a plus-plus slider, coming from a 3/4 slot and working very online to the plate, with a little head-jerk at release but otherwise no delivery concerns.”
On Alex Freeland “…I saw a lot of swing and miss from him in the two days I was on the Dodgers’ back fields, with bat speed but poor adjustments to pitchers changing speeds on him, although he did smoke one fastball to the warning track in dead center.”
Baseball America’s Josh Norris says keep an eye on Thayron Liranzo
https://twitter.com/jnorris427/status/1640368512370888706
trueblueLA took a look at Drew Avans:
https://www.truebluela.com/2023/3/31/23659423/drew-avans-spring-training-dodgers
Ben Clemens Chat:
Mr. Burrito: Hey, am I crazy for liking the Dodgers strategy this year? All I seem to hear is they’re taking too big a gamble by infusing the lineup with various doses of Outman and Vargas and probably Pepiot. But, at some point, don’t you have to see what the farm really has?
Ben Clemens: I like it a little bit less since they didn’t manage to reset cap penalties, but I think people are overrating how bad it is to just be excellent instead of unstoppable for a year. I like the idea of concentrating a lot of it at once, I think the Miguels are both underrated and that Rojas will be a perfectly acceptable shortstop stopgap, and I’m obviously Team Vargas. Change is scary, and this isn’t quite the Dodgers of recent vintage, but I think it’s a cleverly managed transition. The real question is whether they are willing to pivot depending on how the year starts
MattyP: Healthy Miguel Vargas looks ready to outperform FG’s 2023 projections. Dodgers have babied his wrist through the Spring. NL ROY material?
Ben Clemens: I’m totally team Vargas, as I said
Jon Heyman, who I am decidedly uncertain on, has a bit about how close the Dodgers came to getting Volpe.
https://nypost.com/2023/03/30/dodgers-dropped-ball-on-anthony-volpe/
Passan:
BREAKING: A deal is in place between the minor league players in the MLBPA and Major League Baseball on the historic first collective-bargaining agreement for minor leaguers, union officials tell ESPN. Deal is five years and includes at least 2x pay at all levels of the minors.
Baseball America ($$$$$) breaks it down further:
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mlb-minor-league-players-reach-deal-on-first-milb-cba/
Nice look at some under-the-radar prospects at the excellent DodgersDigest:
https://dodgersdigest.com/2023/03/29/helium-justin-wrobleski-is-a-dodgers-prospect-on-the-rise-while-osorio-martinus-pinales-yean-are-fomo-picks/
Eric Longenhagen has also been bullish on Yean, of whome Thomas writes “the 6’4 Yean possesses a fastball that routinely reached 100 miles per hour in 2022 as an 18-year-old, topping out at 101. He also has a slider that has picked up some nods as a potential 60-grade offering, and that combo led to a strikeout rate of 40.2% in his debut campaign.”
Jay Jaffe Chat
Jesse: What do you make of the Dodgers’ plan to play Mookie 20-30 games at 2b? Is this preparing Mookie for a late-career move to a less demanding position or a function of their lack of up the middle depth?
Jay Jaffe: They like their moving parts, and Mookie seems to like playing second base. With Lux out of the picture and Taylor more likely to be needed at shortstop, they want to maximize their options. I doubt we end up with 20-30 games of him there if they struggle with outfield production, though.
Dan the Man McGRAWWWW: Does Goldy or Freeman get into the Hall?
Jay Jaffe: Particularly after last year’s MVP season, I think Goldy’s in good shape, and Freeman is so good and so steady that I think he’ll get there as well.
Bill Plunkett @Baseball America looks at a new changeup grip for Gavin Stone ($$$$$)
https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/dodgers-gavin-stone-came-to-grips-with-his-changeup-and-has-excelled/
“The modified split-changeup that Stone used to record a minor league-leading 1.48 ERA last year—while striking out 12.4 per nine innings—at three different levels wasn’t created until his first spring training in the Dodgers’ organization.”
Okay, it’s just a game, but Max Muncy looked totally lost.
Maybe tonight, he’ll be found.
But hey, it’s time to celebrate. The Dodgers won the season opener and they looked pretty good doing it.
It didn’t take long, but both the LA Times and Daily News referenced Julio Urias free agency after this year and wondered if the Dodgers would sign him, big contract and all. Even quoted Scott Boras, who was holding court before the game.
Not sure the Dodgers can allow him to walk away. They have a large Hispanic fan base, which means Julio won’t be the normal free agent. I think they sign him.
But the new blend of veterans and youth will make for an exciting year. Yes, it’s a long season, no doubt Mark will continue to remind everybody of that fact as the Dodgers work their way through the ups and downs that are baseball.
Coldest opener in 25 years.
A fun game to watch. I think Outman has an awesome swing. Rojas was told to swing harder and he has been doing that. Tagged the umpire with a 105 mph hooking bouncer. Umpire pretended it didn’t hurt. It did.
Regarding Muncy–He showed super class especially on #5. Hard not to get mad. Many have taken a bat to the water cooler. He kept his cool. I agree Badger. He didn’t sleep well last night but then neither did I.
All the griping here about the Dodgers. How about becoming a Diamondback fan. Your October dreams are over after game one and the next time you see a .500 record may very well be opening day 2024!
Vargas is looking confortable good @ 2b.
Keith Law in The Athletic:
Right-hander River Ryan was my No. 9 Dodgers prospect coming into 2023 and got some support from scouts and analysts for the top 100, missing out mostly because he’s barely pitched, with just 47.2 innings last year in his pro debut on the mound. If what I saw from him in a minor league start on Tuesday is any indication, though, he’ll be a top 25 prospect before the year is out.
Zac Gallen is a pretty good pitcher, and as the game went along, we started putting good at bats against him. Great sign.
Giants lose, Dodgers win. A good day
UPDATED PHOTO ABOVE!
Some things that stood out for me:
Urias still doesn’t warm up for the first inning.
JD with a nice stroke on a two strike swing. Then he runs into the third out at third. Did I say run? I meant jogged. He looks like he’s running at the beach. Think Bowie JD! Station to Station.
An umpire down the line hit by a fair ball. Should never happen. He knows it.
Muncy. Yoiks. Bet he didn’t sleep well.
Wake up Lil Mookie, wake up. Your stat line wasn’t so hot. A walk is all you got. The game is over, you had an 0fer, your reputation might be shot. (some might recognize that tune)
Bullpen rocks.
The dbacks suck. The Dodgers did what they should do to a team predicted to win 70 some odd games. Can they do it twice in a row?
Too bad Pepiot is out . Tough break for the kid.
I do not see Bobby Miller on the OKC roster. Why is he left out ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!