It's Only One Game…
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…
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
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Discussion (99)
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
Open on www.tiktok.comhttps://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