Just Win, Baby!
Yesterday’s win is a game that can really galvanize a team. It also builds character. Bobby Miller has to take yesterday as a learning moment and look back to learn from it. Can he do that? We shall see. James Outman is starting to make the necessary adjustments. OTOH Miguel…

- Yesterday’s win is a game that can really galvanize a team. It also builds character.
- Bobby Miller has to take yesterday as a learning moment and look back to learn from it. Can he do that? We shall see.
- James Outman is starting to make the necessary adjustments.
- OTOH Miguel Vargas has not adjusted as yet to the top of the zone pitches – It’s not the speed – it’s the location – he is not hitting the pitch at the top of the zone. In his first at-bat, they threw him two pitches at the top of the zone, and he popped the second one up. In his next at-bat, they threw him four pitches, none of which were strikes, and he grounded out. Usually, he will not swing at a pitch out of the zone – right about now; he is totally out of whack. He needs to sit for a couple of games. Nothing good comes out of “pressing.”
- I have a few people who work in baseball that I talk to periodically. Yesterday, I talked to someone who works for another organization about my pitch sequencing theory, who smiled and told me, “I am not going to say anything more, but you are getting warm.” Honestly, I have no clue what he means… except that he knows something he doesn’t want me to know. These guys are always seeking an “edge.”
- The Dodger Bullpen ERA just moved up to #26 in MLB (4.78) and is climbing. A healthy Phil Bickford is an important part.
- OKC won their 50th game last night (50-22).
- Landon Knack fared much better in his second start: 5 IP/7H/2 ER/1 BB/6 K.
- Hunter Feduccia is on another hot streak.
- Nick Nastrini was Nasty last night” 6 IP/3 H/0 ER/3 BB/8 K – He just needs to cut down on the walks, and he will be dominant.
- Two players who may be available at the Traded Deadline: Justin Turner & Cody Bellinger… just sayin’
- I really hope the Dodgers do not trade Busch… and I don’t think they will!
- The Dodgers have options at the trade deadline, and lots of players could be “trade chips.” Call it what it is. The only problem I have is demeaning a player by saying. “He’s just a trade chip – nothing more!” No, they are people and deserve respect for what they have accomplished.
- Bear nailed it – Jonny DeLuca’s stance looks like the Penguin.
- David Peralta!
- The Dodgers need 6 or 7 strong innings by the Catman today!
- Here’s what MLB says about the Dodgers second half prospects:
The Dodgers are already good right now. But come on. These are the Dodgers. The Dodgers who have won nine out of the last 10 NL West titles. The Dodgers who have won 100-plus games in each of the last three full seasons, and four of the last five. And they’re sitting in third place in the West right now?
Expect that to change. The D-backs are a nice surprise in first place, and the Giants are chugging along just ahead of the Dodgers in second, but the Dodgers are the best team in this division. Freddie Freeman (.316 batting average) and Mookie Betts (18 home runs) are their typical MVP contender selves, Will Smith might be the best offensive catcher in baseball (.915 OPS), J.D. Martinez is having a resurgent season in L.A. (.560 slugging percentage) and Clayton Kershaw is ageless (2.72 ERA).
When Julio Urías and Max Muncy get back into the rotation and lineup from their respective injuries, the Dodgers can really get rolling. Expect them to go on a run in the NL West. They already have a better run differential than Arizona (+48 to the D-backs’ +34), and they have the easiest remaining strength of schedule of any team in baseball. The D-backs’ lead in this division is not safe. In fact, the Dodgers’ odds of winning the NL West are almost twice as high as Arizona’s, per FanGraphs — 47.6% to 19.6%.
— MLB.COM
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Discussion (94)
Disagree, not disagreeable
To me this game was like a World Series game and thr players came through. Seems some unwanted drama may have come into play.
I’m not sure if any of you recall, but Eric mentioned once that Vargas needed another half season in AAA for seasoning
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Julio Urías had 8 strikeouts in 4 IP.
Word from Inland Empire is Urías Fastball hit 95mph in 3rd inning.
#Dodgers #Quakes
I had a bad feeling about yesterday’s game because I didn’t think Astros wanted to be swept and then get on that plane home with that gnawing at them.
And then it was confirmed to me we would lose when Dubon made that great play to rob Smith in the 11th inning with Vargas coming up. Anyone but him….sigh! Oh well, we probably should have lost Saturday instead.
I do not blame Almonte for the loss. Bregman is a very good player so him getting a hit didn’t surprise me. What surprised me is Perralta’s throw to the infield. The guy wasn’t even on 3rd when Perralta fielded the ball and in fact was slowing down to stop at 3rd. Oh well….like I said, 2 out of 3 is pretty good especially considering our starting pitching is not good right now. We don’t have an ace not named Kershaw. Julio….get well my friend.
Sunday scores
Las Vegas 10, Oklahoma City 6
Northwest Arkansas 11, Tulsa 4
West Michigan 2, Great Lakes 1 (5 innings)
Rancho Cucamonga 7, Lake Elsinore 1
Jimmy Nelson pitched a scoreless sixth inning for Oklahoma City, allowing a single and a walk with one strikeout. It’s the sixth game for Nelson on this minor league rehab assignment, which began on June 10. Sunday’s appearance came on just one day rest, the quickest turnaround so far this season for the right-hander.
The week ahead
Oklahoma City at Sugar Land [Astros]
Tulsa at Amarillo [D-backs]
Great Lakes vs. Lansing [A’s]
Rancho Cucamonga vs. Visalia [D-backs]
Monday and Tuesday are off days this week for the top four affiliates, with each team playing a six-game series through next Monday to take advantage of the July 4 holiday weekend crowds.
Deadline is creeping up on us. Be here before you know it. There will be way more buyers than sellers. SO the pickins are going to be slim.
Vargas is a mess. Needs a trip to OKC.
I don’t think so for Verlander. Actually, I don’t think so for either Scherzer or Verlander. Aren’t they both owed 40 million more for next year also ? ( Each ) can’t see the Mets Kicking in that much money. to make it worth it for AF
Verlander’s Stats
W-L ERA IP SO WHIP
2-4 4.50 52 44. 1.21.
Don’t forget to vote for our boys today. Especially Will