Keeping it Real
If Mookie Betts hits .520 this year, the Dodgers will have no worries. Actually, the TOP SIX of the Dodgers batting order are delivering at a rate that is scary. It’s the BOTTOM THREE that are also scary: Chris Taylor has 1 hit in 9 ABs and has struck out 5 times – BA – .111…
If Mookie Betts hits .520 this year, the Dodgers will have no worries. Actually, the TOP SIX of the Dodgers batting order are delivering at a rate that is scary. It’s the BOTTOM THREE that are also scary:
- Chris Taylor has 1 hit in 9 ABs and has struck out 5 times – BA – .111
- James Outman has 2 hits in 21 ABs and has struck out 7 times – .095 BA
- Gavin Lux is the best of the bunch with 4 hits in 23 ABs and has only struck out 4 times – .174 BA
Now, I did not make those numbers up, so don’t be hating on me. It is a concern, but it is early and there will be no knee-jerk reactions. I expected a higher BA from Teoscar (and he may ultimately deliver) but he is going to get those 30-40 bombs as I predicted. His power is “light tower.”
Nabil Crismatt was DFA’ed, and in typical fashion, fans are lamenting the loss of a soft-tossing RHP whose fastball velocity tops out at 88 to 89 MPH. Why? Nabil is AAA insurance. The Dodgers did him a favor and called him up just to pitch a couple of innings, and when they DFA’ed him, this helps him secure a better job. He has no future in LA. He is a good dude, and I truly believe some of you would take him over Joe Kelly based totally on your “knee-jerk” reaction after Kelly’s first two debacles. Good luck to Nabil – he had a couple of nice years in SD as a middle-innings eater. but the league soon figures out 89 MPH fastballs.
A wise man once said this:
“I’ve always found the disdain towards Roberts puzzling. In particular when he is criticized for his “in game” calling. As if Dodger brass would assemble a team and then blindly turn the reigns of the team over to the manager. Not only is that frame of thought antiquated but fails to consider how the game is managed today. More specifically how analytics are utilized to develop in game strategies at levels that extend beyond the dugout.
— Dodgefan
Today’s managers are not only responsible for managing egos but are specifically responsible for overseeing the execution of pre-established in game strategies.
When folks criticize Roberts, they are truly criticizing the overarching Dodger way of playing the game. I find it a bit naive when fans cling on to the belief that managers are solely responsible for developing and executing a team’s in game strategy. The game has become too big to left in the hands of a single person.“
Very wise indeed. The Dodgers have been the most successful team in baseball for the past 10 years and Dave Roberts has the best winning percentage of any baseball manager – EVER! One would predict the other, and there should be no other way. Now, baseball has tried to stop the Dodger Juggernaut by adding layers and layers of playoff rounds so that the statistical probability of winning a Championship is much more difficult, but the Dodgers have also doubled down.
The Dodgers have the depth to swing just about any type of trade they need to. If Gavin Lux, James Outman, Jason Heyward or CT3 an Kike can’t cut it, they will get the players who can. They are all in this year and it is a marathon. Patience Grasshoppers! BTW, the Dodgers are not going to get rid of the Captain (Barnsie).
Last Night’s Game
- James Paxton was “effectively wild” but was in control and pitched a solid five innings. The fact that he threw 97 pitches was encouraging based on the sheer number.
- Shohei Ohtani is still getting untracked.
- Dinelson Lamet looked good, but his fastball was around 94 MPH. In the past, it was 96-97 MPH. Maybe he can re-claim that… or not. We shall see.
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Discussion (63)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Cuzzi clearly gives Webb a bigger strike zone than he does for Yarby. Awful!
Lights out when the bottom of the lineup produces. Outman can’t catch a break! Very nice ab by Lux.
Yayy Keekayy!
Yarborough not a second time through the lineup kind of guy
Lux should’ve thrown to home plate instead of first base. ..probably could’ve prevented the Giants 4th run.
3 hr games like this one seem to drag now.
Good win. Phillips is nails!!!
Everybody ok with how Robert’s “mismanaged” the bullpen tonight? He even made the 2 out change with Phillips in the 8th.
Enjoyable win as it always is against them.
Grove looked good until he didn’t.
Mookie on a different planet.
Doc doing well. Trying to avoid using the BP on back to back days.
It’s a long season and he’s playing the long game.
where’s ohtani? gosh i miss that guy! trammel is very interesting. lots of top picks seem to fade into oblivion! i’m still waiting on darren driefort to throw a no hitter! not good news on graterol. bryce harper looks primed to have a monster year if injuries stay away! hate to see d-backs win, but love to see the yankees lose! guess barnes behind the plate tonight. couple of nice plays from kiki last night. does anybody bunt anymore? (lux) if the bottom 3 can somehow get on base, mookie might lead the majors in RBI! freddie is a national treasure! wouldn’t it be nice to see the top 6 hitters to all hit in the same game? doesn’t happen often. glasnow tonight! go barnes!!!!