Legends in Their Own Minds

Well, the 800-pound gorilla in the room is Blake Treinen. Some fans question why Dave Roberts keeps rolling him out only to see him get bombed again. Well, all I can tell you is that fans obviously know more than Dave Roberts, Mark Prior, the training staff, and the front office. I’ll give you a hint as to why Dave Roberts keeps rolling him out there, and you choose the right answer:

1. Dave is trying to tank games so that the Dodgers will not win the NL West. He’d rather get in by Wild Card; or
2. The staff, including the pitching coaches, think that Treinen is close to being “fixed.”

But, I don’t know… the fans always know more than the manager. That’s why the fans are paid so much and why they are legends in their own minds. I mean, no fan EVER wanted to get rid of Max Muncy, or move Mookie back to RF, or get rid of Conforto, or Kershaw, or OK… cut the bullshit! Most of us have no clue. I think Treinens cord is growing shorter, but if he can get it together, he would be devastating in the playoffs. Nuff said!

Will Smith’s Hairline Fracture

Here is another case where fans think they are so damn smart, but if stupid could fly, they would be jets. “Why didn’t the Dodgers discover Will Smith’s hairline fracture earlier?” Like they are medical experts or some such thing. OK, smart guys, hairline fractures (also called stress fractures or microfractures) are often difficult to detect. Here’s why:

1. Imaging Challenges

• X-rays: Standard X-rays frequently miss hairline fractures, especially in the first 10–14 days after the injury, because the break is very thin and doesn’t always create a clear gap in the bone.
• CT scans & MRI: These are much more sensitive. MRI in particular is often the gold standard for detecting stress fractures because it can reveal bone edema (swelling) before the fracture line is even visible, but MRI’s are not given out like candy. An X-Ray is generally the first method.

2. Symptoms vs. Severity

• Hairline fractures often cause subtle symptoms — localized pain, swelling, or tenderness that gets worse with activity but may improve with rest.
• Because they don’t always cause obvious deformity or severe pain, they can be mistaken for a sprain, bruise, or muscle strain.

3. Healing Indicators

• Sometimes the first sign of a hairline fracture on X-ray isn’t the fracture itself, but the new bone formation (callus) that appears as the body begins healing — usually a couple of weeks later.

So, in practice, they can be missed early on unless advanced imaging (like MRI) is used, or unless the patient is re-evaluated after symptoms persist. This is consistent with what the Dodgers just discovered with Will Smith. Either way, he will be back for the playoffs… or he won’t! (P.S. ChatGPT at work)

Emmet Sheehan & Company

I have a sneaking suspicion that Sheehan will be a considerable force in the playoffs, not necessarily as a starter. Also, look out for Brock Stewart and Andrew Heaney. Maybe Kyle Hurt? The Comets got 10 hits on Sunday… and one run! Bobby Miller struck out 2 in his one inning.

Six games to go. Magic Number = 3