Life Isn t Fair
We all know that life isn t fair and it especially is not fair that Joc has to sit against four straight lefties simply because he can t hit them. However, it s unfair to the rest of the team to have Joc hitting against the lefty. So, Joc loses while the team wins. Simple math It s way too early to pronounce that Robert Van Socyoc s new age hitting direction a resounding success,
We all know that life isn’t fair and it especially is not fair that Joc has to sit against four straight lefties simply because he can’t hit them. However, it’s unfair to the rest of the team to have Joc hitting against the lefty. So, Joc loses… while the team wins. Simple math…
It’s way too early to pronounce that Robert Van Socyoc’s new age hitting direction a resounding success, but I am leaning that way. Even Ray Charles can see the direction this is trending. On the MLB.com weekly power ratings, of which the Dodgers are #1, they wrote:
“If we’re basing this on short-term results and long-term projections, there is no reason for any team to top the defending National League champs. Logic tells us the offensive tear the Dodgers have been on since Opening Day can’t continue forever, but hasn’t it been fun to watch? Even before their high-scoring affair with the Rockies on Sunday night, Los Angeles led the NL in on-base percentage, slugging and home runs. Through nine games last year, they had four home runs and ended up setting a franchise record with 235. This year, through nine games, they have 22, and they added two more on Sunday, including Cody Bellinger’s seventh of the season.”
Of course, they can’t keep it up, no way! Can they? Can they….? Well, I doubt it, but we are in completely unchartered territory. The Dodgers have never hit with RISP they way they have been. They have not been going to the opposite field the way they are now. They have not been bunting the way they are now. They have not been shortening up, with two strikes, they way they are now. They have never scored runs like they are now without the long ball.
The long ball is still who this team is, but it is no longer all they are. They move runners and their situational hitting has changed 180 degrees… except for Joc. He will evolve or he will be gone. It’t that simple. CT3 is also having issues. The rope is not short with either one, but in a few weeks we will have the answer. It’s hard to imagine a Dodger team without Pederson and/or Taylor, but evolution as a hitter is what they both have to do.
Alex Verdugo is evolving… showing he can hit in the clutch and showing that he has power to play a corner outfield position. No excuses… just show up, step up and shut up! Alex has! I am rooting for CT3 and Joc to do the same, but the Dodgers have resources “In house” to replace them both.
This is a long season and if you are concerned about the bullpen, well that is a valid concern, although I happen to think the bullpen will ultimately be a strength, not a weakness… but it obviously has been a problem up until now. Denver is not a good place to fix your bullpen woes. It was no surprise to see Julio Urias struggle in Coors or even Kelly or Santana. It’s tough to pitch there – ask Clayton Kershaw (who makes his final rehab start for Tulsa on Tuesday).
Kelly did look better even though his line was not good and it was good to see Kenley get back on that horse that threw him off and get a four out save to close out the game. Yimi is even starting to show flashes of greatness. This is a process. Let it play out.
You can have concerns about certain aspects of the team. I was concerned as to whether Corey Seager would make it back 100%. AC was sure… and he was right. He has concerns about the bullpen, and right about now, so does everyone… except me. It’s going to be fine! You are not a moron if you have concerns about the bullpen. However, if you have a laundry list of 20 things that can be wrong with the Dodgers, like:
- “How are we going to replace Grandal? Martin and Barnes are horrible.”
- “How will we replace Puig and Kemp’s production?”
- “How we replace Alex Wood in the rotation?”
- “We have seen the best of Cody Bellinger.”
- “Max Muncy is a candidate for regression.”
- Blah, Blah, blah
If you have twenty things you are worried about, I am suggesting that you may be neurotic, delusional, a “Negative Nellie” or a moron. There is hope for morons – I have often been one, but to have a negative opinion of this entire team is downright moronic. I will need to see them keep up their “good hitting habits” for a while longer… and this is baseball: this is a peak, but there will be valleys. Be prepared. Now, let’s kill us some bird!
Minor League Report by DC
Loons 6 – Lake County Captains 0 (Indians)
The Loons won their first game of the season after having scored only a total of four runs in their first three games. They struck early scoring a run in the first inning on a lead off single by Drew Evans followed by a double by Jacob Amaya. In the third inning they scored one of those, we’ll take it runs, with Romar Cuadrado scoring on a double play.
The Loons broke the game open in the sixth inning on a double by Miguel Vargas to drive in Jacob Amaya who had walked. Cuadrado finished off the scoring with a two-run single. Of interest, Amaya has three consecutive games in which he has had a double and a walk.
Guillermo Zuniga started the game and pitched 2.2 innings before reaching his pitch count. He gave up three hits and walked four but allowed no runs. He escaped when Jose Chacin came in with the bases loaned and two out in the third inning. He quickly induced a ground ball stranding all three runners. On the game Chacin pitched 5.1 innings giving up two hits, no runs or walks and striking out five. Joel Inoa finished the game with two strikeouts and a ground ball.
The biggest news for the day was that John Shoemaker notched his 200th win as a Loons manager. He now trails only Juan Bustabad who had 225 wins with the Loons over three seasons from 2009-11.
Quakes – Stockton Ports 2(A’s)
The Quakes downed the Ports for the third time in four games with a 5-2 win after spotting Stockton two runs in the first inning. They came back with one run in the second inning when Carlos Rincon scored on a Devin Mann bases loaded walk. Rancho Cucamonga scored four more in the fourth inning. Marcus Chiu, after a walk, scored on Donovan Casey’s home run to left-center field. Mann scored on a ground out and Jeter Downs finished the scoring with a double that drove in Jeren Kendall. Both Casey and Downs had two hits.
Geraldo Carrillo started for the Quakes and after a shaky first inning finished with a four inning start in which he gave up three hits and two runs along with three walks and three strikeouts. Sven Schueller, Logan Salow and Ryan Moseley took over from there and pitched five innings of scoreless ball on two hits, four walks and eight strikeouts.
Quakes relievers have now pitched 20.2 innings over the four games and allowed but one run.
Drillers 3 – Arkansas Travelers 2 (Mariners)
The Drillers also won their first game of the season after losing three to the Travelers. They also started quickly scoring a run in the first inning on an Omar Estevez single and a Christian Santana double. They had only seven hits in the game but strung them together in the sixth inning with a Zach McKinstry triple, a Logan Landon single and and an Omar Estevez double resulting in two more runs to take a 3-0 lead.
Estevez has started the season with four straight multi-hit games. He leads the team with nine hits and a .529 batting average.
Mitchell White started for the Drillers and threw three hitless innings. He walked one and struck out three. He was followed by Louis Head and Luis Vasquez who pitched a combined 4.1 inning allowing only two hits, one run and striking out five. Michael Boyle made it close giving up a two-run home run in the eight inning with one of those runs charged to Vasquez. He finished off the ninth inning, not without incident, but preserved the win.
OKC Dodgers 1- San Antonio Missions 4 (Brewers)
The Dodgers at home, tried to even the five game series at two apiece with the Missions. They were not able to generate much offense. They did have seven hits but struck out 11 times and left 15 runners on base. Daniel Castro and Will Smith both had two hits, each with an extra base hit. They scored their lone run in the fourth innings on a Smith triple and a Rios single.
Tony Gonsolin started and had two strong innings before running into trouble in the third inning walking two and giving up a double and a triple resulting in three runs. He was following by Joe Broussard who pitched a scoreless inning. Kevin Quackenbush pitched the sixth and seventh innings giving up a fourth run to the Missions on a home run by Tyler Saladino. Josh Sborz pitched the last two innings giving up two hits, no runs with no walks and five strikeouts. Former Dodger Josh Fields recorded his second save for the Missions in their four games with the Dodgers. Dodgers pitchers recorded 14 strikeouts in the game. Tony Gonsolin recorded eight strikeouts in his Triple-A debut, including five straight – two strikeouts to end the first inning before striking out the side in the second inning. It marked the fourth straight game that Dodger pitchers have recorded double-digit strikeouts.
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Discussion (67)
Disagree, not disagreeable
What a great way to start the season with a sweep of the Rockies being the cherry on top. I’m really looking forward to this 4 games set against the redbirds, another historic NL franchise.
As AC pointed out, the pen has had a lot of ups and downs to start the season and too many pitchers are being leaned on. 4 guys to get through an inning is ridiculous. Overall, it will stabilize. But, it would have been great to add another proven arm. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Ask the Rockies, Cubs and Nats how adding multiple proven bullpen arms has worked out for them recently.
I’m glad to hear Alex will be in the lineup tonight. He deserves more starts, as does Joc and CT3. We all know the problem is that there are too many good players on the team, if that’s such a thing. I don’t agree with cooling Joc, but Doc’s job isn’t easy. I find it easy to point out his shortcomings as I often do, but he’s done some good things as well. I think all in all he may be progressing, then he steps backward and uses 4 arms for 1 inning with a big lead. He doesn’t have a true loogy, but treats Alex and Caleb like it. He can’t stand to bring in a lefty at the beginning of an inning if a righty is leading off. He goes too far with one reliever and then 1 batter with another…IN THE SAME INNING! It’s maddening. Bringing in struggling relievers with runners on, etc. Enough of that.
Mark, I love your passion and AC’s level headedness. DC is always great, just not enough of him. Mark hates Joc now and Alex IS Tony Gwynn in the smallest of small sample sizes after 2 extra base hits with the Coors effect on his side. But, I’m becoming a believer, but I’ll jump on that bandwagon after a few more series.
Booked my tickets for Sunday’s home game against the Brew Crew. Hopefully, both teams will still be fighting for that top spot in the NL. Could I be lucky enough to see CK’s 2019 debut? After a rehab start on Tuesday, it currently lines up that way. I strategically selected seats in the Loge level under the overhang for some Sunday shade on the 3rd base side. I can’t wait to visit My Blue Heaven on Earth for a beautiful Spring afternoon.
I can’t wait to see this game tonight, because this will be the first game out of our division.
Our offense last night, reminded me a lot of how the Card’s offense use to do, when they were so good those couple of years, when we played them in the postseason.
This is much more exciting baseball, because as everyone knows, there is much more action, when everyone is participating on offense, to keep our offense rolling.
Beware Zach McAllister. He is the dreaded “veteran bullpen arm” who always seems to backfire for us. It seems we had him twice: once toward the end of last year and again this year after he was released by the Rangers [ouch].
He has a long track record [mostly of success] with the Cleveland Indians, so we know he knows how to pitch. I guess it’s just a matter of monitoring his stuff and deciding if/when we need to tap him.
Ideally he doesn’t sniff Dodger Stadium this year, but if he does I hope it’s as a regular season middle reliever. No more trash heap NRI’s throwing meaningful innings is crucial playoff games. I’d rather let out own guys determine whether we win or lose.
Santana.
I liked what I saw. He’s leaner than I remember but I like his arm action and whip he gets. Not quite Ramon Martinez but it helps him get that movement.
I think he could last in the pen all year long. I don’t think we need to worry about any drop off in development [there is a lot of talk that he needs to improve his third pitch–changeup–to reach his potential] if we use him in that role this season. In many ways he could be this year’s Ferguson, a guy who comes up early and proves that he has one of the 13 best arms on the staff and stays.
What I like about him most, aside from the movement, is his ability to pitch multiple innings as well as potentially come in late against a tough RH or in a DP situation.
Arenado seemed surprised by the movement on his pitches. If we can have our gurus continue molding him, he could be a bullpen stalwart this year. Right now who do you trust to protect a late lead?
Sborz is an interesting prospect to me in that he is one of the very few true relief prospects we have developed [along with Kasowski]. Even when he was starting most people assumed he’d return to the pen where he clearly belongs.
I’m not sure where he is on the depth chart, but he can’t be that far down. He’s on the 40 man roster that helps his case if we ever bring up a guy for a week-long trial during an injury or while an established pitcher is getting a break.
He might not have the impact potential of a Gonsolin, but–unlike Alvarez & Sheffield–he actually has a chance of seeing the bigs this season.
Rooting hard for him and looking forward to a homegrown arm in the pen.
I look at the approach and the swing and not just the results. Since Mark keeps bringing up Joc I will add my two cents. Joc started the season not just hitting really well but had a great approach and was making good swings. After he sat for 5 days he came back with a bad approach and was making bad swing. He calmed down Saturday and Sunday had regained his great approach and great swing. He hit the ball hard a couple of times, walked, and had a sacrifice fly. Saturday he moved a runner over from second to third with a fly ball and that runner scored on another fly ball.
He did a great job of going the opposite way against the lefty in his last at bat Sunday. When he came back after sitting he was again pulling away against lefties and yesterday he was again staying in like he was to start the season. If he continues to stay in against lefties and keep his approach consistent, that approach would be to hit the ball up the middle or go the other way, he will prove to hit lefties well enough to play full time. He just hasn’t done that in previous years.
Let’s talk about what we see which includes the good and not just the bad.
As I posited yesterday, and you brought home today, this is a different team than 2018. Their approach is what is so encouraging. Cody Bellinger is on another planet right now. Will it continue? It did for Bryce Harper in 2015, so why not? Muncy is getting healthy and finding his stroke. Corey is starting to get comfortable at the plate, is seeing pitches, and is back to attacking the first pitch. JT is getting his ST stroke back. The HRs will come. Just keep getting the clutch hits. and getting on base for Cody. The catchers have been a strength and not a weakness. I was never in on the JTR trade, and while I expected Austin Barnes to hit again, not at what he is doing right now. AB 6 walks and 2 Ks, Russell Martin 5 walks 3 K’s, and combined 3 HRs, 2 doubles, 7 RBIs, and both batting over .400. I have zero desire to compare what they are doing to what Grandal and JTR are doing. I am only concentrating on what our Dodgers are doing.
I do not disagree that Joc has to learn to deal with sitting. But I do not have to like it. I am an advocate for playing a player when they are hot. Joc has to learn to deal with things that he has no control over. The same for CT3. According to Pedro Moura of the Athletic, Alex Verdugo gets a start tonight against Miles Mikolas. I do not know if that means that Joc sits. If I were guessing, it would seem to point to AJ Pollock getting a night off after an 0fer last night.. Just like JT, he is going to get a fair number of days off to keep them fresh throughout the year. Luckily for LAD they have the depth to make the lineup change a mild inconvenience.
I am concerned about the bullpen…have been for awhile. I do not discount that the bullpen gets stronger when Kershaw and Hill return to the rotation and Strip and Julio go to the pen. But right now, the bullpen is being taxed. Yimi Garcia and Caleb Ferguson have pitched in 6 of the 10 games. Scott Alexander, Dylan Floro, Pedro Baez, and Kenley Jansen have appeared in 5 of the 10 games. Kelly has been in 4 and Stewart was 3. Dennis Santana has pitched in his one game on the 25 man and went 2.2 IP. Ferguson and Alexander have been pretty solid with only allowing a single walk each with Ferguson 6 Ks and 3 Ks and no runs. Floro has allowed 7 hits but zero walks and no runs. So it is not that there is no talent, it is that they are pitching too many games in the beginning after none appearing in back to back games in ST. Doc does not have a 30 man bullpen once the bell rings. This year the offense and starting pitching (8 of the 10 starts) have been otherworldly. I do think both Garcia and Kelly get it back. With how Ferguson is pitching, when both Kersh and Hill are back, Garcia could be the odd man out. I think Ferguson is safe until Cingrani is ready (which may be never).
Dodgers have a 33 games in the next 35 days. How long can the bullpen keep up this pace?
Where is the question on how are we going to replace K. Farmer? The Dodgers went into Colorado and put on a major beat down. The schedule is going to get a bit harder over the next few weeks. That will be the true test. Hopefully the bullpen will be ready for the challenge.