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One Win – Not a Big Deal! The Dodgers went against Tarik Skubal, who is absolutely filthy and did manage to get two runs off of him, but they got two more off the bullpen and finally won a game. It’s only one game, but it was nice to change the teams’ fortunes. Miguel Vargas is…

By Mark Timmons4 min readJump to 71 comments

One Win – Not a Big Deal!

The Dodgers went against Tarik Skubal, who is absolutely filthy and did manage to get two runs off of him, but they got two more off the bullpen and finally won a game. It’s only one game, but it was nice to change the teams’ fortunes. Miguel Vargas is slumping, and so is James Outman. The difference is that Vargas strikes out at a 20% clip while Outman is at nearly a 40% clip. The latter will not play in MLB. Add in Lux, CT3, Biggio, and Kike, and the bench is full of outs. As far as I am concerned, Lux, Biggio, and Outman need to be gone. I would be willing to trade Vargas, too. Miguel is going to be a solid player, but it may take another year.

I want Arozarena and Bellinger. I think Crochet is the best pitcher available – I am just not sure he will help that much THIS year, but in the future, he could be a horse. That is also the problem with Glasnow. He is nearing his career high in innings pitched, and while I think he is finally healthy, I think the Dodgers would like to give him three or four weeks off to keep him fresher at the end of the season. Dustin May is not likely to come back this year, and if he does, it will not be as a starter. The same is true with Tony Gonsolin. Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler will both be back by Mid-August. I expect Clayton to do what Clayton does, but we have no clue about Buehler. It sounds like Yamamoto will be back in August as well, and Graterol and Kelly are on that same path.

So, in summary, Yamamoto, Glasnow, and Kershaw will likely be back in Early-to-Mid-August. Bobby Miller could be back after the All-Star game or in a month… or never. Daniel Hudson was struggling with his release point last night too. Notice how he flies open as he throws the pitch? It looked just like Miller. This is tricky stuff – sometimes you can fix it in a day… and sometimes you never fix it. Gavin Stone is near his peak innings, so he is likely to need two or three weeks to rest… maybe in August or early September. Let’s see what Wrobleski does today. He has always pitched up to his competition. River Ryan will flow in here soon.

Remember that there’s a season in 2025 as well and potentially, these are the arms available:

  • Glasnow
  • Yamamoto
  • Kershaw
  • May
  • Gonsolin
  • Sheehan
  • Knack
  • Stone
  • Wrobleski
  • Frasso
  • Ryan
  • Hurt
  • Miller

That’s a lot of pitching collateral. Now, Kershaw could decide to play in Texas his last season (I do believe that will happen), and I am assuming that Buehler will not be back, and neither will Paxton – still, that is an embarrassment of arms. I am not convinced the Dodgers need more starting pitching. I mean, they do today, but they likely won’t in August. I am not one to panic! Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes! They are still up eight games!

We just have to sit and wait on the Cavalry, which includes Betts and Muncy. My idea is to send Lux and Outman to AAA or trade them. Cut Biggio. Kike and CT3 are perfect bench players because they can play anywhere. Heyward will be back as well. Go all in on Arozarena and Bellinger: L and R. Bellinger will be back in August. Use Vargas in the deal for one of them. If Bichette becomes available, make a play for him, but the Dodgers can win with Miggy Ro at SS and Kike spelling him. Kike hasn’t hit well (and that could change), but his defense has been outstanding.

  1. Ohtani DH
  2. Betts 2B
  3. Freeman 1B
  4. Teoscar RF
  5. Muncy 3B
  6. Smith C
  7. Bellinger CF
  8. Arozarena LF
  9. Rojas SS

Bench: Resurgent Austin Barnes, CT3 and Kike, along with Heyward and Hoese (Kody is a very good 3B).

Don’t panic! Let’s Roll!

C-CITES

https://twitter.com/okc_baseball/status/1811838232906150344
https://twitter.com/realFRG/status/1811799749277913200

Discussion (71)

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  1. Jorge ValenzuelaJuly 13, 2024

    Dustin May Undergoes Esophageal Surgery, Won’t Pitch Again In 2024

  2. Old Bear 48July 14, 2024

    Nationals traded Hunter Harvey to the Royals. Marlins giving Jazz Chisholm reps at second. The shooter in todays attempted assassination was terminated. One spectator killed two wounded seriously. Pray for their families.

  3. NH DodgerJuly 14, 2024

    Roberts using Vanasco with a five run lead and a bullpen running on fumes made sense. When Phillips came on it was a three run lead with a runner on second. Hard to blame that on Roberts. Vanasco failed to do his job which forced Roberts, correctly I think, to turn to Phillips who failed to do his job. Roberts did his job. Tough loss to be sure but let’s put the blame where it belongs.

  4. Old Bear 48July 14, 2024

    With SD and Arizona both winning, the Dodger lead is 7 over both. They will either be 6-7 or 8 games in front after tomorrow’s game.

  5. Old Bear 48July 14, 2024

    Honeywell is on the 40-man after they moved Yamamoto to the 60-day IL. He will most likely be activated for tomorrow’s game. Vanasco the leading candidate to be demoted. River Ryan has been assigned to the ADL. Arizona Development League. Kersh, 38 pitchers, 5 Ks, 1 walk and no runs in three innings of work.

  6. Andrew Vincent ForteJuly 14, 2024

    From the Dodger’s Official Page:

    Dodgers right-hander Dustin May, who was rehabbing after surgery last year to repair a torn flexor tendon in his right arm, will not pitch in 2024 following a procedure to repair an esophageal tear, the Dodgers confirmed on Saturday night.

    “While at dinner on Wednesday, Dodger right-hander Dustin May experienced sudden pain in his esophagus and stomach that continued after he returned home,” the team said in a statement. “He contacted the medical staff and ultimately underwent successful surgery on his esophagus. May will not return to pitch for the Dodgers this season.”

    ESPN’s Jeff Passan was the first to report May’s situation.

  7. Andrew Vincent ForteJuly 14, 2024

    Yesterday’s disastrous ninth inning loss can be attributed to an overworked bullpen, poor pitch selection calling to Keith, and a guy named Vanasco who doesn’t below on a MLB roster. AF missed on this one. A major trade or two has to be the cards.

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