If you have been a fan anytime at all, you have to know that pitching wins championships. You look at any of the Dodgers 7 World Series winners, and there are outstanding games pitched in each. The Dodger system is loaded with young arms who have lightning in them. Flame throwers who can top 95 consistently. Now throwing it where they want, that is another story.
Because of injuries, two of those kids are going to make starts for the Dodgers in Atlanta. Gavin Stone and Bobby Miller. The way things are going, I would not be at all surprised to see maybe Sheehan or maybe ever Landon Knack make a spot start here or there. Some of the bullpen arms might get the call also. Nick Robertson and Tayler Scott have been the most effective so far.
So which way do they go? I think AF will probably go with the kids for now. If Urias spends more than 15 days on the IL, then he might look to trade for an arm. There are other problems that will need to be addressed.
I would have liked to see them go into this 10-game road trip with a full house of healthy pitchers. Looks like that will not be the case. I would have to think they will pick up what they need at the deadline. Trades can happen anytime, but you really need to find the right trade partner. The White Sox are fading faster than a ghost. Cease would cost a lot, and the Sox would probably want LA to take on Anderson’s contract too.
But they could choose to go after the veteran, Lance Lynn, or even Giolitto, and I do not think the cost would be as high. If they would like a SS instead of moving Betts, a move that at this point I really think they should do, move Rojas to the bench, find a good hitting available outfielder and let Mookie enjoy himself. They might consider Dejong of the Cardinals. 2 years left on his deal. He is 29 and could be had.
Otherwise, I do not see much out there right now that can be had. And of course, we are still 2 full months from the deadline. Stone was a little rocky last night, but the team got the win. Well done. Freeman has proven he is well worth the money. But the pitchers definitely need to step up at this point.
Discussion (27)
Disagree, not disagreeable
I don’t know enough about scouting to interpret this. A lot of talent, obviously. But I assume that many other scouts also scouted these guys.
Once in a while you hear a story about a single scout who believes in some obscure player and persuades a team to draft him late. The Angels’ Jered Walsh was such a story. He was a two-way player in college and it seemed like only scout believed in him…
https://theathletic.com/999230/2019/05/29/i-used-to-be-mad-about-it-how-the-angels-jared-walsh-channeled-his-39th-round-draft-selection-and-became-a-big-leaguer/
Holy shit.
Dodgers’ Landon Knack, like ttonight’s starter, Bobby Miller, was scouted by Marty Lamb, who also was the drafting scout on Landon Knack, Devin Mann, Dalton Rushing, Walker Buehler, Will Smith, Chad Billingsley, A.J. Ellis, etc.
Lamb also is credited with already graduated: Luke Raley, Zach Pop and J. Sheffield.
So what were his best pitches?
Pretty cool Stone & Miller b2b wins.
JDM heat.
Two in a row against the “best team in the NL”…..well, not any longer after our win tonight.
Sad to see Outman struggling, but I hope he can adjust. Happy to see JD being JD. Will Smith better be re-signed. I’m okay with Rojas playing SS most of the time…love his defense. If he bats .225, I’m good with that too. Heck, Tre Turner is only batting .250.
Almonte is making me feel better when I see him on my screen…..the entire bullpen has been great here in ATLANTA.
Great to see Miller look better than Strider. I hope he can stick around and more importantly, not get hurt. We have enough of them.
Let’s get back to complaining about the 5th OF, or the back-up catcher!
Bruns and Sheehan had nice outings in the minors. Would love to see both stretch out more.
Miller looked good, too.
EXHALE!!! JDM is a bad man
And they’re headed for the exits at Truist! Miller time was indeed a good time in Atlanta! Pretty impressive after laying an egg in St Louis and coming here with 2 rookie pitchers.
From the 2nd to 5th inning, Miller impressed with his location. Repeat this again and he’s a keeper in the rotation.
Almonte – hold your breath
Worried for Smith’s health behind the plate. How many knocks to the head can he endure?
Strike Outman is sinking faster than the Titanic. He’s starting to make Belli look like a contact hitter!
It’s Miller time! Lets see what the kid has!
DODGERS SELECT BOBBY MILLER
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have selected contract of right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller and placed right-handed pitcher Tyler Cyr on the injured list with shoulder impingement, retroactive to May 21. In order to make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers transferred right-handed pitcher Dustin May to the 60-day injured list.
Miller, 24, will make his Major League debut this evening against the Atlanta Braves. The former 1st round selection (29th overall) out of the University of Louisville was 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA (9 ER/14.1 IP) and 12 strikeouts in four starts for Oklahoma City this year. Last season, he spent most of the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 6-6 with a 4.45 ERA (45 ER/91.0 I) and 117 strikeouts. He finished the campaign with Oklahoma City, going 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA (8 ER/21.1 IP) and 28 strikeouts against six walks in four starts for the Triple-A club. He was named the starting pitcher to the 2022 Sirius XM Futures Game that was played at Dodger Stadium, striking out three and allowing one run. In his three minor league seasons, he is a combined 10-10 with a 3.79 ERA (77 ER/183.0 IP) and 227 strikeouts.
Cyr, 30, has appeared in two games for the Dodgers, allowing one hit in 1.2 scoreless innings. He has been in the Major Leagues parts of two seasons with Philadelphia (2022), Oakland (2022) and Los Angeles (2023) and has allowed four runs in 15.0 innings with 18 strikeouts. In eight minor league seasons, he is a combined, 19-13 with a 3.08 ERA (102 ER/298.1 IP) and 358 strikeouts in 233 games (three starts). He was originally drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 10th round of the 2015 First Year Player Draft out of Embry-Riddle University.
7:20 ET
Dodgers Lineup vs Braves Spencer Strider:
Betts 2B
Freeman 1B
Smith C
Muncy 3B
Martinez DH
Heyward RF
Peralta LF
Outman CF
Rojas SS
Bobby Miller P
Tayler Scott optioned back to OKC, Miller to be activated.
Could we PLEASE get back to baseball and determine what part of Ozuna’s body Bobby Millers 100 MPH pitch is going to hit. I vote for between the eyes.
Why do I have this demon of discouragement, that won’t go away, constantly whispering in my ear that a combination or all of the following -Gonsolin, May, and Kershaw -may not be able to pitch in the post season due to injury ?
I wonder why Thor is not included in these whisperings?
Do ghosts fade?
Great Game. Everyone is happy. So the Dodgers invite the Sinister Sisters back???? It’s a big FU to all Catholics. I am proud of my Catholic Heritage, and am disgusted and insulted with this organization.
I don’t think the Dodgers need to make a trade for a major leaguer but it would seem like they could swap a pitching prospect for a position player prospect to better balance their prospect depth.
If the Dodgers lose tonight, I, Alessandro, will no longer comment on this blog.
Outman needs to put on some Sinatra. “Thats life” Right now, he’s hitting a fastball about as well as ole blue eyes!
Loved the boys in blue wiping those silly ass grins off the braves faces ! Great comeback last night. Got to give it to doc , bringing phillips in was a brilliant move. Please don’t sit Will today!! Jd is really heating up. Please no Barnes or Thompson ! Bottom of the order is starting to come around, don’t throw a wet blanket on it!
DeJong has been starting lately for the Cards. I’m not sure how much SS depth they have, but I don’t see the Cards as sellers. They started off poorly, but they’ve been coming on strong. A lot of talent and pride there.
Anderson might be the best SS on the market. A package for him and Giolito or Lynn seems plausible to me.
If the Dodgers could snag a good right-handed bat to replace Trayce/ Peralta/Heyward (probably Trayce) that might be enough to cure the offense. But who?
The Angels may not put Ohtani on the market, but if Mickey Moniak keeps producing, perhaps they would consider dealing Renfro or Taylor Ward. Ward was one of the guys the Dodgers were seeking in that Stripling-Joc deal that Moreno backed out of. He’s struggling this season but in 2022 had an .833 OPS with 23 HRs. Perhaps the Angels would take Trayce or Peralta plus a prospect.
Rojas improved as a hitter. He is no power threat, but occasionally will run into one. Varland could be the roster casualty when Miller is activated.
Rojas is fine at SS. He is starting to hit and his defense is supurb.
So what are the odds that Bobby Miller buries his best fastball in Marcell Ozuna’s ribs?
His teammates would be impressed. Benches could empty. Fists could be thrown.
Given that Ozuna is a repeat offender, I really think the MLB should consider a suspension and fines for such reckless follow-throughs.
How often does this happen? Who are the worst offenders? The MLB needs to deal with this or risk more retaliation.