The Dodgers (32-18) head to American Family Field this weekend to face the Brewers (29-21), winners of seven of their last ten. This is the third time these two teams have played a meaningful late-May series in four years, and each one has felt like a playoff dress rehearsal.
Pitching matchups
- Friday: Yamamoto (5-2, 2.41) vs. Peralta (4-3, 3.18)
- Saturday: Glasnow (4-2, 3.04) vs. Houser (3-3, 4.10)
- Sunday: Buehler (3-3, 3.66) vs. Civale (2-2, 4.42)
Three things to watch
- Yamamoto on the road. His road splits last year were striking — 1.92 ERA away from Dodger Stadium, 3.41 at home. American Family is a launching pad on hot days, but the forecast says cool with light wind.
- Mookie vs. lefties. Peralta is the matchup we want, but Mookie is hitting .244 vs LHP this year, well off his career mark.
- The 8th inning. Counsell will pull Peralta after 90, no matter what. We have to do damage before then.
Discussion (59)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Kim has not been hitting recently which disappoints me because I really like his speed and defense, plus his opposite field flips. That said, yeah, I like Kim as a light hitting SS who ignites the offense with his feet.
With George and Pages’ skills we could probably go with 2 outfielders and clog the infield or deploy a short fielder like in softball.
Eh, maybe not.
I’m an East coast snowbird and see the Dodgers in Philly, NY and Baltimore in the summer, then in Miami and Tampa spring and fall. Philly and Camden Yard are my favorites, $35-45 for good seats, with Miami and Tampa around the same. Dogs are cheap in Camden. Plus we stay overnight Miami/Tampa and get some incredible Cuban and Latin food.
I honestly don’t understand how you left coast Dodger fans afford to take a family of 4 to a Dodger game if you’re making less than 130K a year.
I am all for that, do like they did with Kemp and sign him to a one day deal. Let him retire a Dodger.
Chris Taylor has announced his retirement. He was playing at SLC in the Angels’ system but I guess he finally decided to call it quits.
I’d like to see AF bring him back to the Stadium one last time and do some sort of pre-game ceremony in appreciation for his time here. Or offer him a job in the Dodger system. Or both. His last few years here were certainly underwhelming but he definitely made some major contributions while he was here.
Left a bad taste in my mouth for sure.
The bill was pushed by a rep from Anaheim. I agree with him, they should not be able to name LA their home. California has bigger issues, that is clear.
I am with you brother.
To move Teo, they are going to have to eat most of his contract. Not saying they won’t, just saying it is unlikely.
Yep
Initial x-ray negative but swelling so likely to miss a few games at least.
Freeland’s been playing 3b in AAA.
Next start.
True but Kim can’t smile.
Stinker!
That was a rather boring game.
Anyone know Muncy’s status?
Otherwise the Angels will be homeless. Just like the rest of California!
Ryan will be up within 10 days… barring setback.
Give it a month or so.
It’s a city issue, not a state one. What else does Anaheim need to worry about, but keeping Disney happy
Like we need to get Miller as Mayor and Mahan as governor
Today?
Like that’s all California has to worry about?
Jeff I appreciate your reply to my post where I sated I have no interest in Robbie Ray. Sorry for the tardy reply. A bunch of us old retired coaches get together occasionally to drink some beers and B.S It’s always amazing how much better we have all become as coaches since we hung-it-up.
I’m just no a Ray fan. I suggest i’d rather promote a young prospect instead. Another veteran, maybe, but not Ray.
You know the talent in the minors far better than I do so I trust your assessments, but I want to make a few points
* I’m rooting for Sasaki but you are right; I don’t like him as a starter, right now. I’d prefer he get his legs under him and improve his arsenal at OKC. I don’t see us needing his help in our current bullpen which has been awesome. But I understand with the current situation, we need him as a stater in the rotation.
* I really like Sheehan and would prefer stayi with him before we acquire a 34 year old with a history.
* Aside from the pitchers you mentioned that are in the IL, like Knack, Miller and Fox, plus the older starters like Irvin and Ryder Ryan, I still count about 8 starting pitchers in AAA and AA that might be worth a look before signing Robbie Ray or a similar vet.
* You know these guys better than me but I would rather see an organizational product get a shot over an import, especially as a stop-gap. Get 4 innings out of a starter and let our deep bullpen save the day if they struggle.
As you can tell I’m a big proponent of using the younger organizational talent instead of dropping veterans from elsewhere on their heads. And I know that doesn’t address problems with the 40-man roster.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Ryan is 27 years old. Get him up
There is a bill that just passed the house in California which would force the Angels to change their name back to Anaheim Angels. It has strong support in the state senate.
Being that as it may, tickets to games at Dodger Stadium are some of the most expensive in the league. Parking averages 20-50 dollars. Low-income fans just simply cannot afford to go to games. It has become so expensive, that when I go to LA to visit my sister, we go see the Low-A team instead. Much more affordable. The next time the Dodgers come to Denver, I can get seats much cheaper than in LA.
Mash the Brewers
7:40 PM ET
Dodgers (31-19)
Brewers (29-18)
SP Justin Wrobleski L
6-1 2.49 ERA
SP Logan Henderson R
1-1 3.50 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
SS Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
RF Kyle Tucker L
CF Andy Pages R
3B Max Muncy L
LF T. Hernandez R
C D. Rushing L
2B Hyeseong Kim L
In Domed Stadium
Some other team will definitely give the Giants more for Ray than AF would.
The Padres are going to need starters and Preller will find a way to get a couple of decent ones even with no minor league system left after all his trades.
Cubs are another possibility.
Not only will other teams pay more for Ray, but Posey certainly has no love for L.A. and all things being equal, we’d probably be his last choice as a trade partner.
I can see why Ray. He had. 32 starts and 182 innings last year. He has 10 starts and 54.2 innings this year. He can still chew innings.
As for who in the minors that can do that? I don’t see him.
90 speed
Insurance adjustors are the worst. Waiting on a final depreciation check today from a fallen tree on Christmas day. Guy was worthless.
I do not believe the Dodgers would have any interest in Ray. Some publications think they do. I do not have a criteria sheet for who the Dodgers may covet.
I am not in favor of Ray, however, outside of River Ryan, what young pitcher should the Dodgers advance. You indicated above you do not want him rushed. We have no idea how Stone is going to respond the rest of this year, and that is the only time frame we are concerned with. It takes longer to come back from shoulder surgery. You have been clear that you do not like Sasaki as a starter. I do not know how you feel about Sheehan, many do not like him either. Jackson Ferris is out with a hip impingement with no timetable to return. Cole Irvin (not young)? Ryder Ryan (not young)? Christian Romero? Or maybe Landon Knack or Bobby Miller (both out with no timetable)? Tulsa LHSP Luke Fox is back on the IL. Maybe the Dodgers could grab Patrick Copen from Tulsa. Eric Lauer is not young, and he is one who AF has tapped.
I’d use up my week long vacation money just to park my car!
Thats one park I hadnt been to.
Had plans to go to game 6 last year…..well we swept em!! So I want to game 3 and 4 of the WS in LA!!!
Why would the Dodgers have any interest in Robbie Ray? Unless he would be free. Here’s another 34 year old with 13 seasons under his belt and a Tommy John. I’m way more interested in advancing a young prospect that Ray. Maybe the Dodgers are interested in featuring another pitcher with pants way too tight. Not me.
I love River Ryan, but I’m with you Bear. No need to rush him.
I felt he was rushed when he joined the big club in 2024, got in 20 innings and 4 starts before breaking down. He had a very conservative pitch limit coming up and was never stretch out. At least that’s my recollection.
He’s going to be very good and will get his chance in due time.
I saw that trade acquisition, but do not believe this is something that AF will pursue. But who knows…crazy happens.
But an even crazier mock trade has propped up, and has appeared in at least three publications. The Dodgers to acquire the Giants LHSP Robbie Ray. Before, I would have said not even close to being plausible, but I have zero idea what Buster Posey is doing in SF. Only one of the publications actually included a “headliner” back to SF. LHP Adam Serwinowski. I doubt that the Giants will trade with the Dodgers, but there is no way the Giants would trade Ray for Serwinowski. There are way too many contenders who will offer much more than Serwinowski. Ray will get traded in July. So will Luis Arráez.
Ok
Kim can do what George does, plus play above average both middle infield positions. And has already shown he can hit ML pitching. George, a .778 OPS below AAA doesn’t say he’s ready to me. And .850 in AA? It’s 159 at bats.
In 287 ML PA’s, Kim has put up 2.4 WAR. Over a 162 game season, 427 PA’s, that computes to a 3.6 WAR. AS A BACK UP! I don’t understand why so many are so quick to unload him. In fact, I would take him over Edman.
I don’t care who you are…that’s funny right there. I spit up my coffee reading that.
The Dodgers Allow you to bring ANY food and beverage (non alc) into the game. You do not have to spend ANYTHING at the park if you do not want to.
Friday’s Dodger Affiliates’ Schedule
3:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Christian Zazueta) vs. Wisconsin (Josh Knoth)
4:35 p.m. PT: Tulsa (Adam Serwinowski) at Wichita (Sam Armstrong)
5:05 p.m. PT: Oklahoma City (Charlie Barnes) vs. Reno (Kohl Drake)
6:35 p.m. PT: Ontario (TBD) at Inland Empire (Mason Peters)
Send Teoscar, Kim, Suwinski, JT3, and Davalan, plus $10 Million to the ASStericks for Alvarez.
Jack Harris floats bthis idea:
Future Dodger of the Week
(Where we identify a potential Dodgers’ future acquisition –– sometimes far-fetched, sometimes not)
Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros (ETA: August)
The Cheatin’ Astros stink, which could make them sellers at the trade deadline. If the Dodgers’ don’t solve their offensive problems by then, they could swing a deal for Alvarez, the 6-foot-4, 237-pound hitting machine.
Alvarez isn’t a perfect fit for the Dodgers, but they could make this work. The Dodgers’ lineup is extremely left-handed, but Alvarez’s career splits are better against left-handers than against right-handers. Alvarez has played most of his games as a designated hitter, but he can play left field, a position currently occupied by a substandard defensive player in Hernández. And, hey, if the Dodgers don’t want Shohei Ohtani DHing in games he pitches, Alvarez provides them with an alternative to the four-time MVP.
Alvarez will be under contract for two more seasons after this one, at a relative bargain price of $26 million per year. By trading for him, the Dodgers could right one of their greatest wrongs in recent years. As an amateur player, the Cuba-born Alvarez signed with the Dodgers in June of 2016, only to be traded less than two months later for a long-forgotten reliever named Josh Fields.
From Houston Mitchell:
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell and I’m wondering what babies think about. They don’t know any words!
Reports of Shohei Ohtani’s demise were greatly exaggerated, as he has bounced back at the plate the last few games. He has been great on the mound this year, and after he defeated the San Diego Padres on Wednesday, his ERA dropped to 0.73.
Some wondered if this is the best start, through eight games, in history. Well, if you wondered that, you are forgetting another great player in Dodgers history.
A look at the best ERA’s after eight starts since 1920 (according to baseball-reference.com):
1. Fernando Valenzuela, 1981 Dodgers, 0.50 ERA
8-0, 7 complete games, 72 IP, 43 hits, 17 walks, 68 K’s
2. Mike Norris, 1980 Oakland A’s, 0.52 ERA
5-2. 6 CG’s, 68.2 IP, 33 hits, 25 walks, 49 K’s
3. Zack Greinke, 2009 Kansas City Royals, 0.60 ERA
7-1, 4 CG’s, 60 IP, 40 hits, 10 walks, 65 K’s
4. Jacob deGrom, 2021 NY Mets, 0.71 ERA
4-2. 1 CG, 51 IP, 22 hits, 7 walks, 82 K’s
5. Shohei Ohtani, 2026 Dodgers, 0.73 ERA
4-2, 0 CG’s, 49 IP, 28 hits, 13 walks, 54 K’s
6. Juan Marichal, 1966 San Francisco Giants, 0.78 ERA
7-0, 6 CG’s, 69 IP, 42 hits, 6 walks, 45 K’s
7. Pedro Martinez, 2000 Boston Red Sox, 0.90 ERA
7-1, 2 CG’s, 60.1 IP, 33 hits, 11 walks, 88 K’s
8. Randy Johnson, 2000 Arizona Diamondbacks, 0.95 ERA
7-0, 4 CG’s, 66.1 IP, 39 hits, 14 walks, 88 K’s
9. Shota Imanaga, 2024 Chicago Cubs, 0.96 ERA
5-0, 0 CG’s, 46.2 IP, 36 hits, 8 walks, 51 K’s
10. Nolan Ryan, 1981 Houston Astros, 0.98 ERA
4-2, 1 CG, 55.1 IP, 40 hits, 24 walks, 54 K’s
I am looking at having him move to OKC by July and show up in September. His speed will play up here. Also, there will be season-ending injuries – there usually are!
Who would he replace, with Rushing,Call,Kiki and Rojas set as bench players.Edman is due back and Kim will be heading to Oklahoma City. His only shot is if one of the regular outfielders hits the IL or a September callup.
He has exceeded my expectations with this start. I would like to see him move to OKC. He looks ready. I still think he’s a #4 OF’er, but he’s a weapon. His speed makes him OK in CF… he is not yet a Defensive Wizard… but he’s getting better. I’ll give him that. He makes Call expendable.
Kendall George has had a spectacular start to this season.
Could he be this year’s Justin Dean, etc later on this year?
Saddened to hear of the passing of Kyle Busch, the NASCAR driver who fell ill suddenly and died yesterday. My daughter is a huge NASCAR fan. RIP Kyle.
Amen brother amen.
Milwaukee is always on my want-to list, but I think the last time I was there, Alana Rizzo was still with the team. 3 years? 4 years? Yikes. Last time, my wife and I went on a Friday and Saturday. Milwaukee has a great downtown with lots of nightlife, and the Blue Angels were flying over the downtown area – we had a great time. We booked a table at J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard, which overlooks LF and is open to watch the game. We got there early and ate what I would call “Upscale Bar Food” and watched the first 4 innings of the game. It is a great ballpark, and the Milwaukee fans are great. Then, we went to our seats!
I wanted to go this year, but my wife’s restaurant is still under construction (Target opening date: June 24), and my nephew, who is our VP/Sales & Business Development, is moving to Florida to work in our Tampa Branch. His wife is from Florida and wants to live there, so we are throwing a big goodbye party for them on Sunday with about 140 people confirmed. It has rained most of the week, so I have to mow 3.7 acres and get the pool, hot tub, and all the outside ready for company.
I am still dealing (Fighting) with insurance adjusters on the damage done by the tornado. Stuff like this:
You can see the temporary repair of the gate in the background, but they want to patch the gutters and fence, and I want it replaced. My insurance specified “Replacement Cost.” I told them I am going to prevail – the question is: Hard Way or Easy Way. I hate these guys! So, I will be watching on TV with you all. It’s nice being retired! 😉
If you ever get the chance to see a game in Milwaukee – take it. Milwaukee and Cincinnati are two excellent venues that are among the most affordable. Thursday, I go to see the Dayton Dragons hosting the GL Loons… minus Mike Sirota!
I’m getting priced out just sitting on my couch!
Agree about Tucker being overpriced but we had a need and he was the best option available. Pages has locked up CF so Teo’s spot is most vulnerable to upgrade. They could move from him as soon as next season if Tibbs forces the issue. As for the other minor league OFers, who knows. Freeman is looking like an FA in 2028 so that spot opens too. AA outfield will be ready to play by then.
The prices at the ballpark are insane. Low-income people cannot afford to attend games at all. The Dodgers are a money-making machine, a cash cow as it were. And Ohtani generates more than anyone. I can say this, at least if I go to Denver to see them play, it is somewhat affordable.
Ryan is injury insurance at this point. I do not think he will be called up anytime soon. There is really no need to rush him. Tucker is indeed a ho-hum type of player right now. He hasn’t shown much power. He is 4th on the team in RBIs with 24. He is striking out a lot for a guy who is supposed to be a pretty good contact hitter as far as Skubal goes, doubtful AF would unload the farm for a rental.
I have to know how many $75 Ohtani soda cups are being bought here on Dodgertalk. Mark, you have to offer one with each new water system sold! Unless its more expensive than the water system itself!
I don’t want Skubal for what the Tigers will want in prospects. We don’t need him .Pitching is NOT our issue
With five shutout innings booked for OKC, shouldn’t River Ryan be summoned to LA soon?
Certainly it seems like Ryan is ready…
In other pitching news, the Tigers are struggling with a 20-31 record. If they can’t get back into contention, Skubal and his repaired elbow could be on the market….
Now for some kvetching:
Kyle Tucker seems to be showing improvement–but there are dozens of outfielders who are out-hitting the $240-million man. We’re nearly 1/3rd into the season and Tucker’s OPS is a humdrum .748, ranking 32nd among outfielders–behind several guys AF might have acquired for less $$.
All considered, I’d rather be cheering for a bargain like the surprising Mickey Moniak, with his .942 OPS, or my pet target Buxton at .896, or old friend Belli at .849, or O’Hearn at .827. Of course Tucker has a full FOUR SEASONS to prove he’s worth the investment that figures to pose an obstacle to the Dodgers many hyped OF prospects….
I am much more concerned about how Tucker’s contract “ages” than how Mookie’s ages. If he doesn’t deliver superstar performance, Tucker’s compensation seems offensive (to me at least) compared to what Max (.891) is earning.