Preview of Weekend Series with Brewers

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.

I don’t want Skubal for what the Tigers will want in prospects. We don’t need him .Pitching is NOT our issue

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!

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.

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.

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.

I’m getting priced out just sitting on my couch!

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!

Amen brother amen.

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.

Kendall George has had a spectacular start to this season. Could he be this year’s Justin Dean, etc later on this year?

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.

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.

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!

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

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.

Send Teoscar, Kim, Suwinski, JT3, and Davalan, plus $10 Million to the ASStericks for Alvarez.

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)

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.

I don’t care who you are…that’s funny right there. I spit up my coffee reading that.

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.

Ok

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.

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.

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.