RANDOM THOUGHTS FROM THE RECLINER

I’m writing this on Friday morning, basking in the joy of the Dodgers 11-2 thumping of the Padres and thought I would share some random thoughts from my recliner: 

●          Until last night’s game, this year’s Dodgers just haven’t been as fun for me to watch as teams in the past.   In “summer camp” it looked as if though they would be invincible.   Once the season started though, and even though their record isn’t that bad, their play (mostly the offense) has just seemed “meh.”   Perhaps the expectations for this team were put much too high.   In any event, I hope last night’s game was a precursor of better days ahead. 

●          For all the woes the offense has experienced, in contrast the bullpen has been has been very solid.  I really like the additions of Treinen and McGee.  Both have seemed to have recaptured some of the magic of when they were dominant pitchers.   Dylan Floro has been a pleasant surprise, and Doc has used him in the right situations.  Graterol and Ferguson have also been very solid and, in my opinion, will only get better.  Baez is Baez.  I have no complaint about how he has pitched.  But is he ever painful to watch on the mound.  He is so jittery, and looks like he is but a moment away from a nervous breakdown.   Alexander, Kolarek and Santana have also been useful.  I think Doc has also used them in the right circumstances, to help them build their confidence.  We may not see much more of Victor Gonzalez for the remainder of the season, but I think he has the stuff to be effective.   Kenley Jansen still makes me nervous, but I can’t argue with the results.  His cutter has more movement this year and he appears to have regained some velocity.  

●          The starters are beginning to round into form.   We’ve gotten all we could possibly expect from May and Gonsolin.  They both have been very good.   If the Urias we saw last night, is the Urias we get moving forward, I’ll be very happy.   I have to believe (hope perhaps) that Buehler will return to his dominant ways, but even if he is just good, it will be all right.   Strip is Strip, he will give you all he has every time he is on the mound.  That said, I have to agree with some of the others on this blog, he may just be a #6 pitcher and nothing more.  Even as that I can see him having a significant role being used in a “piggyback” role, should any of the other starters falter early in a game.  He can eat some innings.  Which Kershaw is the Kershaw that we’ll see for the rest of the year, he of his first start, or the second start?   Because he’s such a competitor, I think more of the first start then the latter.  I’m not sure how much we’ll see of Alex Wood for the rest of the year, but up to now he hasn’t been missed much.    

●          Without a doubt, this team is much better with Corey Seager, than without him.   CT3 might have a slight edge defensively at shortstop, but Seager is such a solid offensive player that he needs to be in the lineup.   I know the conversation of getting Lindor has heated up a bit lately, but as for me, I keep Seager and sign him long term.   His old schoolwork ethic is precisely what this team needs.  

●          Other than last night, the offense is down, I’ll look at that more hereafter, but one explanation that has been floated is the failure to adjust to the COVID protocols.  For example, COVID protocols don’t allow for hitters to have as much batting practice before games as in past years.   The pre-game time on the field is limited and, as a result, the players have less time to work out the kinks in their swing.  Also, the players aren’t allowed to view video during the game as in past years.  Thus, they’re not able to view video to get immediate feedback on what they did right or wrong in the just completed at-bat.  As a result, the players are relying more on “feel” than they have in the past.   Like all things, some are better at it than others.   As Corey Seager explained: “Whether you’re going good or bad, you like to see where pitches were, where you thought they were, where they actually are,” Seager said. “Even in zone, you sometimes get confused. Just checking on little setup things and little corrections you’d normally make throughout the game, you’re not really able to. You’re kind of having to rely on a lot more feel this year. It’s definitely been a battle.”

●          Neither Max Muncy nor Cody Bellinger look right.  I read on another blog that, to date, Bellinger is having the worst MVP follow-up season in the history of MLB.   That’s not a distinction you want to be known for.   Everybody seems to have a theory as to why Bellinger is struggling.   Here’s mine:   I looked back at last season, and it appears that his decline coincided with the fans beginning their constant chants of “MVP” “MVP”, “MVP.”  It may be that he doesn’t handle the spotlight and corresponding expectations as well as others.   Moreover, this off-season was one award ceremony after another for him.   He may have had too much of the high-life and is still working himself back into shape.

●          I’m not sure what to make of Max Muncy.  Perhaps his slump is a direct result of an injury.  Whatever the cause, he definitely looks like he has lost his confidence.  He has also been the recipient of some of the worst strike calls that I have seen this year.

●          It hasn’t been discussed as much, but Joc Pederson seems to have lost whatever gains he showed in spring training and the summer camp.   I was convinced that he would have a great year because of becoming a free agent at the end of this year.   That hasn’t unfolded.  Now, a question that has to be asked is, do you attempt to trade him at the trade deadline?   Or, do you ride him through the playoffs, hoping that he recaptures some thunder in his bat? 

●          Speaking of the umpires, I have observed some of the worst calls on strikes and balls that I have seen in several years, C. B. Bucknor and Angel Hernandez notwithstanding.   Electronic strikes and balls may not be too far in the future. 

●          The slider that Brusdar Graterol threw to Manny Machado for strike three on Wednesday night, was unbelievable.  I did not think it was humanly possible to have a pitch break as much as that one did.   I’m going out on a limb here, but I don’t think that even Badger or Mark could hit that pitch.      

●          Mookie Betts is very good!   Not only is he good, he exhibits all the character qualities you would want in someone to lead your team.  Plus, his personality is such that he contributes very positively to the team’s chemistry.   Barring something totally unforeseeable, he’ll be a Dodger for the next 12 years!!!!!  

●          The other night, Joe Davis and Orel Hershiser were having a discussion about which Dodger would be the most successful as a cage fighter (that’s what happens when your team is not playing well).  The consensus among the player was Austin Barnes.   I have absolutely no information on which to form any opinion on that subject, yet that I was surprised it was Barnes. 

●          The Padres are going to have a nice team for the next several years.  They have a nice blend of young hitters and pitchers, with more on the way.  It’s going to be fun watching the Dodgers and Pads battle each other.  He didn’t do well last night, but, barring injury, Chris Paddock is going to be a nice pitcher for them.  I look forward to he and Julio Urias going head to head against each other.  Two 24 year olds, that currently possess virtually identical statistics, who are only going to get better.   

●          Perhaps, after last night’s game, the fire Robert Van Scoyoc rants will die down for a while, at least until the Dodgers are shut out again.  I don’t think he is the source of the Dodger hitting woes.  At least he’s no more responsible than Brant Brown or Aaron Miles, who are also Dodger hitting coaches.  Maybe RVS is more of a lightning rod for the fans, because he doesn’t have any pro ball experience.   It’s also been noted that RVS may be sort of a “one trick” pony because a couple of the hitters he’s worked with use a high leg kick as a triggering mechanism in their swing.  I don’t buy into that theory, primarily because I don’t see that being used by the majority of Dodger hitters.   

●          Hopefully by the time this posted the Dodgers will have spanked the Angels in their 3 game series.  On “paper” that is certainly what should happen.  

●          My sincerest prayers for Jeff and his family that they might find comfort and love as they share in the memory of his beloved son, Kristopher this weekend.   I know from experience that these “anniversary dates” are painful and very bittersweet.     

My song parody for today.  A Buffalo Springfield classic that I love in my youth:  “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing” with apologies to Neal Young. 

Who’s that throwing heat past my face

Where’s that pitch that I would normally lace?

Who’s puttin’ sponge in the bats I once swung

my hits are so weak, I don’t need to run

Making out after out is screwing my mind

I can’t even hit above the Mendoza line

every pitcher I face looks like Nolan Ryan

I’m swinging at air and it’s ruining the times

Who’s sayin’ baby, that don’t mean a thing

‘Cause nowadays Muncy can’t even swing

And who’s all hung up on that homerun thing?

Who’s trying to figure out why he misses each swing?

And who’s in the corner and down on the floor

With pencil and paper just countin’ the score?

And who’s tryin’ to act like he’s just missed it again?

And the line isn’t black if you know that it’s green

But don’t bother lookin, you’re too blind to see

Who’s comin’ on like he wanted to be

Who’s sayin’ baby, that don’t mean a thing?

‘Cause nowadays Belli can’t even swing

And who’s striking out on pitch number five?

Yet still has the feelin’ that he’ll soon come alive

Though feelin’ it, believin’ it ain’t quite the same

It ain’t a base hit, if you pop up again

Who’s missing his pitches more and more?

Even though they’re red meat on which he should score

Who should be hitting but is part of this song?

Wishin’ and hopin’ his swing weren’t so damned long

Who’s sayin’ baby, that don’t mean a thing?

‘Cause nowadays Muncy can’t even swing

Who’s sayin’ baby, that don’t mean a thing?

‘Cause nowadays Belli can’t even swing