Rant and Rave Wedenesday
Last night had a happy ending, but it looked bad for a while as Rich Hill gave up 4 runs in the first three innings. He threw 103 pitches. 75 of which were strikes, and his curveball was amazing. It really was a good outing and the two HR were (in my opinion) just one of those things. Hill pitched a strong 6 innings and kept the Dodgers in the
- Last night had a happy ending, but it looked bad for a while as Rich Hill gave up 4 runs in the first three innings. He threw 103 pitches. 75 of which were strikes, and his curveball was amazing. It really was a good outing and the two HR were (in my opinion) just one of those things. Hill pitched a strong 6 innings and kept the Dodgers in the game. It was good to see the 5-6-7-8 hitters score 8 of the 11 runs.
- I think I have figured out how Doc makes up his lineup: If a guy is slumping we know how he stays with them, and stays with them, and stays with them… and then when they get hot, he sits them so that other guys can get hot, or so that they don’t cool off. It’s like Verdugo who had 2 hits on Monday, so he sits him. It’s maddening…. I know – it makes no sense! That’s my point. I used to be his biggest fan, unlike Donnie Ballgame whom I never liked from Jump Street!
- Turner, Machado and Freese = back-to-back-to-back doubles, and then Kike with a single, Taylor with a hit and then the hardest-hit single… ever by Yasmani = 6 runs scored! It doesn’t always take a long ball, guys. Watch and Learn!
- I think that David Freese can have a big impact on Chris Taylor – CT3 needs to change his approach on two strikes and Mr. Freese is guy who can teach him that. Freese is going to help this team a lot. He is going to be a huge weapon off the bench.
- Brian Dozier continues to dooooozzzeee while Manny is hitting well.
- After being out for two months, Josh Fields returned and looked rusty. It’s just his first game back, so I can overlook the fact that he needs to add 3 MPH on his fastball. His fastest was 95 – when at full strength he can hit 97-98. I like what I saw last night . It’s a start! How he feels today will tell the tale.
- If any pitcher deserves the name “Bulldog,” it’s Pat Venditte. He is ambidextrous, and to top it all off, he throws with both arms. Who knew? Anyway, he inherited a bases loaded, no out situation and you could just see the “steely resolve” in his eyes. He likely has no shot at a Post-Season Roster spot, but what a story!
- I have no idea if Kenley should should travel to Denver or not. I have never played baseball there, but physically, I cannot tell any difference. Back on the farm, we always knew that if a horse threw you off, you got right back on. This is different! It’s his heart. His doctors and Kenley will make the choice. I’d like to think that Baez, Floro and Madson are now better prepared to close. Yes – Pedro Baez. I see a new look out there.
- Let’s hope Austin Barnes gets untracked – he’s much better than this.
- 2018 in MLB = the lowest Batting Average for all of MLB since 1972!
- Keep on Trucking!
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Discussion (57)
Disagree, not disagreeable
The last time a starting pitcher gave up 4 runs was August 18, and Rich Hill was the starting pitcher that day as well. He is giving up too many HR’s. In his last 4 games he has allowed a 3 run HR to LHH Kyle Seager, a 3 run HR to LHH David Peralta, a 2 run HR to LHH Jay Bruce, and a 2 run HR to LHH Michael Conforto. The team has lost two of those games and won two. Draw your own conclusions as to whether he represents a strong starting pitcher. Throw away the HR’s and he is outstanding, but those 2 and 3 run HR’s are a problem when pitching for a team that scores too few runs in too many games.
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I have questioned lineups and in-game moves by Doc Roberts on multiple occasions over the last month or so. But I have never referred to Roberts as a dumbass, nor would I ever. I do not pretend to know more baseball than Roberts, but as a fan of the LAD since they moved west, I reserve the right to question why he does the things he does. I guarantee you that FAZ’s questions will be far more piercing than any of ours on a blog. I have more respect for Roberts as I believe he is his own person and is not a puppet of FAZ. But if it is a voice of reason to never question a manager, then I will never have a voice of reason.
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David Freese was an outstanding acquisition. His 2019 option is for $5MM, and I believe that FAZ will strongly consider him as a big RH bat off the bench, and someone who can replace JT on occasion.
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Mark believes in Pedro Baez more than I do. I have been fooled on too many occasions where Baez was pitching great, only to fall apart AGAIN. I am also not sure that Fields is injury free. His shoulder is still a question. We have no choice but to hope Floro, Madson, and Baez are late inning high leverage closer or setup relievers. But I sure would be more confidant in Familia, Kela, Pressly, Brach, or Leclerc. (I know, let it go).
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I hope the HR will loosen Barnes up a bit and get him to swinging the bat again.
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Yes, the Dodgers play the lowly Mets again today, but they face Zack Wheeler, who I think is finally healthy and is starting to become the top of the rotation pitcher both the Giants and Mets believed him to be. I have stated that I would like to see Wheeler in a Dodger uniform. His last start against the Giants was outstanding. In particular, in his last 7 starts he has accumulated 46.0 IP, or about 6.1 IP/start. During that time, he has 50 K and 9 BB with a 0.98 ERA.
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Go Blue! Win the series.