A good friend of mine was at the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes game last night, and here is his report:
Fortunate enough to live close to the Lake Elsinore Storm to catch the odd Rancho Cucamonga Quakes against Lake Elsinore, Storm games. Tonight was especially interesting because Bobby Miller was starting for the Quakes as pitcher. Attendance for the game was 2600 which is a pretty good turnout for a Storm game. One of the pieces about Miller that I’ve enjoyed when he is pitching is the intensity that he brings to the game which was evident tonight especially during the pregame warm-ups.
— S.M.
In the end, Miller lasted about three innings pitching a total of 65 pitches, with 38 strikes and 4 runs. Unfortunately for the Quakes, the Storm ended up hitting like the Dodgers when they’re on a hot streak, scoring a couple touchdowns +1 against the Quakes.
Miller still has some rust to break off as the control on some of his pitches was not there. However there were a number of plays including two outfield hits and a potential double play that were missed, which would have rectified the situation had the Quakes defense been proficient. You can only imagine what would be going through Bobby’s mind when plays like that end up being missed and runs are scored based upon fielding.
At the end, Bobby’s probably got another 3 to 4 games that he’s got to pitch before he’s getting back into the Dodger rotation. But we believe he’ll get there as the intensity with every pitch is definitely there.
Thank you for the report!
- Why call Miguel Vargas up and then not play him? This is puzzling, and I want to know the reason… there has to be a reason… RIGHT?
- Over the past two weeks, the Dodgers’ Team OPS has dropped from .806 to .765, BUT they are still #2 in all of baseball, just behind the Yankees.
- The Dodgers are now #3 in Team ERA – number 3 in Bullpen ERA as well.
- It was another football score at Albaquacky last night as Outman was 1-5 with 2 Ks. He is striking out 40% of the time. That is alarming!
- Alex Freeland is handling AA pitching very well: .318 BA/1.024 OPS. I generally don’t have a “favorite” player, but Alex is becoming mine.
- I can see Dalton Rushing moving to AAA by the All-Star break.
Discussion (23)
Disagree, not disagreeable
On a different note…
The ERA leader in the Dodgers rotation is now…. Gavin Stone!
With Buehler working his way back into form and Miller hurt, Stone has pitched like he intends to stay. Knack has filled in nicely, but now is pushed back to OKC.
If all goes well, the Dodgers could have surplus of quality starters. Kershaw is reportedly ahead of schedule, and there is talk of May being ready late in the season.
Not that all will be healthy at the same time… but what if?
A nice problem to have.
1–Whatever. Are you saying the final numbers did not support your prophecy?
2–OPS is the best hitting stat–and Outman’s in ’23 was a strong .790– but I would argue that OBP is more valuable than BA. (Per Moneyball, “He gets on base.”) Outman’s ’23 performance earned him the CF job, but now he’s suffering the dreaded sophomore jinx, as is the ’23 ROY Corbin Carroll.
3–The Dodgers should either play Vargas or trade him. They’re not playing him (much), so I think the plan is to deal him for a proven veteran for the OF or the pen. (If Pages and Outman keep hitting, both could start with Heyward mixed in. But several good outfielders should be on the market.)
4–Altitude doesn’t replace strikeouts with hits.
Final shot:
If the Dodgers don’t think Vargas should play LF, I defer to them and will not bitch about it.
Eric, the same applies to Outman. The Dodgers know more than me or you!
So… can we just STFU?
Finally, I use the eye test. Outman looks like a pathetic cave man against LHP. I like him against RHP!
Eric, you have the grudge. I just defend my position! Bye! Keep talking if you like…
The point of the platoon, which was only implemented after Outman started the season as the non-platooning, everyday CF, was to build Outman’s confidence by only having him hit in the most advantageous of situations.
Kike sucks more than Outman. More blah hitting against blah pitching! When will it end?
#1 – Kike was not brought in to platoon with James Outman. In 2023, he had exactly 19 games in CF… some were with Boston. This year he has played 6 games in CF.
#2 – Last year, James Outman has a .665 OPS against LHP, which is deplorable, but that was last year. This year it is .452!
#3 – If you want to compare anything, compare him to Andy Pages who has a .829 OPS against LHP. When Outman comes back, he should platoon in CF with Pages.
#4 – This is a LA Dodgers Blog- not a James Outman Blog. I get the feeling you are a fan of Outman and not the Dodgers. It’s OK to have a favorite player but when he gets demoted, just hope that he comes back better. No need to disparage anyone else.
Eric,
I may be daft but I have no idea what point you are trying to make. Can you rephrase?
Blake Snell Suffers Groin Injury, Likely Headed To 15-Day IL
Barnes for DH!!!!
Pitchers sure seem to have a good game when he catches.
Austin Freaking Barnes!!!
Where can one look to find what the Dodgers record is when Barnes catches?
Mookie and Freddie with bombs in the first. Ohtani has struck out twice in three at bats. Monday commented how he is pulling off of the ball. Stone looking good so far. Muncy took some grounders at third today. Team will fly out to Pittsburgh tomorrow morning.
The rumours of Freddie’s decline are greatly exaggerated.
Still without doubt out best hitter
Barnes is a bunting machine!
4:10 PM ET
Rockies (21-36)
Dodgers (37-23)
SP Austin Gomber L
1-2 2.76 ERA
SP Gavin Stone R
5-2 3.16 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
SS Mookie Betts R
DH S. Ohtani L
1B F. Freeman L
RF T. Hernandez R
CF Andy Pages R
2B Miguel Rojas R
3B E. Hernandez R
LF M. Vargas R
C A. Barnes R
69° Wind 6 mph Out
NOT our strongest lineup with NO Will Smith
Great to see Kershaw throwing against hitters already!
Still a long way to go but right now on track for return by August 1.
We may get to watch the best pitcher of this century perform again.
With Teo and Andy playing full-time in the OF, Vargas’ playing time as an outfielder is limited to being platooned with Heyward against LHP. This naturally greatly limits his AB opportunities. So the only way we can realistically see his bat full-time is if the Dodgers “move” Lux out, and allow Vargas to play 2B again. It’s not a far-fetched idea because Lux could still be traded by the deadline, and Vargas (despite his batting woes last year) showed that he could adequately man that position in the field. And if the Dodgers won’t even consider this, but continue to keep him here with the parent club, then I’m betting they plan on trading Vargas before the deadline.
I looked at the Yankees roster and the offense looks a lot like the Dodgers. Volpe good leadoff not as good as Betts. Judge is a bit better than Ohtani. Soto is quite better than freemen. Smith tops any of their 4 hitters. Stanton is having a power resurgence. Torres has been awful. Rizzo not really having a good year but capable. The rest are just fillers. I can’t remember the name of one of the players just getting back from injury. (Used to be a Cub) the Yankees basically 3 hitters n power. Veterans bats though that can put it in play. The ops can be deceiving.
The dodgers have dropped ops but are still second on average. But, how many games have we scored big numbers in an inning only to not score again. Or score big one game with none or few the next .game. This is not a consistent offense. Situational hitting needs to improve but with the philosophy of slug and contact is not a priority how will it improve?
Again, I can’t watch these games against the Rockies this year. I would have to subscribe to FUBO to get AT&T Sportsnet. So, I went old school and listened to the radio broadcast and checked the highlights later after the game was over. Freeman made a great tag play at first on a throw from Kike that was high. Mookie had his third straight game without a hit. Give him a day to recharge and then put him back in the lineup Tuesday against the Pirates. We get to see Pirates phenom, Paul Skenes on Wednesday. Should be interesting to watch.
Sunday schedule
11 a.m. PT (doubleheader): Great Lakes (Peter Heubeck & Jacob Meador) at West Michigan (Carlos Marcano & TBD)
11 a.m.: Tulsa (Hyun-il Choi) vs. Northwest Arkansas (Eric Cerantola)
1:15 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Garrett McDaniels) at Lake Elsinore (Miguel Mendnez)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (TBA) at Albuquerque (Karl Kauffmann)
Vargas should start today as the Dodgers are facing a left handed pitcher. His last start was against lefty Peterson
in NY against the Mets last Wednesday. Makes no sense not to start a young player everyday. I’d rather see him in Oklahoma City getting atbats.AF must have something up his sleeve on Vargas.