Several Dodgers Arrested After Friday Night s Game

Yes, a good test of character. Kenley came through in the clutch again. That, to me, is the most positive note of this game, especially after Knebel went down. With Knebel out, I’m liking the notion of Kenley-Price as a battle-tested, righty-lefty veteran duo to close out games.

Here’s hoping that Bellinger, Lux, McKinstry get well soon. Better that they are hurt now rather than in August. One advantage of a rash of injuries early in the season is that we get a chance to seem what players like Neuse, Peters and Raley can do. Rios and Beatty need to step it up or they’ll be sent down–but who will replace them? I’d rather see the young guys than someone like Sousa.

We know that the Dodgers have a very strong core: Betts, Seager, Turner, Bellinger, Smith, Muncy. So far, McKinstry is proving himself worthy successor to Kike–while also compensating (somewhat) for Joc’s missing lefthanded bat.

If Lux delivers–we keep waiting!– Taylor and McKinstry may be the best utility duo in the bigs, much as Smith/Barnes is the best catching tandem. So now Friedman & Co. have a chance to see what the weak links are. Same with pitching. Knebel’s injury may give a chance to Pepiot or Mitch White or Gray or ???

And depending on who fails to deliver, this could provide Friedman with a shopping list at midseason.

I find myself rooting especially for Peters, because (a) he’s a local guy and (b) several the prospect pundits had written him off and (c) the potential if he figures it out. Watching the highlights I grimaced seeing Peters’ split-second delay on that throw home. My guess is that he didn’t quite have a good grip on the transition from glove to hand. A clean transition might have led been a hero moment, with a runner cut down at the plate. So… dang. That would have been sweet. A confidence-booster.

The pre-season hype was all about the extreme depth of the Dodgers. The in season reality, not so much.

Wow, the Padres’ defense is top of the class, the Dodgers’ defense, not so much. This is going to be a problem for us.

Jansen is dominant once or twice a week. How many playoff games are played in a week? (food for thought)

Don’t get butt-ass hurt B&P, I think it is pretty obvious to all except you, that the replacement players aren’t really stepping up. In fact, many have realized that many of them are in fact not ready for this level yet and really may never be. Also, it is overwhelmingly evident that Jansen is not a back to back pitcher, his performance drops off the cliff when asked to come on consecutive days. I guess, Ray Charles can see that but B&P cannnot.

“Camelot (LADT) it tis a silly place”. (sorry Python fans for the bastardization). “Now bow down, now FO!” (my apologies again to Python fans for the bastardization). To non-Python fans, never mind, just move along, I won’t be able to explain it to ya.

I really like Trevor Bauer, and I hope we can extend the end of his contract here. He is a fierce competitor, sort of reminds me of Verlander in intensity. We have a very fine starting staff, it is our strength.

The bullpen will not hold up over 162 games, unless Price is somehow a phenomenal reliever all year. it is a real shame about Knebel, but when you keep trying to rehabilitate pitchers with serious past injuries, this happens. Maybe somehow Morrow will come back to 2017 form. Without that, Roberts will wear out the rest of the bullpen. I don’t know where we can find a solid reliever, but we had better look for two of them at the trade deadline, in my opinion.

Big game today, it would be great if May could step up with a big effort. But who do we have in the bullpen to follow up? We can’t use Jansen, we can’t use Treinen, most likely.

Graterol, Nelson and Price on deck tonight. Do need May to give us good innings tonight. Wouldn’t be surprised to see Miller get a look see later this summer