Today’s post is short and sweet. I have a lot going on, so I will make it brief:
The Dodgers were bounced from the playoffs last year because two of their former MVPs forgot how to hit. They choked. I can’t sugarcoat it. That’s what happened. In one round of the playoffs last year, Mookie was 0-12 (.000). In 2022 when the Padres bounced them from the playoffs, Mookie was 2-18 (.143). In the 2022 playoffs, Freddie Freeman was 5-18 (.357), but last season, when the D-Bags bounced the Dodgers, Freddie disappeared, going 1-12 (.100).
Last night, Shohei Ohtani was 1-3 with a BB, while Mookie and Freddie were a combined 0-8. It’s happening again! It’s not time for a team meeting – it’s time that Freddie and Mookie Show Up, Step Up, and Shut Up! Gentlemen, you need to let your bats do the talking. You are former MVPs and the heartbeat of the team. There are no excuses. You either do or you don’t do! It’s all up to you. If you are hitting, Shohei will get more pitches to hit. Max, Teo, Tommy, and Will did their job. Do yours!
The Superstars simply have to do what they are paid to do. It’s time to put up or shut up. No excuses!
Discussion (21)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Great win. Our pen is nails.
Is 2024 Shohei our 88 Gibson????
Is Kopech our 88 Hershiser????
Manny is such a tool.
Then there is this:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/tommy-john-believes-he-not-hall-fame-due-voting-donald-trump
The Dodgers have bad ownership, bad management, bad players, no hitters, no pitchers, and no chance. The commenters at LAdodgerChronicles.com have spoken, and they know that they are infallible!
So predictable!
Next, they are going to tell me to shut up.
“Make Me!”
And guess what… the Dodgers Problems are all because Mookie should be hitting leadoff! 😉
Uh, Dumbasses, he hit leadoff the last two times they were bounced from the playoffs.
STFU!
Certainly the Padres have better starting pitching right now, plus the momentum.
I feel myself slipping into the “it’-all-a-crapshoot” camp. The odds of that triple play were much worse than snake eyes.
If the Dodgers wind up losing the West to the surging Padres, we won’t have the excuse of a layoff screwing up the hitters’ timing. Perhaps some extra games could help Kershaw and Gonsolin get tuned up. (Trying to find a silver lining here.)
BTW, I hope everybody noticed that Heyward came up big for the Astros with a web gem crashing into the left field wall and game-winning HR. I was bummed when the Dodgers DFA’d Heyward and I’m happy he’s playing well, even if it is for the Trashtros. (A couple weeks ago somebody around here was suggesting that Heyward could only play RF. Very odd comment.)
Fully agree that the Tellez should file a grievance.
I’ve always had a soft spot for players who look like they should be playing beer-league slow pitch. Plus, Rowdy belongs on the all-name team. Not sure if it’s true, but I’ve heard that Rowdy got his nickname from his mother because of his behavior as a toddler. I hope it’s true.
10:10 PM ET
Padres (91-66)
Dodgers (93-64)
SP Dylan Cease R
14-11 3.42 ERA
SP Jack Flaherty R
13-7 3.10 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
LF T. Hernandez R
3B Max Muncy L
C Will Smith R
CF Tommy Edman S
2B Gavin Lux L
SS Miguel Rojas R
68° Wind 9 mph Out
Texas lost the west on the last day of the season. They won it all. Arizona had Gallen , Kelly , Pfadt & scrubs. They came in 2nd . It is beyond reality that any Dodger fan doesn’t think they will win it all. 1 in 12 chance. If you’re the hottest team in Oct., you will win it all. Why can’t it be the Boys in Blue.
Book em
Maybe it’s time for the Dodgers to embrace an “underdog” role?
I say that jokingly, but since July the Dodgers at 10-13 against the Padres, Phillies, D-Bags, and Brewers. LA is great at piling on and beating lower tier teams, but these teams stand in our way of a title.
With Cease tonight and Musgrove tomorrow, the Dodgers are getting a taste of October.
I am expecting our players to have the intensity and fight Roberts talked about, bc I am not convinced they can turn it on in October.
This year the bye is a necessity. Without a break for the pitching staff we will not do well in the playoffs.
Good luck Mark
Praying that everything goes well.
https://x.com/weenywaney/status/1835085581052739631?s=46
The Dodgers’ starters have posted a 6.20 earned-run average this month, the worst in the league. Their relievers have pitched 95 innings this month, the most of any NL bullpen — and five more than their starters.
Knack has an ERA over 6 against teams over .500. Starters keep putting the team in a hole that the offense has to try to fill. He gave up 4 ER in 4 IP.
Offense did what they seem to do too often. Leave guys on base, bad situational hitting.
Mookie totally misplayed one ball that ended up being a double who came around to score. They ran into an out with 2 on and 2 out in the 2nd. That balk by Knack that allowed a runner to move into scoring position who eventually scored. They can’t make those kinds of mistakes and win in the postseason.
It’s not just Mookie and Freddie. Everyone has to do their jobs. Mookie didn’t. Knack didn’t. Too many mistakes. Bad hitting RISP. Bad starting pitching. Only the bullpen did its job.
I like your comment about “today” and “present”. I never thought of it that way. Hey, even at 76 y/o I can still learn something. Thank you.
Best of health with your upcoming procedures.
Cut him for $200k? Heartless!
Reading this and the comments, it seems that the Dodgers have already been eliminated from the playoffs again. It was just one game, it doesn’t matter, they just need one win and they will secure the lead.
I said it last year, let those motherfuckers think they can win. The disappointment and sad faces when they don’t win will be something beautiful to admire and enjoy.
Why do you all care? Those fuckers are the ones with the pressure to win
It was interesting to hear Rick Monday talk about the team meeting in which Roberts preached fight and intensity only to see base running and fielding gaffs. Rick normally toes the company line, but you could hear his frustration when he talked about the Dodgers’ sloppiness being a recurring theme this season, not just last night’s game.
I agree with Mark that Mookie and Freddie need to lead the way.
I also believe the manager can instill confidence and shape a team’s identity. The Dodgers if nothing else play smart, clean baseball. Seeing that erode tells me something is amiss.
Manager Dave Roberts said Tuesday that Kershaw (toe) won’t face hitters this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
“Roberts added that Kershaw will continue to throw bullpen sessions, though the manager’s comments make it seem highly unlikely that the veteran lefty makes another appearance during the regular season. He still has a chance to contribute to the Dodgers’ playoff run, though that will likely depend on how fast his toe heals and how far Los Angeles advances in the postseason”.
What the eff is wrong with the frickin Pirates! Cutting Rowdy Tellez loose 4 at bats away from $200 grand. Just Bush League.
Book em
Yesterday is history
Tomorrow is a mystery
Today is a gift
That’s why they call it the Present.
The Present is all that matter!
Glad I fell asleep before the 9th inning, or I might have kicked the TV! I can’t remember ever losing on a triple play before, though they probably did. I hate SD!
Mark –
I agree with you completely about Betts and Freeman; if they aren’t going to produce during the playoffs the Dodgers chance to win in the playoffs is non-existent. I am rooting for them but not with a lot of confidence…… good luck with your surgery!
Im not worried about those guys. Mookie got screwed should have been a 1-0 count to start off on.
Freddie is a human first, he’s been dealing with something unimaginable. I think he’ll get right.
We need a solid, solid start from Jack F tonight.
I got faith in the boys. Win tonight!!