Some Quick Random Thoughts on the Passing Season
I’m very grateful to Mark T. for covering for me yesterday. I spent the last 4 days in Las Vegas at a Trial Lawyers Conference, attended by approximately 3,500 attorneys. Some people might think that being surrounded by this many attorneys is as close as you can possibly get to hell on earth but, alas, it’s my profession and I survived unscathed. As Willie Nelson sang in “Me and Paul”
I’m very grateful to Mark T. for covering for me yesterday. I spent the last 4 days in Las Vegas at a Trial Lawyers Conference, attended by approximately 3,500 attorneys. Some people might think that being surrounded by this many attorneys is as close as you can possibly get to hell on earth but, alas, it’s my profession and I survived unscathed. As Willie Nelson sang in “Me and Paul” – – “After taking several readings I’m surprised to find my minds still fairly sound.” That be me. Short post today, as I have some medical stuff to take care off. I may not be able to comment tomorrow.
• In 2017 the Dodgers finished August with a 5 game losing streak. They followed that up with an 11 game losing streak and a 4 game losing streak in September. They made it to the 7th game of the World Series. In 2018, the Dodgers went 13 and 13 in August, which included a 5 game losing streak. Jansen lost two of those games. They won 18 games in September and made it to the World Series. This year the Dodgers were 16-11 in August but finished with 3 straight losses to the D’backs. What can we learn from this? Absolutely nothing!! The key is getting into the playoffs and then taking one game at a time.
• The Gavin Lux era is upon us. I’m excited to see what this young man can do. Whether he goes 0-20 or is lights out in his debut doesn’t much matter to me. I think he has a very bright future as a Dodger and I’m willing to hang in there with him. Let’s all hope that by the time you read this, you will all be complaining that we should have called him up sooner because he had a great debut!!
• The ball to Dustin May’s head was scary. It appears that he is going to be fine. It’s hard to tell with him though, he seems to have a constant stare that makes it hard to tell if he is okay or not.
• I’m not sure that I fully understood the 3 bunts in row program late in Sunday’s game. I get that you want to practice for the playoffs, but why not earlier in the game instead of the 8th and 9th innings. I guess they had lots of confidence that Bellinger and Pederson were going to come through with home runs.
• Tyler White has probably played his last game as a Dodger. If he has, I certainly hope that Andre Scrubb doesn’t become a lockdown reliever for the Astros. If he does, I can already hear the wailing and gnashing of teeth from the front office bashers.
• Will the Belli Bomber come through with 6 more home runs this month, becoming the all-time Dodger home run leader? I hope so. Seeing that he had tied Duke Snider with 43 home runs, reminded me that, juiced ball or no, Cody Bellinger is a very good young player. Lest we forget, he is only 24 years old. There remains room for improvement. That’s a scary thought.
• Casey Sadler has been quietly effective since his acquisition. He’s not overpowering, but he gets the job done. But as we know, relievers are very fickle. I wonder, where are Erik Goeddel and Adam Libertore, each of whom had some nice moments with the Dodgers last year.
• I have been to Las Vegas twice in the last 40 years. Other than passing through on my way to Colorado or attending another conference, I can see no need to go back for another 40 years. I mean no offense to Vegas Dodger or any others that live in that area. I have no reason to think that it isn’t a wonderful place to live. My only experience was the Strip and that doesn’t do it for me. I did notice that the Allegiant Stadium construction is coming along nicely. Let me see, Raider fans and the Las Vegas crowd. What could possibly go wrong there? I hope they have a ton of security at those games.
• I hope that rest cures what is presently ailing Hyun-Jin Ryu. Even if it does, I would adjust my pitching rotation so that he and Buehler mostly just pitch at home. Their home records are too good to ignore.
• In one of my next posts, I’m going to write about player development. I’ve always been curious as to what happens to a player from the moment he is drafted to the moment he makes his big league debut. The Dodgers invest a tremendous amount of resources in helping young players become as good as they possibly can. It interests me as to how they pull that off.
• It is still my opinion that the Dodgers are going to go to the playoffs. I’m also going to predict that they win the World Series, 4 games to 2. That’s my nose, and sticking to it. I don’t care who they play. Just as long as they get there. If my prediction is wrong, you can ridicule me all you want. Before you do, I would ask that you share your prediction now, as opposed to after the Series.
• I beginning to dislike the Diamondbacks almost as much as I dislike the Giants. They have a long way to go to reach that level of dislike, but they are creeping up the ladder.
• I don’t know about the rest of you folks, but I miss AC.
2D2’s Minor League Report
OKC Dodgers lost to the New Orleans Baby Cakes: 10-1
The OKC Dodgers closed out the 2019 PCL season with a 10‑1 loss to the Baby Cakes. Cam Perkins went 3-4 including a HR in what was probably his last game in the Dodger organization. Dennis Santana worked hard to prove Mark right about him being a relief pitcher, throwing 2.1 innings allowing 2 hits, 0 run, 1BB and 3K. OKC Dodger fans will have to wait until April 2020 to watch them play again.
Tulsa Drillers beat the Corpus Christi Hooks: 4-3
In their final game of the regular season, the Drillers beat the Hooks 4-3. Drew Avens continued his strong season going 3-4. Jordan Procyshen chimed in going 2-4 with a HR. Edwin Uceta pitched 4 very strong innings in relief allowing no runs, 3 hits, 1BB and 6K. The Drillers having clinched the second half title, start the playoffs with the Arkansas Travelers on Wednesday.
RC Quakes beat the I. E. 66ers: 4-3
The Quakes won their final regular-season game against the 66ers. Marcus Chiu led the offense going 2-3 with a HR and 2 RBI. Dillon Paulson: 1-3 with 2RBI. On the mound, 20-year-old Jose Martinez started and threw 6 innings allowing 2 runs on 5 hits and 2 BB. He struck out 5. Conner Strain followed with 2 innings, allowing 1 run on 1 hit, while he struck out 4. Austin Drury got the save, throwing a scoreless ninth inning. The Loons start their playoff run on Wednesday against the lake Elsinore Storm.
Great Lake Loons lost to the Lake County Captains: 6-3
In their final tune-up before the playoffs, Leonel Valera went 3-4 with 2 RBI. Romer Cuadrado added his 7th home run and Luke Heyer added 2 hits. Steven Kolek pitched 3 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 5. Kevin Malisheski pitched the next pitched 3 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 1 walk. He struck out 4. Joel Inoa pitched an inning in relief allowing the 4 deciding runs. DodgerBlueMom, a reliever you may want to keep your eyes on is Aaron Ochsenbein who has had a very strong first year with the Dodger organization. He pitched a scoreless inning in relief. The Loons start their playoff run on Wednesday against these same Captains.
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Discussion (61)
Disagree, not disagreeable
If you allow 1 HR /IP then but nothing else your WHIP is 1.0 but your ERA is 9.0. A low WHIP doesn’t help if you give up 15 HR in 57 IP.
So far, it looks like all those HR’s hit last night have tuckered out the boys in blue. Feast to famine.
I’m wondering how much influence Doc has on the playoff roster, or does the FO already have its plan set?
Wow, that may have been the best I”ve seen Ferguson look!!
And if all you give up are HRs and almost nothing else (given the low batting average against him), then there’s a good chance that the cause can be isolated and corrected. Certainly there is enough promise to make the effort.
My comment appears to have galvanized Martin, and insured that he will play major innings in the playoffs for us.
Joe Davis hit it on the nose, and a lot of us (maybe most of us) can identify with “it’s senior’s night”. And following them, Gavin Lux just can’t keep up with his elders.
Old guys rule! Showing the young guns how it’s done!
Yimi or Kenley: Who do we trust more?
Magic Number 5
I trust them both. In OKC!
Garlick and Rios not being called up
The question of Beaty vs Lux making the playoff roster is an interesting one. Beaty has done just about everything to give the impression that he is a clutch player and can be relied on in high leverage situations. He’s even playing a decent 1B. It’s hard not to like this guy. He seems very comfortable and mature in the dugout and you never get the impression he has an issue with anything. He’s been an RBI machine. But all this has been played out vs RHP. He doesn’t seem to be able to hit LHP in the MLB. His slash line against LHP is atrocious with no HR’s. On the face of this, it would disqualify him from post season. We will be tested against LHP and both Joc and Beaty will sit.
Lux looks like a true leadoff hitter, a natural infielder, and it’s rumored that he has some power. He’s had no issue in hitting LHP but his power is against RHP. He’s been a minor league sensation and we’ve been looking for a 2Bman for some years, now. We are so used to seeing a platoon at this spot and players like Muncy getting extended PT there due to his bat, not particularly due to his glove. The big question in my mind and probably to the FO is can they live with Lux as the sole owner of 2B? This would be taking PT from Muncy and Kike, in particular, who are both power hitters. The Dodgers are totally committed to the POWER, not to the completeness of players. Lux could be in that special category that Bellinger occupies, a total player. Speed, hitting, and fielding. If Lux begins to show his power, the FO will have an easier decision to make between him and Beaty. With a sustained presence in September, Lux is the man. He fills so many needs of this team.