- Why in the world would Doc let Urias go out and start the game on Saturday? Any manager with half a brain could see that he didn’t have his best stuff in pre-game warm-ups. I would never have let him go out there. Instead, I would have put a pitcher out there who could get hitters out. Who that would be I’m not sure, but I would have made the right decision. I always do.
● Why oh why, would Doc start both Bellinger and McKinstry on the first day back from rehab? Anyone could see that they weren’t ready. Predictably, they were overmatched as you would expect against an ace like Logan Webb. Then to start them a second straight day against this year’s Cy Young winner, Kevin Gausman. Where are Raley and Neuse when we need them?
● Why would Doc even consider using CT3 as a pinch-hitter against Scott Kazmir with the game on the line? Even Ray Charles could see that he was going to flail away at a pitch outside the strike zone. Do the Dodgers even teach hitters how to check their swing? Pitiful.
● Gavin Lux as a lead-off hitter, Doc there’s no way you should do that.
● Why would Doc even consider trying to match baseball wits and strategy with the likes of Gabe Kapler and Jayce Tingler. Those guys know what their doing at all times and he doesn’t stand a chance.
● Then there’s Doc’s use of the bullpen. Doc you’re singularly the cause of Knebel, Gonsolin, Nelson, Ferguson, and Graterol going on the IL Anyone could see that the way you use them would lead to injuries. Consult your pitching coaches, that’s what they are there for, and you might do a better job. Introduce yourself to Josh Bard, he might be able to give you some insight as to how they’re warming up in the pen before you bring them out to embarrass themselves.
● What’s the deal with bringing Kenley out in the 10th inning, with a runner on second? He couldn’t hold a runner on to save his life. Everyone knows that by the time he does his wiggle the hips thing, the base runner can steal 2 bases standing up. Why don’t you, Doc? Doesn’t matter that he’s a professional pitcher, getting paid megabucks a year and that by now he should know how to hold runners on. Kenley can’t be bothered with those details, and you shouldn’t put him in those situations.
● Why do you keep starting that Mookie guy? Clearly, he doesn’t have it. Option him to OKC, and let him hang with Ravelov (a real hitter) for a while. He might learn something.
● While I’m at it, let’s talk about Friedman for a bit. Where’s that vaunted depth I’ve heard so much about? Anybody with just a little bit of baseball knowledge could have seen that Dustin May would go down for the year, Gonsolin would miss significant time and that your number one prospect, Josiah Gray would get injured. Now’s the time to see that depth.
● What’s the deal with pulling David Price from the game when you did, let him get his no-hitter. It’s a sin that you would pull him after 2.2 innings. The dude was dealing, and anyone could see he had the no-hitter in the bag.
● By the way, what’s the idea of starting Kershaw in Sunday’s game. It’s a game we had to win. Are you the only person on the planet that didn’t see the 3-run home run coming? It’s your job Doc to put in players that will give the Dodgers a chance to win. He should have been pulled after the Dubon home run. Clearly he didn’t have it.
● What’s the idea of batting CT3 leadoff? Anyone can see that he can’t handle the pressure, why can’t you? 0-4 with 2 Ks. Saw that coming from a mile away. Actually, from about 75 miles away comfortably seated on my recliner. Each time after he made out, I quietly said to myself, I knew that would happen. Maybe we can get Zach Lee back.
● Doc, what was the idea of having Will Smith pinch hit for Beatty in the 9th inning? Beatty was our only hope of tying the game. Predictably, Smith strikes out looking. Looking!!!! I could have told Doc that’s exactly what was going to happen. Why can’t Doc see things as clearly as I can? Perplexing!
● While we’re at it, why won’t AF go out and get some real players: Acuna, Trea Turner, DeGrom, Bieber. That’s what we need. The Padres GM can get those types of players, why can’t you?
● One good thing, despite Doc consistently pulling the wrong strings, Fans can get a free Jumbo Jack with the purchase of a large drink. Somehow, the Dodger pitchers were able to strike out 11 Giants. Who cares if we win the pennant or WS as long as we can get the Jumbo Jacks.
● That Pujols fella needs to keep hitting them over the fence. It allows him the opportunity to jog around the bases. I was saddened to learn that he was running full speed. Oh well!
● Who cares that Seager and Pollock are on the injury shelf. Doc, you need to learn to take the cards you’ve been dealt and still win all the time. The Padres and Giants do, why can’t you?
● This is all satire folks, I believe none of what I wrote. It’s frustrating when the Dodgers lose, but I’m willing to hang in there until the end of the year.
Dodgers Minor League Report
This season, the Loons, Quakes and Drillers do not play on Mondays
OKC Dodgers beat the El Paso Chihuahuas – 5-1
Steven Souza, Jr. had 2 RBI with a sac fly and a double. Andy Burns hit a 2-run pinch-hit home run to put the game out of reach. Dennis Santana started for the Dodgers, and after OKC scored on in the top of the first, Santana did what he does best, he surrendered a home run in the bottom of the first. Graterol threw a clean inning with no Ks. The pitching star though was Aaron Wilkerson who threw 5 scoreless innings with 7 strikeouts.
My song for the day is “Luxury Liner” with EmmyLou Harris. The song has absolutely nothing to do with the topic of this article. I just love to hear her sing and I love listening to Frank Reckard play guitar.
Discussion (18)
Disagree, not disagreeable
HEART BREAKER……
Tim, since you closed the comments elsewhere, please cite your source on the claim that Fauci was “complicit” in however the coronavirus got into human population.
I say you are repeating BS Trumpian talking points–and you claim that it’s a fact.
So… what is your source?
Come on: What’s the best you got?… What is the track record of the source?
This is reckless allegation designed to smear Fauci and absolve Former Guy of every mistake he made in denying and downplaying the threat . It’s a long, long list, and very well-documented. And as Dr. Birx has said, the failure of leadership contributed to the inability to control the virus which has killed about 600,000 Americans to date, including my wife’s uncle.
Perhaps you don’t even realize you contradict yourself. How can you say, on the one hand, that we may never know the original source of the virus–and now flatly state that Fauci is “complicit”?
What is undeniable is this tragedy happened on Trump’s watch. What is undeniable are all of his statements and tweets insisting, for months, it was no big deal, no worse than the flu, maybe we could inject disinfectant… et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
Again, YOU are the one who put “Dodger talk” aside to libel Fauci.
So what do you got? What is your source?
PS–Here in Hong Kong, a city of more than 7 million just 570 miles from Wuhan, there have been just 210 covid deaths. Masks have never been a political issue, and they are a chief factor in the success across Asia of suppressing the virus. Regardless of how the virus first infected humans, it’s clear that the USA and Europe really screwed up the response.
Another 1 run loss. Why?
Defense is just as important as pitching and offense, defense also wins games, today we had an example of that.
When did the Dodgers score a run the way the Cards did in the ninth inning ???
The speed of Mookie, CT3, Lux and Belli is not used in games, the Dodgers way of scoring runs is very effective, the results prove it, but it is boring.
I like the excitement of the expectation that the runner is going to try to steal a base, I want that, use the full potential of the boys.
Defense matters. Love Gant. A pitcher not just a thrower. In today’s high velocity game the change up may be the best pitch and he’s got a great one. White’s stuff looked electric tonight. If only he had a nice change up
It’s being reported that former Dodgers Cy Young award winner Mike Marshall passed away early Tuesday morning at his home in Zephyrhills, FL. while under hospice care. He was 78 years old. Other details of his death were not known.
Pregame notes
Nelson is going to travel with the team. Maybe activated on Friday.
Graterol was sitting 100 during his one inning and 11 pitches.
Belli – work on shit today, back out there tomorrow. Blah, blah, blah, first base wasn’t an option because he needs to get Albert out there.
Blake is dealing with something, when pressed Doc got really snippy. I don’t want to be specific on what body part.
I don’t want to divulge something I don’t need to. It has not been bothering him.
Brusdar, some is contingent on build up, some on performance, some of it is contingent on need here. We can go a couple of different directions, but for right now keep him on the rehab and make a decision on a later date.
Pollock, play tonight and probably tomorrow before activating him. Activation is contingent on him feeling good after playing seven in the field today.
Agree regarding comment by sbuffalo and Bellinger squeezing Betts in. And the comment by PJones about Belli being stubborn to make that adjustment, but how about someone in the dugout sending out a sign. I mean aren’t those guys paid to think about these things. Or is it the plan to flail away til you hit one.
If Ebel gave the bunt sign I would guess the batter would make the attempt. I’d hope so.
So, Bells gets a breather, at least to start the game….Dave hinted Bells will play some 1b .
Mookie RF
Max 2b
JT 3b
Will c
Gavin SS
CT3 CF
Albert 1b
Matt LF
David
We are exactly 1/3 of the way through the season now at 54 games. This doesn’t mean that nothing can or will change the rest of the way but we are also at the point of the season where it’s hard to say that the season has just started or that it’s a small sample size.
The Dodgers’ run differential and W – L record is worse this year than in 2017, 2019 or 2020. (2018 was an outlier – a 91 win team that made the postseason by the skin of its teeth.)
The Dodgers have been good but not great and everyone expected great. They’ve had their share of injuries but so have most teams.
The “depth” guys have largely not performed, either on the field or in the bullpen.
On the plus side, Muncy and Taylor are having career years, Lux has started to turn things around, Beatty has returned to 2019 form, Turner got out to a hot start (and a cool May), and Pujols has hit a couple of bombs.
The starters have mostly been great and lead the league in IP/G, K rate, BB rate and quality starts.
Jansen has been very good at times and Treinen has righted the ship.
On the bad side, Mookie isn’t playing up to his usual standards, Bellinger, Seager, Pollock and McKinstry have missed a lot of time, May is out for the year.
The Peters/Neuse/Tsutsugo/Raley/Rios group have been horrible, as has the bullpen group of Vesia/Cleavinger/Uceta/Kickham/Jones/Santana/White/Kelly. (So much for “depth”.)
Will this year’s team be a good team or a great team as in 2017, 2019 and 2020?
Nice to play better and win one.
* B&P and sbuffalo, I agree with your comments on Bellinger. both on his hack and ignoring a free RBI and base knock with a bunt. I see absolutely no indication that he will ever make any changes. He seems stubbornly committed to what he does and a major adjustment to him is moving 2 inches off the plate. I guess one could argue that he doesn’t have to make any changes. He’s good enough as he is. I disagree and unless he has an offensive upsurge, I would not be interestied in locking him up with an expensive long-term deal. I don’t think he will hold up into his 30’s.
* I see more and more catchers down on a knee to receive a pitch like Tony Pena and Manny Sanguillen used to do. I don’t get it and I don’t like it. It limits mobility to block balls in the dirt and exposes the catcher to foul tips. With the emphasis of pitching up in the zone, I don’t see the value in it.
* I listened to the Cards broadcast. They mentioned after a walk to Goldy, that Bauer doesn’t like to pitch inside to righties. I didn’t know that. And it did seem to be true last night. I will continue to look for that pattern.
* The Cards broadcasters, especially Jim Edmonds, were very flattering toward the Dodgers and the players. I try to watch the opponent’s broadcasters at least once in a series. I learn a lot about our teams from their perspective and analysis.
* Keirston Watson has big shoes to left by the popular Alana Rizzo. I watch the Dodgers on an MLB Package so I’ve only seen Kirsten pre game with Nomar and in- game from the sidelines. I don’t know how she does on other SportsNet LA assignments, like the Lakers. They have tried to ease her in to her role, it appears. But so far I’m not impressed at all by her work. After a squeaky salutation to Orel of Joe, she proceeds in a monotone mumble that I can’t understand much of the time. It’s like one long, unintelligible, run-on sentence. No voice inflection or pauses for a comma or period. For a person paid to talk, she doesn’t do it very well. Am I missing something on her?
* Are we looking at another Doc Revolving Door scenario at 2nd base, between CT3, Muncy and now McKinstry? Throw in Neuse when he’s up. Doc seems do do this every friggin year at 2nd. For my money, play CT3 there everyday. Muncy there when Albert gets a start at first and stick with that. No try outs. McKinstry can play the outfield and a little 3rd and Neuse can stay in AAA. Some predictability is a benefit especially with all the shifting. And it will get interesting when Lux moves back to 2nd when Seager comes back.
* CT3 should make the All-Star team. He’s having a very nice year and he’s been invaluable. Very underrated player.
* Sure nice to see the Mookster stay on pitches and drive them to right-center. There’s been way too much pulling the ball. This is the swing we know and love.
* I’m in no hurry but I’ve never seen any player take longer to get their batting gear on, walk to the plate, fiddle around, take 3 strikes, amble back to the dugout and finally get to the mound as Trevor Bauer. What a production. Bauer is a rain delay.
Cameron Gibbens is a guy I’m high on. Unfortunately he is only at the A+ level in the minors. He’s a relief pitcher that has what looks like good movement on his fastball. He’s tall at 6 foot 8 inches and came from Australia. He has put up good stats so far in his minor league career with a 1.03 WHIP and 19.2 K/9 but only in 12.2 innings.
I usually don’t notice minor leaguers until they get to AA ball. But the Dodgers relief pitchers in the minor leagues is pretty thin. Not a lot of talent there stat wise.
Maybe any minor league fanatics that post here can fill me in on what I might not know about Cameron Gibbens?
Obviously, most of you missed the class on nitpicking when you were in school.
Did anyone see the article in the Wall Street Journal — Baseball’s Great Hitting Depression?
Interesting comment by Don Mattingly, “It’s been coming and it’s been building. It’s a game that is sometimes unwatchable.”
The article points out that baseball has made a bargain with the devil, a record 24.1 percent of plate appearances now ending in strikeouts.
This weekend at a Memorial Day barbecue, I ended up defending the game that is seriously in need of a high colonic.
Now here is my “nitpick” of the day. Mookie Betts is on third, two outs, the Dodgers with a 6-4 lead. The third baseman is back and well off the line. Now Bellinger hasn’t been catching up with fastballs, understandable at this point. But he bunts very well and has tremendous speed. Drop the bunt, Mookie scores, no chance to get Bellinger at first. But he keeps swing, eventually strikes out. That’s what’s wrong with the game.
Lux is looking better and better. Keep it up , kid!
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lots of fun 2d2. But Bellinger is giving us his best DJ Peters impersonation. Unfortunately no satire!
Love the satire 2D. That kind of thing is needed now and then. People getting too stressed out about stuff that they have no control over. Taylor’s AB last night reminded me of the lengthy AB Kike had last season that turned a game around. The sound of the ball coming off of his bat last night was just totally different. Cubs are playing well. They hit some mammoth shots off of the Pads staff yesterday. Spent the day taking my brother to some of the tourist sites around the area. Bishop’s castle, the Royal Gorge, and our new dinosaur museum which actually is pretty cool.
I’d like to add to the satire theme today…
I can’t wait for another bullpen game today. Price should be well rested, after going just 2.2 his last time time out, he wasn’t used again until his schedule start, er open, today. So, why go only 2.2 (35 pitches) when you’re going to be on a rotation like you’re a starter anyways?
** end satire **
With off days before and after the Braves series, the 4 man rotation will get an extra day of rest ahead of Gonsolin’s first scheduled start. It looks like it will be a soft landing for Gonsolin, scheduled to pitch against the Pirates.
Belli returns from the IL and looks exactly the same as he did before the IL. I was hoping he would work on shortening that swing.
I really miss Seager, but Lux is looking really good with another two homers last night. Wow! He’s just starting, there’s more to come when he’s truly comfortable.
Thankfully, Mookie looked more like himself yesterday. Is this the beginning of a hot streak?
Add to our list of complaints;
The Dodgers need to get rid of Roberts. With him at him at the helm, the Dodgers will never win a playoff series, let alone the WS.