Some Sage Advice: Don t Panic!

This is my 20th year in blogging. I registered LA DodgerTalk.com in January 2006, so this has been a “thing” for 15 years! There has been a theme EVERY YEAR with Dodger fans since I started and that is that when things start to get rough… and things do inevitably get rough at times, many simply take leave of their senses. After a torrid start, the Dodgers are 4-6 in their last 10 games and are tied with the two Bat Area teams for the best record in baseball: 15-8!

Most fans would be happy with that, but not most Dodger fans who believe that evidently, the Dodgers should finish the season 162-0. I guess last night’s effort was particularly hard to swallow when your closer gives up a 2-run HR to lose the game. Winker is one of the hottest hitters in baseball right about now and Jansen continues to run hot and cold. Kenley has blown a save and lost a game as well. Is this what it will be like all year? I can tell you emphatically that it will not be… because it cannot continue. If he continues to struggle, he will not be the closer. It seems there is a very fine line between success and failure with him.

Other Closer Options

Kenley’s velocity was noticeably down last night. Perhaps he is unable to sustain it or perhaps it is still a matter of mechanics. At any rate, he needs to figure it out… and quickly, or he’s going to lose his job. Mitch White was obviously nervous in his first outing. Let’s remember that he only has pitched 3 innings in the majors until yesterday. He was a little wild but his fastball almost hit 99, and his sinker and slider were very deceptive. I have always felt that Mitch White could close.

The Bazooka has the arm to close, but currently does not have the mindset. He needs to focus on the outcome instead of the experience. It’s one thing to just have fun, but entirely another to have fun while accomplishing something. Do not confuse activity with accomplishment, Bazooka. He will not likely grow into the role this year, but he could be a solid piece.

Blake Treinen is best served as a setup man, but he will likely have a few save opportunities. Scott Alexander has been excellent as a ground-ball specialist, but he’s no closer. Jimmy Nelson was in the conversation, as was Corey Knebel until they were injured, and while David Price will be effective (I believe), I do not see him as a closer. However, I could be wrong. Dennis Santana is not ready to close, so that leaves Joe Kelly and, maybe later in the season, Tommy Kahnle… we don’t know if either will pitch this year. I am not holding my breath. It’s probably not realistic that anyone else in the minors can step up and close this year!

AC and I have both said repeatedly that closers are fickle, and you only have to look at the White Sox to understand that. Many fans have thought that the White Sox would have the best backend bullpen with Aaron Bummer and Liam Hendriks. So far, they have both blown two saves and Hendriks ERA is 4.82. However, it is early and they can both right the ship… so can Kenley, but in all fairness, we have seen this show before.

There are only two other options: Trade Keibert Ruiz and/or Gavin Lux for a proven closer OR when Price or Gonsolin return put one of them in the rotation and bring Julio Urias to be the closer for the rest of this season with the idea he goes back into the rotation in 2022. It’s way too early to panic and things like this often work themselves out, but there are options.

In reality, the Dodgers 4-6 record over the past 10 games is the fault of the hitters, not so much the pitchers. Of course, after the series with the Padres many Dodger fans are convinced that the Padres are superior. There is a mistaken theory that they hit better with RISP (and they may have in that series). Overall, the Reds lead all of baseball in hitting with RISP at .337! If they can keep it up, they will win the World Series (they won’t). The Dodgers are #17 in all of baseball and the Padres are a miserable #26!

This stuff shall soon pass. The sky is not falling and the world is not ending and the Dodgers are due to break out in a big way! Patience Grasshoppers.

Other News

• Brett de Geus has an 8.10 ERA for the Rangers – He could possibly get returned to the Dodgers.
• Joc Pederson is hitting .137 and Cubs fans are calling for his release. They put him on the IL, but he has been a disaster for them.
• Kike is hitting .250 (as usual) for the Red Sox while Alex Verdugo is at .325/.371 OB%/.908 OPS.
• Adam Kolark has an 8.44 ERA while Dylan Floro’s ERA is 1.69 – Split decision.