The Bad News Could Be Good News

Losing Corey Seager just when he was rounding back into form was/is a big blow, but unless you are just resigned to failure, sometimes bad news can be good news. I always say that problems are opportunities in drag. The fact that Corey is out means that Chris Taylor and Kike Hernandez are probably going to get almost “regular” playing time.

Of course, that could also be bad… if they can’t improve on their hitting (so far), but both know that they are not regulars at this point and may be pressing. You know, trying to hit 5-run home runs. When a comrade goes down, sometimes you develop a siege mentality which can give you even more focus. Yes, it could be bad that Corey is out, but it has the potential of being “good.” It’s all up to Kike and CT3. As I was writing this last night, Singing the Blue wrote this:

Here’s a comment that will no doubt be unpopular. I predict that CT3 will produce substantially better offensively in the next six weeks than he has so far this season. Assuming he’s the regular shortstop while Seager is out, he knows that he’ll play every day and at shortstop.

He won’t feel he has to produce every day in order to keep his spot in the starting lineup so he’ll relax a little and that will lead to better results.

And just to give the majority opinion equal time. He could press even more than usual knowing that he’s the guy who has to make up for the lost production from Seager.

I’m betting on the first scenario but if we took a poll I know I’d be outvoted.

So, he stole all my thunder, but he could very well be right because his wisdom is not conventional and conventional wisdom is frequently wrong. We shall see how this plays out.

I Lied

I said that I had a Press Pass to the Midwest League All-Star Game in South Bend, Indiana (that was true), but my wife neglected to tell me that they had a surprise birthday party for my 20-year-old son on the same night. She said, “Go to the game, he will understand.” Hell no! He will only have one 20th birthday party. I wouldn’t miss it for the world. Here he is 10 years ago… I’m not sure who the guy to his right is (he still has the autographed ball).

The bullpen is still the big topic of conversation, but like DC told me yesterday “It will work itself out… I’m more worried about losing Corey Seager.” See, I e-mailed AC and DC to see if they wanted to take my place at the All-Star Game… but neither one wanted to do it. What’re a few hundred (or thousand) miles? Sissies! 😉

Minor League Report by MT

Ogden Raptors – Their season starts tomorrow.

DSL Dodgers Shoemaker – They barely lost 19-7 as the Rays scored two touchdowns but missed two extra points. I will not mention any of the pitcher’s names to protect the innocent… except one who’s last name is Moron. I would suggest he change that. Most alarming is that the Dodgers made 6 errors. OUCH! Move on… nothing to see here.

DSL Dodgers Bautista – The Dodgers were ahead 7-5 until the bottom of the 9th inning when the DSL Athletics scored 3 runs off of Jesus Tirizo and Andrew Budier. I haven’t looked at any of these players to tell you much. That is the specialty of AC and Dc.

Great Lakes Loons – Loons win! The Loons captured a first-half playoff spot this afternoon with a 5-0 win over the Lake County Captains. The Dodgers #23 prospect, John Rooney, went 6.2 shutout innings (86 pitches). In his last three starts, John has pitched 16.2 innings, allowed NO RUNS, 11 hits, 5 walks, and 18 strikeouts. John was followed by Nathan Witt who pitched 1.1 perfect innings with 2 K, and Brett de Geus pitched the 9th allowing a single and notching 1 K. We should also note that Niko Hulsizer slugged his 14th HR. Let Niko enjoy the AS Game and then move him to Rancho!!! (I copied all that from AC and DC yesterday).

Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – The Quakes continued to roll as they won their 6th in a row to clinch the first half title. Nick Yarnall was – for 3 with a HR and Devin Mann hit his 12th HR. Jeter Downs was 1-3 with a BB and Drew Avans tripled to drive in 2 runs. Leo Crawfird started and went 4 innings and Logan Salow closed it out wit a perfect inning. His ERA sits at 1.66 and that is awesome in that league.

Tulsa Drillers – Dustin May went 6.2 innings and allowed 3 hits and 1 run while Jordon Sheffield and Marshall Kasowski blanked the Frisco RoughRiders the final 2.1 innings. Tulsa won 6-1 behind two home runs by Gavin Lux. Parmalee was 3-5 with a home run as well. DJ Peters was also 2-4 with 2 RBI.

Oklahoma City Dodgers – They beat the Radioactive Albuquerque Isotopes 12-9 as Zach Reks hit a Grand Salami and Will Smith hit a solo shot. Rios went 2-5 and Mora was 4-5. Mitch White continues to struggle in AAA after being absolutely dominant in AA. He pitched 5 innings, allowed 7 hits and 5 runs to go with 3 BB and 3 HR. His ERA is now 7.71. I still say the PCL is a bad place to have a AAA team. I had it all figured out that they could move to Indy in the International League… BUT NOOOOOO!