The Broken Record Continues To Play
I know I sound like a broken record. There is NOT ONE late inning high leverage reliever on the 40 man outside of KJ. The closest two are in Tulsa; Marshall Kasowski and Andre Scrubb, neither of whom is ready. I am not sure how Kenta Maeda and Chicken Strip are going to change this. There are no relievers better than what FAZ has already accumulated that will pass through
I know I sound like a broken record. There is NOT ONE late inning high leverage reliever on the 40 man outside of KJ. The closest two are in Tulsa; Marshall Kasowski and Andre Scrubb, neither of whom is ready. I am not sure how Kenta Maeda and Chicken Strip are going to change this. There are no relievers better than what FAZ has already accumulated that will pass through waivers. Adison Reed? No thank you. I would rather go with Joe Broussard. There are no starting pitchers available that will allow Alex Wood to transition to the bullpen. The Dodgers are going to win or lose on the team they have.
To Bobby’s credit, we are reminded that the Dodgers are only 1 game out of the NL West race, but now have to beat two teams. If they had relief, they could have distanced themselves from the Rockies, and been a couple games up on the DBacks. But they do not have sufficient relief and they are in 3rd place, and the Giants are only 4.0 games back of them. With 42 games remaining, they are now 2.5 games back in the Wild Card.
Certainly the team can recover from this nightmare, but it is also possible that this is really who this team is; a very average mediocre team. For March through May the Dodgers were 26-30. From June 1 to the ASB the team went 27-13 and things looked very up. Since the ASB, the team has gone back to 11-13. For a 40 game stretch, the team was 27-13. For the other 80 games played, the Dodgers record is 37-43. So are they the 40 game team or the 80 game team?
The Dodgers face two more LHSP with SFG and then travel to Seattle to face the Mariners and two more LHSP. It should be noted that the Mariners just swept a four game series against the Astros. Then they get St. Louis at home for three, who by the way now have a better record than the Dodgers, and have won 8 out of their last 10. These next 8 games can either reinvigorate the team from their flat line status or bury them. If the Dodgers do not make the playoffs, I see no way that Dave Roberts’ team option is picked up. I think the ownership is too invested in FAZ to change course in the FO, so I do believe they are safe. But there has to be an HONEST evaluation of the players and whether they are actually championship caliber.
I do not know if #22 will opt out or not, but there has to be a lot more indecision after last night’s game. Money is important, but winning is more important to Kershaw, and the Dodgers seem to be going backwards. Much of the playoff misery was brought on by Kersh himself, but it is more due to lack of relief that has to exasperate Kershaw. It certainly was in 2013, the first year on this 5 year run, and this year it is even worse. CK is due $70MM the next two years. It is outlandish to believe that some team will not spend $100MM plus to sign Kershaw even with his nagging injuries. I certainly believe the Astros will be on the phone with his agent, and with that team, Kershaw’s agent will take the call.
It is time for Verdugo to get recalled. CT3 leads the NL in strikeouts, and is #5 in MLB. It is time for him to go back to OKC to work out his problems. I do think they are fixable. Another player I would look at to bring up is Tim Locastro. Locastro is slashing .301/.404/.448/.851 with only 38 K’s to go with 25 BB. He also has 15 SB in 17 attempts. In three consecutive games, Locastro has started at 1B, 2B, and CF. He is not as gifted defensively as is Kike’, but he seems to be a better offensive choice.
I still believe that Machado is in a slump, but the chances of Machado re-signing with LAD are fleeting. Philadelphia’s Citizens Ballpark is arguably the best stadium for a RH power hitter, and Philly will spend what they need to get Machado. Although that amount is decreasing as his slump continues. Or he may want to go back to the AL where he is probably most comfortable.
With the division race still in play, it is foolish to give up on the Dodgers. But it is also foolish not to recognize that the team has flaws. Are they correctable? We are going to need to see what the condition of Dozier is. But FAZ cannot wait too long to at least make some change(s) to stir things up with this roster. Higher contact and less power just might be the appropriate medicine the team needs. And Doc needs to quit “playing the numbers” because that is not working. I do not know if he knows how to, but he needs to manage with his eyes and get a true picture of the players heart and overall makeup. I know older managers listened to the bullpen coach AND the bullpen catchers to get a feel for what the pitcher has while warming up. I have no idea if that goes on any more.
The last 42 games start tonight, and these games will define this team, on field management, and FO management.
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Discussion (52)
Disagree, not disagreeable
On a positive note, our SP looks to be firing again, which has to be the most important single issue.
This will force some good arms to the Pen, which is our biggest weakness.
Also, it doesn’t sound like Kenley is gonna miss as much time as first feared.
Hopefully this will help us get back on an even keel as far as Pitching is concerned.
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On the offensive side, with the type of player FAZ has accumulated, by the nature of things, HR hitters will be streaky, and therefore, go into slumps.
Too many are slumping now, at the same time. This will not last, as they are a talented bunch.
I think the addition of Verdugo at this time would be prudent. Someone to make contact and get on base at a decent clip. He needs to start.
Let kike, Taylor , Kemp & Muncy sit.
Joc & Puig need to play with Verdugo in CF.
Verdugo CF
Pederson LF
Machado SS
Turner 3B
Dozier 2B
Bellinger 1B
Grandal C
Puig RF
These are The hottest hands right now, so play them.
In March, this was a 20-question team for me, in spite of last year’s
fine work, and in spite of a strong lean in the national press they
would repeat.
20-question teams, in the world of betting, are poor risks on the win side,
a possible gold mine on the money line. Imagine you were taking the
best money line on the opposition in the first six weeks, and the last four
or five:-).
So I’m not at all surprised that if the season ended today, the Ds would be
going home.
But I also see some reasons the optimists are still grinding it out, though for
me, it has more to do with the Dbacks and Rocks refusing to take the next
positive step, than anything the Ds will or won’t do…
Yeah, they are only a wee out, but that’s in a division that might be won by
an 87-win team (remember the May discussions whether they might get
to 87 or 88 and capture a wild card?)
I understand why some are reluctant to place blame on Dave Roberts. I have argued in the past that the game is played by the players, and if they do not perform it is on them. I made that argument in 2016 when FAZ went out and got Rich Hill. It was CK that put up the stinker in Game 6 vs the Cubs and Hill did not get a chance to win Game 7. That was on CK not FAZ. While I wanted Justin Verlander last year, I totally understand why FAZ did not make the trade, but instead traded for Darvish, Watson, and Cingrani. Darvish was the #1 available pitcher at the deadline so the problem was on the players not on FAZ in Game 7. This year FAZ made the trade for Machado and Dozier but neglected relievers. I still contend that was the most glaring weakness on the roster, but they made the big trade that most wanted. It is not FAZ’s fault that Machado has not hit since coming to LAD.
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I have also argued that FAZ does not value relief pitching and the fact that there is not one single late inning high leverage reliever on the 40 man other than KJ is not on Doc. I know Mark disagrees.
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So the players and FAZ do need to accept responsibility for the actions (or lack thereof). But Roberts should not be absolved. He has continually changed the lineup taking players who are hot out the game after a big game. The most recent three are as follows:
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August 3 – Puig did not start after going 3-5 with 2 HRs on August 2.
August 11 – Belli did not start after going 3-4 on August 10.
August 12 – JT did not start after going 2-4 with a triple on August 11.
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Those are the three hottest hitters since the ASB. When you have so few hitters that are producing, why would you take out a player who was producing? Here are the slash lines for the batters since the ASB:
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JT – .395/.477/.711/1.188
Puig – .304/.365/.587/.952
Cody – .291/.385/.405/.790
Joc – .269/.300/.567/.867
Machado – .255/.340/.394/.733
Grandal – .246/.364/.585/.948
CT3 – .233/.284/.372/.656 (with 32 K’s in 95 PA)
Muncy – .205/.280/.479/.760
Kemp – .162/.234/.279/.513
Kike’ – .161/.203/.250/.453
Barnes – .125/.323/.125/.448 (with that OBP and BA, it is clear that Barnes is looking to walk)
Since the trade – Dozier – .282/.429/.590/1.018
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Why would JT, Puig, or Cody come out compared with the others? Grandal has been out 2 of the last 3 games.
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Roberts has never been applauded for his deft bullpen management skills. But lately it has not been good. He continually sees Baez as a late inning high leverage pitcher. He’s not. The best reliever on the roster now is Caleb Ferguson. He had a chance to utilize Ferguson either of the last two nights but chose not to. Stripling could have pitched last night; probably not Maeda. He also continues to mow through a bullpen with his ever increasing utilization of righty lefty matchups. I do not know what could be expected from Alexander’s confidence after being pulled on Sunday and replaced with Shaggy, a pre-season waiver wire reliever, to come in and close for him. Being left in last night was due to the previous night, so I cannot truly blame Doc on that. It was just a bad night for Alexander.
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Bottom line there is enough blame to go around including the players, FAZ, and DR. There is still plenty enough time to turn things around, and I do think they are capable of doing so. It will be tougher without Dozier (assuming he is not playing with a heart abnormality). There is not a lot to choose from between CT3, Muncy, and Kike’, but whoever plays 2nd will be under the gun to produce. If Dozier goes on the DL, I would hope Locastro gets the call.
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Here’s to starting the turnaround tonight against Suarez and the other midgets, and go on one of their patented streaks. I have a healthy skepticism, but I do now and will continue to believe in LAD until they are eliminated.
I love that attitude, by the way, where will they be going?
I am the last of the true believers. I have not lost hope.
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This too shall pass.
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It will all come together and the Dodgers will win… going away!
Still not seeing my posts come up.
I’m about ready to change my mind on Dodgers winning another division championship. Actually Dodgers are forcing me to rethink it. Too bad. I’m not sure why but DR or FAZ seems to be jumping on the same train after it has wrecked. Hopefully they’ll get moving and adjust to the loss of Jansen.
New rumor, allegedly, Dodgers sign Big Al and have put him on the 25. He hits dingers.
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From late in the last thread:
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Like so often is the case, it only takes one pitcher to mess up to lose a game. It has been a different pitcher every night during the last 4 games while all the others did well.
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Alexander doesn’t seem to be able to handle the closer role but is still a good 7th and 8th inning reliever.
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The HBP was the key to the defeat.
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Buehler and Kershaw look like the aces the Dodgers need to win it all. Hill is a strong #3. Maeda should be the closer.
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Stripling should return to the rotation, if not now, in September and the playoffs for sure.
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Hopefully Fergussen = Miller.
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Hypothesis: Players that change leagues late in the season often struggle. Hypothesis: Great players take less time to adjust.
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I would go with this lineup against both lefties and righties:
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CF Pederson
RF Puig
3B Turner
SS Machado
1B Bellinger
2B Dozier (Taylor until Dozier returns)
LF Verdugo or Toles
C Grandal and Barnes
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PH Kemp and Muncy
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I know, Joc doesn’t hit lefties and that probably won’t change. But most of that data was during his higher strikeout days. Let’s leave him in and see what happens. If you prefer to put Joc in LF and Verdugo in CF, fine but I would wait for Verdugo or Toles to spend more time in the Majors before putting in at lead off. I like Joc in CF when Kemp plays LF and I would just keep Belli at 1B.
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Kemp is hopefully just tired and hopefully his RBI production will be replaced by Turner and Machado.
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Muncy for me is now a premium pinch hitter only.
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Taylor should play second while Dozier is out and then possibly give him 10 days on the DL to reset,and work on his swing in Glendale.
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May we all keep our minds calm.
” John Axford suffered a fractured fibula in Sunday’s outing and is expected to hit the disabled list today.”
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“Abnormalities discovered on Brian Dozier’s EKG test”
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Some years it seems like it just isn’t meant to be
I’m OK with the Dodgers missing the playoffs this year IF it means positive changes will be made in the off-season, be it with players, the manager, coaches, front office, whomever.
If the Dodgers don’t make the playoffs is all on Roberts? Virtually the entire starting pitching staff goes on the dl. Same can be said about the bullpen. Seager our for the year and Turner out for a month or so and still has nagging injuries. If Jansen was available, the Dodgers would have one at least one of the past couple of games where there was a walkoff loss. Then we are at worst in second place.
Does Roberts make some moves we all disagree with; sure. But what manager doesn’t get second guessed. Alexander taken out a couple of days ago; well he should have stayed in. Roberts goes with Alexander last night , he should have pulled him. Yes Alexander put runners on, but for better of for worse that’s how he pitches. He seems to get out of messes of his own making, last night he didn’t.
I just posted this on the last thread before this new thread was created, so I”ll repost:
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During the month of August which is now just about half-way over, Machado has posted a very underwhelming .263/.282/.368 slash line. To go with the unimpressive slash line is the fact that during August, Manny Machado has not yet homered or driven in a run
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That’s disgusting.