The Cutting Edge

Ever since Andrew Friedman assumed the role of President of Baseball Operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, he has pushed the envelope and has the Dodgers on the “Cutting Edge” in a variety of areas of baseball operations. Despite drafting at the bottom of each round, Andrew Friedman has built one of the TOP TWO FARM SYSTEMS in all of baseball. Under Mark Prior and Conner McGinnis, and several others, the Dodgers have built a “Pitchers’ Factory” that is unrivaled in baseball.

I want to say that they have also built a “Hitters’ Factory,” and they have established a program that seems to elevate hitters’ games. Yes, they have – but it doesn’t always work. It’s hard to articulate this because I don’t even know how to describe it, but Robert Van Socyoc has been a huge part of “making” JD Martinez, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, Will Smith, and Chris Taylor into All-Star or MVP-type players.

But, there is also a downside… or so it would seem. It seems to me that the “bigger they are, the harder they fall.” Cody, Max, CT3, and to a lesser extent, JD Martinez have fallen. It seems like whatever made them great is also their Kryptonite. Even Justin Turner seemed to falter after years of success. It seems like their swings are complicated to the point that if they get out of whack, it’s hard to get back into (shall we say?) the “swing of things.”

Still, they move forward. They have helped re-tool the swings of James Outman, Jason Heyward, and Trayce Thompson. The just is still out, but there is reason for optimism about all four players. There must be something to it because most other teams are emulating what the Dodgers are doing. The only part of this that bothers me is that it seems to be “feast or famine”. So far this season, there have been three feasts and two famines and it has alternated every other game:

• Game 1 – 8 Runs
• Game 2 – 1 Run
• Game 3 – 10 Runs
• Game 4 – 1 Run
• Game 5 – 13 Runs

The Dodgers are averaging 6.6 runs a game in this microcosm of the season. That will win you a lot of games… especially when you have that kind of pitching as well. A team doing that could challenge the All-Time Season Record for wins. However, if it remains “feast or famine,” that record is safe. It’s no secret that the Dodgers as currently constructed, are not good in one-run games. The reasons for that are perfectly clear: They refuse to play “small ball.” I understand why – statistics and probabilities say to stick with what you do best and this is a mandate that most likely comes from the Top (Andrew Friedman).

Some of you would be quick to blame it on Dave Roberts, but this is an Organizational Decision and then Dodgers will likely have the best offense in the NL again in 2023. So why change? I am not suggesting that you get away from what made you successful, but what I am saying is you do not always have to “Grip it and Rip it!” When you are locked in a pitcher’s duel, one run can win or lose the game. There comes a time to shorten up, lay down a bunt, steal a base and hit behind the runner. I have seen some of this but not enough.

It’s time for the Dodgers to stop playing for the homerun and just move the runners in those close critical games. It will add 10-15 more wins, and it is critical in the playoffs, which are now a crapshoot at best. Being able to play “small ball” at certain times should be the next step in the Dodger’s Evolution.

Dodgers News & Notes

• I did not have a lot of hope for Jason Hayward… but that is changing. Great character, an excellent baserunner, great glove, and it’s starting to look like he can hit a little bit. They could have something…
• After a good Spring, Max Muncy is battling (himself) and can’t seem to catch a break. He might need to sit a couple of games just to clear his head.
• If Julio can get a clean first inning, he might pitch a no-hitter tonight!