The Dodgers and 2B

Second base has been an enigma for the Dodgers for the last two decades.  The concern does predate AF, but he has not found the remedy for the position.  The opening day 2B for LAD during the AF era has been Kike’ (2 years), Logan Forsythe (2 years), Chase Utley and Howie Kendrick 1 year each.  The best bWAR during the AF era was Kike’ last year at 2.2.  It is clear to all LAD fans that Kike’ at 2B is due to his excellent glovework.

Since 2000, the team has only had two players who were considered starters for more than 2 years: Jeff Kent (4 years) 2005-2008 and Mark Grudzielanek (3 years) 2000-2002.  The best offensive year for any LAD 2B was Orlando Hudson in 2009.

Player	Year	Offensive bWAR
Kike’ Hernandez	2020	.6
Kike’ Hernandez	2019	2.2
Logan Forsythe	2018	-.5
Logan Forsythe	2017	1.8
Chase Utley	2016	1.2
Howie Kendrick	2015	1.6
Dee Gordon	2014	3.5
Mark Ellis	2013	3.1
Mark Ellis	2012	2.6
Jamey Carroll	2011	1.1
Blake DeWitt	2010	.5
Orlando Hudson	2009	4.1
Jeff Kent	2008	.1
Jeff Kent	2007	2.2
Jeff Kent	2006	.7
Jeff Kent	2005	3.8
Alex Cora	2004	1.5
Alex Cora	2003	.3
Mark Grudzielanek	2002	.9
Mark Grudzielanek	2001	1.5
Mark Grudzielanek	2000	1.7

If only AF had taken my call in December 2018, the Dodgers would have DJ LeMahieu at 2B.  DJLM had a 5.9 offensive bWAR last year.  He was off to an even better start in 2020.  Unfortunately, he got a thumb strain and was placed on the IL.  He returned to NYY last night.  Oh well.

Going into the season, the plan (hope) was for Gavin Lux to take control of 2B and settle in for a lengthy career.  Then COVID-19 hits and the plans all came to a halt.  Upon the return of baseball in early July, Gavin was a no show.  There was no reported explanation.  I refuse to speculate.  That left competition for the position to Kike’ Hernandez and Chris Taylor.

Kike’ had a good ST 2.0 and earned the start on opening day against the Giants.  Kike’ had a fantastic game going 4-5 with a HR and 5 RBIs and was hoping that the position was his.  Kike’ has started 19 games at 2B, Muncy has started 10 games, and CT3 and Lux 5 each. 

We are quickly approaching the final third of the season which should be a preview of the playoffs.  I would like to see Gavin Lux get the bulk of the playing time to build up his experience, but he needs to be able to consistently hit at the ML level to be considered a 2B option for the playoffs.  CT3 has a BA of .261 and OPS of .757, while Kike’ has a .220 BA and .625 OPS.  Both CT3 and Kike’ can play all over the field, but Kike’ is exceptional defensively at 2B.  Doc is going to continue to shuffle his lineup to get everyone sufficient playing time.  For the next 21 games, I think Gavin and Kike’ will platoon/rotate at 2B, and CT3 will continue to play all over.  But when it comes to the playoffs, I have to think that CT3 has earned the starting 2B position.  While Kike’ is exceptional defensively, CT3 is only outstanding.  They do not lose a heck of a lot defensively with CT3 at 2B, but the bat is much better. 

Gavin will have to work hard in the offseason and come to camp next spring ready to take the position.  I predict he will.  He may have to spend more time in the warmer LA climate to get more practice in.  If not, Zach McKinstry and CT3 should be able to hold it down until Michael Busch is ready to take over.

In last night’s game, Luke Weaver showed MLB again that the Dodgers have a real tough time hitting the change up.  Corey Seager may not have hit one of his 100 MPH hits, but his bat stayed in the path long enough to hit a couple of hump back liners on changeups.  Matt Beaty really struggled against that offspeed with 3 strikeouts (2 on changeups and one on an 84 MPH slider).  Austin Barnes also K’d on a couple of offspeed sliders.

Weaver allowed 4 hits and two runs.  While the runs were earned, a better throw by Christian Walker to 2B would have ended the first in a double play without the runs scoring.  CT3 got the big hit in the first inning on a four seam fastball.  Everyone knows the Dodgers can pound fastballs.  But they need to prove they can sit back and stay with the change. 

Dodger hitters feasted on a very poor bullpen that was decimated with the loss of Andrew Chafin and Archie Bradley.  If those two stayed with AZ, I think AZ shuts out the Dodgers on Wednesday.  But there is no WHAT IF in life.  You do or you do not. 

IMO, AJ Pollock needs to finish the season as the regular LF.  He is not hitting all that well against RHP, but he is hitting RHP better than Joc.  AJ did hit his HR on the RHRP last night.  CT3 is hitting RHP at .280/.393/.400/.793.  The Dodgers have a lot of options, and I would expect Doc to explore most of them.  To predict what Doc will do is mostly futile.

The team is waiting for JT’s hammy to heal so he can get back in the game.

LAD pitching was the bright spot for the Dodgers in the AZ series.  Julio Urias pitched more quickly and while pounding the strike zone.  He allowed 1 run on a Carson Kelly HR and went 6.0 innings.  Walker Buehler came back off the IL and pitched a brilliant 5.0 innings of 2 hit no run baseball.  Last night, Clayton Kershaw pitched perhaps his best game of the year.  Clayton Kershaw is showing signs of vintage CK, and the hopes of all Dodger fans is that this rejuvenated CK rolls into the post season.  Kershaw was exceptional for his 6.0 innings allowing only an infield single and two walks.  He did strike out 8 DBacks to pass 2,500 strikeouts in his career, and pass Christy Mathewson for 38^th place in most strikeouts.  I couldn’t believe that AJ Burnett is in 37^th place.  I checked and he did pitch for 17 years.  Nothing extraordinary, but he did amass 2,513 Ks.

 At 32 years, 168 days, CK is the 3^rd youngest pitcher to get to 2,500 Ks.  Only Nolan Ryan and Walter Johnson got there faster.  The only other 32 year old pitchers to reach 2,500 strikeouts at the age of 32 are Pedro Martinez and Tom Seaver.  That is 4 HOF pitchers surrounding CK.  Kershaw is a certainty to join them on a first ballot HOF vote. 

The once invincible bullpen got nicked again.  This time Dylan Floro gave up a run on a walk, single and fielder’s choice.  His ball moves so much it has to be hard to command. But Blake Treinen and Jake McGee finished strong to secure the victory.  Scott Alexander allowed 2 runs in the first game of the series and was quickly jettisoned to USC.  This year the bullpen is a strength to be reckoned with.

After a rather pedestrian 11-7 start, the team has now won 18 out of their last 21.  If they can beat the Rockies on Friday, they will be playing .750 baseball over the first 40 games. Colorado remains in the #8 seed.  San Francisco and Milwaukee are .5 games behind Colorado and NYM is a game and a half back.

This team reminds me a lot of the 2017 team.  They are relentless, can beat you in a lot of ways, and the pitching is exceptional.