In case you are less than about 55 years old, you probably never heard of this movie with Clint Eastwood. It was called “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.” That’s kind of an appropriate way of describing Sundays’ game.
Rants & Raves:
- The Dodgers had 10 hits and 8 walks. That’s good, in and of itself and 3 of the hits were for extra bases. What is worse is that those 18 baserunners only scored 2 runs… no that’s worse than bad. In fact, it’s ugly!
- If you are capable of determining that Noisy and Raley should be back at AAA with less than 50 AB’s, some MLB team will likely pay you a few hundred thousand dollars a year to advise them. Put in your application and attach your resume of past successes.
- “Corey Seager is not a star and probably never will be.” Mookie Betts has a .892 career OPS and a 134 OPS+to go with a .299 BA and .373 OB%. Is Mookie a star? I think we all know the answer, even if he is having a rough start. Corey Seager has a .857 OPS and 128 OPS+ to go with a .293 BA and .362 OB%. If Corey is not a star, then Mookie is not a star, either. Oh, yeah, Mookie is a defensive wizard and Corey isn’t and everyone knows you can’t win a World Series and be a World Series MVP unless you are an Outstanding shortstop. Er, Oh, wait… and by the way, if you use the hitting metrics used to define stars, Seager comes as close as anyone… actually closer.
- To think that getting hit with a pitch on your wrist makes you injury prone is as silly as thinking that getting hit by a drunk driver somehow makes you a bad driver. It may make you unlucky, but to think it means you are injury-prone is kind of (really) silly.
- I was actually encouraged by what I saw from the bullpen, notwithstanding the HR Edwin Uceta gave up to Adam Duval. Uceta went on to pitch 3 innings and now after 7.1 IP in the majors, has a 2.45 ERA. This is something to build on. Jimmy Nelson, Alex Vesia, Dennis Santana, Joe Kelly, and Mitch White all did their jobs. Simply put, the hitters did not!
- Old Friend, Yimi Garcia (who allegedly cannot pitch in high-leverage situations according to many) got his 7th Save in 8 opportunities. His ERA is 1.62 and a 0.92 WHIP.
- It is troubling that a team can get 10 hits, 8 BB, and yet only get 2 runs! “Well, they probably hit into several double plays.” Wrong! No twin-killings! I think the answer is simple: The baseball is “tuned” so that it is much harder to hit a ball out of the park (look how many fly balls at the warning track or within there are) and some games the Dodgers hitters adjust and other games, they every back to trying to hit the home run. Max Muncy thought he had a couple of homers yesterday, but with the new baseball, you have to hit it dead-on or it is going to die in the air. I get it. It’s hard to switch it on and off, but the Dodgers need to realize that station-to-station baseball can… and does work! Again, why mess with it. Stay pure to the game. It’s like changing the laces on the pigskin or making a basketball more “bouncy.” I have only two problems with Rob Manfred: (1) Everything he says; and (2) Everything he does! I hope Tony Clark comes to the bargaining table this offseason and says “The MLBPA refuses to negotiate with the owners as long as Rob Manfred is Commissioner.” He gets up and walks out! That would be the start of a very good day!
- I think the “unjuiced” baseball is hurting Mookie more than most.
How Many Baseballs Can You Hold in One Hand
Yesterday we saw Clayton Kershaw hold six baseballs in one hand. Someone asked, I wonder how many Sandy Koufax could have held? You don’t have to wander, the answer is not 8, or even 7. It is 6 as well!
But, alas, that is not the record. The record is 7… by Johnny Bench:
Are we certain no Superglue was involved?
By the way, I am back to feeling great. That was BOTH my COVID-19 Shots. Thanks for the well wishes.
Dodgers Minor League Report
- Oklahoma City Dodgers – OKC actually won a game! They beat the River Kittens 7-5. Be still my heart! Here is the good news: Darien Nunez when 4 innings allowing 0 hits and striking out 7. Phil Bickford pitched a scoreless inning with 2 K’s. Quackenbush closed it out with a scoreless 9th. Zach Reks (.316) continues to look good as he hit hits 3rd HR and scored 3 runs. Rangel Ravelo (.382) is at least an AAAA player as he had 2 more hits. Steven Souza, Jr. saw his first action of the year and hit a 2-run HR. We could definitely see him soon as the Dodgers need RH OF help. BOXSCORE
- Tulsa Drillers – They evened their record at 6-6 with a 6-4 win over the Naturals in 10 innings. Jacob Amaya was 3-6, as was Mike Busch (.277 BA/1.031 OPS) who also hit his 5th HR. Carlos Rincon was 3-5 including his 4th HR in the 10th inning (a 2-run shot). Andre Jackson started and gave up 3 ER in 4 IP, while striking out 6 (walked 3). Justin Bruihl fooled him with 2 scoreless innings. Nate Robertson then pitched a scoreless inning, followed by .2 scoreless by Hunter Speer. Then Guillermo Zuniga gave up a run in 1.2 IP to tie the game and Zach Willeman recorded the final two outs to save the game. BOXSCORE
- Great Lakes Loons – GL beat the Whitecaps 7-4, behind Logan Boyer (1 IP/0 Runs), and Robinson Ortiz (4 IP/0 Runs). Jack Little gave up 2 runs in 1.1 IP and Morgan Cooper gave up 3 hits and 2 runs in 2.2 IP. He’s pitching like he hasn’t pitched in 4 years! Miguel Vargas (.267/.871) was 1-4. Andy Pages I.152/.508) is starting to break out was a 2-5 day. Deacon Liput was also 2-5. The Loons also stole 6 bases! BOXSCORE
- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes – RC was Quaked 8-7. There weren’t many highlights here. Every RC pitcher gave up runs and Alex De Jesus was the only bright spot, going 2-3 with 2 BB. BOXSCORE
Discussion (29)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Who will be the Nr. 5 starter for the dodgers this week ? Gonsolin transferred to the 60 day DL so he wont come up until May31st. Will it be Price ? Another BP game ?
Surprised they sent down White. Kid did very well. I have more confidence in him than Uceta or Vesia.
Good to see Lux heating up. 2 more hits plus a BB. Now if Peters could find his stroke…
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!
For all the talk of banning the shift it sure seems like teams have been beating the Dodgers shift all year.
Good to see Smith and Lux with big hit. The Dodgers need Lux to step up while the vets are out.
Have mercy! Somebody from Perter’s corner throw the towel in!!!!
Robert’s would take out Ted Williams if a left hander was pitching
Smith bomb.
As the old curse has it, we Dodgers devotees are living in interesting times. Bauer has been very good, but I’m still tempted to blame the karmic fallout from the fat paycheck. The baseball gods must be punishing the Dodgers for some reason. Will Albert save the season?
But hey, at least we aren’t following the LA Browns…
Who knew?
https://www.mlb.com/news/featured/the-story-of-the-los-angeles-browns-changed-baseball-forever
Bear – Bobby Miller made one appearance with the Loons on May 4, opening day. He pitched three innings of scoreless ball on two hits with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 56 pitches, 37 for strikes. I followed that game on MiLB.TV and don’t have any recollection of an injury.
“Bobby obviously has electric stuff,” Loons manager Austin Chubb said. “It was good to see him in a real game for the Dodgers. Pretty fun guy to watch, being able to command all of his pitches. Being able to command his fastball and pitch in the zone is special.”
This from his pitching coach. Sounds like they are just being super careful with Miller.
“He’s got future ace written all over him,” Dennick said. “He has two outstanding breaking balls and a developing changeup. When he gets that in the zone too, he’s going to give hitters a tough time.
“He can attack the zone in so many ways … vertically and horizontally. He also has front-to-back velocity, to where he can go 80 (mph) on the curve and 98 on the fastball. He’s able to do so many different things in the way he manipulates pitches.”
Miller has pitched more than some of the other players on the Loons staff after spending Spring Training with the Dodgers.
“Bobby is a guy who went to Major League camp in his first Spring Training, and he’s been throwing longer than a lot of these guys,” Dennick said. “He’s only 22 playing at the High A level. That factors into it. We want to make sure he’s healthy in September by being careful with him in May.”
I don’t understand why the Dodgers acquired Tsutsugo. I’d rather give our homegrown guys the opportunity over him. Seems like a dumb acquisition to me.
Man this team is in a bad place because of all of the injuries.
The ball can be a problem for teams still looking for the three-run HR.
Little by little we will begin to see the teams play smaller-ball, to be more creative to make a score in the case of the Dodgers guys like Betts, Taylor, Bellinger and Lux can steal bases, Smith, Barnes, Seager and Pollock occasionally they can. The Dodgers can do well with the new ball only it will take a while for them to change the approach that has worked so well for them for so many years, in the end they will be fine.
What’s the latest on Chris Taylor?
So, who’s going down to make room for Price?
Albert Pujols is in the Dodgers starting lineup and batting cleanup
DODGERS ACTIVATE ALBERT PUJOLS & YOSHI TSUTSUGO
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have activated infielders Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo and optioned left-handed pitcher Alex Vesia and catcher Keibert Ruiz.
Pujols, 41, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels on May 6 after slashing .198/.250/.372 with five homers and 12 RBI in 24 games for the Angels. The three-time National League Most Valuable Player is in his 21st season in the Major Leagues and has amassed 667 homers and 2,112 RBI in 2,886 career games. His 667 homers are the most by any active player and rank fifth all-time, trailing Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696).
Tsutsugo, 29, appeared in 26 games for the Rays this season, batting .167 (13-for-78) with four doubles and five RBI. In his Major League career, he has played in 77 games, batting .187 (44-for-235) with nine doubles, eight homers and 29 RBI. Prior to coming to the United States, he was a five-time All-Star (2015-19) in the Nippon Professional Baseball League and was a three-time Central League Best of Nine Award recipient (2015-17). In 10 seasons in the NPB, he hit a combined .285 (977-for-3426) with 205 homers and 613 RBI.
Vesia, 25, has appeared in three games for the Dodgers, allowing three runs on one hit in 4.0 innings this season. The Northern California native was acquired from the Marlins along with minor leaguer Kyle Hurt in exchange for Dylan Floro. The southpaw made five appearances for the Marlins in 2020, allowing nine runs in 4.1 innings with five strikeouts. In 52 career minor league games, he has posted a 1.62 ERA (18 ER/100.0IP) and 138 strikeouts.
Ruiz, 22, struck out in his lone plate appearance yesterday after being recalled prior to the game. He has appeared in six games for the Dodgers this season, batting .143 (1-for-7) with one homer and one RBI. The Valencia, Venezuela native has been with the Dodgers since signing on July 20, 2014 as an international free agent. In 387 minor league games in the Dodger organization, he is a .299 (430-for-1439) hitter with 29 homers and 199 RBI.
The Dodgers have activated IF Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo and optioned LHP Alex Vesia and C Keibert Ruiz.
We shouldn’t be losing games like last night.
* I think Doc has a tough job right now with all the injuries and I don’t want to pile on BUT. There are so many little manager opportunities that Doc doesn’t take advantage of. They largely go unnoticed.
Bottom 3 last night, Dodgers up 2 – zip. Lux walks with 2 down with Raley up. Why is Lux not running. Orel and Joe were no help on that idea as they were busy talking about bbq chicken. Please – Straight steal early to allow Raley to actually get a hit with a runner in scoring position? Why wait until 2 and 1? The league has never been more proficient at stealing bases, like 75%. But Doc seems asleep and oblivious in these circumstances. We ended up losing by a run.
But give Doc any reason to make a pitching change (even when unnecessary) and pops out of the dugout like a jack in the box. but he can’t put the game in motion and try to manufacture a run.
It was moot as Raley struck out but these are lost opportunities. Doc is just not a good in-game manager.
* On the other hand, Nelson’s time to home last night on a steal was 1.55 with a bad breaking ball. Barnes’ 2.0 time guaranteed the steal. Our catchers have no chance. Everything can become a double. So, why don’t we do that?
* Before and in 2019, the Dodgers were thought to have an abundance of outfielders in the organization. They were blocked. Now they aren’t. I’m fine with Mark’s minimum 50 AB’s for a valid eval but this is the time and the opportunity for Raley (.171), Neuse (.186), Ruiz (.143) and Peters (.200) to make some kind of impact and earn a job.
* Kelly threw an arm side runner in the 8th to Anderson that was 97, in , and filthy. So we know it’s there. Maybe his injury was his problem but that’s a sample of the pitcher we thought we were getting a few years ago. Keep doing that!
Am I missing something I thought Gonsolin was on his way back soon.
This means that Gonsolin can’t come back until June 3 or 4th!
DODGERS SIGN THREE-TIME NL MVP ALBERT PUJOLS
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers signed infielder Albert Pujols to a one-year contract. Right-hander pitcher Tony Gonsolin was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.
Pujols, 41, was designated for assignment by the Los Angeles Angels on May 6 after slashing .198/.250/.372 with five homers and 12 RBI in 24 games for the Angels. The three-time National League Most Valuable Player is in his 21st season in the Majors Leagues and has amassed 667 homers and 2,112 RBI in 2,886 career games. His 667 homers are the most by any active player and rank fifth all-time, trailing Barry Bonds (762), Hank Aaron (755), Babe Ruth (714) and Alex Rodriguez (696).
Pujols is a career .298 (3253-for-10925) hitter with 669 doubles and a career OPS of .921. He was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2001, has won the Louisville Silver Slugger six times (2001, ’03-’04, ’08-’10) and is a two-time Rawlings Gold Glove recipient (2006, ’10). He ranks amongst the all-time MLB leaders in various categories, including homers (5th), doubles (5th), extra-base hits (1,352, 5th), total bases (5,955, 5th), hits (3,253, 14th), runs (1,852, 15th) and RBI (3rd).
The 10-time All-Star is one of five players in National League history to win the MVP three or more times, a list which includes Bonds, Mike Schmidt, Roy Campanella and Stan Musial. With 3,253 career hits and 667 homers, Pujols is one of four players all-time with 3,000+ hits and 600+ homers along with Willie Mays, Hank Aaron and Alex Rodriguez.
Gonsolin to 60 day IL. Pujols added to roster. Other moves coming.
Does anyone know where Bobby Miller, last year’s number one draft choice is? He’s not listed on any of the four minor league rosters. Is he hurt? He pitched in one game so far.
So has Albert agreed to a reduced role with the Dodgers? Since he was skipped over on waivers by every team, has he changed his wishes (demands) that he made to the Angels? Will he agree to just be a pinch hitter and an occasional start at 1st? If not it was a poor signing. I can’t imagine the Dodgers made this deal with promises of more. I certainly hope they didn’t.
Pujols is finished. But his numbers have been good against lefties this year. As a RH bench bat or an occasional start at 1B against a lefty, it’s worth a try. Look at the other RH bats the Dodgers have off of the bench – Peters and Neuse. Neuse has promise but until Peters can make regular contact, he’s not a good option. (and Neuse is OPSing .535, even lower than Peters!)
I’m surprised at the signing but Pujols is OPSing .878 against LH in a small sample this year.
Pujols biggest contribution will be in the club house. He is and always has been accessible for young players to talk to about the nuances of the game. Trout was very upset when he got the news simply because of all the times he was counciled by Albert and the help he gave him in becoming the player he is. Oh Al may have a few dinger’s left in his bat. He might even be more prolific as a Dodger than some other old sluggers they got when they were past their prime like Boog Powell and Rocky Colovito. You could even add Jim Thome to that list. But as an everyday player he is finished. He will get some time at 1st, and probably as a DH. I would not be at all surprised to see him in the lineup to face the Mad Bum.
I very much want the Pujols experiment to be a huge success but I figure the odds are about 60-40 that he’s no longer on the roster by the All Star break. Hope I’m wrong.
Mark, you mention above that we might see Souza up here pretty soon. I’d much rather see Rangel Ravelo who, as you point out is off to a blazing start at OKC. He’s three years younger than Souza and although he had a couple cups of coffee with the Cards and failed miserably, he had less than 100 plate appearances to prove himself.
In 2017/2018 he had two excellent seasons at AAA for the Cards and I think might have been there at the same time as they had Arozarena. Their numbers weren’t all that different, so I’m voting to replace Peters with Ravelo if AF feels he needs to keep a right handed hitting outfielder. Maybe lightening will strike twice.
I would rather have Albert Pujols hitting with runners in scoring position than Ruiz, Peters or Raley.
I agree with Peter Gammons. Think Pujols will help. His five home runs would rank him third in that category behind Muncy and Turner.
Thinking more people have seen The Good, the Bad and the Ugly since it’s being heavily promoted and is running regularly on TV right now.
Raley might become a big league hitter, but he is not one right now. Nothing wrong with stating the obvious, heck even Ray Charles can see that. He’ll be sent down this afternoon and should commence right away with working to “close the hole in his swing.”
These warning track shots will turn into homers once the weather gets warmer. We have some minor leaguers with 3 and 4 homers already and they’ve only played a handful of games.
I agree that the relievers are settling in and the offense not so much. We should have had a sweep yesterday, but Neuse came up empty on a pretty routine ground ball.
Betts isn’t where he should be quite yet and JT’s hot streak cooled off a bit. Beaty looks like like the next John Olerud and Barnes keeps getting cheap hits that look like line drives in the box score.
Uceta doesn’t throw hard, but watch out when he gets settled in. Lively fastball and great changeup will travel. I really like Mitch White with his 97 MPH heat and two breaking balls that he changes speed with. Vesia and Cleavinger will be around for a long time. Both of them have fastballs that guys swing through. This bullpen is going to be big strength.
Yoshi, Albert and Price will all be activated soon. Who’s going down?
Barnes needs to be traded.
Next up, 4 against the D-bags then off to California’s wasteland on the bay. Belli coming back can’t happen soon enough.
Are we going to see an infield of Albert 1B, Muncy 2B, Lux SS, Turner 3B in the next couple of days? Will DJ Peters become the right handed platoon partner to Beaty in LF?
And Randy Johnson also (scroll down the linked page that follows):
https://www.mlb.com/cut4/clayton-kershaw-can-hold-six-baseballs-c184954034
Agree with you on most, if not all, of your thoughts above. Most especially I agree with what you said about Corey Seager, since I was thinking exactly the same things. In fact, I’m always amazed at some of the criticisms I read about Seager.