The Keys to Beating the Padres

First of all, the keyword is “Don’t Panic.” OK, it’s two words, but you get my drift. In both games against the Padres, the Dodgers have played like a team that has had a number of off days and is not sharp, and does not feel a sense of urgency. Actually, here are the four things the Dodgers need to do to beat the Padres.

1. The Stars Need to Come Out,
2. The Starting Pitching Needs to be a lot better;
3. The Defense needs to tighten up; and
4. The Team needs a leader to step up.

1. The Stars Need to Come Out

Mookie Betts had an OPS of .873 in 2022. That puts him at just below “superstar status.” His .269 BA is not very “staresque”, and his .340 OB% is only number 5 on the team. As Mookie goes, so the team goes, and with those kinds of stats, it is “feast or famine” in many games. If the Dodgers are going to win this thing, Mookie has to come out! So do Justin Turner, and (one of) Cody Bellinger or Trayce Thompson. Freeman, Lux, Muncy, Trea Turner, and Smith have mostly done their jobs. Look at this:

POSTSEASON OPS:

1. Trea Turner – 1.444
2. Max Muncy – 1.357
3. Freddie Freeman – 1.301
4. Will Smith – .889
5. Gavin Lux – .875

Justin Turner, Mookie Betts, and Cody Bellinger’s OPS are, respectively at .542, .472, and .334. If you think TRayce Thompson is the savior, you are nuts – his Postseason OPS is .250. Someone needs to step up and it needs to absolutely be Mookie and Justin Turner! The Dodgers have 25% of the Top 12 players in MLB in WAR. They need to step up along with a few others.

2. The Starting Pitching Needs to be a Lot Better

Urias and Kershaw underperformed… PERIOD! Tony Gnsolin needs to give the Dodgers the 16-1 version of Tony Gonsolin before he got injured. If he can go three, four or even five innings, so be it. Follow Gonsolin up with Andrew Heaney (but only for two innings). That will be a leather combination. Something tells me that Tyler Anderson is ready to pitch the game of his life in Game Four.

3. The Defense Needs to Tighten Up

Max Muncy and Trea Turner have not played solid defense. They need to step it up right now! I would like to see the Dodgers player Lux at 2B against Snell, but they probably won’t do it. JT will play 3B and Max will play 2B (that’s my opinion of what I think will happen). I also think it is a mistake to move Bellinger out of CF, when Thompson is not playing well, either. I’ll take the defense over the matchup. If you are going to weaken the defense, put Taylor in CF and Vargas in LF against Snell:

1. Betts RF – R
2. Turner SS – R
3. Freeman 1B – L
4. Smith DH – R
5. Muncy 2B -L
6. Turner 3B -R
7. Vargas LF – R
8. Taylor CF – R
9. Barnes C – R

You want Righthanders – I’ll give you right-handers. Freeman and Muncy hit LH ers or RHers.

4. The Team Needs a Leader to Step Up

That leader is not Mookie. He is the strong, silent type. JT is close to being that leader, but this team is ready for Freddie Freeman to step up and speak out to the team. It’s been a process, but Freddie had earned that right with his bat and glove and with his attitude. Freddie needs to “take over” the Dodger locker room. Its his team for the taking. He has the pedigree, the panache, and the MVP-TYpe Stats. He is the “chosen one!” Step on it, Freddie. The Dodger players respect the heck out of him.

Manny Machado

I have heard a lot of Dodger fans disparaging Manny Machado, and I get it. However, you need to understand that this is not the same Manny Machado of 5 or 6 years ago. Manny has matured at age 30 and had a great season… an MVP-Worthy Season as he led the NL in WAR. Like many talented baseball players, Manny was coddled and spoiled by his handlers and press clippings. He was immature and it showed… on many occasions. Manny still plays with fire… and he hates the Dodgers… and you can hate him too, but he is damn good. He is the best #B in the NL and maybe all of baseball.

He is the Padre’s leader, and while his progress as a leader has not been linear, he is their “spiritual leader.” He has gone from spoiled brat to spoiled bad boy, to the edgy team leader that he is. I’ll take a guy with his fire any day. I don’t have to like him… and I don’t. I didn’t like Barry Bonds or Pete Rose, but man-o-man were they good! I feel the same way about Manny! On a “Character Meter,” he ranks ahead of Manny Ramirez while not quite having that bat!

Game 1 & 2 Observations

• Clayton Kershaw has a personal catcher, namely Austin Barnes. If Clayton pitches, Barnes should catch. End of story! Clayton likes to pitch to Barnes. Barnes has been his catcher since practically after AJ Ellis left. The truth be told, with better defensive support, Clayton could have given up just one run… not three. I thought that was a bonehead move.
• Blake Snell has a lot to prove against the Dodgers tonight, but the Dodgers have a lot to prove against Blake Snell.
• It goes without saying that the Dodger’s Bullpen needs to do what they have done all season.
• The Bazooka is a great athlete, as was seen on his fielding the bunt and throw to get Wil Meyers at home. He needs to hang around Tommy Kahnle and learn that changeup. FASTBALL and CHANGEUP is all he needs.

Miguel Vargas

Some people wonder what Miguel Vargas brings and why he is on the playoff roster.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dr-9eZIB7ac

But the biggest thing Miguel Vargas brings is his ability to go the other way. Miguel is not a guy like Mookie Betts, who will hit 35 HR and bat .269. He is more like a RH’ed Freddie Freeman. He is not fast, but he is a very good baserunner with above-average speed. Miguel will hit and ultimately become a good fielder… wherever he plays. The fact that he is on the team speaks volumes about a guy who has never really had a chance at the MLB level.