The Master Plan Unfolds

Sorry, i forgot about Soto. Great hitter, below average defensive player, and not a great baserunner. Don’t see AF handing him 500 million just so he can be the next DH.

it’s ok to speculate!! some say Clayton might not be back. Some sa Walker walks. some say Flaherty probably signs elsewhere,even though he probably wants to be a dodger. some say kiki, heyward, kk, and others won’t be back. so who’s the major outfielder available in the offseason. Teo’s production will be hard to replace. SIGN the guy!! Then we can worry about next year next year! i like to speculate!

Your analysis and projections seem pretty much on target to me, but Doc may want to tinker a bit. (Maybe a weekly report is the way to go.)

After such a long layoff, I doubt we’ll see maximum Max production soon.

So how about the Lux/Rosario batting 5th and Max eased back in at 7th? I’m a strong believe in going with the hot hand, and lineup promotion would be a nice reward for Lux’s improved offense. (Not long ago Lux was in danger of losing even a platoon gig; the best alignment on defense and offense had Rojas at SS and Mookie at 2B full-time.)

Speaking of SS, I remain concerned about Mookie’s defense, especially during a close game in the late innings. I’d rather see Rojas or Ahmed (if he’s still around) at SS, but I certainly don’t want to lose Mookie’s bat.

So Mookie–who now seems like Cesar Tovar with a HOF bat–can either slide over to 2B or up to CF, a position he has played well in the past. Mookie, like Keirmaier and Heyward, is a gold-glove outfielder. Edman won a GG at 2B, and Ahmed earned a couple at SS. Imagine a late-inning defense with Rojas or Ahmed (another gold glover) at SS, Edman at 2B, Mookie at CF, Heyward in RF and Freddie at 1B. Heck, if Teo gets hurt, the Dodgers could keep Keirmaier in there and have SIX gold gloves on D (though I suspect that Ahmed and Biggio are the most likely to be DFA’d.)

Did anybody else see a highlight of Kevin Pillar’s flying Superman catch for the Angels yesterday? Look for it on Youtube. Just spectacular, up there with the best of the year. I’m not sure, but I think Pillar, like Keirmaier, has talked about retiring. I hope not. He’s had a fine season. Many of us no doubt remember Pillar’s brief time with the Dodgers. Assigned to OKC as veteran reinforcement, got called up–and suffered a season-ending injury.

One final thought: I don’t want River Ryan sent back down unless he shows he needs more seasoning.

Again, I like the hot hand. If Ryan continues to impress, let him cook.

I know Kiki has a good hitting game about once a week and he plays good defense, but I wonder why they don’t play Rosario at 3rd? We would have an Ahmed at SS and an Amed at 3rd. Interesting! They need offense and he has a good split with R and L pitching.

4:07 PM ET

Dodgers (64-47)

Athletics (46-66)

SP River Ryan R

1-0 .82 ERA

SP Osvaldo Bido R

2-2 5.00 ERA

Confirmed Lineup

DH S. Ohtani L

LF T. Hernandez R

2B Gavin Lux L

RF J. Heyward L

3B E. Hernandez R

1B Cavan Biggio L

SS Amed Rosario R

CF K. Kiermaier L

C A. Barnes R

72° Wind 9 mph Out

I don’t think I’m the only one who stopped watching the game after the bases were loaded and no out, I thought “Same old story again, no more”

I’m pretty sure Betts will return to RF for at least the remainder of this season, which I think would be best for the team.

Maybe even Sheehan next year?

Wow! what a surplus of starters the dodgers could have next season!! Glasnow, Yamamoto,Ryan.Wrobleski, Stone, Gonsolin, May, Frasso, Kershaw, Buehler (maybe), Flaherty(maybe). So why would they trade for the White Sox lefty?? He may want to skip the regular season and just pitch in the playoffs! lol! I wouldn’t mind at all a swap of Buehler for Flaherty! Doubt that would happen. AF won’t spend the money! i’m more concerned about the offense next season! Doubt seriously AF resigns Teo. Although i would love to have him back! Heyward probably gone. Kiki probably gone. i’m not as sure of Pages as i was before. Outman? No clue!! Dodger minor league position players aren’t exactly killing it. Pitching is strong, but except for a couple of positions, concerned. … Look for the “River “ to roll on today!! Probably should have saved 3-4 of those runs last night for today!!! Not exactly an explosive offense out there in Oakland today. … # 1, hopefuls Maximus is getting better!!! #2, Freddie, can’t wait to see you back on first!! that play by Biggio to Jack covering the bag was as bad a throw as you’ll see!! Barnes goes deep today! Book it!

Justin Wrobleski pitches for Oklahoma City today.

Have we heard any updates on Rojas?

I like the newsletter, Mark. (Maybe you can do a mailbag too where you answer some questions.)

Based on your September lineup, Kike’Hernandez becomes the odd man out. Would be unfortunate but I think thats how it end up. Unless, does he becomes part of the bullpen?

Good win for the Dodgers and a very good debut for Jack Flaherty.

Sometimes, I wonder how San Diego keeps making trades. They’ve depleted the farm system several times, but somehow they find enough prospects to make big deals. I thought the Dodgers did well at the trade deadline. They really needed to add another starter and they got Flaherty.

Skubal was never going to happen and Crocket had an incredibly high price tag. The Dodgers managed to retain their top prospects and improve the team.

As the Dodgers move forward with IL players returning, all you can do is ask for good health and hopefully those players can regain their form.

I do recall the days of Gavin Lux being considered a very good hitter. The injuries more or less derailed him. But now he looks like the player who had been a highly rated prospect.

thanks mark for keeping my sunday morning routine alive! Biggio probably cost Jack a seventh or maybe eighth inning gem. But that’s ok, don’t need another pitcher on the IL!! Dbacks lost, friars won . 5 game lead. River Ryan. today, keep rolling on the River!! .. Every time i criticize Kiki he has his once a week good game! So Kiki, your spectacles suck!! Take that! …. AF maybe stole the trade deadline with Kopech and Flaherty! Throw in Rosario (when they let him play) and not bad at all! KK will probably save a few runs with his defense . poor James out of the picture the rest of this season! If Yamamoto comes back healthy, with Glasnow and Jack F, lookout! Clayton will be fine. River Ryan could be the wildcard!! Gavin Stone looks like he might need an IL visit for a rest. …. Walker ain’t gonna help i’m afraid.

“Oliver Gonzalez, the 17-year-old Panamanian right-hander acquired from the Cardinals in Monday’s three-team trade that also brought Tommy Edman and Michael Kopech to Los Angeles, made his Dodgers organizational debut on Saturday. Pitching for the DSL Dodgers Mega team, Gonzalez struck out three in three scoreless innings in his start, allowing only two singles”.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters earlier Saturday in Oakland that both Graterol and Grove could be activated by the Dodgers during their homestand which runs from Monday to next Sunday. From Bill Plunkett in the Orange County Register, Roberts added, “Those two guys have checked the boxes they need to check.”

Betts (hand) and the Dodgers are targeting a return to the lineup during their next road trip, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

“Betts has been out since mid-June after suffering a fracture in his left wrist/hand and he took batting practice with the team Wednesday. The Dodgers will begin their next road trip Aug. 12 in Milwaukee with a four-game set with the Brewers before they’ll play three games in St. Louis. If the timeline remains true, Betts will likely begin a rehab assignment in the coming days”.

As bad as things have been lately for the Dodgers,they are 1 1/2 game behind the Phillies for the best record in the National League with a record of 64-47 vs the Phillies 65-45. This is a big 3 game series vs the Phillies starting Monday.Hopefully Freeman is back and his son is on the road to a full recovery.