The Slime Art of Second-Guessing
OK, you all likely know what happened last night: Joc Pederson drove in the first run against Zack Greinke. Hyun-Jin Ryu had pitched 7 strong innings when Roberts pinch-hit for him with Kike Hernandez. On a 2-2 pitch from Greinke, Kike jacked the ball out of the stadium to tie the game at 2-2. Next, Dylan Floro played the role of set-up man and shut down the D-Bags in the
OK, you all likely know what happened last night: Joc Pederson drove in the first run against Zack Greinke. Hyun-Jin Ryu had pitched 7 strong innings when Roberts pinch-hit for him with Kike Hernandez. On a 2-2 pitch from Greinke, Kike jacked the ball out of the stadium to tie the game at 2-2. Next, Dylan Floro played the role of set-up man and shut down the D-Bags in the top of the 8th inning to set the stage for Red Beard the Pirate’s home run in the bottom of the 8th. Finally, the beguiled Kenley Jansen came in and acted like… well, Kenley Jansen, to slam the door on the Snakes.
It was all about execution. But right now, I am going to give you a lesson in the “Slime Art of Second-Guessing.” It’s not a Fine Art, it’s Slime Art, and we all do it. It’s easy as fans to second guess moves Dave Roberts makes or question his lineups, but it’s really all about execution and I am not suggesting that Doc needs to be executed! It’s about executing what you need to do to advance the team.
WHAT IF?
What if Doc pinch hit for Ryu, and Kike struck out? Then, what if Floro gave up a run in 8th and JT hit his HR in the bottom of the 8th to tie game, followed by Kenley giving up a 2-run home run in the 9th to lose the game?
If that happened everyone would be lamenting “what an idiot Dave Roberts was for pinch-hitting for Ryu who was cruising”. “What a stupid move to bring in Floro and everyone knew Jansen is toast.”
Second-guessers are never wrong, which is why I try and avoid it. I have advocated firing Dave Roberts, not because of his moves, but because of lack of execution by the team and I know you can’t fire the whole team, so the Manager gets the ax. That is obviously not happening and I have every expectation that Doc will lead this team to the Post-Season.
When players execute like last night, no one says “Doc is genius.” But, when they don’t execute, so many say “He’s and idiot for that move.” Maybe he’s neither an idiot or a genius, but do you understand that second-guessing is really a “slime-art?” It’s simply about players executing!
DODGER NEWS
- John Axford is throwing again and should be back this month. Hopefully, he can pitch like he did in his 2nd and 3rd Dodger appearance.
- Julio Urias came into the game for OKC in the sixth inning and walked two batters while retiring one. No word on his velocity, but that was his first relief appearance.
- Chicken Strip looks to be pain-free and will likely be activated today.
- Verdugo and Toles were not in the lineup for OKC last night, as they were likely on a plane to LA.
- Ryan Madson has the ability and experience to help the Dodgers bullpen. He can still hit 98 MPH on the gun. This could be interesting.
- David Freese is a professional hitter, hitting LH and RH pitchers about equally. He also has lots of Post-Season experience and has played at a high level when there. He will be on the playoff roster.
- Kike Hernandez likes the bright lights!
- Will Chase Utley be on the playoff roster? Will Matt Kemp?
- Here we go: September will determine it!
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Discussion (95)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Two more Dodger affiliates make the playoffs, one is on the verge of being eliminated, and one is in the championship game tonight. Tulsa and Great Lakes both qualified with wins yesterday. Tulsa used a very well pitched game by Ben Holmes in their 8-1 win over NW Arkansas (KC). Holmes 7.1 IP, 1 run, 5 hits, 2 walks, and 7 K’s. I will be watching Holmes in the AFL. He could be another FAZ find. the offense was led by Keibert Ruiz 3-5, with Jackson, Peters, Ahmed, and Reks all getting 2 hits.
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DC may have a write up on the Loons playoff clinching 3-2 victory, but for now, Carrillo went 5 innings allowing the two runs, but Stephen Kolek, Austin Drury, and Melvin Jimenez pitched the final 4 scoreless innings for the win. Romer Cuadrado and Hunter Feduccia each had 2 hits.
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OKC is 1 loss away from elimination, after their 8-2 loss to Colorado Springs. Kyle Lobstein did his part by pitching 6 scoreless innings. Urias, McAllister, and Sborz proceeded to give up 8 runs in their two innings of work to secure the loss.
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AZL Dodgers lost 2-0 to the AZL Cubs to force a game 3 in the championship series. The championship game will be played today.
People are always complaining about how we dont develop relievers in the minors. What if Melvin jiminez is that guy.
Great game last night. I wonder how many D-Bag fans are blasting Lovelo for leaving Greinke in, sound familiar guys? Gotta love Madsen and Freese, both good veterans with a ton of play off experience. Going to need both of them in the play-offs, good picks.
That felt like a big win if only due to how a loss would’ve felt.
It was an easy decision to take Ryu out after 7 strong innings. He pitched a great game but for today’s starters 7 innings is about max. The surprise was putting Floro in but I don’t know that he had any better options and maybe the most fresh arm. That would have been my question why Floro? Fortunately it worked out but not without the ultimate drama. I just think kike likes the bright lights. Other than turner I like him with the game on the line. He might have struck out but Roberts only had one choice really and he didn’t try to throw a lefty bat out there. Where would we be without turner? Everybody knows the answer to that question. If anything the dback manager should be second guessed for leaving Greinke in the game. Maybe his bullpen was overworked. Here we are needing Kershaw to produce!
It is about execution, but your supposition is that the lineup or player changes do not have any effect on the outcome…or execution. I think that it does. Cause and effect are very much part of baseball. Two outcomes cannot be proved because there is only one cause and effect, and any secondary cause cannot be calculated.
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It isn’t second guessing when the comments come before the event. Many on this site have questioned all RHH lineups, taking hot hitters out while playing a platoon, early removal of pitchers, pinch hitters in odd situations…and all before the result is known. Is there anyone on here who can justify taking Kike’ out of Thursday’s game? Kike’ is one of the hottest hitters the Dodgers have right now and is hitting RHP. It wasn’t that Belli did not execute, it was that IMO and before the result, that Kike’ should have stayed in and Belli should have hit for Taylor (the on deck hitter). The result may have been the same. We will never know. But again IMO, Kike’ and Belli give the team a better chance than Belli and Taylor, and I thought so at the time.
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I did not question removing Ryu after 7. 86 pitches seems to be his max right now. He got to 93 in April, but most of his good outings are between 85 and 90 pitches. Right now the setup guy is between Floro and Alexander, so who else is Doc supposed to bring in? Jansen is the closer so he has to keep getting up on that horse. Doctors say his heart is fine, so he just needs innings. Nobody knows what would have happened if Ryu pitched the 8th, and Doc’s moves were all logical and with good reason.
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Managers get paid a lot of money to make correct decisions (judgements). They need to be held accountable for the results of those decisions. I keep hearing and reading that the Dodgers have the best talent in the NL even without Seager. So why are they not running away with a mediocre NL West? Somebody needs to be held accountable. Either the talent is not the best, or Roberts is not putting his best 8 out on the field.
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It is not that I think Doc is a bad guy or even a bad manager. I do think that after 3 years he should be making better game management decisions. I do not think he has grown. It is either he has not grown as a game manager or that he is a puppet of FAZ and sabermetrics. I do not think the latter, so obviously I think it is the former. Should he be fired, that is not for me to say as none of us have all of the pertinent data to make that kind of decision.
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We all have opinions, but we are also all Dodger fans and want what will give us a parade in LA.
CT 0 for 3 welcome to David Freeze….oh yea you won’t be playing much and you might want to to watch a professional hitter who will be assuming your AB’s.
I’ll leave all the hirings and firings to the knowledgeable base of LADT…
I’m liking Freese and Madson!!! Of course I really liked Reddick and Forsythe… Damn good thing I don’t drink anymore!!!
I’ll just shout out again to the masses, “What we have here is a Good old fashioned Pennant Race”!!! Buckle up and enjoy…
I’d sit CT3 & Kemp for a while, and try and get Muncy some more ABs.
Will Chase Utley be on the playoff roster? Will Matt Kemp?
Add Taylor to that question.