These Are Not the 2020 Dodgers
Been watching with a lot of interest the comments of fans on all sorts of posts on social media. I have to personally believe that too many think this is last year s team and that is not the case. Several key pieces from the Champs are now plying their trade elsewhere. Some key pieces of this team have not played enough to make an impact. How many thought back during
Been watching with a lot of interest the comments of fans on all sorts of posts on social media. I have to personally believe that too many think this is last year’s team and that is not the case. Several key pieces from the Champs are now plying their trade elsewhere. Some key pieces of this team have not played enough to make an impact. How many thought back during spring training that Dustin May would be gone for the year, or that Bellinger would have fewer HRs than Beaty or Barnes? Seager has been out for almost 2 months, and our SS has been Lux. As good as his fielding has been, for the most part, he is not close to Seager yet as a hitter.
The team has been streaky and extremely inconsistent, but they still lead the league in runs scored. Go figure. There is a lot to like, and a whole bunch that puzzles you. The starters have been good, the pen better than expected. Yet they still have those games where the HR ball kills them. They cannot hold runner’s on base and teams are taking advantage of that. Arizona, despite losing all 3 games, ran at will.
The Pads over the first two contests have done the same. And the Dodgers? Well, they are not using what speed they do possess at all. Seems to me like they keep waiting for the 3 run bomb. And this year, that is not happening as often simply because a couple of their main sources of power have not been healthy. Fans are quick to react after a particularly bad loss, or a string of losses to teams they either despise or feel are inferior to the Dodgers.
Remember this, although they might only be weak sisters in the league, any team on any night is capable of beating another. I have seen it happen so many times in my life watching baseball. It is indeed a game of inches. Cody Bellinger’s lone HR this season, his grand slam, barely missed being caught by the outfielder. Turner’s shot to right last night was hit just a wee bit too hard and stayed in the air long enough for Myer’s to catch it. Be that as it may, they are 3 games out on the 23rd of June. How far back were they in 2018 when they had to come back just to tie the Rockies for the division lead and force game 163. Which luckily for them was pitched by Walker Buehler who totally dominated the Rocks. Is help coming?
Well, if I know one thing about Andrew Friedman, it is that he is not a passive type of front office guy. He will make changes if he thinks they will improve the team and do not destroy the farm system. He has already made some additions this year. Some have been ok, Pujols, and others, not so much, Tsutsugo. The guys brought up for a cup o Joe have contributed sometimes, and struggled at others. Some have been nice stories, like Raley getting his first big league hit and homer, Souza blasting a dinger after picking himself up out of the dirt, Burns getting his first MLB hit. There will be ups and downs, peaks and valleys, just like there have been every year in their existence.
I think a lot of us as fans have been pretty spoiled with the success of the last 8 seasons. But no team is a lock. And no team is invincible even though one might think so. Will the Giants fold like a wet taco? Only time will tell. What I do know is that this team needs to be more consistent. Life as a Dodger fan can be complicated at times, and also frustrating. But when they do win, it is a great feeling. I am like any fan of the team. I hate losing to the Padres or the Giants, and if I never hear that Beat LA chant again I will be extremely happy.
But as Garagiola said, baseball is a funny game. It is also maddening. But we better enjoy it while we can. Because I believe there is a storm coming sooner than later. I do not trust MLB or the MLBPA to be amicable come the CBA discussions. I am all in on banning the shift since hitters obviously are not going to try and go the other way. I also think those who put so much blame on Roberts for his way of managing and his in-game decisions, are just wasting energy since it is obvious to me at least that Dave has not changed one bit since he took over as manager. And it is wasted because he is loved and valued by ownership and the front office and is not in any danger at all of being fired or replaced. The 2021 Dodgers have more holes than the 20 version. How they fill them or fix the deficiencies they have will determine how far this team will go.
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Discussion (84)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Pathetic offense. But 2 guys who might get a hit for La aren’t playing. Lux can’t hit righty or lefty. Won’t walk either. Go into 5th against a guy who can’t hit 90 with Nono. Seager only guy missing from lineup that Robert’s will play. Bellinger can’t hit right now but at least he will take a walk.
Good job Davey. Iets rest the two guys that are hitting . JT and Smth. Need to win today, especially after being swept.
Someone already said it, how many days off do they need. I guess the trip up the 5 fly was grueling
5 fwy
#fireRVS
We finally get two guys back from the injured list and doc decides to sit Turner and Smith. Amazing. Amazing managing.
Also why are Pollock and Pujols starting against a right hander.
We are already four games back of the Giants does doc want to be more games back.
Comical……………no hit through 6 against Davies. Dodger offense is offensive and yes Doc with a head scratching line-up.
Why is David Price and his 1.62 WHIP and .830 OPS pitching in a close game?
Hard to watch this stuff
Well, look at it this way–it can’t get much worse!
Headline: DOLDRUMS DOG DODGERS — leaderless , lethargic losing streak lengthens.
Cero hit. What a shame
Can we please stop complaining about the injuries and Doc’s lineups. This team just sucks! Top to bottom! Can’t hit 98, can’t hit 89. What can you hit? Can’t defend. Even Mookie. Starters can’t stop giving up homers and relievers can’t stop walking people. No energy. No passion! Not exactly a recipe for defending a title. Really hard to watch right now!
Look at the bright side: The Dodgers play the D-backs / Rockies 11 times in July.
Headline: CUBS COMBINE FOR NO-HIT WIN -Robert struggles to motivate listless Dodgers.
The offensive strategy of the team to play only the 3-run HR we have to admit that it has gone well, the Dodgers are always in the first places in runs scored, the results are there, but it is also very boring, I think the Dodgers could steal more bases, guys like Betts, Lux, Bellinger and CT3 can do it, it is very maddening to see all the games that Mookie takes first base and to know that he can only score with an HR or a double, the team does not exploit all the qualities of these four players, keep looking for the three-run HR but also move the wheels, that will make the offense more complete and dangerous !!!
I mentioned about a week ago Turner was playing an awful lot, probably out of necessity because of injuries to others. The analytical department probably have him in the Red Zone with regards to overwork – and Doc is following their advice and keeping him off his feet.
I noticed recently that he was available to PH but Doc went to Barnes instead which illustrates the point.
Not much Doc can do with the position players if they are collectively not hitting.
Personally I think we are going to see more of the same for a while yet because most of our regular top of the order players havnt been able to find any rhythm and therefore, consistency due to injury.
It’s gonna take Corey some time to come back from a broken hand – I remember Muncy struggling for some time with the same injury.
Max has been out with his side strain, and Mookie is dealing with any number of ailments, and as a result isn’t playing with the same swagger or confidence he displayed last season – that seemed to rub off on the others.
Cody really didn’t need two different trips to the IL considering he was coming off virtually no ST due to his shoulder operation. He is only getting started, against MLB quality pitching.
Have to be honest though – I’m not sure we havnt seen the best of him, in the same way as Puig was never able to replicate the stellar start to his career.
My hope is that we can keep in touch for a playoff spot, and slowly get players back to something approaching their career numbers, with no more major injuries, and head into the final weeks of the season with some momentum.
The big problem I see, is keeping the Rotation fresh for a big end to the season, because I really like the look of Buehler, Bauer, Urias and Kershaw in the Post Season.
I would look to add a veteran arm to lessen the load between now and then.
Great to see Joc getting his ring at Dodger Stadium with his old teammates .
Talk about bottoming out in a hurry. This team doesn’t show up for big games and most of the lineup just tries to hit home runs instead of hitting a line drive.
Playing like chumps rather than champs! Looks like a bunch of overpaid ,non motivated fat cats who have nothing to play for with last year’s World Series trophy in hand. As Yogi used to say ,”it’s getting late,really early”. AF has his work cut out for him before the deadline. Another starter is needed (I like Berrios of the Twins), or another quality reliever. If they get a starter move Gonsolin or Urias to the bullpen. Not your 2020 Dodgers yet.