I know it bugs him, so here it is. 😉
The Dodgers clinched the NL West in May… or they might as well have done it then. Right about now, sitting on 108 wins and knowing they will play the Rockies for six games at home and then be off for the next five days, they aren’t exactly excited. Many players are just going through the paces. Gavin Lux’s neck is still an issue; although the Dodgers won’t admit it, there is a real possibility he might miss parts of the playoffs. The Dodgers aren’t telling you this, but unless you want to believe that Dave Roberts is just refusing to play Lux because he is an idiot (and I know some of you want to think that), then even Ray Charles can see what is happening.
People liked what Dave Roberts did with the bullpen Wednesday night as he deployed (in order) Phillips, Almonte, Vesia, and Kahnle. of course, he should only pitch those pitchers every night. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Forget Price, Martin, Graterol, Kimbrel, Ferguson, and everyone else. Phillips, Almonte, Vesia, and Kahnle are the only relievers who should ever pitch because they throw BBs. If only that were possible…
I don’t put much stock in any of these last six regular-season games. The players aren’t into it. Their mind wonders; they are not focused. “But they are professionals.” Yes, they are… but they are also human! These are the real DOG DAYS… not Junkyard Dogs, either.
It’s going to be a challenge to keep this team fresh and ready for October 11th. Maybe they split into two squads (bring up Miller and Stone) and play some scrimmage games in the five off days, with a trophy for the winning squad – two out of three games wins it.
- Miguel Vargas – He is an RBI Machine. Did you see what he did in the second inning? How about the two runs he drove in later? He just met the ball so as to hit a sac fly to drive in a run in the second inning, and then he did not get greedy when he singled to drive in two.! I like him a lot. He knows what to do. He has to be in the lineup next year. I would take him over Gallo and Thompson in the playoffs. Even with his early struggles, Vargas is now 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position. He is a professional hitter who values plating runs. His lack of experience in LF is problematic, however.
- James Outman – If you want to know why Vargas is getting the call over Outman, here are the reasons: (1) Vargas is RH – the Dodgers need a RH bat more than another LH bat; (2) Outman strikes out 32% of the time, whereas Vargas strikes out 17% of the time. The Dodgers have plenty of those free swingers. Joc Pederson struck out 33% of the time in his last AAA season. Outman may be Joc Pederson… minus the Pillsbury Dough Boy Look. Even Mike Busch strikes out at a lower rate.
- Andrew Heaney – He is the best swing-and-miss guy in baseball. He is only partially “fixed.” Maybe he needs to learn a new pitch sequence and become the Dodgers’ Closer in 2023. He might shine in that role. Stop the insanity! He will be on the playoff roster.
- Gavin Lux – Trade bait. Yeah, I know – I am wrong, dumb, and stupid! But I’ll bet I’m right more than you! Someone suggested that Bryan Reynolds would be a nice replacement for Cody Bellinger in CF. Lux would have to be a linchpin of that trade. It would likely take Ramos or Delucca and Sheehan as well. Maybe Pages… However, Lux’s neck problems could squash any possible deal.
- Trea Turner – Corey Seager may be his equal defensively, but I would still sign him anyway. Does he want to say in LA? That is the question.
- Mike Busch – 2023 Dodger second baseman.
- Cody Bellinger – Don’t talk about trading him. That brands you as lacking comprehension of the situation. Cody is untradeable. They will either tender him… or not. Next year, without the shift, he will be better. Another winter of shoulder strengthening and batting adjustments, and he may be the old Cody… or not! There are many people who believe that! Andrew Friedman needs to decide.
- Gavin Stone – He will be in the Dodgers’ Rotation in 2023!
- Julio Urias – If anyone will break from Scott Boras and sign an extension, it will be Julio. In fact, I think there is a strong possibility of that.
If I had to guess, this is the Dodgers Lineup in 2023:
- Betts RF
- Turner SS
- Freeman 1B
- Smith C
- Muncy 3B
- Turner DH
- Bellinger CF
- Vargas LF
- Busch 2B
A Little Debbie Harry…
Discussion (25)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Not sure it matters much whether the Braves or the Mets win the East. They are tied now.
But the Padres, Phillies and Brewers are in a real battle for the two Wild Card spots.
So go Brewers!
Go Phillies!
Hector Lopez passed away. Blackmon exercised his player option with the Rockies and the Braves retained Charlie Morton for next year with a 20 million dollar contract. Sorry, but if Morton is worth 20 mil, CK could get 30 easy.
Offense woke up a little Rockies pitching will do that for you. Kersh with win # 196.
Damn! I just hope Dodgers don’t lose their taste for blood during this ending the season. How to keep the killer instinct alive for the playoffs when all is mostly done till then. The only thing to play for is to beat the record set by the game the day before. Still goooooo killlllllers!
With the Astros loss tonight, the Dodgers clinched home-field advantage throughout the playoffs
This is good!
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRmCqXPY/
More from Wes Stock.
Philjones, it was an error all the way. CT3 was in position to make the play, Trea should have let it go. Instead, he deflected it away from CT3 and that’s an error. It would have scored one, instead it scored two. Go to the box score in the wrap section on MLB.com and you can re-watch the video.
10:10 PM ET
Rockies (65-91)
Dodgers (108-48)
SP Chad Kuhl R
6-10 5.45 ERA 133.2IP 55BB 108K
SP Clayton Kershaw L
10-3 2.42 ERA 115.1IP 20BB 124K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
DH T. Thompson R
2B Gavin Lux L
LF Chris Taylor R
CF C. Bellinger L
Clear-night
0% Rain
67° Wind 5 mph Out
Mark said “People liked what Dave Roberts did with the bullpen Wednesday night as he deployed (in order) Phillips, Almonte, Vesia, and Kahnle. of course, he should only pitch those pitchers every night. Yeah, that’s the ticket. Forget Price, Martin, Graterol, Kimbrel, Ferguson, and everyone else.”
That was me crediting Doc. I’m fine with Martin also. In that game Urias went 6 innings and the game went 10 innings, so normally 1 of those 4 wouldn’t have to pitch and if the starter goes 7 innings 2 of the 4 wouldn’t have to (unless any of the 4 get in trouble). Add Martin and you have rotating guys from day to day unless the starter is taken out early, then comes the trouble.
BulldogsandPenguines “Price’s ERA is lower than Chaffin’s and just slightly higher than David Robertson who has 3 blown saves since the trade deadline.”
Slash lines tell you more about pitchers than ERA and blown saves. We’ve had this discussion before.
Graterol’s damage yesterday came from LHB, he has had a history of that.
Career .289/.363/.478/.841
2022 .282/.321/.423/.743
This is why I don’t care for him.
I sure hope Gonsolin and May get healthy for the playoffs, so 2 not very effective pitchers don’t make the roster. Treinen too but that’s not going to happen, unless the Dodgers organization are keeping quiet.
On the bright side of things, the Dodgers only need 1 more win to secure home field advantage in the WS, unless the tie breaker goes to the Dodgers. Either way 1 more win and it secures the best record in baseball.
So I’ve been pretty vocal about my concerns with the bottom of the order in the playoffs. Bunched together, our 4 outfielders; Belli, Thompson , CT3 and Gallo don’t hit and strike out too much. So, I did a little digging to come up with lineups and a batting order that minimizes the casualties, IMHO.
* My thoughts are increasingly influenced by strike out rates at the bottom. Maybe I’ve overraeacted with that but in the playoffs and against better pitching, I want to see the ball in play. Good things happen with contact.
* Let’s start with the King of Whiff – Joey Gallo. I like Gallo really. He’s a veteran who plays good D, runs well and has a mature presence. But in the last month he’s hitting a typical .165 with 28 K’s (51%). In his last 5 games, he’d struck out 11 times in 15 AB’s. That’s 73% whiff rate. He doesn’t make my playoff roster. I’m replacing him with a rookie with zero experience. Miquel Vargas makes the roster largely due to the fact he’s getting comfortable. In his last 5 games he’s hitting .294 with a 29% K rate. I like to see the ball in play. He would not start in left, but neither would Gallo in my lineup. I like him as a situational pinch hitter better than Gallo who might run into one but strikes to 3 of 4 tries.
* Our worst possible combo at the bottom is Gallo and Thompson back to back, regarding strike outs. Thompson’s K rate is 50%.
* With Gallo out of the outfield rotation, that leaves Belli, Thompson and CT3 of the 2 spots in CF and left. I will say that Pillar is an interesting add. And a desperation one. He has 12 AB’s this year so I’m not going there.
* I also looked at where these players have hit their best in the lineup this season. With that information, here’s my suggestions for who starts and hits where:
versus RHP
* Belli in center (he never leaves the lineup despite his flaws at the plate) in the 7 hole. He hits his best at .234 there.
* Lux, at 2nd, in the 8 hole. He breaks up the 3 outcome guys and hits .333 in the 8 hole. He has no split issues.
* Thompson in left in the 9 hole. As we all know, he has massive reverse splits. He hits .295 v RHP so it’s a no brainer. But not back-to-back with Belli.
versus LHP:
* Belli stays in center in the 7 hole and has no split issues. He can’t hit either at .199 and .204. But he’s in my lineup.
* CT3 in left, in the 8 hole. This is by default actually. He hits .200 vs LHP but it’s better then Thompson (.169 and Gallo at .114)
I wouldn’t hate Vargas there but his lack of experience bothers me in left. CT3’s defense is okay and his whiff rate is 36%, not great but not 50%. I have no starts for CT3 other then left and maybe for defense late for Lux at 2nd.
* Lux at 2nd and the 9 hole where he hits .283 v LHP.
I would start that order for the remaining games and see how it goes. Gallo’s out. Vargas in. Those batting order changes. This is based on “what have you done for me lately”, small samples. But in the playoffs nobody much cares what you did in June.
So, let’s hear your thoughts.
Bear, You’re not wrong. The best team doesn’t always win it all. As it should be.
I’ve never understood fans raging if we don’t win it all. Disappointing? heart breaking? hell ya. 2017 sucked. Bad! My kid cried. Made worse by what we learned later. But rage? Anger? Calls to fire Roberts and blow up the team? I never understood that. I’ve always said, baseball is a lot like poker. Just because you flopped an Ace high flush doesn’t mean some dipshit won’t make every mistake in the book and luck into a full house on the river. That’s the game.
And that’s how it should be. I remember the 1992 dream team like it was yesterday (back when I actually followed basketball). It was fun because it was the first time the best players on earth were playing in the Olympics. But USA basketball wasn’t very fun to watch in the next few Olympics. Why? Because it wasn’t any competition. If the best US players played, it was 99.9% they win gold. Every time. Where is the fun in that? Who wants to watch USA beat Nigeria by 80 points? Winning a gold medal for the USA stopped being such an accomplishment. So much so that star players stopped participating. Of course that degraded the quality of the USA team and winning wasn’t such a lock. But I still didn’t find Olympic basketball very entertaining after 1992.
We watch because we might NOT win it all. Cleveland and Tampa fans watch because (even if they have low odds) they still have a chance. Wild Card teams who barely made the playoffs have won it all.
Dodgers are the best team in baseball. We have the best odds of winning it all. But it’s not a lock. That’s why I will watch every pitch of the playoffs. That’s why it means something. If the best team won every year, why bother to watch?
So stop with the “nothing short of a WS title is acceptable”. A WS title is a big deal because it’s really really hard to win one. Even if you are the best team. All I expect is 100% effort by our players and coaches. That’s all we can ask. I’ll be heartbroken if the Dodgers don’t win it this year. But I won’t be angry and I won’t be calling for Roberts head. You never know if some schmuck catches that one card on the river. That’s the game.
Wouldn’t say no to Nolan A if he opts out of his contract, especially as he’s shown he can hit away from Coors, as some here thought he wouldn’t!
It’s only my opinion, but I would like to see Vargas start the remaining 6 games.
We need someone with bat to ball skills in the bottom third of the lineup, as was shown last night.
I’m with Phil. Just let Heaney be the 4th Starter. No “Opener”.
I think I enjoyed beating SD more than beating SF.
Ha! People were saying the same thing about Freeman!
Let’s talk about fit. Right handed power, check! Hole in left field, check! Protection for Freddie, Check! Yes, the Yankees should do all they can do to resign Judge. He should be the face of their franchise. So, why the lowball offer early this year?
Judge to the Dodgers? I can’t even imagine who came up with that idea, or where that idea came from… He will never wear the color blue. NEVER!
I think Trout would wear blue first before Judge…
And 2 rookies in the same lineup? It won’t happen, even if they “are ready” I don’t even remember the last starting rookie, minus 2 at the same time.
On the bench is possible, not on the field
Do people here seriously think the Dodgers will sign Judge? I’m going to go on record as saying:
1. The Yankees do whatever it takes to keep Judge in New York. Period.
2. Even if the Dodgers could sign Aaron Judge, I don’t want him on the Dodgers.
I was hanging out in my local dive bar watching the Dodgers game over the weekend, and a couple walked in and sat next to me. I started chatting with the lady over baseball. She was a lifelong Yankee fan, and we were talking about the Dodger/Yankee rivalry in the late 70s, early 80s. I made some comment to the effect, “You were probably a big Thurman Munson fan, I bet.” She got this indescribable look on her face, like she was holding a moment of silence. She then went on to explain to me what a revered figure Munson is amongst the Yankee faithful.
He was the Yankee captain. She told me a little about the lore that surrounds being a Yankee captain. Not all Yankee teams have a captain. It is a position that is reserved for only the very special Yankees; the players who,
by virtue of their character, leadership and skills, are the face of the Yankee franchise – and it’s been vacant since Jeter retired – 8 years ago. She went on to say that Judge is in line to be the next Yankee captain.
Judge – as a Yankee – will finally surpass the non-roided HR record set by Roger Maris – a Yankee – who, himself, beat the unbreakable HR record set by Babe Ruth – a Yankee. There is no freakin’ way on God’s green Earth the Yankees let Judge just walk.
Judge needs to stay a Yankee. He needs to be the face of the franchise. The Yankees need to be good – an American League dynasty, even. It makes the Dodgers better. It makes baseball better, and I couldn’t think of a better story than the Dodgers beating the Yanks in the WS in 7. The 80s Lakers wouldn’t have been the Lakers without the Celtics as their nemesis. The Dodgers signing Judge would be like Jerry Buss signing Larry Bird.
Rivalries are good the sport.
1906 Cubs 2001 Mariners 116 wins in a season. Cubs lost World Series; Mariners did not even make it. 1941 100 wins, lost series 42 104 wins, finished 2nd. 53 105 wins, lost series, 62, 102 wins, finished 2nd, lost playoff series to Giants, 74, 102 wins lost series, 2017, 104 wins, lost series, 19, 106 wins, lost in NLDS, 2021 106 wins, lost in NLCS, 2022, 108 wins and counting. No one cares how many wins you have unless you win your last game of the season. Historic high for team wins, great, how did you do in the playoffs???????? They do not win the series, fans are going to implode simply because they are the deepest and best team in the league at this point. No one cares about the number of wins except historians.
Watching the bullpen pieces one after another the past 2 nights has been extremely fun. To have one pitcher after another come in and put up zeroes shows the depth of this group. 12 different pitchers gave up 2 earned runs over 18 innings with 19K’s. That’s remarkable.
* Graterol’s hard luck 1st inning was the only blemish in 2 games.
* Speaking of the first inning last night, Karros and Joe both lobbied for an error on the seeing eye single just out of the reach of Trea. While he didn’t take the best route, the ball was clearly just out of his reach, tipping his web. Base hit all the way, in my book as it was called. It was not a routine play, which in my book, is a hit. The announcers felt otherwise, initially.
* What did we learn about Heaney as a relief pitcher? I think the idea of Graterol being an opener was to audition Heaney as a reliever. But he warmed up like a starter. He warmed up from Graterol’s 1st pitch and had an entire inning to get ready throwing at least as much as he would as a starter. That’s hardly preparation to getting ready as a middle inning reliever. Maybe they were practicing doing the “piggyback” game being discussed with Gonsolin?
Anyway Heaney was great and for my money, just start the guy as a 4th starter.
* Really like Fergie stop trying to trick Soto with 2 outs in the 7th, with that big humpback curveball and going to his heater up. Great to see him challenge in that situation.
* Edwin Moscoso was absolute terrible behind the dish. And he always is. He just flips coins and nobody knows the strike zone.
* Doc/the Wizard has been great piecing this pitching staff together and using it. Doc has used the bullpen extremely well for the most part. He puts guys in a good position to be successful. It’s up to each guy to do his job. When they haven’t, like Kimbrel, it’s not Doc’s doing.
* I think the adoption of the DH in the National League has made Doc a much better in-game manager. He can worry about pitching changes and pinch hitters late. He doesn’t have to worry about double-switches and tricky lineup management, in-game. He has done a great job this season and I suspect that will continue in the playoffs without some goofy, esoteric move. Save the use of a starter as a reliever for the must win situations in the World Series.
Here’s a better Blondie song to go along with your Lux fantasy…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TU3-lS_Gryk
If you really want to bet on the subject, Johnnie Walker Gold Label says Lux will be on the team next year. You can pay me on your next trip to Cali.
Enough time wasted on something that has zero chance of happening.
I would really like to see the Dodgers lock up Urias. He’s my favorite pitcher on the staff and he’s really coming into his own. No room for Stone yet, he’ll be flying planes back and forth next year.
The bullpen is in great shape going into the post season. So many zeros the last two nights. There’s no bad options right now. Even Kimbrel got the job done last night. Price’s ERA is lower than Chaffin’s and just slightly higher than David Robertson who has 3 blown saves since the trade deadline.
I hate openers, but I understand the right thing to do right now is give Heaney a couple of times coming in from the pen. That’s how he’ll be used in the Postseason piggybacking Gonso and/or May.
Trea muffed a play and no one said anything. Friendly home field scoring gave Drury a hit and two RBI on the play. Lux would have made that play! Trea’s defense at SS is as overrated as Lux’s defense is underrated. The Dodgers will let Trea walk since they already have his replacement at SS. They would get more incremental WAR by signing Judge and putting him in LF than they would by keeping Trea.
Betts RF R
Lux SS L
Freeman 1B L
Judge LF R
Muncy DH L
Smith C R
Busch 2B L
Vargas 3B R
Outman CF L
Fixed!!!
They can afford to pay Judge $40M/per with that lineup! It would be better than this year’s lineup and the defense will be better overall. Let’s not forget that Trea has more errors and a lower fielding pct than Lux.
Urias, Gonsolin, Kershaw and May begin next year’s rotation conversation. Bauer will be reinstated in the offseason and will opt into his contract. Andrew will keep him because he looks at things like a stock broker. He’s an undervalued asset that will much higher value at the trade deadline. Season tickets will have already been sold out, and public opinion has already changed. People are now rallying behind Bauer.
Anderson will walk for a payday and Heaney will come back as an Andrew Miller type reliever. Grove, Stone, Miller and Jackson will get starts when the others need a vacation to the IL for forearm or shoulder soreness. Duffy is also in play and will have a Anderson style rehab with the Dodgers next year.
Turn to Stone
Had a post
Lost it here
Glad as I can be.
It’s been a wonderful season, and this post caps it off!
This is even more amazing from Debbie Harry:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbTLmlP05O8&feature=emb_imp_woyt
All that said, there’s zero chance Lux is traded to open the door for Busch. Zero. You don’t trade cost-controlled, high-upside players like him unless you need to. There’s zero need.
I like your 2023 line-up.
You may be right about Julio. I’m guessing he definitely wants to stay in LA. I think Trea is interested in staying if the Dodgers are in the ball park with the contract. I’m guessing the Dodgers will be right there. Not exactly like they can plug in somebody else, plus Trea is one of the most exciting players in MLB. No one wants to break up the big three (Betts, Turner and Freeman).
The Dodgers need to win it all this year, end the comparison to Stan Kasten’s Atlanta Braves.
Looking forward to seeing Gavin Stone next year.
Joc was not a doughboy at the same age as Vargas
2 rookies in the same lineup? and how many in the rotation? That is expected of rebuilding teams, but not in a team that seeks to win year after year.
I’ve enjoyed this season so much. Look I hope we win it all in the postseason, but if for some reason we don’t, I wont look back negatively on this season. Its the best regular season EVER for the Dodgers.
What this team has done over the course of the season is remarkable.
Now having said that, lets go win it all!!! For Vin…For Maury!!!