So, the Dodgers were swept by the Phillies, proving (according to some) that the Dodgers are a bunch of chokers and losers and will never win anything. I would say that if you believe that, you are probably jumping to the wrong conclusion. I can’t help you! It seems that most Dodger fans can look at this in one of two ways:
- This team is not good enough to compete for a World Championship. However, that would ignore the fact that the Dodgers have the 2nd best record in the NL behind the Phillies who (right now) seem to have everything going their way; or
- The Dodgers have more injuries than any team in baseball and also have three players who are hitting at their worst… EVER! They have two All-Stars (including a player who was in the running for NL MVP) on the IL as well as a full starting rotation and more on the IL.
So, it seems that many fans will gravitate to #1. Why? They always assume the worst.. even if the facts don’t support it. “Damn, the facts… my mind is made up, and I can’t be confused by the facts!” Yeah, I feel you!
However, a rational person could say that the Dodgers are going through a rough stretch, and they have a huge number of players on the IL and a few underperforming players, and while t is not great right now… the cavalry will arrive soon.
This happens every damn year. The Dodgers stumble, and many fans lose their minds, saying they won’t win 100 games or make the playoffs… but then they do. However, in the last three postseasons, they have not done well. I am going to tell you why this year is different. This year, Dave Roberts is running a Country Club. The team is very good; after all, with all of the adversity, they still have the 2nd best record in the National League. But, this year is different in that the team is just focused on getting to the playoffs… not winning a set number of games. At some point in time… probably in August, these guys will have a team meeting, and everyone will unite around a common goal, and that is winning the 2024 World Series.
Dave Roberts said this: “They’re obviously playing much better baseball than we are right now. They’re clearly a stronger team at this moment.” He went on to say: “We didn’t perform well in this series. Our starting pitching, defense, base running, situational hitting, and getting hits— we were outplayed in every aspect.”
There is no avoiding the truth. The Dodgers were thoroughly outmatched by a Phillies team that currently appears superior in nearly every way. Los Angeles’ offense was limited to just five runs, and none of their starting pitchers lasted more than five innings, continuing a troubling trend from the past few weeks. Offensively, the Dodgers are without Mookie Betts, who was arguably the favorite to win the NL MVP Award before suffering a fractured left hand on June 16. They’re also without Max Muncy, who last played on May 15 due to a strained right oblique. Even with some inconsistencies, Muncy provides a constant presence in the middle of the lineup that allows other hitters to slide down in the order.
Those are reasons, not excuses, and the Dodgers need to play better. They will also get some injured players back, but who and when remains to be seen. The Dodgers will be players at the deadline; who they target and who they get are mysteries to us. With a seven-game lead over the Padres, the Dodgers do not feel a sense of urgency. Last year, the Rangers needed to win the final game of the season to win their division, and they lost. They backed into the playoffs, but that loss did not define their season. Getting swept by the Phillies in July does not define the Dodgers either.
I remember the 1988 Dodgers, who were 1-11 against the Mets in the regular season, but in the playoffs, that meant nothing. This team will be galvanized together soon enough, and you will see some spectacular play. Sometimes, these kinds of blips in the road end up forming the character of the team. It’s a process, and the Dodgers know what just happened. They will remember. This series was a strange one. The Phillies got some soft contact that turned into hits, and the way the game ended was emblematic of what this series was about. Patience Grasshoppers! In their last 44 games, the Dodgers are 22-22. This too, shall pass. Should they have traded this guy?
Discussion (30)
Disagree, not disagreeable
actually taylor is much better offensively than kiki, lux, heyward, biggio. surely at least 2 of the above won’t be there after the deadline! WE ALL wanted CT gone. Right now he’s been valuable! Why is biggio still taking up a spot on the roster? He doesn’t play on average once every 7-8 days, a wasted spot. try lipcius or someone who might actually contribute! … i assume today is a Barnsie day. He’s been a little better lately, so go Barnes! ……. if the dodgers can sweep this series, it would be a big momentum boost going into the all star break. Phillies lost to the athletics last night! that doesn’t make me fill all warm and fuzzy after getting swept! ….. Feels like something big about to happen in Dodger world!
Saturday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jose Rodriguez) vs. Fort Wayne (Dylan Lesko)
5 p.m.: Tulsa (Kendall Williams) vs. Corpus Christi (Miguel Ullola)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Clayton Kershaw) vs. El Paso (Jackson Wolf)
7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (TBA) at Stockton (Steven Echavarria)
In my humble opinion after watching Lux for a little more than a half season, he should be optioned to the minors to play every day and get his hitting fixed if possible. Right now his bat in the lineup is a detriment. I realize all about last year’s injuries,but he isn’t helping the team offensively.Platooning him here isn’t helping either.
really nice win last night. I’m going all “Bradley “. this morning. tthe dodgers should go get Gunnar Henderson to play ss. Mike Trout for left field. Gerrit Cole from the Yankees. Jose Ramirez to play 3rd. Mason Miller to close. That’s about it . …. Now back to earth! after seeing the Detroit left handed stud pitch a couple of times , i would go hard after him , not the White sox pitcher. it would take a lot , but he’s special! Rumor has it he could be dealt, so get in line Dodgers! …. Paredes. would be a fantastic addition for the dodgers! Do it!
From the Dodger’s Official Page:
RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (right rotator cuff strain)
Expected return: Second half
“Yamamoto’s thrown twice this past week,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 12. “He’s played catch out to 60 feet twice, and he’s supposed to play catch [on July 13]. There’s been no soreness, no pain. So he’s in a good spot.”
Yamamoto first reported issues following a career-high 106-pitch start against the Yankees on June 7. The Dodgers gave him two extra days off in the hopes that would resolve things, but he felt something again while facing the Royals on June 15 and ended up exiting after just two innings. An MRI revealed no tear. (Last updated: July 12)
RHP Joe Kelly (right posterior shoulder)
Expected return: After the All-Star break
“Joe Kelly will be back with us after the [All-Star] break,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 12.
Kelly made his first rehab appearance for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on July 2, and he has progressed well over the last 10 days. The veteran reliever is close to seeing his first MLB game action since May 5. (Last updated: July 12)
RHP Brusdar Graterol (right shoulder inflammation)
Expected return: Possibly late July
“Graterol’s making his way,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on July 12. “We can see him end of July as a possibility — which is encouraging. He’ll probably go out to a [Minor League] affiliate after the [All-Star] break. Then you take three or four [outings], and we should see him at that point.”
Graterol has not pitched since last October’s NLDS against the D-backs; his shoulder issue developed prior to Spring Training. (Last updated: July 12)
How about that Austin Barnes guy. He now has a batting average higher than Teoscar and Pages. Wrobleski tomorrow, remember it is a day game. Great Lakes got no-hit tonight.
Eric,
You have to quit taking this so personally. I suggested trading Outman… and Vargas as well. It doesn’t mean I hate either player.
Outman can play the outfield while Kike can play anywhere and do it well. He is a perfect scrub.
I did not act like Outman has killed someone in my family.
GEEEEEZZZ!
Eric and Wayne,
I am waiting… but I will not wait forever.
Looks like Graterol will be the opener for the ACL Dodgers tonight.
Go Dodgers!!
Here is a lineup that i have by my trades you tell me if tonites lineup they use would be better then the one I have.
Ohtani dh
Pham CF
Freeman 1b
Smith C
Teo Hernandez RF
DeJong 3b
Winker LF
Rojas SS
Taylor 2B
Wow by getting three new guys from whitsox and Nationals not Robert JR or Crochet and Pham and Winker DeJong both just one year contracts but at least my lineup is wa more challenging then the one they used tonite against Tigers and like Bear is worried about money really for three new guys that signed one year contracts. Oh and I got Flarethy and Evoladi Stone Paxton andYarbough as my starters until Glasnow Keeshaw and Buehler come back. And bear an Porqupone think my trades are crazy I just fixed the dodgers with five players until Betts and Muncy Kershaw and Glasgnow come back then get rid of the players we have now that aren’t cutting it.
We need Isaac Paredes and apparently the Rays are at least listening.
Plays all over the infield. Good defensive numbers at third. Solid hitter. Still young with lots of time before free agency.
like your lineup mark!! call AF and make him do it.!! You can do it!!!! Also Mark, you just put out an everyday lineup, no need to platoon !! Love it!
From Houston Mitchell:
Hi, and welcome to another edition of Dodgers Dugout. My name is Houston Mitchell, and if your pitching arm feels strong, please contact the Dodgers. I mean, Orel Hershiser and Fernando Valenzuela are right there in the booth for rotation help.
People worried about the Dodger rotation this season are crazy. What are they looking at? Just ponder this amazing rotation the Dodgers have:
Clayton Kershaw
Walker Buehler
Tyler Glasnow
Dustin May
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
And they have the following in the bullpen ready to step in:
Tony Gonsolin
Michael Grove
Emmet Sheehan
That rotation matches up with any in baseball so I don’t understand all the worry … wait. I’m being told now that all of those pitchers are on the injured list.
Nevermind!
Yes, in a season where it appeared the Dodgers had too much starting pitching, now they don’t have nearly enough.
Glasnow went on the IL this week with back tightness. Glasnow has never pitched in more than 120 innings in a season, and had pitched 109 this season. (Glasnow apparently being Scottish for “Body made of glass.”) The expectation is he will be back right after the All-Star break, but haven’t we heard similar about other Dodger injuries the last few seasons?
Then, Bobby Miller had another horrible outing, giving up nine runs in four innings against the Phillies on Tuesday. He was sent to the minors on Wednesday to figure things out. He had an 8.07 ERA after seven starts.
“No. 1, we got to get him right, that’s the impetus,” manager Dave Roberts said. “You have a path to either continue to go as we have been, and hope that it turns; or remove him from the situation, option him, and give him a reset to get out of this hotbox of performance. So we just felt this was the best thing for Bobby and for us. He’s a big part of what we’re trying to do this year.”
So, where does that leave the Dodger rotation, if the rumors that they will call up prospect River Ryan (mentioned just two weeks ago in this newsletter) to replace him?
James Paxton (172 career starts, 973 innings)
Gavin Stone (21, 123)
Landon Knack (7, 34.2)
Justin Wrobleski (1, 7)
River Ryan (0, 0)
That’s not ideal for a team that wants to win the World Series. It is ideal if you are the Oakland A’s.
If all of the pitchers on the IL are healthy, how many of the current rotation would still be starting? Probably none of them, though you could make a case for Paxton and Stone.
One solution is just waiting for all the guys on the IL to get healthy. Glasnow, Kershaw, Buehler, Yamamoto and May could be back this season. The problem with that theory is that you don’t really know if they will come back.
Kershaw makes another rehab start on Saturday, so we’ll know more after that. Glasnow hopefully is back after the All-Star break, but can you count on a guy who has never pitched more than 120 innings in a season to carry you deep into the postseason? Buehler was shut down after his hip injury and a series of poor starts. So, status unknown. Yamamoto strained his rotator cuff. Status unknown, plus he pitched only once a week in Japan, so can you count on him to pitch Games 1, 4 and 7 in the postseason? Or even Games 2 and 6? May could be back in September, but what will he be like coming off his second major elbow surgery in three years?
So, waiting and hoping is a big gamble indeed.
The other possibility is to acquire someone in a trade. But, as of this moment, there are no front-line starters available. Here’s the list of the best that are rumored to be available at the moment (click on their name to be taken to full stats page):
Tyler Anderson, LHP, Angels
8-8, 2.81 ERA
The former Dodger pitched five scoreless inning for L.A. in the 2022 postseason. Removed after five because it’s important to the Dodgers to remove starting pitchers in the postseason when they are doing well.
Chris Bassitt, RHP, Blue Jays
7-7, 3.43 ERA
Garrett Crochet, LHP, White Sox
6-6, 3.08 ERA, 146 strikeouts in 105.1 innings
(Who better than Crochet to knit together the rotation. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.)
Zach Eflin, RHP, Rays
5-5, 4.19 ERA
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers
6-3, 3.10 ERA
Eovaldi is 9-3 in 17 postseason games with a 3.05 ERA.
Erick Fedde, RHP, White Sox
6-3, 3.13 ERA
Jack Flaherty, RHP, Tigers
5-5, 3.24 ERA
Has a 3.60 ERA in 25 postseason innings.
Frankie Montas, RHP, Reds
4-6, 4.19 ERA
Montas was once a Dodger prospect until he was part of the package that acquired Rich Hill from Oakland at the 2016 trade deadline.
Max Scherzer of the Rangers was rumored to be available, but Texas has since strung together some wins to climb back in the postseason race, so it appears unlikely. Besides, we saw what happened the first time, and I have no desire to see a reunion tour.
Crochet is best of this group, but you have to ask yourself if you are willing to unload some top prospects for him. He went straight from the 2020 draft to the majors and missed the 2022 season because of Tommy John surgery (which means the Dodgers will really love him). He has pitched 105.1 innings this season after never pitching more than 54 as a pro before. And he is on an innings limit this season, so he wouldn’t be able to start every fifth day. I think it would be a good pickup, but you have to consider all those variables.
What will the Dodgers do? We’ll just have to wait and see. The trade deadline is July 30 at 3 p.m. PDT. It seems likely that Andrew Friedman will make a deal. He always does. But he’s not going to overpay for anyone, so if the White Sox, or any other team, ask for too much, he’ll look elsewhere.
Trade proposal: Kopp, Ramos, Cartaya to the Rays for Arozarena.
I hope the Dodgers trade for Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays, The Rays are going nowhere this year.
Arozarena is under contract through the 2026 season. Playing a corner outfield spot, the 29-year-old boasts a 155 wRC+ since June 1, showing more of what has made him one of the premiere right-handed bats in baseball.
I like his postseason experience and energy he will bring to the Dodgers.
The New York Yankees are calling up top infield prospect Jorbit Vivas to make his major league debut, per Andy Martino of SNY. Vivas, 23, was traded to the Yankees from the Los Angeles Dodgers this past offseason. Vivas was sent with left-handed pitcher Victor Gonzalez for shortstop prospect Trey Sweeney.
#Dodgers Lineup vs #Tigers LHP, Tarik Skubal:
1. Ohtani DH
2. Smith C
3. Freeman 1B
4. T. Hernandez RF
5. Rojas SS
6. Pages CF
7. Taylor 2B
8. Vargas LF
9. E. Hernandez 3B
James Paxton SP
losing the series to the phillies isn’t what worries me. it’s the way they lost it!! the dodgers could easily sweep the phillies when they get to LA. The outfield defense was atrocious! now the infield defense with taylor and kiki was great. but they don’t hit. not gonna criticize rojas for one play, he’s made every other play this season. rojas hit a bullet , teo got caught with his pants down, game over. ….. If the dodgers can include outman in a trade for a good outfielder they should! James is so bad right now, it’s even affecting his defense. …. can’t believe im gonna say this, but if it comes down to lux or kiki, i’m keeping kiki. his offense is awful (as is lux’s) but defensively he’s valuable at multiple positions. Lux, 2nd base. but still believe taylor or kiki , one needs to go. …. Any word on Grove? need him back sooner than later. Yarbrough is not impressing anyone. ….. Believe Stones short outing against the phillies probably cost him any chance at the all star game. Though most of that game wasn’t his doing.
https://apnews.com/article/baseball-velocity-training-injuries-0c67c7a76125a79e5142d216935f7bd0
I’m not worried one damn bit about where the Dodgers are when I look at the standings and see we are 8 ahead in the LOSS column.I will start to worry when it gets 5 and not before!!!!!
Not going to extrapolate a below average 12 game stretch into a prediction on the Dodgers for the remainder of the season. If they win 100 or not is no concern. I think that Vargas and Pages need to get fairly consistent at bats for the rest of the year. Johan Rojas of the Phillies bats ninth and is hitting .234 with a .560 OPS. But he is 23 years old. Replacing them, demoting them, or trading them away for a veteran outfielder is not the way to run a baseball team. A lineup with a top 6 of Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, Smith, Muncy, and Hernandez and a bottom three of Vargas, Pages, and Rojas/Dejong/Hoerner would be fine. At some point, you have to give young players (whom you profess to believe in) the opportunity to develop at the major league level. That development will come with failure but that is a part of the process. You could make an argument that if the Dodgers let Muncy walk after last year and made Busch their 3rd baseman they would be better off at this point. (Granting that the trade of Busch netted them two top 10 prospects in their system).
Let’s assume, safely, that the Glasnow injury is just a way to give him some rest and limit his innings. The Dodgers have a better idea of Yamamoto’s likelihood of return than any of us. I share much of the skepticism regarding Dodger injuries – for quite a while these injuries have turned out to be more serious and a much longer timetable of return than we were led to believe at first. However, if the Dodgers feel like Yamamoto will be back and healthy enough to pitch in the playoffs then Glasnow, Stone, and Yamamoto plus some combination of Kershaw/Buehler/Miller/Knack/Wrobleski/Ryan/Gamboa would seem to be enough to get them through the last 60 games and into the playoffs in good shape. I could see them adding a pitcher like Fedde or someone like that but this appears to be a thin market for starting pitching. Joe Davis hinted at this when he was asked what they would do at the trade deadline.
They need a quick fix get Nathan Evoladi from Rangers and Jack Flarethy from the Tigers they pick up Tommy Pham and DeJong and Secund baseman Lopez from the whitesoxs and they get Jessie Winker from the Nationals. Replacing Keke Lux Pages Miguel Vargas Outman Heyward ND Biggio with these players and bring in two solid veteran pitcher taht will give you innings then all these minor league kids pitching that aren’t ready. Then when Glasniw cones back and Keeshaw and maybe Bleecker and Betts and Muncy in that order then your ready for the playoffs. Can’t do this with four rookie minor keague pitchers and one vet in Paxton no way and there in Detriot tonight now so go get Flarethy step one the Evoaldi from the Rangers then Pham DeJong Lopez from the whiyesoxs then Winker. Maybe a closer from one of these teams that are sellers
KIermayer put on waivers by TOR.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Well said Mark.
A series in July will NOT define this team.
CF makes an excellent catch on that ball Kike hit, if that drops its a different game.
Had we played the Phils 2 weeks ago, Harper and Schwarber dont play, sometimes its not WHO you play but WHEN you play em.
Will see these guys in LA in August and then if they can get by the Braves again maybe we see em in October.
What an uninspiring showing by the Dodgers in Philly. This was highlighted by James Outman’s perfect six plate appearances. K, K, K, K, K, K. Consistency is not always good! His return to the Dodgers has been a huge disappointment. In the past 14 games he has struck out at a 45% clip supported by a .128 BA. Unfortunately, James has proven to be a AAAA player. Back to OKC you go.
Next up…. How about Ryan Ward and his 25 HR / 1.021 OPS? The much heralded Dodger “depth” is damn near zero right now. Between injuries, poor results from half the position players, and refusal to call up their so called “depth” results in the current record for the past few weeks. And, they have called up their MLB ready pitching prospects who have done well in their outings. In the most recent Baseball America rankings, other than Freeland, the Dodgers top position players are in the low minors. The result is an older team made up mostly of free agents that has been susceptible to injuries and declining play.
Putting a team together that is the 2024 Dodgers is dominating and awesome to watch when things are clicking on all cylinders. But, when there are injuries compounded by poor output by the supporting (bottom of the order) players and refusal to bring up deserving players from the minors fans get a .500 baseball team that we’ve watched the past few weeks.
Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes are in a difficult situation with the July 31 trade deadline. The unknown with all the injuries. Who comes back and when? If they don’t make some moves and then players don’t return when expected or are gone for the season would result in a poor showing in the postseason. With all that has invested by ownership financially, I would think the FO has to make trades with the attitude that many of the injured won’t return and then sort things out player wise if that isn’t the case. Damned if you do, damn if you don’t. Good luck to them.
Carry on.
They had an interesting question on the Dodger Blue podcast:
Would you be happy with the trade dealine if the Dodgers were able to haul in 2 out of 3 from Eovaldi/Kikuchi/Flaherty PLUS 2 our of 3 from Pham/Winker&Canha/ ?
Me: I would be extremely happy with that kind of haul. Especially with those pitchers. and all three would be only rentals costing not as much as Crochet in prospects and not blocking others for 2025
Arozarena and Bellinger both would be good options too. Belli would fill several needs . LH bat plus great defense in CF.
There are some very good options out there for the Dodgers and AF. Lets see what he can do.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!1
Thursday scores
Oklahoma City 5, El Paso 0
Tulsa 6, Corpus Christi 5
Game 1 — Great Lakes 4, Fort Wayne 1
Game 2 — Fort Wayne 3, Great Lakes 2
Rancho Cucamonga 8, Stockton 7
Friday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jackson Ferris) vs. Fort Wayne (Henry Baez)
5 p.m.: Tulsa (Orlando Ortiz-Mayr) vs. Corpus Christi (Joey Mancini)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Hyun-il Choi) vs. El Paso (Luke Westphal)
7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Luke Fox) at Stockton (Corey Avant)
“Alex Freeland had three hits, including an RBI double, and stole a base for Double-A Tulsa, continuing a roughly two-week hot streak in a strong season”.
Not worried this is what baseball fans do….freak out when their team hits a rough patch. There is no way this is the roster that they will be running out there in October. I’ll reassess on August 1st where we are at and my guess is Friedman will be all in and they certainly have the assets to get much better.
Not much to add to this:
https://www.truebluela.com/2024/7/11/24196900/dodgers-roster-shakeup-needed
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!
The Dodgers look broken. Well, the pitching staff is broken. Whether they come back healthy and ready to go at some point is definitely up in the air. Initially injuries seem minor, but then they extend, it’s obvious not everything is well. Okay, I’m thinking Glasnow, Yamamoto should be okay at some point.
But the line-up seems to a mess. Definitely could use another bat or two. The deadline is near, the Dodgers obviously need to prioritize. Pitching or hitting or a bit of both.
What is with the Dodgers and injuries? Obviously it has to be in he training and weight lifting programs. Too many pulls, tears and strains. Seems like their pitchers are getting hurt all the time.
Okay, the Walker Buehler thing is weird. Are they writing him off? In spring they seem to have been counting on his recovery. Now, not so much. Is it his head or something else?
At some point Mookie Betts will be back. In the meantime, he has been pretty good in the booth, definitely adds insight.
As for the sky is falling, the Dodgers have been here many times. Usually a couple of times each summer they hit a big pothole and a wheel falls off. But they always seem to recover and win the division.
Any updates on Clayton Kershaw?