This is not the way it ends…
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…
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?
X-CITES
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Discussion (92)
Disagree, not disagreeable
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)
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!
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.
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)
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!