We Think We Know… But We Really Don't

But that has never stopped us before… has it? We will say whatever we damn well please… and worry about the consequences later. So, here is what I think I know, and if you disagree you must be some kind of derelict! After all, 10 games into the season, we should have all the answers (or not).

• Cody Bellinger – He’s better than last year, but this will be a process. BTW, it’s a process that I think he will conquer, but it will take time nonetheless. Prediction: I would say that at the end of the season, his stats will look something like this: .249 BA, 26 HR, 67 RBI, 29 DBL, 6 TRP, 18 SB, and I will be happy with that.
• Mookie Betts – Last week, I tried to trade him back to the Red Sox, for Alex Verdugo but was vetoed by the Sox. In fact, they said, “This is the second Trade we have swindled you on.” I also rue the day we traded for Crawford and A-Gon… and predicted it at the time. Prediction: Mookie Betts will hit .267 with 29 HR and 61 RBI, with a .887 OPS. But, damn, that guy can bowl!
• Chris Taylor – CT3 is the heart and soul of this team. Everyone loves him. Prediction: He will man LF most of the time, and will hit .251 with 28 HR and 69 RBI.
• Justin Turner – 2022 will be his last season as he will retire and join the Dodgers’ Front Office. Prediction: JT will hit .278 with 17 HR and 69 RBI.
• Trea Turner – In his last year as a Dodger, Trea Turner will be the equal (not the better) of Corey Seager defensively, and provide steadiness at the top of the lineup. Prediction: Trea will hit .306 with 39 DBL, 7 TRIP, 18 HR, and 119 runs scored.
• Max Muncy – Max will split his time between 2B and DH – in fact, Max and JT will be the primary DH’s. Prediction: If he is fully recovered from his injury, Max will hit .234 with 29 HR, 108 BB, and 71 RBI.
• Gavin Lux – Here is where I am lost. I have no clue. No prediction. I just hope he does exceptionally well.
• Freddie Freeman – Freddie will become the face of the Dodgers and fans will love him and Charlie. Prediction: Freddie will win the NL MVP, hitting .319 with 34 HR, 119 RBI, and a .987 OPS.
• Will Smith – He will make his first All-Star Game Appearance and be recognized as the best catcher in the NL. Prediction: .286 BA, 28 HR, 92 RBI, .901 OPS.

By June, the lineup will look like this:

1. T. Turner SS
2. Bellinger CF
3. Freeman 1B
4. Smith C
5. Muncy 2B
6. Taylor LF
7. Betts RF
8. J-Turner 3B
9. DH – whoever

The Dodger’s offense will not be what they projected, but it will be solid top-to-bottom and along with their deep, deep, pitching, they will win over 100 games again, beating the Giants by 9 games and the Padres by 13 games. The Dodgers Rotation will win 79 games, led by Clayton Kershaw with 17. The Dodgers will not have a Cy Young Finalist in the Top 10. Craig Kimbrel will have his arm fall off, and someone will need to step up.

Ryan Pepiot also had 3 months in the majors and was a swingman, winning 4 games with a 3.14 ERA. After Justin Turner broke his right hand being hit by a pitch in late August, Miguel Vargas took his place and batted .308 with 12 HR and 47 RBIs. Trevor Bauer returned after MLB refused to suspend him and was 2-3 in his 6 games with a 4.44 ERA, however, he was kidnapped in July, and never heard from again. Weeks later, his alleged victim, was quoted as saying,”But I was just kidding.”

Disclaimer (or not): OK, maybe I do or maybe I don’t believe a word of what I just wrote, but now half of you want to kiss me and the other half want to lynch me. I just cannot win!

At Your Leasure…

Jordon Leasure is a 6′ 3″ 215-pound RHP for the Great Lakes Loons. He was born in Brandon, Florida in 1998, and was drafted in the 2021 Amateur Draft in the 14th Round out of the University of Tampa. So far, in 7.1 IP this season, he has 16 Strikeouts. Yes, he walks a few (that is to be expected) in that he has 5 Walks to go with those strikeouts. In his senior year at Tampa, he had an ERA of 1.17 and in 38 innings, he struck out 60 batters. He is 23-years-old… soon to be 24, so he could move quickly IF HE CAN HARNESS HIS CONTROL A LITTLE BIT! Just a little!

See, here’s the deal: He has a fastball that is in the high 90s and an above-average-to-very-good slider. He’s a perfect closer! He won’t be in Great Lakes for very long – as long as he can shave a walk or three off of his stats. Next year, Jordon could be a Top 20 prospect, but he is not even in the Dodgers Top 40 Prospects right about now. It is sick how many big, large, huge, arms are in the Dodgers farm system. It boggles my mind!

A Tribute to Badger

Badger has been around so long that most of you think that is his real name. However, it is not. I am one of the few who know his real moniker and now I am going to reveal it. His real name is Elwood P. Suggins, Jr. There, I said it. Next, we all know that he played a lot of baseball in his younger days. However, he is now 108 years old and only plays pickup games with the Little Sisters of the Poor. You may wonder what position he played, so I am going to show you his very best position. This is it:

At any rate, Badger has been on the blog forever (don’t I know it?) But, it is only because everyone else who was here this long is dead… except for me. Here’s a song for you, Badger… from where you used to frequent!