This saying has a very deep metaphysical meaning which, over the years, many of the ancient mystics sought to understand and explain in terms that the common man could comprehend; however, the real meaning has been obfuscated until recently during the cultural revolution when I happened to stumble upon and extrapolate the genuine meaning of it to “Do Chickens Have Lips?” Happily, I am here to inform you that they do not. However, chickens have poop, and it is a wonderful way to prevent chapped lips.
You simply apply Chicken Poop to your chapped lips, and “Presto” the chapped lips are gone. Why? It prevents you from licking them! (Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming). In case you are wondering what that is all about… I am evidently off my meds and hitting the crack pipe a little too much… or not!
It’s Time For Dodger Baseball
This could easily fall under the category of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Of course, the Ugly is Noah (“I used to be Thor”) Syndergaard. He chose to sign with the Dodgers so that he could be “fixed” and improve his fastball speed which was about 95 MPH. So far this year, he has struggled to hit 92 MPH. At this rate, Gavin Stone will be in the rotation by May 15th. Can Syndergaard be traded? Or is he just in the process of being “fixed?” If Prior can fix this guy, he’s a freaking magician! Maybe he can come back and have a couple of good outings and then be traded to the Yankees (who are desperate for starters) for a prospect. But, maybe “fixing” him is a “process” that is going to take some time…but it will be worth it? I don’t know (and neither do you), but the Dodgers and Mark Prior have a good record of doing just this.
Maybe Syndergaard will turn it around, but Thor is very hard to watch right about now. Of course, there are several people here who live to criticize Andrew Friedman. They are simply moronic little men who probably are beaten daily by their wives (or mothers) on a daily basis and have no real job or life, and their only way to feel at least a little bit of something good is to criticize Andrew Friedman and mock him for the job he is doing, even though it is something they know they cannot do. I would list their names, but they know who they are. .. and so do we. They have their names tattooed on their foreheads.
They love to blame Andrew Friedman because his excellence reminds them of their ineffectiveness and stupidity. If you want to continue to post stupid stuff on this blog, I will call you out, even though everyone already knows what an idiot (moron, savage, fool, halfwit, etc.) you are! This is the best time in the history of the Dodgers to be a Dodger fan, but it’s too bad you are too stupid to enjoy it. I am sorry to inform you that there is no dumbass vaccine. I know you were hoping…
I saw some idiot on another site who criticized Friedman for bringing in Peralta and Thor. Look, dumbass, in case you forgot, he also brought in Shelby Miller, the Bazooka, Gonsolin, Betts, Grove, Hudson, Nelson, Pepiot, Miller, Stone, Vargas, Busch, Smith, Phillips, Vesia, Freeman, Martinez, Muncy, Outman, and others. What a little child you are! Do you have makeup over your forehead tattoo? There are still a couple of morons who try and call out Friedman on this site, but most of them have left. Every year since AF took over, the Dodgers have been relevant. It’s fin to say that you don’t think Thor, or CT3, or Max Muncy are bums, (well, that didn’t work out for you, did it?). Just have a take, and do not suck. But just to spew hatred of AF brands you as stupid, an anti-Semite… or both. Just say no to stupid!
Last Night’s Game
You never know what actually is happening… until after it happens… sometimes well after it happens. But, last night could be a turning point for this team. That was their best comeback. They were down 7-2 and came all the way back to win and are now back in sole possession of first place. Last night may have been the night that CT3 got his mojo back – we can only hope…. the guy works hard! It was a big, confidence-building night for CT3.
It was nice to see Michael Busch get his first hit last night. I guess I will call him Michael, not Mike, since Mike is his dad’s name. Miguel Vargas’ thumb still is not right. I could see them putting him on the IL and leaving Busch at 2B for two weeks. Vargas has been playing stellar defense at 2B and has a lot of range, which is probably why they are leaving him in there, but his thumb makes it hard to drive the ball.
It is my belief that David Peralta will be just fine… but I do not have the same feeling about Trayce Thompson. He is a great guy, but if Mookie stays at SS (and I think he should). The Dodgers need a RF’er… unless Peralta moves to RF to make room for Will Smith, whom I am really concerned about. Concussion Syndrome can be career-ending. I would not put him back at catcher.
Dodger News & Notes
- Jimmy Nelson pitched a scoreless inning for OKC last night. Barring a setback (and he has had a few) he should be back with the Dodgers next week.
- Nick Frasso went 5 for Tulsa yesterday. He allowed 3 hits and 1 ER with Zero BB and 8 K’s. After four games and 18 IPs (26 Ks), he has a 1.50 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. This guy could be in the rotation THIS year. This is the return for Mitch White and Alex DeJesus. Stupid Friedman!
- Andy Pages BA is sinking faster than the Titanic (.260), while Diego Cartaya can’t get a hit to save his soul (.189). They probably won’t sniff the Show this year!
- Another pitcher who is doing well is Tanner Dodson (converted outfielder). He throws 100+ MPH, and in 10.1 IP, he has allowed 5 Hits and 1 ER. He has walked four and struck out 7, as he has gotten a lot of weak contact.
- You have to love the James Outman story. He may be my favorite player. The only question is “What happens when he hits his first slump? It’s going to happen as pitchers find “holes” – what will he do? That’s what happened to Joc, and he has never been able to hit lefties since that time.
- Shelby Miller is the closer now?
Discussion (34)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Win today and its a 5-2 trip.
Ill take that any dadgum time.
Win today and its a 5-2 road trip….Ill take that every dadgum time….
Need Julio to shove today….
So a day after 5 Dodger relievers combine to throw 5 shutout innings, four Dodger RPs combined to give up 8 earned runs in 4 2/3 innings.
Yeah, looks like inconsistency is the hallmark of the 2023 Dodgers.
Gonsolin wasn’t great, but at least he didn’t give up any runs. This was probably the only bright spot in this game. Nice than Freddie got his 4th homer, but I hope he gets more hits in moments that matter.
My head hurts. That’s most likely because I keep pounding it into something hard. But, that’s what you do on a night like tonight.
Forehead + hard thing = Dodger fan. At least tonight.
I don’t know about anybody else, but in this game I’m rooting for Maggi
Man, this bullpen is bad.
Our new catcher has played in 3-4 games. He’s tied with Barnes with 2 hits. This is not your dad’s dodgers! Pirates look like the dodgers and dodgers look like the pirates of past years! Earn your money doc!
Without Muncy, Smith and Martinez, and with Mookie not hitting and Freeman not really Freeman yet, this offense is bad, really bad.
Good news.
The good news? Gonsolin looks good. The bad news? Dodgers no hits through 4 innings (again).
Andrew Friedman is one of the best GM’s in the business. His success with Tampa and the Dodgers is amazing. Since joining the Dodgers in late 2014, he has helped produce 8 successful seasons in a row, including 7 division titles, 3 pennants, and a World Series champion!
But like everybody, he is not perfect. I disagree with AF from time to time, and in most instances he turns out to be correct. As Mark often points out, AF has way more information than any of us can imagine. But to label those of us who criticize AF or some of his moves as morons or stupid is an interesting approach. I think a case can be made that other teams like the Braves and Astros have had more success than the Dodgers during the Friedman era, especially when you consider the financial resources and talent that Friedman controls compared to those organizations.
When AF took over the Dodgers, they had just won 94 games, two straight division titles, led MLB in attendance, and they proceeded to have the highest payroll in baseball over the next 8 years. In 5 of his 8 years, Dodger payroll was the highest in the MLB. They also spent an unprecedented $100 million on international signings in 2015, that resulted in very little payback. The best player in that group was Yordan Alvarez who was signed for $2 million and then quickly traded away for a journeyman reliever, Josh Fields.
When AF took over the Dodgers in late 2014, the following players were already in the organization:
Pitchers – Kershaw, Urias, Greinke, Ryu, Stripling, Haren, Jansen, Baez, Caleb Ferguson, Yimi Garcia.
Position players – Seager, Pederson, Bellinger, Justin Turner, Puig, Gonzalez, Kemp, Ethier, Gordon, Hanley Ramirez, Juan Uribe, Rojas, Kyle Farmer.
Even today, 9 years later, you could start a pretty good MLB roster from the players Friedman inherited.
AF made some great moves to optimize the roster, draft new talent, develop players, sign free agents, and strategically trade assets.
And I think he is a top 5 GM in the sport, if not the best.
But in fairness to the other teams, AF started with a very good Dodger team, and has had the most financial backing of any team in the sport. This is not meant to criticize AF, but just to put into perspective where the team was when he took over.
Why is Dave Roberts when being interviewed seems like hes scared to talk like hes choosing his words before he speaks.
Wow. You poor, sad, little man-boy. Who would read a column by someone so immature and unprofessional that bullies and demeans his readers. Shame on you. Get help. SMH, SMH.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Max Muncy and Brusdar Graterol are expected to rejoin #Dodgers on Friday at Dodger Stadium for beginning of home stand.
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
JD Martinez still dealing with a lower back issue is the reason he isn’t in the lineup for second straight game. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Roberts ruled out Friday activation for Smith. Possible Saturday. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
Dave Roberts said Will Smith be in the bullpen to catch relievers warming up during the game. Another box for Smith to check. #Dodgers
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Smith said his headaches have been gone since last Friday in Chicago.
Where’s JD? He’s not on conception leave is he?
This website is my go to read when I wake up.
Friedman is a smart man. There have been free agents that he’s got that I don’t care for, but I know that it’s because some better free agents didn’t deserve the contracts they were getting from other teams and he didn’t want to out bid those other teams, because it would be a dope fiend move.
Right about now, if Taylor can bounce back from his bad year last year, the Dodgers could use him as an everyday player in the outfield. Leaving only one spot out there for the trio that only hit RHP, but the Dodgers would need a platoon partner somewhere. Otherwise Smith everyday as Mark suggested or a long shot Busch everyday. I like an everyday player that hits both RHP and LHP. I’d rather see 1 or 2 of the trio that hit RHP only as pinch hitters, if there’s room on the roster for them. But whatever works best.
I just always thought Pages and Cartaya were over hyped. I’m not saying they suck no no no, because that would be stupid, just over hyped. They’ll make it to MLB no doubt.
Frasso is in my top 10 prospects now that Outman and Vargas have graduated from the minors to MLB.
Tim Anderson will be a Dodger by the trade deadline.
He’s met the only real necessary qualification.
He’s on the Paternity List this week.
Tuesday scores
Oklahoma City 5, Sacramento 4
Tulsa 4, Arkansas 1
Great Lakes 4, Fort Wayne 2
Rancho Cucamonga 3, Inland Empire 1
Wednesday schedule
3:35 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Ben Casparius) at Fort Wayne (Garrett Hawkins)
4:35 p.m.: Tulsa (Kyle Hurt) at Arkansas (Emerson Hancock)
5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (William Cuevas) vs. Sacramento (TBD)
6:35 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Peter Heubeck) at Inland Empire (Jake Madden)
6:35 PM ET
Dodgers (13-11)
Pirates (16-8)
SP Tony Gonsolin R
0-0 .00 ERA
Roansy Contreras R
2-1 4.57 ERA 21.2 IP 19K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
CF J. Heyward L
LF James Outman L
2B M. Vargas R
3B M. Busch L
SS Chris Taylor R
DH D. Peralta L
C Austin Wynns R
Clear-day
0% Rain
57° Wind 8 mph Out
Bush at 3rd base
David Vassegh
@THEREAL_DV
Will Smith threw to bases and is now participating in Live BP with Miguel Rojas. They are facing #Dodgers minor league pitchers.
DODGERS ACTIVATE TONY GONSOLIN
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers activated right-handed pitcher Tony Gonsolin from the injured list and optioned right-handed pitcher Andre Jackson.
Gonsolin, 28, will make the start tonight after missing the first 24 games with a left ankle injury. Last season, he went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA (31 ER/130.1 IP) and 119 strikeouts against 35 walks in 24 games. He made the National League All-Star Game roster after posting an 11-0 record with a 2.02 ERA (21 ER/93.2 IP) in 17 first half starts. He is entering his fifth season with the Dodgers, and he is a combined 26-6 with a 2.51 ERA (76 ER/272.2 IP) and 267 strikeouts in 59 games (51 starts). He was originally drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth round of the 2016 First Year Player Draft out of St. Mary’s College.
Jackson, 26, pitched 3.0 innings, allowing two runs on five hits in his second stint with the club. On the campaign, he has made five appearances, allowing 10 runs on 11.1 innings with 10 runs. In his career, he is 0-1 with a 4.13 ERA (16 ER/32.1 IP) and 29 strikeouts in 12 games for the Dodgers. He was drafted by the Dodgers in the 12th round of the 2017 First Year Player Draft out of the University of Utah.
Am I the only one talking about Moving Will Smith?
Pirates home feed shows timeclock on sideboard near dugout. MLB.com?? Nada. Wake up folks.
All the ball washing over Mook at SS is fine but, he hasn’t been put on the spot yet. Routine plays. For reference I took a 15 min trip with Ozzie highlights. You guys remember how ELECTRIC he was? Crazy hands & quick.
Love Mook but he ain ‘t there yet.
Tony Gonsolin pitching tonight. Nice to have the Catman back. The youth movement is taking hold. I’m hoping Busch forces the Dodgers hand. Great start with the rbi.
* Like Mark, I don’t know if Syndergaard can be fixed of not. Right now he’s just shitty but it goes beyond that. He puts no effort into playing the game right. Like holding runners and covering first base. That’s just unacceptable. His catchers have no shot. Every walk and every single turn into doubles. I had him at 1.52, 1.46 and 1.43 last night. Barnes had 2 good pop times and had no shot.
It’s simple math. Decent pop times are 1.9 and good runners are at 3.25. That means 1.35 is about max. Over 1.4 home, forget it.
It’s selfish to me. You put your catcher and team at a disadvantage by continuing to be slow to home. It can be fixed.
Opponents are 7 for 7 on steals this year and 111 for 120 since 2018. 23 more than any other pitcher. When he had swing and miss stuff he got away with it, but not now.
* When CT3 got to 3rd in the 5th, I think I saw Dino Ebel introduce himself to him.
* With everybody on paternity leave I was wondering what happed last July / August? Was it the All Star break, or a great team party?
* There are certainly 2 sides to Mookie at short. One is how remarkable he is a doing the little things that a seasoned SS does. I know he played there as a kid but he really has Big League actions there. I don’t recall a backhand and throw to 1st from the 6 hole yet but he’s made all the plays with some flair. The other side of that is Luke Williams. Can he play a decent enough SS so we aren’t weakened in 2 positions with Mookie not in right field? In addition it’s pretty possible that a 26 year old AAA guy thinks his future isn’t very bright when they start moving outfielders on top of you at your position. It’s very easy to get discouraged.
* I’m so happy for Michael Busch. It’s a great moment for him and the whole family when he gets that first knock out of the way. His swing looks great. If you have the ability to slow down his swing, look how stable his head is; no dipping to get to his load. Nice and simple.
* What a great compliment by Orel about how the Dodgers make kids coming up for the 1st time, feel so welcome. Pretty nurturing environment.
* Some have suggested Vargas needs time on the IL with his bad thumb. Those folks never were in a competition for a big league job. He wants to make an impact as a rookie starting in the Bigs. The last thing Vargas wants to do it miss time and provided somebody else with an opportunity. He wants to play.
* The perils of a skipper. Bottom 9, bases juiced, 2 down, Andrew Mac up, Doc has Miller ready to go to match up righty-righty. Instead Doc chooses to stay with Fergie.
Had that decision ended with a McCutchen walk off, Doc would be crucified today. It turned out our way, so nothing is said.
Back home late last night. Good to sleep in my own bed. Watched the recap of the game, too tired to watch the whole thing. Nice game for CT but I am not convinced yet that he can keep it up. Good news about Phillips, bad PR move by the Dodgers not letting fans know. This is a baseball blog. We all agreed a long time ago to keep it that way, you want to discuss politics, call CNN.
…”.This could easily fall under the category of The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly. Of course, the Ugly is Noah”….the chapstick of the rotation.
I read a couple of articles in The Atlantic recently about stupidity in the U.S.. One by Jonathan Haidt, one by David Freedman. There’s evidence we are being dumbed down, but I have to admit I don’t see it here. People just have different opinions.
Friedman knows what he wants to accomplish here, win games and draw crowds. It’s been happening for several years running. I’m for the most part grateful.
I thought Feduccia was coming up.
I believe it’s Bobby Miller. He might have an aunt named Bobbie. He’s had mild shoulder soreness but is due to make his debut on Friday. He will of course be brought along slowly but should be available, if necessary, when it’s hot out.
It’s my opinion they will stick with Syndergaard starts through to summer in hopes he finds what he’s looking for, which is 3 mph on his fastball and the edges of the strike zone. Even at 91-92 he could be much better if he didn’t throw that cheese right down the middle. What to do if he doesn’t improve? Beats me. Ask Friedman.
This team has the potential to beat anybody 4 out of 7. Consistency is the goal with this group.
Thor’s best games seem to be at home. Hershiser said last night that he’s dropped his slider and using a cutter more, even though the slider was good last year. Wonder what the logic behind that is.
I don’t recall seeing Taylor hit to right field with a nice level swing before. If he can continue to go with the pitch we might have a resurgent CT3.
Thor won’t be traded, but he may end up in the bullpen. If he can’t establish himself in the Dodgers as a starter, what team would want him? Wanting him as a starter is not the same as needing him as a starter
Trevor Bauer has a friend in LADT.
Way too soon to count out Pages or Cartaya for this season. You know it is EARLY.
Thor can not get bye without more velo on his fastball. They are sitting on his fastball dead red.
I would give him a couple more starts and then make a decision if Stone should get a shot at the N.r 5 spot.
What about Bobby Miller ? Is he still in extended ST ?
TT had one great game and since then practically done nothing. IMHO he will be the first among Peralta ,, heyward and him to go. Agree on Vargas, he does not look physically 100%. But for that his hitting has come on the last 10 days. His defense is stellar.
Shelby Miller looks like a stud out there. Could he be the full time closer ?
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cody Bellinger out on paternity leave with a second child. Does anyone know if he got married to the SI model he had with the first child? Just curious.
Mark. with your sources, what is the status of Bobbie Miller? Will he pitch this year for the Dodgers at the major league level or will this be a shut down year?