What About the Platoons?

It has already been established by Doc Roberts that left field, first base and catcher will be manned by a platoon. Well, actually, catcher is not so much of a platoon but rather a way to keep Barnes from being overworked, so Russ Martin will catch about 3 days a week or something thereabouts.

Since Right-Handers make up about 70% of the pitchers, that means that at 1B, Max Muncy will play about 70% of the time and he can also fill-in for Justin Turner at 3B, like on Sunday, so Max will likely get close to 500 at-bats and David Freese will get plenty of rest. That brings us to LF and Joc Pederson platooning with Chris Taylor. Again, it looks like a pure platoon to me. Joc plays 70% of the time and CT3 plays 30% of the time as well as filling in for other resting or injured players.

CT3 can play LF, CF, SS and 2B at an above-average level, so he is now the Dodgers Swiss Army Knife! Kike Hernandez holds down the fort at 2B and I see him getting incrementally better… maybe not becoming JD Martinez, but possibly an All-Star.

Joc Pederson has started the season extremely hot (.467/.619/1.133 with 3 HR), after hitting .180 in Spring Training. Many fans were calling for his head at the end of the Pre-Season. Now, many want him to start against LH and RH pitching. I have no problem with that… except for the fact he has never been able to hit LHP. NEVER! Let’s look at his BA against LHP since his rookie year:

• 2014 – .000
• 2015 – .216
• 2016 – .125
• 2017 – .204
• 2018 – .170
• 2019 – .000

For his career, Joc hits .181 against LHP. Admittedly, it is a small sampling (288 AB’s verses 1,309 against RHP), but you have to demonstrate that you have a chance against lefties and Joc just has not done it. That could all magically change, of course, but I am not holding my breath.

I think the smart money is to let Joc hit against RHP, let his confidence build and then stir him in against an occasional LHP. Some LH hitters just cannot deal well with lefties. Andre Ethier hit .303 against RHP and .233 against LHP. His OB% was .382 against righties, but a mere .291 against lefties.

It is what it is. I would occasionally give Joc a chance against an weaker lefty, but for the most part, I want to put him in a position to succeed. He has demonstrated that he is not successful against lefties. Maybe RVS can fix that, but I am far from confident.

Joc looks like he is benefiting from the Dodgers new hitting approach and instructors. Let him do what he does. Don’t push the envelope. Give it time. Maybe he will grow into it, but pushing the envelope right now and allowing Joc to hit against LHP could really backfire. I like his confidence level. Let him play 70% of the time and build up the confidence more. Maybe Doc eases him in later to see how he does against lefties. That’s my take.

Last Night’s Debacle

When asked about Joe Kelly’s execution last night, Dave Roberts said “I’m all for it!” <That’s a sick joke.> The Dodgers are 3-2 and Joe Kelly caused both of those losses. His ERA sits at a cool 18.00. The Dodgers braintrust signed Kelly because they felt they could help him become even better with smoothing out some mechanical issues. That has not happened as yet!

We have to realize that when signing a player, one of three (3) things can happen… actually WILL happen:

1. He will be better;
2. He will be the same; or
3. He will be worse.

So far, Joe Kelly has been horrible. There has to be some concern building as to whether he can turn it around. Right about now, he has to have ZERO confidence. Short term, the Dodgers have to keep him out of high-leverage situations. He is certainly capable of turning it around, but the longer it goes, the less likely it is. He has had this issue in the past, so there is a precedent for hoping for a turn-around. I do not second-guess much, but I thought that in this situation, Doc should not have brought Kelly out for a second inning after giving up a run in his first inning.

The good news is that others in the bullpen are looking better, namely Pedro Baez. The other good news is that the Dodgers have the resources in the minors, namely Gonsolin, Santana and Therrien. Some will suggest that Craig Kimbrel is the solution, but I happen to be of the opinion that his best days are behind him. I think other GM’s believe the same thing, which is why he remains unsigned. I would stay away from him. No “knee-jerk” reactions.

Milwaukee’s bullpen was very good last season with Woodruff and Burnes playing a big role. This year, they have been converted back to starters. I wish the Dodgers would consider that with Gonsolin and Santana.

After the game, Kelly said this:

“I don’t like it as much as everyone else doesn’t like it, especially coming over here on a new team. I don’t put any added pressure on myself, I just obviously feel bad for letting the guys down the first two times. It’s not going to happen 68 more times or however many times I pitch.

I know I’m not even close to being myself results-wise. But today I felt a lot better. From here on out, hopefully if I continue with those mechanics and those pitches, the results will change.”

Rants and Raves

• It was good to see CT3 get untracked as part of that LF Platoon. That HR helped his confidence immensely.
• Who says Alex Verdugo has no power? I told you it would come. The Dodgers have confidence that he can hit LH pitching, so he pinch hit against a lefty. I believe this guy will eventually hit 30 HR. Where does he play? I think it will eventually be RF and Cody going back to 1B. There are so many options and possibilities.
• Joe Kelly may have blew the game, but the reality is: you will not win many games scoring just 2 runs. The good news is that it took the Dodgers 2 games last year to score two runs against the Giants. They have to hit better.
• I hate to say it, but if the Giants get lucky and stay healthy, they could be pretty good, like maybe over .500 good. Evan Longoria and Joe Panik look to be re-built and if Belt, Posey and Crawfish can stay healthy, the offense could surprise.
• The best news is that Julio Urias was beyond outstanding. This is why I was against trading him. So was Friedman. He is a potential Ace or with Striker here, “a Co-Ace“. Don’t count Kershaw out just yet, either. He wants that title too. I don’t see how you can put Urias back in the bullpen… maybe you just let him skip a few starts here and there, but he is a starter.

Photo Credit: Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers