What is Really Wrong With the Dodgers
It s easy to blame the Dodger woes on pitching particularly the Bullpen and for most of the season and especially, the past 5 days, they have been the Dodger fans whipping boys. As much as we may want to blame the Dodger woes on the bullpen, we really can t. That s not the problem. Oh, it could be better, but that is simply not what is wrong with this team. The
It’s easy to blame the Dodger woes on pitching… particularly “the Bullpen” and for most of the season and especially, the past 5 days, they have been the Dodger fans’ whipping boys. As much as we may want to blame the Dodger woes on the bullpen, we really can’t. That’s not the problem. Oh, it could be better, but that is simply not what is wrong with this team.
The Dodgers are ranked 10th in the NL out of 15 teams in Batting Average. Interestingly, the Diamondbacks are 12th. Of course, we all know that the Dodgers are #1 in Home Runs. They are 3rd in runs scored and in fact, they average 4.65 runs a game. The Cubs average 4.91 a game while the Braves score 4.90 runs a game. Only two teams in the NL average more runs a game than the Dodgers… and it ain’t by much.
“See, it’s the &%^#@*& pitching” – No it’s not. The Dodgers are #1 in team ERA in the NL with a 3.52 ERA – now the starters are are #1 with 3.27 ERA , while the bullpen is not as good with a 3.96 ERA – they fall in the middle of the pack (#8 out of 15).
The Dodgers average 4.65 Runs a game and give up 3.52 runs a game. They outscore their competition by 1.13 runs a game! Let’s compare that to the other NL teams b looking at their run differential:
- #1 – Atlanta Braves (67-51) Run Differential +94
- #2 – LA Dodgers (64-57) Run Differential +92
- #3 – Chicago Cubs (69-50) Run Differential +90
- #4 – Arizona Diamondbacks (66-55) Run Differential +72
To add insult to injury, the Giants Run Differential is -33 and the Rockies is -13. The Seattle Mariners are 18 games over .500 and have a run differential of -22! What does this all mean?
I won’t sugarcoat it. There’s no dancing around it. The Dodgers offense is TOP 3 in the NL, but with RISP, they are ranked #14 out of 15 teams. Only the Mets are worse! That’s all you need to know.
Translation: The 2018 Dodgers are a bunch of Choke Artists who cannot deliver in the clutch. They need to look in the mirror and say; “I am a choke artist. I suck in the clutch. I cannot get a hit when it counts. I am not worthy to be a Dodger, but if the Big Dodger in the Sky will help me get my act together, I promise to renounce my choke artistry!”
Dodger Hitters: Just shut up and hit… or go home. Choke Artists!
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Discussion (61)
Disagree, not disagreeable
ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?! You pinch hit for Kike who is on fire tonight just for the lefty righty matchup!?!? This is part of our problem. Way too many match ups instead of the gut test. Damn…Ride your man when he’s hot!
Orel is slamming Doc as he homerishly can do.
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Translation: Roberts is a dumbass!
Some (most) of Dave’s lineup and in game decision making throughout the year are just breathtakingly stupid.
I really think he would benefit from watching the game on tv in the clubhouse… if that was allowed.
Roberts is digging his own grave. He was a mediocre player and he is a mediocre manager.
Run differential is, in my opinion, not a good measure of offensive success. It can mean that they score a bunch in a blowout and then loose several by one run and still have a good run differential. For instance, they can win a 10-0 blowout and then loose the next 9 by one run, and still have a positive run differential. RD is not the true measure of a good hitting or a clutch hitting team.
Run differential is, in my opinion, not a good measure of offensive success. It can mean that they score a bunch in a blowout and then loose several by one run and still have a good run differential. For instance, they can win a 10-0 blowout and then loose the next 9 by one run, and still have a positive run differential. RD is not the true measure of a good hitting or a clutch hitting team.
I am so over the righty lefty matchups. I am positive most of us on this blog played competitive sports at sometime in our lives. And I am guessing to a man that we all know that when you are in a zone, which may go for a 6 to 10 game stretch, it doesn’t matter who is on the mound, righty or lefty, you are on friggin fire, the ball seems like a basketball coming your way. I can’t believe how much we sit guys, just because of the matchups, who are on fire. Joc is a great example. Kid was on fire,yet he hasn’t played in 4 games. his next start will be cold, not hot. He isn’t the only one. Ride the hot horses into the barn Doc, come on! The way the lineups are coming out, you really wonder how heavily FAZ weighs into the daily lineup.
Both Puig and Pederson have taken a lot of digs from this site but both are shining tonight. I said Ryu would do an XLNT job so I’m gonna gloat a little. now some killer instinct would be sweet.. C’mon Dodgers!
Manny is ready!
So is Kemp!
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Let’s get busy!
When the Dodgers went up 1 -0 and Ryu came out, I thought that the Giants had them right where they wanted them.
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It looks like a different reliever will blow tonight’g game – 2 on against Caleb.
You can almost set your watch by it.
BREATHTAKING!
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It’s only the 9th inning and he had already run out of position players.
Anyone else hold their breath on throws to Muncy? I keep expecting him to whiff in one of those rockets from Machado.
Easy win
Let’s hope this kick starts the hitters.
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Pitching dona Sterling job.
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Dozier is a keeper.
As long as were talking new mgr. and pitching coach, I’ll go with Adrian and Beckett… Life time supply of tums for MT..
I think it’s a no-brainer sign Dozier not Macahdo, and keep Kershaw two Bullpen pieces that is my Christmas wish
Dozier Verdugo or toles at the top of this lineup will set the table.
It sickens me to say this, but the Dodgers could learn a great deal from the Giants about putting the ball in play late in the game in order to put pressure on the defense, force miscues, and create scoring opportunities. Check out hitters Freeman and the Reds 1st baseman, sorry but can’t recall his name. Hitting late in the game with runners in scoring position is about sacrificing your personal statistics for the good of the team but analytics don’t generally account for this when future paydays are considered.
Puig – 2 games
Hundley – $$
I have no objection. Puig started the physical altercation (with 2 shoves and a love slap). Huntley may have started it with his mouth, but you should not get suspended for trash talking. Puig has to get thicker skin.