When the season started, many fans worried where the offense would come from. Some worried that Heyward, Peralta, Martinez, and Muncy were past their prime and could not deliver. They worried there were too many rookies in the lineup. They worried about the bullpen and the starters, and after last night’s bullpen meltdown, they worry again, even though this Dodger Bullpen has been the best in baseball since June 20th. Many worry about Miguel Rojas and whether he will hit enough – the fact that his defensive wizardry is often overlooked.
Every fan worried that at the trade deadline, the Dodgers did not do enough. You can worry yourself sick, and it does not change a thing. This is why I love baseball: You NEVER, EVER know what is going to happen. Due to all the blowouts, Evan Phillips has not been used as much as he should. That should change.
See, I don’t worry – I enjoy the ride. Even though this team will not win as many games as last year’s team, I feel they are better. They have more options with matchups, and they don’t have last year’s Bellinger and Joey Gallo. This is a closer team, and they play as one. Mookie and Freddie have elevated their games. It would have been great to have this year’s Cody Bellinger on the team, but would he have made the changes here that he has in Chicago? Maybe the jolt of being non-tendered woke him up. We will never know, so I will stop thinking about it.
Remember this: The best team does not always win… or even usually win! The hottest and the most resourceful team often does! The Dodgers have that youthful energy with James Outman, but not just James; the entire team has that vibe! Mookie and Freddie lead the charge and are animated and enthusiastic. Even stoic Will Smith gets excited at times. Mercurial Max Muncy, who is becoming a platoon player, is also an excitable guy. David Peralta has bought in, as has the rest of the gang. Of course, the most excitable guy is none other than Enrique Hernandez… older and more mature, and I think he understands he is not a regular.
The starting pitching will work itself out. So will the bullpen. The vibe is great and the Dodgers have pitchers and hitters at AAA should injury require it. Just because Vargas and Bush did not light it up earlier in the season does not mean one or both won’t next time. This is baseball. That is the beauty of baseball. Who could have predicted that James Outmn would come out of nowhere and be hitting .258 with nearly an .800 OPS and still is at or near the top of the league in strikeouts? Mookie Betts has a .283 BABIP.
BABIP measures a player’s batting average exclusively on balls hit into the field of play, removing outcomes not affected by the opposing defense (namely home runs and strikeouts). For example, a hitter who goes 2-for-5 with a home run and a strikeout would have a .333 BABIP. He’s 1-for-3 on the balls he put in play. Freddie Freeman, one of the elite bat-to-ball guys in all of baseball, leads the Dodgers with a .383 BABIP. JDM has a .307 BABIP. James Outman has a .367 BABIP! James leads the team in SO% at 32%, but he has cut it down from almost 35%. If he can get to the mid-20s”, he might hit 300! He is currently not a HR hitter, as he averages a HR every 25 ABs. Max, Mookie, and JDM average a HR every 11-13 ABs, but that power may come. James Outman is a testament to the Dodger’s Organizational instruction.
In fact, this entire team has been molded together in a fashion that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. I am intent on enjoying the ride. You can worry all you want – it changes nothing! Worrying is a form of thinking about the future, defined as thinking about future events in a way that leaves you feeling anxious or apprehensive. Clinically, excessive worry is the primary symptom of generalized anxiety disorder. I refuse to buy into that. Que Sera, Sera! What, me worry?
Discussion (38)
Disagree, not disagreeable
LATEST NEWS
Aug. 9: RHP Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery) faces hitters
Buehler threw a 15-20 pitch session to hitters from the Dodgers’ Arizona Complex League, clocking in at 92-93 mph at Chase Field ahead of the Dodgers’ series finale vs. the D-backs. According to manager Dave Roberts, “It went really well, much better than I expected.”
When asked if he feels his recovery process is almost complete, Buehler said, “I think there’s a bunch of checkpoints, right? So when we start throwing, and when you start throwing bullpens, and now hitters and then games, and so you can kind of take little chunks at a time, and it’s kind of what you got to do.”
Buehler added that he’ll need four or five throwing sessions to hitters before doing anything in-game. He targeted Sept. 1 as his return date but says he’ll likely still need more rehab.
“I’m pretty proud of where I am right now,” Buehler said. “I don’t think Sept. 1 is a reality, but I’m hoping sometime soon.”
Bear, you mentioned above that Vin never used a color guy or analyst.
What would you call Jerry Doggett? They worked together in the booth for over 30 years.
Six Games up on the Giants
11 Games up on the D-Backs (and they are now officially a “sub .500 team)
12.5 Games up on the Clowns!
Interesting injury news today on Buehler and Treinen. Both pitched to batters Buehler was hitting 92-93. Treinen touched 97. Could there be help in September and October.
I just might have to bring back the “Machine Gun Kelly” moniker!
David Peralta is the man!
Fegurson Will be the next 3th base!!!!ha, ha, ha
1. Appears as if the gamble to not put JD Martinez on the IL in hopes that he would return before ten days did not pay off. He has started two of the last nine games (though he did pinch hit in one other.). Meanwhile, Michael Busch hit another homer tonight and would have been a logical replacement for Martinez. That decision does not make a lot of sense in hindsight.
2. In that same light, Martinez not being available tonight puts Taylor in the line up versus a right hander. With the acquisition of Hernandez (and to a lesser degree, Rosario) there is some redundancy to having Taylor on this roster. With Busch performing like he has at AAA (and even Vargas hitting .300) I would think either or both would be a serious consideration for a post season spot, especially Busch. Taylor may be the odd man out.
3. A lot of games left before post season play but Bobby Miller could very well start a play off game in a NLDS. He has looked much better during his time as a starter this season than Tony Gonsolin in the same time. Gonsolin seems like a candidate to be an opener for Ryan Yarbrough with Kershaw, Urias, Lynn and Miller occupying the other four spots in the rotation.
Gonsolin’s stuff may play up in a two to three inning stint as an opener.
Bobby Miller is coming of age tonight!
He is learning on the job… and prospering!
Bickford gets save for Mets tonite.
The maturation of a future ace!
I thought Mark brought up a great point about the salary cap. A some point and time we have to get under the luxury tax to reset the penalizes. This year was maybe the year to do it being able to get a player like Heyward on minimum salary and how that has worked out is amazing. I believe management is going to have to determine if the juice is worth the squeeze on players whose contracts are coming to an end. Of course Kershaw stays as long as he wants too, that isn’t even in the equation. Muncy and his $10 million contract, if he can’t hit left handed pitching that might be looked at (baseball is a tough business, Muncy has been a huge contributor to the Dodgers for a while.) Martinez at the DH another ten million, he has certainly earned it. There one must decide can he produce those numbers again, Father Time is undefeated. David Peralta $6.5 million. He’s having a good year, he might be wanting more money, if so will the Dodgers cut bait. We are a bit hamstrung with Barnes and Taylor’s contracts. I’ll be the first to admit when they made those deals I thought they were great moves, turns out they didn’t age well. Dodgers fans expect and rightly so to be in the playoffs every year. With our front office and farm system to go along with the veterans we have coming back, the front office are going to have to make some tough decisions that may hurt peoples feelings because of the name players they let walk. In the mean time we need to enjoy the ride that we have been on and are continuing. Hope we get a few more World Championship’s out of this run.
My birthday! What a perfect birthday my grandson said! Love being a dodger fan! Love this site. Love Old Bear! Even love old Mark! Absolutely loved Vin! Like you too David , but don’t disrespect Vin! Go Dodgers!
Kersh is supposed to start tomorrow’s game against Colorado at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers To Sign Top Korean Pitching Prospect Hyun-Seok Jang
By Steve Adams | August 9, 2023 at 1:18pm CDT
The Dodgers have agreed to terms with South Korean right-hander Hyun-seok Jang, his agency in South Korea announced (link via Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency). It’s a $900K signing bonus for the 19-year-old Jang, who is forgoing the KBO amateur draft to pursue MLB opportunities. Yoo notes that Jang was widely expected to be the top pick in this year’s KBO draft. Daniel Kim first reported that the two parties were nearing an agreement.
The signing of Jang likely would not have been possible were it not for last week’s trade with the White Sox, which saw the Dodgers ship a pair of minor leaguers — Aldrin Batista and Maximo Martinez — to Chicago in exchange for additional space in their international bonus pool. The Dodgers’ $4,144,000 pool for the 2023 signing period tied the Rangers for the smallest league-allotted pool. And, as Baseball America’s Ben Badler outlined in detail this past spring, Los Angeles used the overwhelming majority of that pool (all but $1500 of it) on shortstop Joendry Vargas, outfielder Arnaldo Lantigua, right-hander Jesus Tillero, shortstop Daniel Mielcarek, catcher/outfielder Eduardo Quintero, shortstop Elias Medina and right-hander Samuel Sanchez.
9:40 PM ET
Dodgers (66-46)
Diamondbacks (57-57)
SP Bobby Miller R
6-2 4.26 ERA
SP Merrill Kelly R
9-5 3.21 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
2B Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B Max Muncy L
LF D. Peralta L
CF Chris Taylor R
RF J. Heyward L
DH James Outman L
SS Miguel Rojas R
In Dome Stadium
Whoa! I have never heard a dodger fan in my lifetime say they didn’t like Vin! Personal preference is an absolute right, just as I can’t stand Yankee John Sterling, aaassstros crew, Matt vasscersion(( misspelled), Brent Musberger, and 85% of all mlb team broadcasters! But never Vin! My brother is named David, and I might kick him next time I see him!
When are we all going to get together and make friendship bracelets?
Sorry mark if they don’t win their not the best team simple as that
Canadian icon too.
An American Icon dead at 80.
R.I.P. Robbie Robertson
The fact remains that next year, the Dodgers would like to get under the Luxury Tax Threshold. They could not do it this year, but next year is do-able. They need to get that tax re-set!
Also don’t look now, and I realize it probably wont happen nor will it matter, however we are only 5.5 games behind the mighty Braves….
Last night it finally dawned on me why Graterol gets hit hard yet throws a 100mph. Obviously, his fastball is straight most of the time but he sometimes gets run.
I think he lacks “perceived velocity”. He is a very short strider. He gets no front side extension to the plate. Orel mentions it often; for every foot of extension on a release point closer to home looks like 3 mph increase in speed.
Graterol throws 100, standing straight up so there is no additional mph for perceived velocity, little life on his pitch and the batter can see the ball the whole time. There is no deception and hiding the ball behind him.
Here I go again – I agree with Bear on how bad Adrian Johnson was behind the plate. Here was my book on him “Adrian Johnson – Ball caller. Just misses true strikes. Dinky plate. You have to throw it in the dryer”
He actually called a couple of strikes, off the plate but then called the same location a ball, the next time. That’s called inconsistency, last I checked.In fact, the Umpires Scorecard has is accuracy at 29% and his consistency is 37%. So, I have to ask, how does he keep his job? Do the reviews and the reports to the umpires post game, have any legs at all?
So he has been in the league for 14 years. Yup….. 14 years and he still stinks. In addition, he’s a CREW CHIEF. He’s the leader of a brutal crew including Manny Gonzales, who’s on the worst list, Junior Valentine who has way too many random misses and their only star, Quinn Walcott, who’s on the best list. He has to wonder what he did to get on this crew?
* I wonder what the value is on the open market is for Vesia and CT3? Vesia is making the minimum and that’s what we’re getting. What a perfect example of how relief pitchers are; Cy Young to sayonara from one year to the next.
And poor CT3 has me wondering how did he ever justify 15 million a year? I love the guy but he can’t hit.
Even Evan Phillips tripped over the gas can. Thanks Mookie for the “insurance” run.
Today is another opportunity to play better.
Tuesday scores
Tacoma 12, Oklahoma City 9
Tulsa 7, Amarillo 4
West Michigan 6, Great Lakes 4
Inland Empire 6, Rancho Cucamonga 5
Wednesday schedule
4:05 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Maddux Bruns) vs. West Michigan (Wilkel Hernandez)
5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Nick Frasso) vs. Amarillo (TBD)
6:30 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Roque Gutierrez) vs. Inland Empire (Chris Clark)
7:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (Matt Andriese) at Tacoma (Adam Oller)
John Doll. I have my surgery on my eye on the 25th of September. I will tell Mark to give you my email address and then I will email you my phone number. The surgery is outpatient so I will be ok by the time the Dodgers head to Denver. It would be great to meet you then. September usually is not that cold.
Game was a little nerve wracking at the end. I caught a lot of flak for my comment about Ohtani being one-dimensional. I get it. Many of you think he is the best thing since cream cheese. And he does pitch for a pretty disorganized and dysfunctional team. To me, the best player needs to play defense and be good in all aspects of the game. Why do I believe Acuna is better? One, he is a better hitter. Ohtani has a lot of power, but he also strikes out a lot. Acuna does not K much and he walks almost as often as he strikes out. Ohtani as a pitcher does strike a lot of players out. His K to walk ratio is good, 3-1. And he does field his position well. Acuna is an excellent outfielder and has a cannon for an arm. He steals a ton of bases. Ohtani except when he is pitching, does not play defense. While Acuna can impact the game on the field at any time, Ohtani is in the tunnel working on his swing. He has usually four chances per game when he is DHing to impact the game. When he is a DH, he is very one-dimensional. He is a hitter nothing else. I think you have to excel in all aspects of the game to be the best. Would I take Acuna over Ohtani, damn right I would. He is four years younger; he will get more hits, score more runs and steal more bases than Ohtani. He might not hit 50 bombs, but he is more than capable of 30 plus. Add that to his speed and defense. Yep, I want that guy. How long can Ohtani do both pitch and hit at a high level like he is now? Ohtani’s biggest asset is his being able to pitch and hit well. Signing a player who is turning 30 the first year of a lengthy deal is risky to say the least. Guaranteeing a player that age 40 mil plus? Extremely risky. Pujols signed his 10-year deal with the Angels when he was 31. And at the time, he was probably the best hitter in baseball. He never reached the numbers he did in St. Louis. Hitting 40 bombs while playing 81 games at Dodger Stadium is not that common. Bellinger was the last one to do it. Giving that much money to a guy who is a pure DH most of the time, just seems even more risky. I worry more about his ability to pitch over the course of the contract than his hitting. You all have your opinions of the guy and hold him in high regard. I look at the hype he gets, and I try to separate the reality from the fantasy. No one player is going to make the Dodgers winners in multiple years. It is and always has been a team game. Would he help? Obviously, he can impact your lineup and make it longer. Is he worth the long-term risk salary wise? That is the question that can only be answered by those spending the money.
I didn’t know and still don’t know that Dodgers will win the division but I claimed such as fact and still do. I even tried to entice the naysayers with offering them the the field against my Dodgers even money $200 bet. No takers, even though they spoke like Dodgers couldn’t make even a wildcard in before a pitch was thrown for the season. Either they didn’t believe their own words or are fans that wouldn’t bet against the Dodgers. I hope the latter as I’m still in good company. but please quit with all so much naysaying. A quote from the late, great Tommy Lasorda ” YOU GOT TO BELIEVE “. And Tommy……I do!
It seems that Taylor is one of the two least reliable players this season (Barnes is the other) and his numbers do not help to think otherwise, but for some reason, he is one of the players I trust the most in the playoffs. This year I see stronger, more depth on the bench, but the bullpen still hasn’t convinced me
Great win last night. Freddie was so smooth on that DP ball.
Great start from Urias.
Before the season I thought the Dodgers would go as far as their pitching will take them. I thought the O was middle of the pack at best.
Funny that it is just the other way around at this stage of the season.
I still regret the Dodgers did not bring in one more shut down reliever at the deadline.
Cartaya hit his 3rd bomb in the last three games, going 2-4 . Good to see him fight out of his season long slump.
That dinger he hit was Mt-16 of the season, a monster shot almost out of the stadium.
Kid will be fine. Just a bump in his road to Dodger Stadium.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’d still prefer someone else besides Taylor. He’s easily the most negative link among position players.
Hopefully either Busch or Vargas gets called up in September.
Honestly, the bullpen doesn’t make me feel all warm and cozy, weakest link and all. Last night was a little bit of an adventure.
After last year, I’m no longer sure coming in 1st has an advantage over being a wild card entry.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder, otherwise known as life.
Dodgers have 50 games to play and have a six game lead in the loss column over the Giants. D-Backs and Padres are not a threat to win the division and with seven games to play the Giants head-to-head I would love to see the Dodgers eliminate them from any post season consideration.
Surprised Hudson was sent down for V-Gone after just one appearance, but lets hope V-Gone went to the minors and found his groove. The BP will need him to get some big outs since Caleb shits the bed too often. Interesting that Doc put Almonte back on the bump the day after his Petco implosion but Caleb hasn’t been used.
Hernandez just might have played his way to a new contract for the Dodgers next year as the super utility guy supplanting CT3 who might be on the trading block. The infusion of young talent (Outman, Miller and Sheehan) who have contributed positively bodes well. Next year we should continue to see young talent graduate to be big club with the likes of Vargas, Busch, Knack, Pepiot, Stone, DeLuca and Pages. Or, perhaps some will be used in a big offseason blockbuster trade to acquire more pitching since Urias, CK and Lynn are free agents next year and Tony G. is a question mark if he is healthy or not.
It is indeed a good time to be a Dodger fan.