The Dodgers are the class of the National League once again at the midway mark for the season and with the All-Star game upon us. Voting is complete and the starters have been selected by the fans. The reserves are selected by a combination of a Player Ballot where coaches, managers, and players from all teams vote in the process and the Commissioner’s Office which selects 6 players in each league. There are 32 players in each league that will be selected for each roster, kind of. Because in the latest CBA the Commissioner’s Office was given the right to make Special Selections to honor active players with distinguished careers. This year, those players are The Tiger’s Miguel Cabrera and The Cardinal’s Albert Pujols. Each team must have one representative.
Unless you live under a rock, you know that the Dodgers are hosting the All-Star game this year at Chavez Ravine after missing out on hosting during the COVID Championship year in 2020. Upgrades were made to Stadium in preparation to show off the beauty of our home on the hill overlooking our great City of Angels prior to the 2020 season, alas after a two-year delay, we’re ready to show our home and players to the nation in the Mid-Summer Classic.
The Dodgers are starting off on the right foot with Mookie Betts and Trea Turner having already been selected by the fans as starters for the game. Already good representation, but there will no doubt be more Dodgers on the National League squad. Let’s see who else is All-Star worthy for a spot on the National League roster. There must be more deserving players on the team that paces the rest of the National League by 2.5 games heading into the final day of selection.
Will Smith
Will is a complete package when it comes to the position. He is everything you can hope for in a catcher, offensively and defensively. It’s a wonder that he hasn’t been selected before, so this will be his first All-Star selection unless something goes horribly wrong in the process. He’s tied for the top mark in all of MLB for Home Runs at the position and his OPS ranks 3rd for qualified players. You can often find him at DH when he’s not catching which speaks to his ability with the bat. With the glove, he’s tied for 3rd in the National league in Defensive WAR and 2nd in Fielding Percentage for qualified players. He also has a great reputation as a pitch framer and he’ll surprise you on the bases. Will will make his first All-Star team this year.
Freddie Freeman
It’s going to be a tough road for Freddie to make the All-Star team this year. The 5-time All-Star is having a very good season, but Goldschmidt, Cron and Alonso all have better cases. There’s 8 other NL first basemen with more homers, 4 with more RBI and 3 with a higher batting average. He’s 5th among NL first basemen in OPS. I wonder if Brian Snitker has any pull with the commissioner’s office to get Freddie one of those last picks. I’ll go ahead and make up some odds and give him a 50% chance of making the team.
Gavin Lux
Who would have thought that Gavin Lux would have the 3rd best OPS among NL second basement at the start of the year? After all, he was fighting for a spot on the roster this Spring and many fans wanted an upgrade over the off-season. None of his stats really stand out except for being one off the lead for triples in all of baseball. But, he’s solid in just about every offensive category. He’s a complete player and his power is just starting to show up. Without his throwing problem’s he’s developed into a plus defender at second base with a .4 dWAR and 3.1 Defensive Runs Above Average. Altogether, he’s just off the mark for his first All-Star selection and with so many other Dodgers on the team, he’ll have to wait a little longer.
Tony Gonsolin
Like Gavin, The Cat Man was fighting for a job in Spring Training and he answered the bell by becoming the top dog in all of baseball, leading MLB in Wins, ERA and WHIP with a puuurrrrfect 11-0 record. No need to elaborate further. It’s not a matter if he makes the team, the only decision is if he gets to start. The only knock on Tony is that he hasn’t pitched as deep into games as his competition which isn’t a requirement in the All-Star game.
Julio Urias
Julio won’t get another chance to make his case for this All-Star game before selections are announced. His ERA is 7th in the NL and is tied with fellow teammate and lefty legend Clayton Kershaw. His record sits just one game over 500 at 7 and 6 and hasn’t pitched particularly deep into games. Every pitcher on the ERA leader board in the NL has pitched more innings. He’s got a solid 8.5/9 K rate, but that just doesn’t shine like 9+ K’s per 9. Last year, he was the only 20-game winner and that could be the edge he needs to get in. Unfortunately for Julio, other teams need to be represented. I think he has an outside shot, but there are plenty of other pitchers with close enough numbers to make it a crap shoot.
Clayton “The GOAT” Kershaw
As mentioned, he’s tied for 7th with Julio on the ERA list. The trouble is, his IL stint has him nowhere close to qualifying for an ERA title. Like Julio and Tony, he’s not pitching deep into games, averaging just 5.7 innings per start. His 6-2 record is solid, his 2.40 ERA is excellent, and his 9.75 K/9 is very good, but not elite. He’s a very good, borderline great pitcher this year and like Julio is worthy of selection. As worthy as about 12 other starters in the league. The trouble is it’s doubtful that 12 starters are selected and even more doubtful the best 12 starters are selected due to the requirement that all teams are represented. With Roberts on the coaching staff and the game being played at Dodger’s stadium, I’ll put my money on The GOAT getting his 9th All-Star appearance.
Mookie Betts and Trea Turner have already made the team and Will Smith and Tony Gonsolin will be there barring travesty. Clayton Kershaw has home-field advantage and a body of work that should get him there. Freddie Freeman might get the sentimental nod from his former manager. Urias is deserving in a crowded field and Gavin Lux is just on the outside looking in. Which Dodgers do you think will make it?
Future Dodgers Down on the Farm
- Oklahoma City Dodgers
- OKC Lost 4-3 to Las Vegas
- Miguel Vargas was 1-4 with a double, a Walk, and an RBI
- Mike Busch was 1-4 with a BB and Double
- Carson Fulmer pitched an inning and dropped his ERA to 1.56
- Andre Jackson continues to be a trainwreck – he needs to move to another organization
- Tulsa Drillers
- Tulsa Lost to NW Arkansas 6-3
- Jonny DeLuca was 2-5
- Andy Pages was 1-5 with an RBI
- Ryan Ward who moved to AA this season is having a hot July. He is being challenged by AA pitching but is rising to the challenge. (.259/.819 OPS). He was 1-3 last night with his 18th HR and 2 RBI. Keep an eye on him
- Clayton Beeter pitched .2 innings and was roughed up for 2 runs on 1 hit and 3 BB
- Great Lakes Loons
- Great Lakes beat Lansing 7-3
- Nick Nastrini pitched 6 magnificent innings, allowing 4 hits, 0 R, 1 BB, and striking out 7. It was his most impressive outing!
- Alex DeJesus was 3-6 with 3 RBI
- Jorbit Vivas was 2-4
- Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
- RC lost to IE 14-4
- Nothing relevant to report
Discussion (41)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Yikes…. Just read this from the LAT’s Mike DiGiovanni:
“Left fielder Gavin Lux had one ball sail over his head and another drop in front of him — both with catch probabilities of 90%, according to Statcast — for key hits in the first.”
So the concensus in these discussions, I think, is that the Dodger pitching has been surprisingly strong while the offense has been surprisingly meh, thanks mostly to the struggles of Muncy, Belli and JT…. and let’s not forget Taylor’s strikeouts.
But after today’s game, the Dodgers suddenly have three of the top ten hitters in the NL by batting average–and one of them is Lux! The others are Freddie and Trea.
Now I realize that OPS is a better metric. And lookee here, Mookie at 6th with .890 and Freddie 10th at .875 are among the NL leaders. So overall, that’s four batters a fairly high level–and both Will Smith and now (suddenly) Justin Turner moving on up.
So perhaps the Dodgers hitters (overall) are starting to catch up with the overachieving pitchers.
This was a strange game. Julio did not pitch well, but Lux failed to get two very catchable balls in the first. Yeah, Lux is still learning, but those plays were ugly. Is this part of a subconscious campaign to return full-time to the infield? I prefer to think it isn’t–but Doc did make the shift during the game.
Best lineup now might have Lux at 2nd with the Thompson/Lamb platoon in LF, while Muncy and JT share the 3B/DH duties.
When Taylor comes back, perhaps he’ll revert to the super UT role and Alberto be sent down or DFA’d.
Nice to see Graterol deliver the 2-inning save.
Up 8 on the Padres, 12.5 on the Giants. Good times!
So you’re telling me the two guys tied for fifth in BA in the NL are not all stars? Not to mention Will Smith! And all three are plus defenders! Bulltwinkie! And Price had a bit of a hiccup tonight but still had five good appearances in a row. And I wouldn’t call a back end reliever with a .338 era bad.
So we got a closer!
DODGERS WIN!!!!
You can say that again. Heck I’ll say it for you. What BULL SHIT!
William Contreres over Will Smith? Seriously? d’Arnaud’s backup makes it? What Bull Shit!
Bickford was much better last year, it looks like his fastball is missing a tick or two. It’s amazing how much of a difference 1 or 2 mph makes for most pitchers.
Kershaw makes the All-Star game
One run game 8 to 7
Just took the lead 9 8
…in the 3rd inning.
That’s one of the reasons why we need someone good to get back from the IL like Treinen and bump someone like Bickford to AAA.
Okay, one of those days it looks.
I think I will go to bed now, already 11.30 pm over here in Germany .
Bickford is pitching himself off the team, 5.50 ERA now, time to bring up Fullmer.
Good night everybody.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Lux continues to hit, did not take the defensive miscues to the plate. Good sign for the kid, but Roberts has to finally stop playing him in LF just to keep Alberto or Muncy in the lineup.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
not over yet
This umpire actually gets paid for this. How could it be that he advanced to major league level?
I do not think it’s too early to say that this ump definitely sucks!
Lux is no outfielder. He does not have the natural instincts. He misplayed two balls an experienced outfielder would have made easily. Urias should be pissed.
I’ve said for awhile now that Lux should be the everyday 2nd baseman and don’t weaken the D by putting him in left to give Muncy or Alberto or anybody a place to play. Muncy has earned nothing nor has Alberto. Lux should not suffer due to loyalty to Muncy or to get Alberto AB’s. I’m afraid I’ll be bitching about this the rest of the season.
Oh man, that was clearly a ball!
There’s Lamb, Thompson and Taylor will be back soon, what else do they need? With them is more than enough.
Oh, I forgot, Vargas will also be there…
The reality is you should have real outfielders in Dodger Stadium Sundays.
Lux is an infielder or at least should be considered only an IF. Muncy can get his playing time at 3B or DH or in a spot start at 2b but Doc needs to put Lux at 2b every day and stop the OF experiment. Really bad outfield play on the fly all and the sinking liner, both should have been caught by a real OF.
You guys are right Dodgers don’t need a LF they have Lux, I was so wrong!
Today I will not say that this game is over early, but…
Lux is a superb defender at 2b, why not play him there ? Robers is hurting the team deploying him in the outfield.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Count me as favoring Kershaw as the all-star starter.
He’s not the best SP in the NL this year, but he’s been one of the best for many years. (But please, drop the GOAT stuff…) So Kersh deserves it as a career honor, and also as a salute to the LA fans.
This is an exhibition, after all. That’s why it was great last season when Ohtani started AND batted leadoff.
And I will continue to fantasize Ohtani in Dodger blue….
It won’t happen this year, but at some point Arte Moreno’s hand will be forced. If the Angels were winning, Ohtani might be willing to sign an extension.
But they ain’t and the Angels may be forced to salvage Ohtani’s value in a trade.
What a blockbuster that might be…
I want to apologize to tedraymond for my comments yesterday. I was having a horrible day yesterday. I’m sorry.
Did you happen to see the Padres City Connect uniforms? I saw a picture, as I refuse to watch them live unless I have to. You either love em or hate and I’m the latter. They look like an explosion in a paint factory. I wonder if they have mesh caps, as well?
4:10 PM ET
LAD
Cubs (34-51)
Dodgers (55-29)
SP Julio Urias L
7-6 2.57 ERA 87.2 IP 83 K
Confirmed Lineup
RF Mookie Betts R
SS Trea Turner R
1B F. Freeman L
C Will Smith R
3B J. Turner R
DH Max Muncy L
CF T. Thompson R
2B H. Alberto R
LF Gavin Lux L
Clear-day
0% Rain
84° Wind 8 mph Out
Even a Juan Soto trade is one AF will not do. Are we going to paid the 400mil or is he going to be a rental?
When will AF and Roberts end the Muncy farce?
Comparing Urias to Anderson.
Urias
ERA GS IP H HR BB SO WHIP Ave Record
2.57 16 87.2 69 13 21 83 1.03 214 7-6
Anderson
ERA GS IP H HR BB SO WHIP Ave Record
3.15 14 79 79 5 15 77 1.03 232 9-1
Urias is better than Anderson in just about every category except Record and HR. I think ERA holds more weight than W-L record. Hard to justify Anderson being All-Star worth when he’s tied for 13th in the league in ERA, but has the 4th best on his own team.
Muncy can’t seem to catch a break lately. Sure he’s been awful so far this year. And when he does make contact it seems like he hits into the shift or the other team makes a great play to rob him. How much longer can Roberts (front office) keep him in the lineup? He needs some R &R right now. I know JT can’t play 3B everyday. Play Max when JT does need a day off. Or Lamb could fill in at 3B with his left hand bat. I don’t know the solution but Max needs a mental break.
My opinion of Roberts standing as the manager with the best winning percentage in the history of baseball is that that stat is misleading. I’ve believed for the past several years that the front office, not Roberts, is making most of the game decisions. Such as lineup construction, fielder placement, starting pitching rotation, and reliever options for each game. I think Danny Lehmann makes more in game decisions than Roberts. That’s on top of the unbelievable talent he has had available to him during his tenure. Roberts’ main job is player communication to help the front office defend their sometimes head scratching decisions on why a player is or isn’t playing. Also, to be the face of the organization with the media. Spitting out cliché after cliché and rarely telling the truth about injuries to players or reasons for in game moves.
So, much of the bad stuff isn’t on Roberts. The only in game decisions he might make is changing pitchers. And how often has he screwed up many of those decisions, especially during the postseason? His actual game managing moves are many times faulty. Then, again, did the pitcher/player fail to perform or were they put into a position to fail? If much of the bad stuff isn’t on Roberts then most of the good stuff isn’t on Roberts either. With that thinking Roberts’ record should come with an asterisk. It’s mostly the record of dozens of front office personnel, coaching staff, and the manager. Let be real here. In looking back at all the incredible managers in history of baseball and you’re telling me Dave Roberts is the best? In my opinion that’s absurd. Should the Dodger get rid of Roberts? Why? And replace him with who? He isn’t going anywhere. He’s the perfect soldier for the organization.
But, hey the team is in first place and is playing more entertaining baseball lately. When they fall behind early I’m very confident they’ll comeback to win the game. It’s fun to watch a different player step up to get a game winning hit.
Carry on.
Made it to Dodger Stadium for the first time in many years last night. Got there early and joined the crowd gathering around the statues of Jackie and Koufax and taking in the historic displays. These improvement were long overdue and really add to a festive spirit.
Seats near the right field fair pole, and yeah, Kimbrel made it interesting with that walk. Cubs just missed on a couple of swings, including the ball that flew over our head into the second deck. A split-second later on contact and the score is tied. Earlier, Kersh was nails, and Lamb and Smith delivered . Trea shaky on defense. Great moment when Freddie reacted to the Freddie chants with the two-run single–but certainly other first baseman deserve the All-Star nod more.
In Dodger alumni news, a big game for Jeter Downs and Verdugo against the Yankees. Look up the highlights. Heckuva comeback win for the Sox.
I cannot understand the total lack of respect and pump for an All-Star slot for Tyler Anderson. He has been the Dodger second best starter all year and he is 9-2. He almost threw a no-hitter, and has been one of the better under the radar signings AF has ever made. When Joe and Orel were talking about potential All-Stars during the broadcast last night, they did not even mention the guy. And he gets one more start before the All-Star game and can be 10-2 at the break. Dodgers get next Sunday off.
Eddie Rosario put up MVP numbers for the Braves last season.
Before Trade with Cleveland .254/.296/.389/.685
After Trade with Braves .271/.330/.573/.903
Postseason .383/.456/.617/1.073
Jake Lamb .263/.417/.737/1.154
Trayce Thompson .316/.381/.579/.960
So, why not Jake Lamb / Trayce Thompson?
Baseball is a weird sport. We see All-Stars suck after a trade to a contender and Journeymen play like an MVP in the same situation. You just never know.
If there is an elite player like Soto that you think you can sign, go a head and pull the trigger. But, I wouldn’t force a trade to try to fill a perceived need by picking up a guy like Drury unless you can trade from a surplus.
The Dodgers are going to need a right-handed, power LF, and maybe one more bullpen arm, better to have and not need than to need and not have.
A power outfielder and an arm wouldn’t get in the way of the team.
It’s true that Lamb and Thompson have helped so far, but against what pitching and in how many games?
And counting and trusting that Vargas and or any other rookie is going to help in the playoffs, well….
As Andrew Friedman so aptly put it:
“We’ve expended a lot of future talent in the last five, six years. Obviously, we’re going to explore anything and everything, but we’re not looking to empty — we have confidence in the group we have here. It’s not something that will be a necessity in our minds.
If something lines up, great and we’ll be around the backboard. But hopefully, it’s something that we can continue to fill internally.”
Now, I know better than to believe everything stated by a President of Baseball OPS, but Andrew knows better than anyone that if you quit moving talent, you can fill many sports from within. The Dodgers have one of the best and deepest farm systems in MLB. If you quit raiding it, it will produce what you need for years.
There comes a time when you have to trust what you have and I think that time is now. I would not trade a single TOP 10 Prospect! If the Dodgers need a hitter, call up Vargas. If they need a starter call up Stone.
Grove, Outman, Vivas, Leonard, Amaya, and Jackson will get you a bag of balls, although if they took Grove and had him use two pitches in the bullpen, he might be a closer. Teams who want to trade with the Dodgers want those players in the Top 10.
Another exciting come from behind win last night. The offense isn’t really taking off, but they’re doing enough to pick up the W.
Lux is really coming into form. He’s impacting the game with his baserunning, glove and bat. Although he was caught stealing last night, it was about as close as you can get to swiping another bag. I’m really starting to fall in love with this kid. Too bad he won’t be playing 2B for us next year. He’s going to play SS.
Jake Lamb made a pretty nice running catch in deep left field last night. I think he’s taking to the outfield and with his second bomb in as many games, he’s a nice addition to the lineup. I’m not a huge fan of platoons, but you can do a lot worse than Jake Lamb and Trace Thompson right now.
Will Smith keeps getting clutch hits, as does Freddie Freeman.
Clayton looked like The GOAT last night when he came out in the first and K’d the first three hitters he faced. I still think “The Catman” is a more worthy starter for the All-Star game.
All-Star game rosters will be revealed at 5:30 PM ET on ESPN.
In his incredible HOF career Kersh has never started an all star game. Travesty! Not only should he make the team he should be the starter and let the Dodger Stadium crowd love on him for a minute or two!
Will smith is NOT a good pitch framer. This year he is ranked 48 out of 58 catchers. In fact that’s probably his biggest weakness.
https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/catcher_framing?year=2022&team=&min=q&type=catcher&sort=4,1
Gavin Lux just might be the best hitter on this Dodgers team at the moment. Hope he can continue that trend. Raised his average to almost .300 now with an OBP of .370.
And his defense keeps getting better and better at 2b. Saved another run last night with a great play to bail out Clayton. I would keep him at 2b for good.
With a LH starter going tonight I bet Roberts will cool him off and sit him despite a good average against LHP .
Kimbrel again made it interesting in the 9th. Walking the leadoff hitter and then just avoided a tying 2 run shot .
How long can the Dodgers go with him closing games ?
For the sake of my health and blood pressure I hope not that much longer.
Clayton was money again . If I had a vote I would make him the All star game starter. He deserves it in his stadium.
Go Dodgers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1