Why Trends matter and why they are not cherry-picking

As bad as the Dodgers are playing right now (before Monday), they are still in the Divisional driver’s seat. They now have an 8.0 game lead over San Diego with 36 to play.  So why are many fans down (not panicking) with the Dodgers?  Trends.  It is not cherry-picking stats.  It is looking at how the team is playing lately and postulating future results.  Trends are measured in every facet of our lives.  From sports, to health, to finance, to education…Of course you can pick and choose a specific trend to justify a position.  But when multiple trends tend to tip the scales downward or upward, sometimes you need to pull the ostrich head out of the ground and look at what is happening. 

Trends are important to foster adjustments to move a downward trend into an upward trend.  In a sports world, teams that ignore the trends, and not look for adjustments may live to regret it. 

With respect to the Dodgers, I do not care that they are the 2-time defending champion as it relates to THIS year.  How do you fix how they are playing now?  Some will say, do nothing.  They are the 2-time defending champion and they will win when it counts.  

I can understand that take when it comes to pitching.  The pitching is going to get better.  Tyler Glasnow will be back after one more rehab start.  Ohtani is working on getting back.  Roki Sasaki and Eric Lauer will be moved to the bullpen.  

We have no idea how inured Justin Wrobleski is, but he will not be returning to the rotation when (if) he gets back. The current injury report has him returning in September. Are Bobby Miller and Gavin Stone legit considerations for a post-season bullpen role?  Emmet Sheehan?  All three should get work and more length this week.  

OKC will be playing in Sugar Land this week, home of the worst offense in the PCL.  So, the pitchers could impress this week. 

But the trends that are troubling are more on the run production side.  My starting point is the All-Star break.  Yes, arbitrary, and if anyone disagrees, respectfully, please do the research and present your own analysis. 

Since the All-Star break, the Dodgers have faced 9 different teams.  6 of the teams had a > .500 winning percentage.  3 of the teams had a < .500 winning percentage.  The Dodgers record against the > .500 teams was 6-13.  Their record against teams with < .500 is 7-2. They are beating teams they should, but are .462 against their potential future playoff contenders.  

Since the All-Star break, before Monday’s game, the Dodgers were 13-15, ranking them tied for 16th best record. 

Before Monday night’s game the Dodgers had not scored more than 9 runs since the Break.  They have scored 116 runs since the Break, averaging 4.14 runs/game.  In that same time, they have allowed 123 runs.  That gives them a -7 run differential.  Monday’s game didn’t quite make up the difference. 

The intent is to analyze trends and try to make adjustments.  If things are not going well, how to improve.  If they are going well, how to at least maintain. Maybe Monday’s game turns things around for the Dodgers.  It certainly does not hurt.  

Freddie breaks out of his 18 game XBH drought, with two opposite field doubles.  

Snell had 6 excellent innings in Coors.  Alex Vesia and Evan Phillips each had good 1.0 IP relief outings. 

After playing flimsy defense lately, Tommy Edman and Mookie Betts turned things around with two outstanding defensive plays.  

OTOH, the corner outfielders and the closer are flat out not performing.  The two OF are not hitting or playing anything that resembles adequate defense.  Edwin Díaz coming in and giving up 3 runs and 4 hits in the 9th is just not acceptable. 

Doc has gone on record and said that performance will dictate playing time.  None of Tucker, Teo, or Díaz have options.  They cannot just be sent down to MiLB.  I 100% agree with Eric Karros that Kyle Tucker needs to come down with back spasms and head to Arizona for a total reset. Right now, I do not think Tucker would fight it. It would not be the first time a mysterious ailment has been “found”.  I may be wrong, but I think Wrobo has that mysterious arm fatigue more than forearm inflammation.  

Can the Dodgers put Díaz back on the IL and let him work things out in Arizona?  Right now, he cannot be counted on in low leverage or high leverage situations.  Command is just not there.  Keep sending him out there and maybe something will click. 

I am not making excuses for Tucker, who has played horrendously all year (offensively and defensively), but the Dodgers did not do him any favors by offering him an irresponsible contract (my word and opinion).  There is no possibility that Tucker can live up to that contract. No possibility.  He is now in deep quicksand, and it is pulling him under.  He is fighting it.  Can the Dodgers throw him a lifeline and pull him up and hide him?  He is making $60MM a year, so nobody is feeling sorry for him. But it is up to him to turn it around. 

Regardless, the team has to continue to support Tucker.  I am not predicting it, but he is someone who could get hot at the right time (October).  He is not going anywhere. Unless he is truly injured, he will be on the playoff roster. If he has a great October, the 0-24 and dropped fly ball will be forgotten. 

Build on Monday's game and start an upward trend.

DSL Cle Mendoza 9 – DSL LAD Mega 2 

17-year-old LHP Miguel Herrera had his best outing of the year.  He completed 4.0 scoreless innings. He allowed 3 hits, walked 4, and struck out 3. 

RF Helvin Mendoza hit a solo HR (4) in the 4th inning.  Mendoza is a 17-year-old OF who is having a fantastic first professional season.  He is slashing .329/.495/.470/.965. 

The 2nd run was unearned.  C Jose Rivas doubled (4) and moved to 3rd on a groundout.  Rivas scored on a passed ball.  

·      Helvin Mendoza – 2-3, 1 BB, 1 run, 1 RBI, HR (4)

·      Jose Rivas – 2-4, 1 run, double (4)

·      Doubles – Ezequiel Aparicio (4), Luis Tovar (7) 

Box Score 

DSL Royals Fortuna 8 – DSL LAD Bautista 2 – 7 innings 

17-year-old RHP Delio Centeno had his best outing throwing 2.2 scoreless IP, 3 hits, 4 BB, 2 K.  RHP Emmanuel De La Rosa followed Centeno and threw 2.1 scoreless innings.  He allowed 2 hits, 0 BB, and 2 K. 

DSL LAD Bautista scored a run in the opening frame.  CF Rubel Arias drew a leadoff BB.  SS Ezequiel Melburne singled.  A WP moved both runners up.  Arias scored on a groundout. 

Two Bautista pitchers coughed up 8 runs in the 6th, on 7 hits, and 3 BB. 

Bautista scored a run in the 7th on a BB, and 3 WP. 

Melburne and LF Jeibert Rondon were the only Bautista batters with a hit, both singles. 

Box Score