Wood Hammers Giants and Nails Start
Alex Wood is certainly making a case to stay in the rotation. 6 innings, 77 pitcher and 1 hit makes an excellent case for Alex. If Maeda struggles on Friday, I would have Alex stay in the rotation. He was very impressive last night. His pitch count is up to almost 80 and he can build on that. I was impressed about Wood and depressed about the next guy I
- Alex Wood is certainly making a case to stay in the rotation. 6 innings, 77 pitcher and 1 hit makes an excellent case for Alex. If Maeda struggles on Friday, I would have Alex stay in the rotation. He was very impressive last night. His pitch count is up to almost 80 and he can build on that. I was impressed about Wood and depressed about the next guy I am about to mention.
- On the other hand, Sergio Romo is making a case to go away… far away! He has been in 10 games this year and the league is hitting .323 against him. In only one of those 10 appearances has he not given up a hit or a walk. That is beyond bad! The league average pitch speed is 84.53. His is now down to 77.77. League average exit velocity is 85.97 while his is 90.24. Translation: He throws slow – they hit hard! After 10 appearances, I have seen enough. Sergio, you have been voted off the island. Get Dayton back up here. Romo was a good story (bad guy Giant becomes good guy Dodger – he turned from the darkside), but the ending isn’t good.
- Cueto looked like he is struggling too. The Giants were lucky and/or made a number of very good defensive plays. Man, A-Gon is slow! Baez is going to give up a HR occasionally, but if he would vary his pace, that would help keep the hitters off balance. He still needs to speed up his delivery.
- Stripling, I am less concerned with. He’s just in a bad streak right now of a couple games. The next time he has a good inning, take him out and let him build his confidence a bit. He will be fine. Unlike Romo, he has velocity!
- Flash: Cody Bellinger is Human! He looked lost last night. He will catch back up, but I don’t think leadoff is the place to play him. Just my two cents. Put him 6th or 7th or 8th.
- The Dodgers hit well enough to win – Romo was the main fly in the ointment. No more excuses.
- Buehler went 3.2 innings for RC and allowed 1 run (he’s human), walked 2 and struck out 5. Spitzbarth got his 5th save.
- Kyle Farmer was 4-5 while playing 3B for Tulsa and Garlick had a HR.
- OKC did not play, but Great Lakes won 7-0 as Alexy, Soto and Duester threw the shutout.
- Dave Roberts said A-Gon’s struggles are because of his elbow.
- Rich Hill’s finger is good, but his stuff and control are not. It’s a few more days on the DL I guess.
- The kid goes today. It will be riveting!
- From Chris Haft of MLB.com:
With Julio Urias (age 20) scheduled to be the starting pitcher, Corey Seager (23) expected at shortstop and Cody Bellinger (21) possibly in the outfield for Thursday’s finale of the series with the Giants, the Dodgers are all-in on the youth movement.
Seager turns 23 on Thursday. The last time the Dodgers started three players under the age of 23 was July 6, 2007 — Matt Kemp, Tony Abreu and Chad Billingsley.
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Discussion (53)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Spot on Mark! I think Wood should have been left in another inning, especially if Romo was the plan. Maeda will have to pitch lights out tomorrow to hold him off. The rotation will be fine and Dayton who appears close to coming back is needed in the bullpen. I would have left Avilan in for another batter also in the 7th, but hard to second guess Roberts decision. The bullpen is a mess for this game, need Urias to go 6 or Hatcher will be the long man tonight.
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Bellinger will struggle some as all rookies do, and I agree he should be lower in the lineup. The Dodgers don’t have a true leadoff man right now. I would like to see Puig up in the 2 spot and Seager and Turner hit 3 and 4 but Roberts must have his reasons. Leadoff and cleanup have been a revolving door all year.
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Arroyo of the Giants was the youngest player in the majors for 1 day until Bellinger was called up. That lasted 2 days until Urias is called up for tonights game. The youth movement is in full swing!
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If Maeda is bumped from the rotation there will be 4 LHP whether it is Wood or eventually Hill, with McCarthy the only RHP. Not sure if I have ever seen that, and if it’s a good idea.
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Utley needs to step up and so does SVS. Team dad’s spot is safe for now but what has happened to SVS? All the bats need to get busy, 7 runs the last 3 games puts a lot of pressure on the pitchers. The team really needs a split before coming home.
Romo and Hatcher just need to leave. I know Utley got a hit last night, but I have concerns . Taylor may be a better choice.
Bellinger will be fine. He just needs to adjust.
Toles may need to go back to AAA to find his stroke. He is struggling. I like him and I think he will be fine.
Four guys who are taking up space. SVS, Hatcher, Romo, and Utley. Two of those are in the bull pen. You cannot live with that situation.
It looks like the five starters are starting to shake out.
I cannot believe I am saying this, but Puig looks like he belongs. I still do not like some of his antics, but I may have to live with it.
Agon, I just do not know. Maybe a 10 day DL would do him some good. When Joc comes back you could move Bellinger to first.
I am still hoping everyone can find their stride. We are into May.