Series Thread (Games 81-83): June 30 - July 2 @ Royals

Fri 6.30 5p: Miller vs. Marsh
Sat 7.1 4p: TBD vs. Lynch
Sun 7.2 11a: Gonsolin vs. Singer

Two out of three wins vs. Colorado just moved us up into second place in the NL West, two games behind the Diamondbacks. Now we've got three games against the Royals, second-worst team in the American League (while the Giants play the Mets in New York; and the Diamondbacks play the Angels in Anaheim). Could we pull a KC Masterpiece move up even further with this weekend series? (Probably not with that bullpen game slotted for Saturday, but who knows.)

Series Thread (Games 78-80): June 27-29 @ Rockies

Tue 27: Clayton Kershaw vs. Seabold
Wed 28: TBD vs. Freeland
Thu 29: Sheehan vs. Anderson
All games 5.40p

I come back from my vacation, and the Dodgers have dropped to third place, looking up at the Arizona Diamondbacks (who haven't cooled off yet) and the San Francisco Giants (who I believe are playing above their heads). Despite taking two of three from the Cheaters at home last weekend, the Dodgers have much more ground to make up, so this six-game road trip to Denver and Kansas City should--and I repeat, should--help. We're hoping to get Max Muncy back from the IL, and though he's still dealing with some hamstring discomfort, it will be an improvement over Michael Busch (batting .200 with a .561 OPS).

Meanwhile, the Giants are in Toronto, and the Snakes host the Rays. So I'm hoping we make a late run before the All-Star break!

Series Thread (Games 75-77): June 23-25 vs. Asterisks

Never forget: they're CHEATERS.

Fri 6.23 7p
Sat 6.24 4.15p
Sun 6.25 4p

I'm having to put up a bunch of placeholder GameThreads while I will be off the grid, so these won't be full of my pithy sarcastic wit. I know you'll weep at its absence as you lament the void in your soul. Sorry about that.

photo swiped from this site

Series Thread (Games 73-74): June 20-21 @ Angels

We can still dream of future days. (image: The Athletic)

Tue 6.20 7p
Wed 6.21 6.38p

I'm having to put up a bunch of placeholder GameThreads while I will be off the grid, so these won't be full of my pithy sarcastic wit. I know you'll weep at its absence as you lament the void in your soul. Sorry about that.

Series Thread (Games 70-72): June 16-18 vs. Giants

2021 NLDS Game 5: Ump says he went around. (photo: Getty Images)

Fri 6.16 7p
Sat 6.17 6p
Sun 6.18 1p

I'm having to put up a bunch of placeholder GameThreads while I will be off the grid, so these won't be full of my pithy sarcastic wit. I know you'll weep at its absence as you lament the void in your soul. Sorry about that.

But screw the Giants anyway.

Series Thread (Games 67-69): June 13-15 vs. White Sox

Tue 6.13 7p
Wed 6.14 7p
Thur 6.15 7p

I'm having to put up a bunch of placeholder GameThreads while I will be off the grid, so these won't be full of my pithy sarcastic wit. I know you'll weep at its absence as you lament the void in your soul. Sorry about that.

Series Thread (Games 64-66): June 9-11 @ Phillies

Remember this guy?

Fri 6.9 4p: Grove vs. Suárez
Sat 6.10 1p: Miller vs. Nola
Sun 6.11 10.30a: TBD vs. Walker

I'm having to put up a bunch of placeholder GameThreads while I will be off the grid, so these won't be full of my pithy sarcastic wit. I know you'll weep at its absence as you lament the void in your soul. Sorry about that.

But I can say, as disappointing as Trea Turner has been this year for the Phillies (through June 4: batting .237 with a .655 OPS (79 OPS+), Turner is a heck of a lot better than our own Miguel Rojas (batting .218, .512 OPS (39 OPS+). Is he $300M / 11 years better? 2023 WAR values would tell vote no: Turner = 0.2 WAR; Rojas = 0.3 WAR.

Series Thread (Games 61-63): June 6-8 @ Reds

Tue 6.6 4p: Gonsolin vs. Weaver
Wed 6.7 4p: Syndergaard vs. Williamson
Thu 6.8 9.30a: Kershaw vs. Ashcraft

Coming off a losing series with the YankMes, the Dodgers get a quick two-city road trip starting in Cincinnati. I'm terrified by the Wednesday game with a Noah Syndergaard start, since either outcome is bad: if he wins (against a sub-.500 Reds team), we get lulled into thinking he might still be salvagable; if he loses (as he should), we drop a game we shouldn't be losing. It's a lose-lose proposition. Yikes.

Series Thread (Games 58-60): June 2-4 vs. Yankees

Happier times in the Dodgers-Yankees history, back in 1981

Fri 2 7.10p: Clayton Kershaw vs. Luis Severino
Sat 3 4.15p: Michael Grove vs. Gerrit Cole
Sun 4 4.10p: Bobby Miller vs. Domingo Germán

First of all, let's start with the sobering fact that the Dodgers are now TIED for first in the NL West, with the upstart Diamondbacks, who are on fire. And now, here come the Yankees into the Stadium.

The Dodgers have faced the Yankees in the playoffs more than any other opponent. And in 2023, with both teams vying for the playoffs, this series promises to be a good one. The Yankees go with their ace, Gerrit Cole, as well as their #3 and #5 starters. And the Dodgers go with their legend, Clayton Kershaw, as well as...two dudes we have brought up from the minors early, due to injuries in our starting rotation.

Bobby Miller has been impressive, 2-0 in two games with a 1.64 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP. However, Michael Grove has not been good, 0-1 in four games with an 8.44 ERA ad a 1.75 WHIP. I'm not hopeful for this series, for the record. Hopefully the Dodgers prove me wrong.

Dad Considering Senate Run

LATimes: Former Los Angeles Dodger Steve Garvey weighs U.S. Senate bid

Former Los Angeles Dodgers icon Steve Garvey is considering running for the open U.S. Senate seat in California as a Republican, a move that would immediately upend the 2024 race, according to several GOP state party insiders and operatives who requested anonymity to discuss the former All-Star’s plans.

The 74-year-old has never held elected office but has been meeting with GOP donors and leaders around the state as he weighs a bid and is expected to make a decision within the next month or so.

Being a relative, I am recusing myself from initial comment.