Random rantings and ravings about the Los Angeles Dodgers, written by a small consortium of rabid Dodger fans. With occasional comments on baseball, entertainment, pop culture, and life in general.
Not the right sport, or even the right state. But a nice logo nonetheless!
Fri 8.30 6.30p: Kershaw vs. Gallen
Sat 8.31 5p: Stone vs. Kelly
Sun 9.1 1p: TBD vs. Pfaadt
Mon 9.2 1p: Flaherty vs. Rodriguez
The Dodgers are four games ahead of the Diamondbacks going into this series, with the Diamondbacks ripping it up of late. Arizona has scored the most runs of any team in the majors (714), well ahead of the Dodgers' fourth-place run total of 662 (behind the Yankees and Orioles). That said, the Dodgers had a four-game divisional lead on Arizona on August 1...and still have a four-game divisional lead on the Snakes on August 30. So at least we have kept pace.
The Dodgers are 4-5 against the Snakes this year, including 2-1 at Chase Field. This is the last time we'll face the Diamondbacks this year. If we can even come away with a split, I'll be content.
Last night, SoSG Orel and I were at the game, to watch the Dodgers beat the Baltimore Orioles in the rubber match, winning the series with a 6-3 victory.
It was an amazing game, even though Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-5 with a K. Mookie Betts had two hits, a run and an RBI single; new Dodger Tommy Edman (batting cleanup!) went 2-for-4 with a sacrifice fly RBI; and Miguel Rojas went 2-for-5 with an RBI. Bobby Miller had a servicable start, even though he gave up a three-run HR to Colton Cowser in the fifth inning, which trimmed the lead at the time to a two-run margin.
But unbelievably, last night we also saw Chris Taylor get his first multi-hit game since June (Taylor also had an RBI and even had a nice defensive play at third). And Austin Barnes also had a multi-hit game, his first in a month, with two RBI on the night.
I don't want to say that seeing both Barnes and Taylor get multi-hit games was as momentous as Shohei Ohtani's 40-40 night. However, it was pretty historic nonetheless. The last time both Austin Barnes and Chris Taylor had a multi-hit game in the same game, it was Friday, May 13, 2022--over two full years ago (a 12-10 loss to the Phillies at home).
It was so long ago, Phil Bickford was pitching for our team then. That's insane.
I am still lamenting the departure of Jason Heyward to make a spot for Taylor, who sports a 56 OPS+ and a -0.9 bWAR this season. But at least Taylor was able to contribute last night. I'm crossing my fingers for more from CT3 down the stretch.
Here's Chris Taylor, following his RBI single, wondering what comes after reaching first base. (Taylor was later forced out at second by Gavin Lux.)
Anyway, the game was a blast and I'm glad the Dodgers notched the game and series victory, punctuated by Evan Phillips' 17th save to secure the win. Here's Phillips' entrance in the top of the ninth:
And, always good to catch up with Orel.
The weird thing about the evening was seeing all the inappropriate jerseys around. I'll reminisce in order.
First, there was the Orioles fan, whom I appreciate for suiting up for this game. Gotta love this O's team with all of their incredible young position players, as well as the fact that the Orioles are still in the thick of the AL West race along with the YankMes.
But given the orange color is going to stand out...can we at least consider a better jersey than this former Oriole?
But wait, it gets worse. Sitting in front of this guy, is another guy who has to remind Dodger fans that Manny Machado also brought his pouty persona to Los Angeles once:
Man, I'm just revolted by this point. I'm going to the bathroom to get rid of the slight bit of vomit that has just come up my esophagus and into my mouth. But on the way to the concourse, I see this guy:
Tue 8.27: Flaherty vs. Irvin
Wed 8.28: Buehler vs. Burnes
Thu 8.29: TBD Miller vs. Povich
All games 7p first pitch
This should be another playoff-caliber series!
The Baltimore Orioles, a worthy opponent, were leading the AL East until recently, when injuries to their starting rotation put them on a mediocre skid (sound familiar?). They're now 1.5 games back of the division-leading Yankees, but in ownership of the first Wild Card spot by three games. And with the O's hurling staff ace Corbin Burnes (12-6, 3.28) on Saturday, against our Walker Buehler who is valiantly (but, to date, unsuccessfully) trying to figure out if he can return to form (1-4, 6.09 ERA; not good)--we will be hard-pressed to get a series victory here.
But it all starts with Jack Flaherty, Tuesday's starter, who is 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in four starts since joining his hometown Dodgers at the trade deadline.
Thursday's starter is TBD (and I'm planning on going to this game, with SoSG Orel!), right before we head into the lions' den in Arizona for four games over Labor Day Weekend.
8.23 7p: Bobby Miller vs. Tyler Alexander
8.24 6p: Clayton Kershaw vs. Taj Bradley
8.25 1p: Gavin Stone vs. Shane Baz
It's a rare off-year for the Rays, the small-market team that always overperforms in the AL East. But they're 10.5 games off the divisional lead, and seven games out of the third wild card slot (needing to vault over Boston as well). Such is the craziness of the expanded playoff structure: there's a lot of teams right in the middle, not yet out of it but probably not in the race.
That said, the Rays did just sweep the Diamondbacks last week. So let's not expect this to be a cakewalk.
The Dodgers' recent 10-3 streak, punctuated by a sweep over the Mariners at home, now has us not only clear of the Diamondbacks and Padres by 4.0 and 4.5 games, but also wielding the best record in all of baseball. No surprise that our recent improved performance is tied to the return of some key players (Mookie Betts, Max Muncy) and the sudden upswings from players named Gavin (Lux and Stone).
But we'll still need to see Will Smith and Shohei Ohtani start to bat with some better consistency.
And then there's that Chris Taylor issue: recently activated at the high cost of DFAing Jason Heyward. I am still shaking my head over that one.
But worse than that, it replaces a left-handed .208 batter (91 OPS+, 0.8 bWAR) who has had strokes of brilliance this and last year, with a right-handed .167 batter (55 OPS+, -0.9 bWAR) who has been largely disastrous the last two years. Taylor has been screwing around with an ineffective swing for over a season and a half now, and we're activating that guy?
Not to mention, we also have right-handed .210 batter Kiké Hernandez (70 OPS+, 0.4 bWAR) sitting around taking up space on the bench (and on the roster).
That does not look like Jason Momoa. But speaking of superheroes...what about Superman in 2020? He's on the Mariners now!
Mon 8.19: Stone vs. Woo
Tue 8.20: Buehler vs. Miller
Wed 8.21: Flaherty vs. Gilbert
All games 7p
The 2024 Mariners are known not only for their tridents (as well as their lack of tooth decay); they're also known for their solid pitching. But it's their lack of bats which have caused them to lose their grip on first place in the AL West in the last month (to the Cheaters, no less; the Mariners are now four games behind). But back to the arms: they are starting three solid pitchers against us this series (Miller has a 3.29 ERA; the other two starters are sub-3.00).
Meanwhile--and not that we're checking the out-of-town scoreboard all the time, right?--the Diamondbacks are on the road at Miami (early games), and the Padres are hosting the Twins.
Things weren't looking good for the Dodgers, coming out of Saturday's 5-2 loss to the Cardinals. Bobby Miller, in his return to the majors since struggling earlier this season, continued to struggle. Freddie Freeman ended the game with a defensive play that jammed his finger, knocking him out of today's season finale.
And yet, the Dodgers came away with a clutch 2-1 victory Sunday, which was neither expected nor easy. Shohei Ohtani broke a scoreless tie in the fifth inning with his 39th home run, and Miguel Rojas tacked on an RBI single to make it 2-0 LA. And even though Lars Nootbar took Daniel Hudson yard in the eighth--AND the Dodgers' 6-9 hitters (Kevin Kiermaier, Kiké "Black Hole" Hernandez, base stealers' best friend Austin Barnes, and Nick Ahmed) went a combined 0-for-14 with 4 Ks--the Dodgers had just enough to eke out a victory for Clayton Kershaw, who went six scoreless in his best start of the year (4 H, 1 BB, 2 Ks, 70 pitches).
Kudos to Michael Kopech as well for picking up his 11th save of the year with a shutdown ninth, overcoming not only the Cardinals but also Barnes, who made an error with one out, throwing wild of first.
Don't get me started on Barnes (who has had one hit for the entire month of August, now appearing in eight games). I've been advised I need to be more optimistic.
And indeed, there was room for optimism following the Dodgers' victory today, after the Rays beat the Diamondbacks in extras (8-7 final, in 12), and the Rockies held on to beat the Padres 3-2. The Snakes were swept this weekend in Tampa, and the Padres lost two of three in Colorado. That leaves the Dodgers three games on San Diego and four games on Arizona, with 37 games to play.
Fri 8.16 5.15p: TBD Wrobleski vs. Mikolas
Sat 8.17 4.15p: Glasnow Miller vs. Pallante
Sun 8.18 11.15a: Kershaw vs. S Gray
The dog days had better be over, because dropping two games against the Brewers, giving up an early lead due to just craptacular defensive play and/or lack of offense when it counts and/or bullpen meltdowns...just have to stop.
We've got 40 games left this season, and the Dodgers look like they're on fumes.
I know, we're tied for the most wins in the National League, and we sport the second-best record in the NL as well (the Phillies have one fewer loss). But the problem is that with our series split with the Brewers earlier this week, the Snakes and Padres are now tied for the wild card lead, and only two games behind us (not to mention, mere percentage points behind the Brewers. the NL Central leaders). All that to say: there's a very good likelihood we lose the division race, and fall to a wild-card spot.
St. Louis is reeling, 3-7 in their last 10 and falling into a tie with the Reds for second place in the NL Central, nine games behind Milwaukee. Seems like a perfect time for one of these two teams, the Dodgers or the Cardinals, to snap out of its funk and notch a series victory.
Somehow, I don't think it's going to be us.
UPDATE 8.17 11.26a: With yesterday's news that Tyler Glasnow has been moved to the 15-day IL with elbow tendinitis, Bobby Miller was called up from the minors (like yesterday's starter, Justin Wrobleski) to start today (Saturday). Miller is 1-2 with a 8.07 ERA this year, with a -0.8 WAR across seven appearances and 29.0 IP. (Miller has a 1.2 WAR for his career, with a 12-6 record and 4.58 ERA, but this year has been a challenge.)
Mon 8.12 5p: Kershaw vs. Peralta
Tue 8.13 5p: Stone vs. Rea
Wed 8.14 5p: TBD vs. Montas
Thu 8.15 11a: TBD vs. Myers
A HUGE welcome back to Mookie Betts, who returns to the Dodgers' lineup after getting breaking his hand on an inside pitch on June 16. The Dodgers are 43-29 with Mookie Betts in the lineup this year; without him, they're only 26-20.
(To be fair, according to ESPN: the Dodgers' 26-20 record stands up decently well against other teams who were hot going into mid-June: Orioles (24-25 since then); Guardians (25-25); Phillies (22-26); Yankees (20-26). But it still ain't great.)
And Mookie's return heralds some changes: Betts moves to right field, and will also drop a slot to bat second, behind Shohei Ohtani. Look, we need Betts and his 3.9 WAR (156 OPS+) back in the lineup, anywhere; I'm just hoping that he can still swing the bat effectively, because you never know how one recovers from a hand injury. If anyone can do it, though, it's the super-human Mookie Betts.
Meanwhile, the Brewers were supposed to be in a rebuilding year (losing Corbin Burnes, and then watching Craig Counsell skip town for Chicago)--and yet, here they are, 7.5 games up on the Cardinals to lead their division. And that's with Christian Yelich out with back issues, no less. The Brewers have a 91.0% chance of winning their division, according to FanGraphs today.
And the Dodgers? With only a 3.5-game lead over the surging Padres and stalwart Diamondbacks, we have only a 75.1% chance of winning our division. Sure, we still have the best odds of any team to win the World Series (16.5%; the Yankees are at 14.9% and the Phillies at 11.9%).
But it's crunch time, in August. And the Dodgers have to prove themselves now, with Mookie Betts back in the lineup.
Fri 8.9 7p: Flaherty vs. Keller
Sat 8.10 6p: Ryan vs. Skenes
Sun 8.11 1p: Glasnow vs. Falter
Well, that last series with the Phillies didn't go very well for the Dodgers, whose meltdown on Wednesday (including a Dave Roberts ejection) capped a series loss and brought the Dodgers to a 1-5 record against the likely 2024 National League Champion. Sure, Roberts was correct in disputing the bullshit interference call at third base. But to be fair, it's also Roberts to blame for pencilling in a lineup batting Kiké Hernandez (.209 BA) in cleanup, Austin Barnes handling catching, and Kevin Kiermaier (.188 BA) in centerfield.
And August doesn't get any easier as the month continues, with the Pirates having wild-card dreams of their own. Saturday starts the 2024 National League All-Star starter Paul Skenes, which should be a doozy. And right after the Sunday game, the Dodgers head out for a seven-day, seven-game road trip to Milwaukee and St. Louis.
I haven't even mentioned the Padres, coming on strong since the break, now only 2.5 games behind the Dodgers in the division. Yep, it's pretty miserable here in Chavez Ravine...except I will say this: I'm really looking forward to the return of Harvard-Westlake phenom Jack Flaherty to the mound tonight. Let's go, Dodgers!
Mon 8.5: Glasnow vs. Nola
Tue 8.6: Kershaw vs. Sanchez
Wed 8.7: Stone vs. Phillips
All games 7p
Like two prizefighters clinching at the end of a heavyweight bout, the Dodgers and Phillies are exhausted rounding into the last third of the season. The Dodgers wrapped up 3-5 road trip--replete with multiple off-days, separating largely west-coast travel--with two wins over the feeble Oakland A's. The Dodgers are 4-6 over their last ten games, watching their division lead on the Padres shrink to 4.5 games.
The Phillies own the best record in the National League and have been coasting all season, but even they have hit the skids: 2-8 over their last ten games, including getting swept by the Yankees at home. That said, the Phillies did sweep the Dodgers at home right before the All-Star Break, outscoring Los Angeles 19-5. Yeesh.
Philly has two of their aces going against...two guys who recently activated from IL stints. And we're excited to hear that Maximus Freeman is out of the hospital and back home, after a scary incident--but no word as to when Freddie Freeman will re-join the Dodgers' lineup. (Take the time you need for family, Freddie!)
4/3 vs. SF (W, 5-4): Sax
4/15 vs. WSH (L, 4-6): Dusty, Orel, Sax
5/6 vs. MIA (W, 6-3): AC, Sax
5/16 vs. CIN (L, 2-7): AC, Sax
6/12 vs. TEX (L, 2-3): Sax
7/5 vs. MIL (W, 8-5): Sax
7/21 vs. BOS (W, 9-6): Sax
7/24 vs. SF (L, 3-8): Sax
8/24 vs. TB (L, 8-9 (10)): Sax
8/29 vs. BAL (W, 6-3): Orel, Sax
9/9 vs. CHC (L, 4-10): Sax
10/5 NLDS G1 vs. SD (W, 7-5): Sax
10/6 NLDS G2 vs. SD (L, 2-10): Orel, Sax