Dodgers Series

[Moose Milligan]

The Dodgers come to town, 7-3 over their last 10, in first place by 1.5 games over the Giants in the NL West.

This is a big test, they can score some runs but they're only 24-23 on the road.  They're coming off a close 2-1 loss against the Mets.

Probables:

Emmet Sheehan (4.35 ERA) vs. Grayson Rodriguez (7.35 ERA)

Michael Grove (6.89 ERA) vs. Tyler Wells (3.18 ERA)

Julio Urias (4.35 ERA) vs. Dean Kremer (4.59 ERA)

I'm astounded to see the Dodgers including someone with an ERA approaching 7.00 in their rotation.  

If G-Rod can prove to everyone that he learned something while in AAA and give a good start, I like our chances to win this series.  I like that they're throwing him to the wolves right away, they're not trying to settle him in against a lesser opponent.

 

 

[ShoelesJoe]

The Dodgers are 42-25 vs RH pitchers, but only 11-14 against LH. This might be one series where penciling Irvin into a start would make sense. 

[Moose Milligan]

12 minutes ago, ShoelesJoe said:

The Dodgers are 42-25 vs RH pitchers, but only 11-14 against LH. This might be one series where penciling Irvin into a start would make sense. 

Wonder how much of a leash G-Rod has and if they’ll bring Irvin in if he doesn’t start well. 

[Chavez Ravine]

It should be a fun series. Their pitching is held together with baling wire. But Mookie Betts has 27 home runs and a .979 OPS?! Are there any duckpin lanes still around that he could check out while in town?

[Baltimorecuse]

This is going to be another very interesting series.  I can't think of anything more interesting than the return of GR.  

[Bahama O's Fan]

Why do we get these NL trams when they are hot, LA, MIL and CIN?

[Billy F-Face3]

The Dodgers are currently ranked the 4th best hitting team in all of Baseball if you go by OPS. Tonight will be quite the challenge for young Grayson Rodriguez. The question is: Does he pull a Barney Stinson and confidently say: "Challenge Accepted."?

[Jagwar]

5 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:

I'm astounded to see the Dodgers including someone with an ERA approaching 7.00 in their rotation.  

Heck, I'm surprised when I see a Dodgers starter with an ERA north of 4.00

[AlbNYfan]

IMO, GRod will not be successful until he finds an "out" pitch other than a K. He was frequently ahead of batters 0-2, 1-2 and is either beaten or took too many pitches to put the batter away. Until he gets a pitch that allows soft contact he'll rarely get into the 6th inning. He pitches, but doesn't pitch smart YET. I hope he's turned it around.

[johnrambo]

15 minutes ago, AlbNYfan said:

IMO, GRod will not be successful until he finds an "out" pitch other than a K. He was frequently ahead of batters 0-2, 1-2 and is either beaten or took too many pitches to put the batter away. Until he gets a pitch that allows soft contact he'll rarely get into the 6th inning. He pitches, but doesn't pitch smart YET. I hope he's turned it around.

Needs to develop an MLB caliber breaking pitch. Needs to learn how to spot the fastball low and away and get some weak contact. Right now hes more thrower than pitcher. It takes time. 

[Billy F-Face3]

6 minutes ago, johnrambo said:

Needs to develop an MLB caliber breaking pitch. Needs to learn how to spot the fastball low and away and get some weak contact. Right now hes more thrower than pitcher. It takes time. 

I thought that if he can get his slider working properly and command it, maybe that could be that pitch. A good slider can serve 2 purposes: Soft contact and a strike out pitch. But right now other than his fastball, I think the change up is his best strikeout pitch when he's got it working. When he's got command of it, his change up is elite level.

The issue is whether he can actually keep command of it and repeat it. I hope we see him pitch like an artist, and not have to use his fast ball/arm strength as a crutch. He gets into trouble when hitters know what's coming.

Like they used to say in Little League when cheering for the pitcher, "Mix it up!"

[johnrambo]

4 minutes ago, Billy F-Face3 said:

I thought that if he can get his slider working properly and command it, maybe that could be that pitch. A good slider can serve 2 purposes: Soft contact and a strike out pitch. But right now other than his fastball, I think the change up is his best strikeout pitch when he's got it working. When he's got command of it, his change up is elite level.

The issue is whether he can actually keep command of it and repeat it. I hope we see him pitch like an artist, and not have to use his fast ball/arm strength as a crutch. He gets into trouble when hitters know what's coming.

Like they used to say in Little League when cheering for the pitcher, "Mix it up!"

His change is top notch when hes locating it. One of the top 5 pitches in our organization. Up there with Cano's sinker, Bautista's fastball and splitter and Bradish's breaking ball. I really like the kid. Has talent. Really hope he can figure it out soon. 

[Just Regular]

7 hours ago, Moose Milligan said:

Probables:

(146) Sheehan vs. (70) Grayson

(97) Grove vs. (35) Wells

(39) Urias vs. (71) Kremer

Adding the K-BB rank of all SP with 20 IP - a very big group (202) as the Active Roster filter still excludes Grayson for a minute, letting hurt guys back in.

Friedman joined LAD starting 2015, and in the 8.5 seasons since, they are ~85 games better than the 4th best team over the span, with only HOU and NYY a bit closer.    Its the Rays approach, Yankees money, and weaker league...Manny Machado tried out, and was deemed unwanted.

Jason Heyward day-to-day after a bump yesterday - within last few days LAD has added extra outfielder Jake Marisnick from the Tigers, and they might need to use him Aaron Hicks style if Heyward out some of this series.

Chris Taylor (wahoowa) here in the flesh as an example of what Westburg life might be next year if Mayo-Gunnar-Holliday-Santander take the starting infield jobs.    Or even I guess Ryan O'Hearn.

[Moose Milligan]

Jason Heyward is one of those “he’s still in the league?” guys. 

[johnrambo]

4 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Jason Heyward is one of those “he’s still in the league?” guys. 

I remember he was going to be the next Griffey. Didnt happen. Mookie Betts ended up being that guy.