2016 Regular Season Thread

Quake Griffin · Post #1741 » by **Quake Griffin** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 11:57 am

It's okay when the "gritty" white player in RF lets a runner advance, strikes out, and doesn't produce because he doesnt do things that piss off people on the clubhouse or something to that effect.

Looks like we have 2 lefties coming up. All that grit and positive clubhouse attitude will positively cheer on SVS in right field from the dugout.

Chemistry.
Clubhouse culture.
Too bad we couldnt chemistry and clubhouse culture up a run yesterday.

Pull the plug on Jesse Chavez too.
Low leverage situations until he gets comfortable with our catchers etc etc. No need for another Jim Johnson if it isnt necessary.

Neddy · Post #1742 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 4:38 pm

Quake Griffin wrote:It's okay when the "gritty" white player in RF lets a runner advance, strikes out, and doesn't produce because he doesnt do things that piss off people on the clubhouse or something to that effect.

Looks like we have 2 lefties coming up. All that grit and positive clubhouse attitude will positively cheer on SVS in right field from the dugout.

Chemistry.
Clubhouse culture.
Too bad we couldnt chemistry and clubhouse culture up a run yesterday.

Pull the plug on Jesse Chavez too.
Low leverage situations until he gets comfortable with our catchers etc etc. No need for another Jim Johnson if it isnt necessary.

that's why I said this.

Neddy wrote:WTF Josh Reddick, throwing that ball to the 3rd where you had no chance but letting the batter advance to second with one out, it should have been an easy fundamental play to get the ball to the second and leave a chance for a double play. I can't imagine if that was Puig just what kind of BS criticism he would have taken for that mistake.

never been a believer in "chemistry" or "clubhouse culture" crap. baseball is at heart, a team sport comprised of the sum of individual plays as team tornament for wrestling, it is not like basketball or football where a block is a must for the cut or whatnot. you go out there to pitch by yourself, you bat by yourself, and glove the ball by yourself. if you can do it all well by yourself, then teamwork is simply that the others do their job of turning double plays, tag, not MISS THE GODDAMN CUT OFF MAN with his weakass arm.

Neddy · Post #1743 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 8:27 pm

career .220 with currently hitting .164 in 2016 against the left handed pitching, we got Reddick starting in the right field.

Puig could have helped today. in fact, the defense of Reddick (assuming he can play left) - Pederson - Puig outfield defense would have been a killer.

Neddy · Post #1744 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 10:02 pm

reddick is now 0 for 15 at bat as a dodger.

tomorrow is David Price and highly likely a day off for him.

if he doesn't get a hit in the last 1-2 more at bats left in this game, we won't see him making a hit as a dodger for possibly for a full week or more....

Neddy · Post #1745 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 10:51 pm

first hit!

now 1 for 16. hope he breaks out from here on.

Neddy · Post #1746 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 6, 2016 11:12 pm

My boy Ross went 5 innings with 4 K, while giving up 4 Hs and 1 BB. love this kid and his stuff! fangraph has it as a curve but I am fairly sure with the way it breaks, he is throwing knucklecurve.

I know we now have Kershaw / Ryu / Norris / Wood on DL and now Hill being delayed, that 5 alone would be a dominant starting rotation but even with those 4 on the DL plus one on day to day, along with Anderson still on rehab assignment, our guys we have right now are doing a fine job.

Maeda / McCarthy / Kazmir / Ross / HIll or Anderson any time now.

I am actually less hopeful for Hill than Anderson. we know he has done well with his first two rehab games going 7 innings with 1 earned run, enducing a ton of ground balls true to his strength. Hill on the other end, seems like a man with herpes who can't stop his blisters from breaking out randomly.

Neddy · Post #1747 » by **Neddy** » Sun Aug 7, 2016 10:07 pm

well, the Nats beat MadBum and the Gnats today. it's up to us in an hour to get within a single game.

the next 2 weeks until the Dodgers vs Giants showdown in the Chavez Ravine, we play the Phillies 6 games, Reds 3 games, and Pirates 3 games. the giants play the Marlins 3 times, Orioles 3 times, Pirates 3 times and the Mets 4 times. we got 6 home games and 6 away games. they got 3 in Miami then stay at home for the 10 games in a row.

I think despite us being on the road more, the winning percentage of the teams against, are surely in our favor. the GIants are going back to back to back to back with potential playoff teams. we both got the bucks at home for 3 each, so other than that, we got the Phillies at home for 3 and going on the road for Reds and Phillies for 6. much easier path than the 3 games in Miami to SF for 7 games against Orioles and Mets. we go just 7-5 and they could go 6-7 or worse, then suddenly we start the dodger stadium series against them with a half a game up. I believe we could do better and they could do much worse getting there too.

but all these starts with today's game. let's win this!

Quake Griffin · Post #1748 » by **Quake Griffin** » Mon Aug 8, 2016 1:26 pm

Sorry guys, shot to Minnesota for the weekend and wasn't able to post the way I wanted.

So proud of this team's fight and grit.
This series scared the living **** out of me and getting trounced on Friday did NOTHING to help that. To follow it up by blanking these guys and then the offensive output on Sunday (especially with me whining and moaning about facing lefties), I could only be happier if we swept them.

I'm excited for Coleman and Liberatore to get healthy again so we can end the Luis Avilan scholarship (did I use that Raider joke correctly?).

I hope we DO NOT over look the fighting Phillies. That would be a mistake.
Now let's pray for Ws and Kershaw's back to heal.

Quake Griffin · Post #1749 » by **Quake Griffin** » Mon Aug 8, 2016 1:30 pm

Guy has pissed me off to no end this year.
If you re-read this thread I'm sure I've swayed back and forth on extending him or giving him the QO.
Unbelievable see-saw battle in my own mind....has to be tough on the front office.

Quake Griffin · Post #1750 » by **Quake Griffin** » Tue Aug 9, 2016 1:11 pm

Rick Sutcliffe and Jim Bowden were saying yesterday that we aren't helping Urias develop by pitching him in the majors at this point.

Bowden (who has oddly enough let up on Friedman lately) said we weren't helping him but was sympathetic because of the injuries and stated that Urias gives us the best chance to get outs over a guy like Jose DeLeon. Sutcliffe wasn't as sympathetic. Alex Cora said he should be in AAA starting consistently instead of going down and back up and from the bullpen to starting.

Ranma · Post #1751 » by **Ranma** » Tue Aug 9, 2016 2:51 pm

For once, I actually agree with Bowden in this case. I don't like the club's decision to mess with Urias as a reliever. I've never been a fan of the idea from the very beginning. Jerking him around as reliever and starter as well as shuttling him back and forth between AAA and MLB is not really good for his short-term development.

Sure, the Dodgers are doing that with a lot of their minor-league players, especially to fill holes on the roster given the injuries but Urias is not your normal prospect, nevermind minor leaguer. He should be an MLB starter by next season as one of the top prospects in all of baseball. I understand that the front office is trying to get the most out of his innings limit this season for the good of the team, but the kid was built to be a starter and needs consistency in his routine to get the most out of him. Luckily, this speed bump in his development shouldn't have an effect on his long-term prospects.

Quake Griffin · Post #1752 » by **Quake Griffin** » Tue Aug 9, 2016 9:56 pm

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/why-its-time-to-stop-doubting-the-los-angeles-dodgers-080916

Ranma · Post #1753 » by **Ranma** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 3:52 am

Tom Verducci, Sports Illustrated (8/9/16)

"The most important part of our team without a doubt is our eight-man bullpen," Roberts said. "We’ve used them a lot collectively, but when you look it individually we don’t have anybody among the league leaders in games. What makes the eight-man bullpen work is that all of them are unselfish and willing and able to pitch whenever called upon. There are no egos."
...

This might surprise you: L.A.'s staff is the toughest staff to hit at the end of games the sport has ever seen. Here's a look at the lowest batting average allowed in innings seven through nine in baseball history:

1. 2016 Dodgers: .197
2. 1968 Tigers: .204
3. 2001 Mariners: .205
3 (tie). 2003 Dodgers: .205
5. 1967 White Sox: .206
5 (tie). 1968 Orioles: .206
5 (tie). 2012 Athletics: .206

Overall, the Dodgers are 20th in innings from starting pitchers, but they have the best bullpen in baseball when it comes to allowing base runners (1.063 WHIP) and being tough to hit (.204), and their 'pen ranks third in ERA (3.10). Couple that with smart deployment in shifting—only the Cubs’ defense is better at turning batted balls into outs—and Los Angeles is playing “smart” baseball as well as any team in the majors.

Even Without Clayton Kershaw, Contending Dodgers Proving 'Pen is Mightier

Neddy · Post #1754 » by **Neddy** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 5:43 am

# 1 Baby!

it will only get harder for the Gnats until the showdown in the DodgerStadium!

I am stoked to say the least.

Quake Griffin · Post #1755 » by **Quake Griffin** » Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:34 pm

49 left to play.
9 against the midgets. Last 3 of the year at their ball park. My goodness.
I am so proud of this team's fight and grit. They answer every bit of adversity they face.
The season was over without Greinke. The season was over with injuries. Then we never would have survived if we lost Kershaw.

Neduardo.
It's about time for your idea to be implemented. Chase Utley with a .285 OBP since June 1st.
Time to get something better at the top of the lineup....or switch something up....give him a few days off...SOMETHING.

Have you guys also checked Grandal's July and August numbers as well? That guy is personally apologizing for April, May and June through his bat in those months. It's incredible and I hope he keeps it up.

Quake Griffin · Post #1756 » by **Quake Griffin** » Thu Aug 11, 2016 6:56 pm

http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/17261573/bryce-harper-david-ortiz-most-overrated-player-all-30-mlb-teams

damn.
Calling Kenley Jansen overrated.

Neddy · Post #1757 » by **Neddy** » Fri Aug 12, 2016 4:13 am

Quake Griffin wrote:http://www.espn.com/mlb/insider/story/_/id/17261573/bryce-harper-david-ortiz-most-overrated-player-all-30-mlb-teams

damn.
Calling Kenley Jansen overrated.

don't pay attention to BSPN's paid articles. nothing but the spin doctors at their finest.

despite the blown inning of late, Jensen is still the second best reliever in terms of bWAR, xFIP in all MLB, and leads the team in WHIP and HR/FB on our team. if we don't sign Kenley back this off season, I would understand the decision knowing that the usual lifespan of a closer's dominace is much shorter than a starter's and he is already 28 and seeking a long term deal at the highest level of pay as a closer... but the best alternative on the market in the upcoming free agency is Chapman who is also 28. I would personally take which ever the player who is willing to sign on for a shorter deal, regardless of the per year salary.

If Friedman and Co, are thinking about using an in-house option as our next closer, so be it. I think we have enough able bodies up and down through the organization. may not be as dominant out of the gate, but enough young and lively arms just waiting for their chances.

Neddy · Post #1758 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 8:23 pm

I am not sure what the issue is with McCarthy right now. he did not give up a single hit but with 3 walks and a hit batter, he walked in a run then comes back with that wicked breaking ball right where he needed it to end the inning on a looking strike out.

well this super-lefty lineup now needs to go out and destroy Garret Cole. gotta win this one.

Neddy · Post #1759 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 8:25 pm

wow what a perfect bunt for a hit by Reddick. did not know he had that in him.

Neddy · Post #1760 » by **Neddy** » Sat Aug 13, 2016 8:48 pm

Christ. place McCarthy on DL if he is hurt enough for Dave to bring out the trainer to get him off the hook with 1 2/3 innings of work. 2 hits given up with 3 Ks while allowing whopping 5 BBs and 1 beanball.

and what's with this guy Fields? three balls off the bat with the bases loaded? throw a go throw a goddamn strike!!!!!