I missed a lot of news on Tuesday afternoon while I was at work as the Dodgers were defeating the Nationals 8-4 in the series opener. The Dodgers were dealt more injury blows as Hyun-jin Ryu and reliever Casey Fien were placed on the disabled list. For Ryu the news is anything but surprising. As I have said numerous times over this season, I think Ryu’s career has about come to an end.
Sadly shoulder injuries can be career enders, but now he’s got some kind of elbow issue. He’s pitched one major league game since 2014 and I think it’s time for the Dodgers and all of us to come to terms with the sad truth. It sucks because Ryu is a good pitcher. As for Fien, his elbow is bothering him and that’s a blow to the bullpen because he was a pretty solid acquisition for the Dodgers.
The biggest blow was the news that Clayton Kershaw will not be re-joining the rotation on this road trip. The Dodgers had to shut him down again after he threw his latest simulated game on Saturday. Apparently he wasn’t feeling well and his return is unknown. It sucks, but again it’s not a surprise to me given the way that the front office used duct tape and used parts to build the rest of the rotation.
This is why acquiring healthy pitchers who can give you innings is so important. I dreaded that this day would come because eventually all of the innings that Kershaw has had to pitch would come back to haunt the Dodgers. Simply put, you can’t rely on injury riddled pitchers and put all of the stressful innings on Kershaw. Just be thankful it’s his back and not his arm or elbow. God forbid.
Dodgers @ Washington
Bud Norris-2-0 vs. Gio Gonzalez-5-8
Game Time – 4:10 PM – TV-SNLA
The good news is Joc Pederson is back. The bad news is Chris Hatcher remains. To say that he is wasting a roster spot is putting it kindly. Seriously it’s time to end the Hatcher experiment. Cut bait now Dodgers. The roster driftwood needs to be set loose if the Dodgers expect to overtake the Giants in the NL West. That means all of the terrible players Friedman favors need to be purged.
This means bullpen torches like Hatcher, AAA players, and reclamation projects should all be dumped. Think about it. Hatcher is a terrible pitcher, and not only does he continue to eat up a valuable roster spot, but the Dodgers continue to use him in games and he continues to suck. Remember, Friedman acquired him and loves him. Doesn’t that make your blood boil? It should.
One last thing about Hatcher, I believe the Dodgers should try and switch him back to catcher. We all know he’s got nothing on the mound, but perhaps he still has something at the plate. It might be the only thing that can save his career.
The Dodger’s series in Washington D.C. goes on as the second game will feature Bud Norris against left hander Gio Gonzalez. With a left hander on the mound you know what that means…..the all-righty lineup again.
Let me guess, Zach Walters will be batting lead-off, or A.J. Ellis in the cleanup spot, maybe Chris Taylor in the 3-hole. Who knows what idiotic lineup we’ll see today, but it sure as hell won’t make any sense. You can bet that all of the Dodger’s good hitters will be sitting. Don’t expect Adrian Gonzalez to be playing, he’s a lefty. Don’t expect Chase Utley to be playing. He’s a lefty too. If Corey Seager has recovered from his flu bug, don’t expect him to be playing either. Or I could be wrong and we’ll finally see a regular lineup against a left hander. What do you think?
Anyways, Bud Norris will make his fourth start as a Dodger. They had to move him up because Julio Urias is pitching on Thursday. The Dodgers had to call him up with Ryu going back on the disabled list. Norris has been pretty solid with the Dodgers. He’s 2-0 with a 3.94 ERA in 16 innings pitched. He’s struck out 18 walked 3 and allowed 9.0 hits per nine. He has a 10.1 strikeout per nine rate and a 2.47 FIP in his three Dodger starts. He’s been good so far.
He’s faced the Nationals twice this year and lost both starts. Those were his first two starts back in April when he was with the Braves. In 6 career starts against the Nationals, Norris is 2-3 with a 5.54 ERA. He’s made 4 career starts at Washington and has a 2-1 record with a 5.33 ERA. The Nationals are hitting .269 (36 for 134) with a .761 OPS versus Norris. Two Nationals have bludgeoned him. Stephen Drew is hitting .360 (9 for 25) with 4 extra-base hits, and Wilson Ramos is batting .474 (9 for 19) with a home run against Norris. Daniel Murphy is 6 for 18 with two home runs as well.
Norris vs. Nationals
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Stephen Drew | 31 | 25 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | .360 | .484 | .680 | 1.164 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jayson Werth | 22 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 7 | .143 | .182 | .190 | .372 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Danny Espinosa | 20 | 16 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 7 | .188 | .300 | .313 | .613 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Wilson Ramos | 19 | 19 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | .474 | .474 | .632 | 1.105 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Murphy | 18 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 3 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bryce Harper | 9 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .143 | .333 | .143 | .476 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Anthony Rendon | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .286 | .375 | .429 | .804 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Taylor | 7 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .143 | .143 | .143 | .286 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Heisey | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ben Revere | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .667 | .667 | 1.333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Max Scherzer | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stephen Strasburg | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jose Lobaton | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Clint Robinson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 149 | 134 | 36 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 15 | 13 | 34 | .269 | .336 | .425 | .761 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Washington will counter with left hander Gio Gonzalez. The veteran southpaw (5-8 4.70) is having a down year. His hits allowed rate has increased by over 2 hits per inning since 2015. His strikeouts and walks are about the same, but he’s also served up a lot of home runs. He’s allowing more home runs and more base runners than ever before. Gonzalez has always pitched well against the Dodgers. In 4 career starts he’s 2-1 with a 1.73 ERA. The Dodgers are 14 for 94 against Gonzalez and are the worst lefty hitting squad in the majors.
Gonzalez vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Howie Kendrick | 24 | 21 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | .238 | .333 | .286 | .619 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Chase Utley | 21 | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | .150 | .190 | .150 | .340 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | .125 | .125 | .125 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 15 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .143 | .200 | .143 | .343 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 9 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Scott Van Slyke | 9 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .125 | .222 | .125 | .347 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| A.J. Ellis | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .250 | .400 | .500 | .900 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 102 | 94 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 22 | .149 | .216 | .170 | .386 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
I’ve heard some people talking about giving up or throwing in the towel on this season, or even selling at the trade deadline. Let me put your minds at ease here. There is no way that is going to happen. The Dodgers are not going to sell, not a chance. The club is 11 games over .500 and in the playoff race. They’re only 4.5 games back of the Giants. One or two good moves can put them over the top, combined with getting Kershaw back healthy. There’s no reason to give up. I expect Friedman to make some kind of move or moves at the non-waiver trade deadline.
That doesn’t mean we should be freaking out if the Dodgers trade one or two prospects. Remember just because the Dodgers are not “sellers” at the deadline doesn’t mean they’re gutting the farm. The Dodgers can part with one or two of their kid prospects and be just fine. As long they are getting back quality major league players in return that can help them win this season. It’s not all or nothing. The Dodgers have boatloads of prospects; they can part with one or two of them. No not Urias, or De Leon of course.
It seems like any time I mention anything about flipping a couple of prospects to help the Dodgers down the stretch drive some people instantly start yelling at me “THEY CAN”T TRADE THE FARM!”. Look the Dodgers have a lot of prospects in their farm system. Some will make it, most won’t. Only a few will become major league quality players, and even fewer than that will be as talented as Corey Seager, or Julio Urias. Not every double-A pitcher is untradeable. Most of them are expendable.
On a side note, Kudos to Oscar for keeping up with all of the news while I’m at work during the day. He’s been fantastic, and I don’t know what I would do without him. Anyways, I’ll stop talking now. Have fun, enjoy the game and I’ll see everyone in the chat boards.
Go Blue!
I have no clue about Ryu – whether he will bet better or die. No opinion.
Same on Clayton. Who knows?
You won’t see an all righty lineup. Corey will start. Maybe A-Gon.
Which players are expendable? I don’t know. Odd are you trade one of the ones that aren’t!
Platoon is who we are. It’s what we do.
Speaking of do, the success of our platooning is overdue. So, look for a turnaround. And soon. Not tonight, but … soon.
Expendable players? I’m thinking we may have a few. Does anyone want them?
Is Ethier going to play again? Is Kiké in therapy? If De Leon is pitching tonight, why isn’t he pitching in Washington?
One could ask that same question about Noris.
Scott
The insanity continues, the almost all rightie platoon line up, are playing in this game.
Mark
Agone and Cory are usually included in this line up, but Cory is not playing today, because he is sick.
Gio threw 8 scoreless innings against the Dodgers platoon line up, last year.
And Turner and Puig, don’t even hit well against leftie pitchers.
Turner is batting under 200, and Puig is hitting 229 against lefties.
He has Howie leading off.
Howie hit in a lot a runs for the Dodgers last year, he should be batting second like yesterday.
And Hatcher is on. DL for oblique injury, really.
I have to admit, I”ve never watched Chris Archer pitch before; just have heard and read about his good stuff, and how he’s not put it all together yet. Similar to a Jake Arrieta at age 27, and similar to many others who figure it out late.
Today, at Colorado, he went 6ip, 4 hits, 2 runs ,2 bb, 11k. 105 pitches. I did watch most of this start, and yes, he does have very good stuff!! He got up to 94, and had great movement on his off speed stuff. The ball moved really well for the light Colorado day air. I liked him. I’d def be happy if we got him, provided we don’t get bent over on the deal.
No he’s not the #2 type that Jose Fernandez would be coming in, but if his stuff would work great in the bigger NL west parks.
That is why Puig shouldn’t be batting higher then 7th.
Puig just swung at ball four.
Meanwhile, Puig with another useless at bat when we need him to come thru.
Bobby
I would call for a bunt if Puig is in that situation.
He does no how to bunt.
This pitcher is always kind of wild, so they need to kind of wait him out.
HanRam just went deep. 2-0 Boston
That is great news, I almost forgot that the Giants were playing the Red Sox.
Thanks Hanley!
it’s on espn, and the mlb app. I have our game on apple tv, and their game on the laptop.
3-0 Boston
Bobby
Thanks I can get ESPN.
Hanley sure remembers Cain fondly.
I almost forgot that the Giants were playing the Red Sox.
That is good news.
Thanks Hanley!
Has anyone heard if Kershaw’s disk problem is cervical, thoracic, or lumbar? Depending on the location in the spine that really indicate if he will ever be the same pitcher he was or a pitcher at all.
Lumbar. RotoWorld: He was diagnosed with a mild disc herniation in his lower back near the end of June.
Wondering
Did you expect anything different with this line up?
From personal experience, if they are dealing with L4, L5 or sacrum, mild is only a word, serious would be a good substitute word or mild. If it is L3 or above, it may work out. Temporary fixes can help in the short run, very short, due to the scar tissue that develops when the spine is operated on. I’m afraid that Kershaw’s dominance may be a thing of the past. However, without knowing more exact information I can only guess. Remember the old adage, you don’t have back surgery, you have your first back surgery.
It isn’t for sure that Kershaw is getting operated on!
Look and read what a mild case is.
I have had surgery because I had the biggest herinated disc the doctors have ever saw.
They told me I would be 70 percent better, and I have a little pain sometimes, but I am mostly fine.
They caught Kershaw’s problem earlier then most people.
A mild heriated disc can actually go back to normal.
And Kershaw has the best doctors.
And Scott why would they do anything different with this line up?
That would be the sane thing to do, especially when you want to sacrifice a win, for a day off.
It seems to me that Jose De Leon will either be traded in the next week or his next start will be as a Dodger. So far, he has pitched 7 inning of 2 hit ball tonight at AAA with Zero Walks and 9 Strikeouts. He has thrown 90 pitches so that’s probably it for him, but it was an outstanding effort.
Well, I suppose that makes sense.
But at this point of this season, does it make sense to trade him?
Put him in the rotation and leave him there. It’s the right thing to do for him, for the team, and it will send a motivational message to every player in our organization.