The Dodgers dropped the opener of the three game series to the Bucs on Friday night by a 5-1 score. Ross Stripling pitched admirably but was hurt by some poor defense in the early innings. The Dodger offense hit out of sync the entire game. The bats scored just one run on 12 hits. I can’t even believe I am typing that. Right fielder Josh Reddick continues to struggle. His batting average with the Dodgers dropped to .111 (4 for 36) after he went 0 for 4. Another hitless night has Reddick now batting .220 over his last 30 games and .197 over his last 15 games. His OPS is now .301. This is supremely frustrating, but I have to wonder why the Dodgers keep batting him cleanup. Stop it!
Dodgers Lineup vs. Pittsburgh
Utley 2B
Reddick RF
Seager SS
Gonzalez 1B
Pederson CF
Kendrick LF
Segedin 3B
Ellis C
McCarthy P
Gerrit Cole-7-7 vs. Brandon McCarthy-2-2
Game Time – 1:05 PM – TV – SNLA
Fortunately for the Dodgers the Giants lost to Baltimore. The boys in blue missed another opportunity to pull back to a first place tie in the NL West. They remain one game behind the Giants. This afternoon the Dodgers continue their series against the Pirates as Pirate’s ace Gerrit Cole counters Brandon McCarthy.
The 25-year old Newport Beach right hander is 7-7 with a 2.94 ERA in 17 starts. Cole has struck out 83 and walked 28 across 98 frames. He’s allowed just 3 home runs and struck out 7.6 per nine. He lost to the Reds in his last start allowing 4 earned runs on 3 hits over 5.2 innings pitched. He’s won only two decisions since May 20. He hasn’t faced the Dodgers this season but is undefeated against the boys in blue. In 4 career starts he is 3-0 with a 4.32 ERA. He has whiffed 18 and walked 5 in 25 innings pitched. Cole is 2-0 with a 4.05 ERA in 2 career starts at Dodger Stadium. The current Dodgers haven’t done anything off of him so this doesn’t look like a good matchup for the Dodgers.
Cole vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Chase Utley | 14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .083 | .143 | .167 | .310 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 9 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .125 | .222 | .250 | .472 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Howie Kendrick | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Joc Pederson | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .600 | .750 | 1.350 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Josh Reddick | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon McCarthy | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 51 | 46 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 10 | .152 | .216 | .239 | .455 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
As for McCarthy he’s trying to get over that weird case of yips that caused him to walk 5 batters in his last start. He threw some extra bullpen sessions and the Dodgers are saying he seems to be ok. Overall he’s still pitched well since coming back from Tommy John surgery. The tall lanky right hander is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 7 starts. His command has been the problem as he’s walked 19 and allowed 5.2 free passes per nine innings. However he’s only allowed 4.9 hits per nine frames. If he can find his control then the Dodgers should be in the game. In 3 career starts against the Bucs he is 1-2 with a 4.74 ERA. The current Pirates are hitting .288 against McCarthy with a .650 OPS.
McCarthy vs. Pirates
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Matthew Joyce | 15 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | .071 | .133 | .071 | .205 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Starling Marte | 10 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | .600 | 1.100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Andrew McCutchen | 10 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | .500 | .900 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sean Rodriguez | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jordy Mercer | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .500 | .600 | .750 | 1.350 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Juan Nicasio | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gregory Polanco | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ryan Vogelsong | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Francisco Cervelli | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Gerrit Cole | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 61 | 59 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 12 | .288 | .311 | .339 | .650 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
The Dodgers have announced that right hander Brett Anderson will make his season debut on Sunday afternoon against youngster Chad Kuhl. The Dodgers desperately need some reliable innings out of their starters. So hopefully Anderson can give them something. Remember to keep your expectations low. The Giants will be at home against the Orioles as Kevin Gausman will face Madison Bumgarner later tonight.
Go Blue!
Right hander Brett Anderson? I guess it couldn’t hurt 🙂
Scott
I wish I could keep my expectations low, but I thought that we would finally beat the Pirates, in this series.
I guess there is some hope, because we didn’t start well against the Red Sox either.
And we have beat Strasburg this year.
But it is so hard to watch the Dodgers give that game to the Pirates last night.
That and, having Reddick bat fourth, and seeing the Pirates pitch around Turner, to get to Reddick, is frustrating, and maddening at the same time.
I just hope we win today, and finally beat these Pirates down.
After all, the Padres just took there series with the Pirates, this last week.
Last night’s game was very frustrating and again Gnats lose and we fail to pickup a game. Yes, yes, I know at one time we were 8 games back. Nevertheless it is still frustrating to get 12 hits and only one run.
Prediction: Anderson goes 6 innings and gives up 4 earned runs.
Outcome: I really don’t know except to hope for the best.
2nd Prediction: Reddick goes 3-5 with 2 HR. Now I’m really dreaming.
Update: Turner has been scratched from todays lineup. Sedgelin takes his place. No new batting order has been posted to the best of my knowledge. Perhaps Sedgelin takes over Turner’s spot in the lineup, the again, maybe not.
From ESPN: Sedgelin does replace Turner in the lineup. Of course, nothing is official until the HP umpire receives the lineup card.
Latest update:
Utley
Reddick
Seager
Agon
Joc
Howie
Sedgelin
Ellis
McCarthy
Something has to be wrong with Mcarthy’s arm.
On the last thread, MJ said this:
Ethier is a much better offensive player, then Reddick.
Reddick is only better on defense.
I would agree with that if you changed the first “is” to “was.”
Josh Reddick is 29. Andre Ethier is 34. He is 5 years older than Ethier. FIVE YEARS!
In my opinion, a players best years are generally between 28 and 33. That means that Reddick is still in his peak years, while Ethier is in his declining years. I am looking out the windshield – you are looking out the rear-view mirror.
There is NO QUESTION that if you go back and compare each player at ages 24 through 29, that Ethier was better, but it’s not as great as you think. Both hit 91 HR in that period, so Reddick will surpass him, but Ethier beats him handily in BA and OB%.
However, since Ethier was 29 he has averaged 12 HR a year and his batting averaged had declined dramatically until last year.
Ethier will be 35 next year, while Reddick will be 30. Ethier is coming back from a broken leg and at his age, he may never be the player he used to be… thus Josh Reddick!
Of course, the Dodgers cannot give him a QO because he was traded to them mid-season and no team has to give up a pick, but I suspect they will offer him a nice deal and if they do sign him, I could see Andre waiving his no trade clause. The Dodgers would have to pay a portion of his salary, but they would get younger with Reddick, who despite his recent struggles was quietly having a very good year.
You all know how baseball is: Get back with me in a week on how Reddick is doing. I think you will feel differently.
McCarthy is either hurt or needs to go back to AAA to get rid of the YIPS!
Mark
Look at there lifetime averages.
Ethier was are best offensive player, in the second half of the season.
And Ethier’s HR average, is more HRs that Reddick has hit this year, which is only eight.
I hope so because he hasn’t looked good at all.
And he does not belong at the top of our order.
Mark
Reddick might have been having a good season, but it wasn’t under the pressure, of a pennant race.
And playing for the Dodgers is not like playing for the A’s.
The expectations are just not the same.
Some players rise to the competition, and other players don’t.
And you are so good at evaluation you can tell that after a week?
Someone will pay you a lot of money!
I would seek work in the MLB. That’s $2 mil a year talent!
No I can’t tell after two weeks
No way Dodgers sign Reddick.
McCarthy already done for the day. 5 BB in less than 2 innings. Something really wrong here. Don’t know if it’s the “yips”, something mechanical or something physical. Pitchers frequently complain about losing the feel for pitching after Tommy John surgery, but McCarthy didn’t seem to have that trouble when he 1st returned, which makes me concerned about the physical.
Dodgers can’t expect to win regularly when falling behind early so often.
Reddick is superfluous with Ethier on the roster. (Assuming Andre returns.) If Andre waives his no-trade clause, if the Dodgers part ways with Puig, then it makes sense to try to resign Reddick – otherwise, no. By the way, check out Reddick’s career numbers. He has been injured a lot in his short career – another injury-prone former A on the Dodgers – makes perfect sense.
Hey guys, sorry about no lineups but I was out and about without internet access. Looks like Turner was scratched with a sore hand.
Let’s make those Pirates walk that plank!
Here’s a question: Since Dave Roberts is in the running for Manager of the Year, and since obviously some of you say he is FAZ’s puppet, does that mean that if he wins, FAZ is really the Manager of the Year?
See how silly that sounds?
It takes a village…
They got a better chance of winking manager of the year than executive of the year that’s for sure
… to people who have no clue.
However, the people who are in the game and really understand the game think otherwise.
AND THAT IS A FACT!
FAZ is doing something that usually can’t be done: Staying competitive while rebuilding!
I think Ethier will be DFAed next year like Crawford was this year.
You are closer to the truth than what others think!
He very well may be.
Back to another issue:
The people who dislike the trade of Montas, Cotton and Holmes for Hill and Reddick say “They may not have either player next year!”
Hello! That’s the point! Also, the Dodgers dealt from a position of strength: RH Starters! They also have no long-term saddle on their backs!
Then, they totally take leave of their senses when Hill is still out and Reddick gets off to a bad start.
I really question the sanity of some…
Morons will be morons I guess 🙂
Did that make you feel better Bum?
Moron
Since FAZ has arrived, they have acquired the following:
1. A top Catcher, Yasmani Grandal (who is 27);
2. A nice backup Catcher, Austin Barnes (who is 26);
3. A nice setup man , Joe Blanton;
4. Grant Dayton:
5. Adam Liberatore;
6. Jesse Chavez;
7. Bud Norris;
8. Kenta Maeda;
9. Josh Fields;
10. Josh Ravin;
11. Howie Kendrick (what a solid addition);
12. Chase Utley (he means a lot to the youngsters);
13. Chris Taylor;
14. Rob Segedin;
15. Enrique Hernandez;
16. Trayce Thompson;
17. Andrew Toles
They would not trade Pederson, Seager, Urias and De Leon and the have built a TOP Farm system.
Yet, all you want to do is whine about McCarthy, Anderson, Reddick, Hill and Kazmir… who all BTW may come back to bite you in you hummingbird asses after your alligator mouths overloaded.
They have not taken on any obscene long term contracts and the future is bright. We are one SUPERSTAR away from dominance!
Sometimes I have to ask myself: Do they really not understand what is happening or are they just tricking me?
You forgot your medicines again.
Two cents from the peanut gallary?
Appropriate, that. This is starting to sound like Howdy Doody.
Timmons wingman
Mark
Why is all of your attention on the front office, instead of the players.
Just because we are concerned about Reddick, what is wrong with that?
I want any player in the Dodgers to do well.
It is frustrating watching Reddick hit fourth, and not being able to hit yet.
No one here, has said that this was a terrible trade.
We just want Reddick to hit.
I liked Pederson batting 5th today and I like Kendrick hitting after Pederson. I also think it would be fun if Corey and Joc hit back to back. Next year maybe.
The Dodgers look like a team that could do what FAZ wants them to do–have a chance at a WS this year and many years in a row thereafter. Lets enjoy the pennant race. Its the journey for now, the destination will come soon enough.
Bum
I missed the later part of the game, but I saw Joc hit that Oppo HR and that was a big thing for him.
Joc is up to .250. That’s awesome because He has now learned to go the other way. Huge asset for us
Now let’s hope the O’s can take care of San crap!
Bobby
Joc getting hurt, made him examen himself, as well as his swing.
And it sure looks like Joc is buying in, to not swinging from his heels like he use to do.
And if he continues to use the whole field, he won’t have a
low average again.
Because no shift will be able to contain him.
I still like Reddick at the second spot. I’m in the severe minority here, but I think Reddick doesn’t hurt as much there as an out, and he has good hitting mechanics to make it a productive out.
I think Reddick has much better bat control and contact rate than Ethier. They are two different types of hitters, really.
YF
Listen to what you just wrote, you said that Reddick shouldn’t hurt the team batting second.
Reddick needs to be a asset to the team, and we shouldn’t have to bat him in any place in the line up, that his outs don’t hurt the team.
I don’t want to sound like I am getting all over you, because I am not.
Reddick was brought to the team, to help the team.
I don’t even know if he got any other hits, after that bunt today, but it sure sounds like he didn’t.
No one here, wants Reddick to do badly.
But it is ok to be concerned, even if Mark doesn’t think so.
I want Reddick to do well, but he hasn’t looked that good.
I don’t know if he is feeling to much pressure hitting fourth or what.
Gotta be the shoes.
Why worry? There’s still plenty of time. Injuries are part of the game. The future is bright. Blah, blah, blah.
Reddick is mostly having good at bats, just not the results yet.
A lot of ATOMS.
Chill, Reddick will come around.
You should be worried about the pitching.
Did everyone hear that MCCarthy is going on the DL?