It seems that things are beginning to turn around for the Dodgers. They battled for a series split with a very good New York Mets club, and have won two of the first three games against the Cardinals in their current weekend series. They’ve won four of their last six home games and have even scored more than two runs in each of their last five games at Dodger Stadium. Perhaps miracles will never cease.
Scott Kazmir turned in a dominating performance in Saturday night’s 5-3 Kazified win over the Red Birds. This was Kazmir’s first good start since opening week. It’s very encouraging. The Dodgers are hoping that Alex Wood can keep the ball rolling against Mike Leake in the series finale.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Cardinals
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Grandal C
Kendrick LF
Puig RF
Pederson CF
Wood P
Mike Leake-1-3 vs. Alex Wood-1-3
Game Time – 5:05 PM – TV-ESPN
Leake is not having a great season. The Cardinals signed him during the offseason to a 5-year 80 million dollar contract. The 28-year old right hander has not lived up to expectations. The San Diego native is 1-3 with a 5.10 ERA in his first seven starts. He’s allowed 9.1 hits per nine innings and has become prone to the long ball. He’s given up six home runs in 42.1 innings of work. He’s registered a 5.7 strikeout per nine rate and has posted a 4.57 FIP. All in all he has been very hittable this season. Leake has a large arsenal of pitches, but is primarily a sinkerball thrower. He also throws a curveball, changeup, cutter, and slider.
Leake has posted a 3-4 record with a 4.03 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. He is 0-2 with a 3.31 ERA at Dodger Stadium. He pitched well in his last start against the Angels. In that start he tossed eight innings of one-run ball allowing six hits and whiffing five as he picked up his first win of the season. Leake has had just one start where he has allowed less than one earned run. The current Dodgers have not hit him well though. They are batting just .207 (18 for 87) with a .575 OPS against him. Justin Turner is batting .500 (6 for 12) and Adrian Gonzalez has slugged two home runs.
Leake vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Chase Utley | 22 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | .143 | .182 | .476 | .658 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 14 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | .500 | .571 | .500 | 1.071 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 11 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .200 | .273 | .300 | .573 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Carl Crawford | 10 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .300 | .300 | .400 | .700 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 10 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .100 | .100 | .200 | .300 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 6 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .333 | .500 | .833 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joc Pederson | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joe Blanton | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 92 | 87 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 10 | .207 | .242 | .333 | .575 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
The Dodgers will counter with Alex Wood. The left hander has pitched very well at Dodger Stadium. As a matter of fact, Wood’s home and road splits are shocking. At home, Wood has a 1.33 ERA and has allowed just three earned runs in 20.1 innings pitched. On the road his ERA is 8.05 and he has allowed 17 earned runs in 19 frames.
I don’t know why Wood struggles so much on the road, but he has been pitching better overall. He had a no-decision in his last start against the Mets, but allowed one earned run over 6.2 innings pitched. He struck out nine in that start and gave up just four hits. There is hope for the young left hander.
He has only faced the Cardinals once in one brief relief appearance. The Cardinals are hitting .211 (4 for 19) against him with no extra-base hits. Overall Wood is 1-3 with a 4.58 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched.
Wood vs. Cardinals
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Ruben Tejada | 9 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .222 | .222 | .222 | .444 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jedd Gyorko | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Adams | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Matt Carpenter | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Matt Holliday | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yadier Molina | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kolten Wong | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 20 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .211 | .250 | .211 | .461 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
While the Dodgers are going for a sweep of the Cardinals, Hyun-jin Ryu will be making a rehab appearance for the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes. He’s scheduled to toss two innings and should make five starts until he builds up to 100 pitches before the club feels he is ready to be activated. This could be a huge help to the Dodger’s pitching staff. Ryu has always been a solid pitcher and he has been sorely missed. Ryu has not pitched since March of 2015, and has not thrown in a major league game since game 3 of the 2014 NLDS against the Cardinals.
Tonight’s game is televised on ESPN. That’s a huge bummer because it means that we get deprived from listening to Vin for a night. A sweep of the Cardinals would sure help us feel a lot better. Take a look at the standings in the NL West below. The Dodgers are still in first place, technically percentage points ahead of the Giants.
Remember that the broom depot will be open all afternoon and will be running their special discount on all Dodger sweep merchandise. Make sure to use the promo code SWEEPBIRDS when making your purchase to receive a 10% discount on all items.
National League West Standings
| # | Team | W | L | PCT | GB | HOME | AWAY | L10 | |||
| 1 |
|
20 | 17 | .541 | – | 9-10 | 11-7 | 6-4 | |||
| 2 |
|
21 | 18 | .538 | – | 11-10 | 10-8 | 6-4 | |||
| 3 |
|
18 | 18 | .500 | 1.5 | 7-10 | 11-8 | 6-4 | |||
| 4 |
|
17 | 21 | .447 | 3.5 | 8-11 | 9-10 | 6-4 | |||
| 5 |
|
17 | 22 | .436 | 4.0 | 5-15 | 12-7 | 5-5 | |||
Go Blue!
What are the chances they rest Turner today, Scott?
MAY 15, 5:05 PM PT @ Dodger StadiumTV: ESPN, SNLA Spanish; Radio: 570 LA Sp…
Starting Lineup
STLLAD
Wood, A
(1-3, 4.58 ERA)
Utley, 2B
Seager, SS
Turner, 3B
Gonzalez, 1B
Grandal, C
Kendrick, LF
Puig, RF
Pederson, CF
Wood, P
Snider it seems like Turner just had a day off, in the first game of this series.
Remember Howie played third, in the first game of this series.
For Rancho Cucomonga today, Ryu went 2ip: 1 hit, no runs, 0bb, 2k
Thanks Bobby, and Wondering! I don’t like when Howie plays leftfield. I think that bugs me the most. But I do hope he hits, and I am happy the Dodgers are playing well. And I think Roberts and his coaches have done a good job, with this team.
Bobby did they say what Ryu’s fastball, is at right now?
I think I heard on Dodger pre game the fast ball was 85-88
Bobby thanks. I read that Ryu’s fastball
was 93 before his surgery.
Joc didn’t do much in the 6 spot so he goes back to hitting 8th. Kendrick who hasn’t hit much takes his place hitting 6th.
Bum he will find a way to contribute to the team. It is not that hot here right now, it is only 66 degrees, and it is suppose to be 70 at game time.
Does anyone think that maybe Turner is putting to much pressure on himself, to perform well, because this is a contact year, for Turner?
I thought that about Turner as well. Then I wondered if maybe it just takes time for that knee to totally be 100%. Not sure.
Either way, the Franchise is on fire!
Bobby That was some opposite field HR, from Cory. I thought maybe the knee, because not much power yet. I am enjoying watching the Dodgers play right now!
Where is everyone tonight?
The Dodgers are doing well and they have no reason to post!
That will all change if the Dodgers give up the lead!
They’ve actually been playing a lot better lately. I’m thinking a winning streak is coming. I have little to complain about these days.
As I was listening to the ESPN telecast, it was interesting to hear them say that the Cards #5 and #6 hitters, who are both hitting very well, were waiver-wire types of deals, but of course on this board, FAZ is castigated for the same thing “signing Wal-Mart Players.”
One was a Dodger last year, that was released Mark. I think it is going to be Cory or someone in the back of our line up, that gets some hits, and runs.
Mark, Wal-Mart might be too high of a standard. I have always thought of F&Z as “Dollar General” shoppers.
Oh, sometimes some of us have other things to do. Like tonight I packed 11 boxes as we move soon. Lots to do. Cannot just sit back, watch a game, and post thoughts every night.
Moving again?
You know you would miss us too much Roger.
Good one Roger!
Great game by Wood again. Hopefully he’s coming around
Here they come…
You have to admit how brutally banal Roberts is. He is way worse than Mattingly.
Scott I would hope so! How many years did Mattingly manage the Dodgers?
5
Why Blanton Scott, and why did he keep Blanton in the game? Am I missing something?
I don’t know. He intentionally walked a .224 hitter with Yadier Molina available on the bench. Stupid move. Made no sense.
Scott and Molina hit exactly to where he did before. Why was Howie playing more toward the middle, when a right handed hitter was up? I didn’t get that.
It looked like Blanton didn’t have a decent slider, until the fourth batter, he faced.
I might be wrong, but it seemed to me, that Howie should have got the throw in sooner.
I guess I was right about Howie, because Roberts just put Kike in leftfield.
Blanton was horrible. Hopefully he got the crap game out of his system!
Bobby I didn’t understand why Roberts left Blanton in.
The Dodgers played tonight just like the players they have == that just are not good enough. Blanton, what a guy.
Well, the Dodgers must have dirt in the minor leagues for pitching. Because the guys they have in the majors have to be better — or they would have called up some of the minor leaguers. At least that is how the brain-trusts manage the roster.
Wait, maybe we will have the 4 HRs in a row thing in the 9th inning for the Dodgers tonight.
Seager!!!!!
Scott how long do you think they are going to have Turner batting third?
Probably as long as they possibly can until his batting avg dips below the mendoza line
Scott I will be interested to see what Roberts says, about leaving Blanton, in the game.
Cory, and off of a left hander.
Too bad, for the Dodgers sorry middle relief that just loses too many games.
Boone and Mendoza brought up a couple of interesting points. 1. Puig being late to the ball and why. And 2. These are the Dodgers with the highest payroll in baseball – is platooning really the way they should go? I find those those points interesting because their logic paralleled mine. They must be smart. All who don’t agree with me are morons, have no take, are silly and suck. Oh wait, that’s not me, that’s somebody else.
Wood with another good game, just too short. Note to starters, take the game to the back of the pen.
midgets on a small roll. Like I said, when they win the Peavy and Cain games, they are gonna be tough.
Where you going Roger? Had it with Texas?
Grandal down to .224. Streaky dude. But, .224 shouldn’t surprise.
Because Puig has no timing mechanism. And both Puig and Turner, are hitting close to where Grandal is hitting. Badger why did Roberts keep Blanton in the game?
I don’t understand that at all. And the Giants barely won the game. If the Dbacks player, didn’t slide wrong, the game would have been tied, because Crawford was off the base at second.
I looked at the Giants schedule, and it is an easy schedule, except that they play the Cubs three at home.
I thought he was off the bag too. But Chip Hale said they got the call right.
Roberts is trying to do the right thing by his players. I get that. He’s a players manager. But one has to ask – does Bochy leave him in?
Thanks Badger, and I responded to your fight question. I just think that the Cardinals know Blanton to much, especially Molina. And at times, Roberts has been good about getting out there sooner.
On that Badger Hale couldn’t agrue because his player, didn’t slide straight into the base, or he would have been safe. Just a stupid rule, because Crawford had already let go of his thrpugh, and the slide did nothing.
I think those were the first runs given up by the pen in the last 25 innings… I haven’t counted.
I am not a big second-guesser, but if Blanton’s slider isn’t working, he has to immediately come out! Roberts has to learn that!
Before we torch Blanton too much, we need to remember that his ERA was 2.20 coming into this game. It was a horrible game for him, but he should not have stayed in.
I wonder if the front office manages the pitching changes too.
It wasn’t so much that they left Blanton in, it was that he intentionally walked Brandon Moss, he of the .224 avg with Molina looming on the bench.
It’s a team loss. From management to the weak offense to the bullpen. No win streak yet. A well deserved loss. It’s gonna happen a lot this year.
Any comments on the brouhaha in Texas? Odor threw a helluva punch. Suspension?
Yes Beltre should have went and grabbed his own team mate, not Joey Bats.
Your right about that, and Molina has seen Blanton for years, but Blanton gave up more then one hit. This is easy to say now, but I said it above. Howie shouldn’t be playing leftfield. And Roberts should have learned, after the Bluejays game. But it is easier to say now.
Like Bobby said above, they at least won this series. And the front office is responsible for the terrible bullpen.
Let me shed a little light on the people who think FAZ is managing:
As the President of a company, when I interview a prospective manager, I hire a guy who conforms to my management style and who shares my same values. I do not want a rogue who runs his own agenda.
Now, I wasn’t there, but when Roberts was interviewed I am sure FAZ asked him how he felt about platoons, shifts, etc. etc. So, if Roberts does things FAZ’s way, it doesn’t mean they are managing – it means that they share the same philosophy.
Now, I am not a sabermetric guy – I’m old school. I don’t really like platoons, shifts and all that, but the game is changing and I am open-minded. Personally, I think we have too many players… especially older players. I would like to see more youth on the team, but FAZ has only been in power for a year and a half. Hardly time to know if it works or not.
I would like to see this:
Replace Crawfish with Micah Johnson
Replace Kendrick with Barnes
Replace Howell with Urias
Replace Culbertson with a real backup SS
Why Johnson, over Thompson? Johnson already got his big chance, to play in the majors, and he didn’t hit. Why not give Thompson that same chance?
I’m sure that you are right and that Roberts and the Braintrust share a philosophy – but I also know that some upper managers are control freaks who aren’t willing to divest themselves of control. (One of the reasons that Jimmy Carter was a failed president – look it up.)
Roberts has never managed at any level before. The only coach on the bench who has is Bob Geren. (he managed the As, and was fired as Billy Beane thinks that managers are fungible.) Do you really think that the 8 headed Braintrust of current and former GMs is going to give total control over team management to a neophyte like Roberts?
As Badger has pointed out ad nauseum, there is a major problem with roster construction here. Part of this was inherited by the Braintrust and part is on them. Like having 24 guys who play 2B and LF. And too many old guys.
Part of the problem is that guys with at least something of a track record aren’t getting it done. So, is Howie Kendrick done? Or Justin Turner? I think we probably all agree that Crawford is done.
Puig seems lost at the plate much of the time.
Too many platoons.
Too many mediocre pitchers in the rotation and ‘pen.
Lots of questions just as there were before the season started, but 38 games in, not many answers.
For all of those who say to wait until we are 25% of the way into the season to see what the team will be, we are almost there – and we are 2 games above .500.
I ran a company too. I had 6-8 employees. When I hired somebody I looked for creative, independent thinking problem solvers who needed little supervision. I dont think FAZ makes out lineups. They don’t need to. Roberts knows exactly what they expect and he is delivering it.
Crawford won’t be replaced this year. What they will try to do is get him the at bats to achieve the WAR number that gets close to justifying his contract. In 2016 dollars that’s around 2.8. He won’t get there. He can still hit. But he is streaky (remember?) and these off again on again at bats may not work for veterans like him. That was the point Boone was making tonight.
Barnes for Kendrick? You expect Howie to be traded don’t you.
Urias for Howell? I can see that.
Where you gonna find a backup SS? If you find one I’m fine with it.
This team just needs to hit.if and when they do things will sort themselves out. Maybe.
How long do you stay with Turner hitting third?
Badger I was just thinking, maybe they should move Cory to third in the order.
Badger Dodger rick, just took Jimmy Carter down.
I think he said it was Carter’s upper management team. I remember him pissing off Congress and nothing got done. That and his micromanaging, his deregulation policies, inflation, bringing the Shah to the US, the military phuk up in the Iranian desert, foreign oil prices skyrocketing, the disaggregating of global power after our loss in Vietnam….. I’ll have to look it up.
Corey is hot now. .397 in last 15,games. I think I would just leave him where he is. We have no #3 hitter yet. I’d like to see Puig earn the role.
Badger I thought Dodger rick said that Carter was mirco managing. That was the first time I was able to vote, so I was still pretty young, but when those hostages were released, I think it was on Reagan’s inauguration, that seemed really strange to me.
Badger I know you say we can’t trust all politicians, but I would love to hear your take on Carter, only because I think he was probably only politician that did care.
They should have signed Ian Desmond instead of Kendrick. Good shortstop, good hitter and he’s also playing outfield now. He will be a free agent again this offseason. I expect this is Turner’s last season as a Dodger. So next year I would like to see them move Seager to third and sign Desmond for shortstop.
The signing of Howie, and not fixing the bullpen, are two of my biggest problems with this front office. And signing Howie, has caused even more platooning.
And of course, I don’t like the starting pitchers that they signed, especially the pitchers they signed, that had long injury histories. And with all of that being said, I don’t understand why Roberts brought Blanton in, and kept him in the game. Because Molina and the Cardinals, know Blanton to well.
Why did they have to lose when ESPN were doing the game? That also makes it worse. ESPN got all happy, after the Cardinals scored the run.
I didn’t see it, but I heard it. I say bring up the kids, and bench or send down the underperformers
This sounds like Mark, but this isn’t Mark’s words.
Ray, you must have heard how great our minor league system is. Tell me, do you see Urias in the pen or starting? Oh, wait…… I’m sorry. What do you hear Urias’ role will be when brought up?
We are keeping our sense of humor at least 🙂
From MLBTR: as Passan feels Kenley Jansen and Aroldis Chapman could both top Mariano Rivera’s $15MM average annual value from earlier this decade.
I say not with Andrew Friedman.
I think you may be right Wondering. I hope we keep him. He is a horse and could be a guy that hangs around as long as Broxton has. Wait, Broxton is only 31. What happened to that guy? Oh, yeah. He got Torried. He’s still pretty good though.
So…… how many years and how much money for a 60 inning pitcher? And I wonder who among the group of 98 mph throwers we have possess the closer mentality? Hatcher? No. Baez? Maybe. Garcia? Iontkno. One of the Cubans? Perhaps. Montas? Yeah. I think maybe that’s the guy. You can bet FAZ is looking at the possible replacement. Somebody used the word fungible the other day. Was it rick? It works for how FAZ views 60 inning pitchers. You can bet they don’t want to pay $15 million x 5 for 180 outs a year. Adios Kenley. Hope you can keep it under 300 pounds on $15 XL a year.
They should have kept him, because he does have some loyalty to the Dodgers. I think Colletti would have kept him, but he wasn’t allowed to make anymore real moves. And ultimately, you a team that wants a top of the line closer, will save money, by signing one of there own, if they have any loyality, or want to stay with the club.
I thinks there are no more Marianos in my lifetime!!!
I personally don’t pay Kenley or any other market closer $15M… Money better spent…
As much as I’d love to see Urias as a set up guy, I don’t think they’ll pull the trigger…
It’s Meada time…
Hey people, Ray Charles has passed on. Even Clueless Magic can see that!