Now that the Julio Urias mania is over with we can get back to our regularly scheduled losing. The Urias debut was an astounding disappointment, but the kid is alright. It was a tough assignment for him and the Dodgers probably should have had him debut in the more comfortable environment of Dodger Stadium then throwing him into the fire at Citi Field.
(*Update*) It looks like Urias is being optioned back to Oklahoma City. Casey Fien is being recalled. The Dodgers have not made an official announcement yet.
One and done for Julio Urias, who was optioned to Triple-A https://t.co/uXnamzKsEE
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) May 28, 2016
Hopefully he sticks around because there is no reason to send him back down to triple-A. Urias showed great poise on the mound despite being hooked in the third inning after giving up three earned runs, walking four, and striking out three. The Dodgers lost the game later in typical pathetic 2016 fashion as resident bullpen bum Pedro Baez ruined Chase Utley’s beautiful top of the ninth inning three-run double by immediately allowing a walk-off home run on the second pitch of the bottom of the ninth inning to Curtis Granderson. Baez and Chris Hatcher need to be immediately released or designated for assignment. No other MLB club in their right mind would employ either of those two bums.
The Dodgers look to even the series tonight as Kenta Maeda looks to get back on track against Thor flame-thrower Noah Syndergaard. This is a repeat of the match-up back on May 11. In that game Maeda allowed four earned runs on six hits over five frames while Syndergaard allowed two earned runs on six hits while striking out six over eight innings. The Mets won that game by a 4-3 score.
Dodgers Lineup @ New York
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Thompson RF
Pederson CF
Kendrick LF
Grandal C
Maeda P
Kenta Maeda-3-3 vs. Noah Syndergaard-5-2
Game Time -4:15 PM – TV-SNLA
Maeda has been struggling. He has lost three consecutive decisions and has not won since April 23. In the time span since then he’s seen three losses and two no-decisions. He has not gone more than 5 innings since he pitched six innings in Toronto on May 6. Overall Maeda is 3-3 with a 3.29 ERA in 9 starts. Maeda has struck out 48 and walked 15 over 52 frames. He’s posted an 8.3 hits per nine rate and has allowed a 7.1 hits per nine rate.
Maeda vs. Mets
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Asdrubal Cabrera | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yoenis Cespedes | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Conforto | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Curtis Granderson | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Neil Walker | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Eric Campbell | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Rene Rivera | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Noah Syndergaard | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 4.000 | 5.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 21 | 19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | .263 | .333 | .632 | .965 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Syndergaard is having an incredibly good season. The Dodgers generally are unable to do much of anything against him. Most clubs can’t either. Syndergaard is 5-2 with a 1.94 ERA in 9 starts. He’s whiffed 76 and walked 9 across 60.1 innings pitched. He has a 0.7 WHIP and a 1.71 FIP. During his career he is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA against the Dodgers. The Dodgers are hitting just .167 (12 for 72) with three home runs against Syndergaard.
Syndergaard vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Howie Kendrick | 11 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .091 | .091 | .091 | .182 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 10 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .222 | .300 | .556 | .856 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 8 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | .143 | .250 | .571 | .821 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 8 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | .250 | .250 | .625 | .875 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Utley | 8 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .125 | .125 | .125 | .250 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 7 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .429 | .667 | 1.095 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carl Crawford | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Joc Pederson | 6 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .000 | .167 | .000 | .167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Clayton Kershaw | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kenta Maeda | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Trayce Thompson | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 78 | 72 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 20 | .167 | .231 | .319 | .550 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
|
#
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
||
|
1
|
|
30
|
20
|
.600
|
–
|
16-11
|
14-9
|
8-2
|
||
|
2
|
|
25
|
24
|
.510
|
4.5
|
13-12
|
12-12
|
5-5
|
||
|
3
|
|
23
|
24
|
.489
|
5.5
|
9-10
|
14-14
|
4-6
|
||
|
4
|
|
21
|
29
|
.420
|
9.0
|
7-18
|
14-11
|
4-6
|
||
|
5
|
|
20
|
29
|
.408
|
9.5
|
10-15
|
10-14
|
3-7
|
||
It’s unlikely that the Dodger’s impotent offense is going to do anything against Syndergaard. I’ll wager that the Dodgers will probably lose every game on this road trip and bottom out into last place. Once that happens that may trigger the front office to finally do something to improve the club. Bottoming out into fourth or fifth place may be the turning point that kicks the front office into action. Then and only then will the Dodgers make the necessary moves needed. Hopefully they keep Urias around. It’s very clear that this Dodger club is going nowhere and no amount of positive attitude or patience will change that. Fortunately there is still plenty of time left to resuscitate this season. Will the Dodgers save their season? Or will they throw it away?
Initial news story: Source: #Mets trade for James Loney to fill Lucas Duda's void https://t.co/T4iTLCJIGk
— Adam Rubin (@AdamRubinMedia) May 28, 2016
Hilarious side note, the Mets have traded for former Dodger first baseman James Loney. With Lucas Duda out with a back injury, they need somebody. I’m sure he’ll go 4 for 4 with a grand slam home run if he plays in this series.
Go Blue!
What a load of dung this front office has flung. “Defining moment for our franchise.” “We can’t teach him anymore at AAA.” Just another dog and pony show to keep fans from realizing how bad things have gotten. As Vin would say, “fertilizer.”
I can’t believe that Turner is still batting third. All I can hope, is that Turner makes me eat my words, and gets some hits, and wins this game.
MJ, what would your lineup look like for today’s game?
Taking a WAG that Turner isn’t in it….
Bum I would have Howie batting second, and put Cory batting third.
Howie in LF? Do you start Puig or Thompson in RF? Or, do you put Thompson in CF?
Do not expect much help from AAA. I was at the Oklahoma City AAA game in Sacramento last night, neither the Dodgers nor the Giants have much at AAA. Carlos Frias did not look good. His fastball topped out at 94, but was flat, and the River Cats (Giants) killed it. He tried to go to a breaking ball, and generally it wasn’t good either. He ended up 4IP, 4 Hits, 4 ER, 4 BB and 4 K. The best player on the field was Rob Segedin. He not only hits the ball well, but is a very good defensive 3B (at least he was last night). He made two terrific diving stops and threw the runner out. He hit the ball hard each time up, and two would have been HR in the daytime in Sacramento. The air gets heavy at night around the river.
Barnes did not show much but did get on base 3 times as lead off. He attempted to throw out a potential base stealer, but neither Culberson nor Johnson got to the bag, and the throw went through for an error on Barnes, who was visibly upset. SVS is not hitting well. 5 AB, 5 ground balls. One hit on a ground ball between 1st and 2nd, but 3 routine to SS (including 1 DP) and one to 3B, which would have been a DP had there been less than 2 outs.
O’Koyea Dickson hit a monster home run to tie the game, but looks to be organizational depth. He has no speed (or at least not last night). With runners on 1st and 2nd and nobody out, Micah Johnson laid down a great bunt that he would have beaten out, but Dickson was slow off the bat and got thrown out at 3B. There were no tough plays at 2B for Micah. Rico Noel has incredible speed.
Besides Frias, Avilan and Rhame followed. Avilan’s breaking ball looked OK. 1.1 IP, 1 BB, 1K. Jacob Rhame followed and pitched 1.2 innings, 1 H, and 1K, but a couple of hard hit fly balls to CF. Rhame’s fastball topped out at 97, but not a lot of movement. It appears that he is working on a breaking ball to go along with the fastball. He threw a lot of breaking balls (low 80’s), which was effective in setting up the fastball. He needs to further develop the off-speed stuff and work on getting more movement on the fastball, but he is 23 so he has time.
The Giants best player is Ramiro Pena, 2B, but at 31, he is no prospect. But if Panik goes down again, Pena would be a good option for them. But if Duffy gets hurt, they are really going to have to look elsewhere than Sacramento for a 3B. Mitch Delfino is not a good 3B, and has a very weak arm. Mac Williamson would be considered their best prospect. At 37, Miguel Olivo is getting more time behind the plate than Susac. Starting pitcher last night was Ty Blach. He is the Giants 3 year younger version of Mike Bolsinger. He topped out at 88 but lived in the low 80’s and high 70’s. He doesn’t miss a lot of bats, but throws a lot of ground balls. I only remember Noel, Segedin and Dickson hitting him hard. Segedin (single) and Dickson (HR) were both two RBI hits accounting for the 4 runs. Sergio Romo looks ready to come back.
The Dodgers may have an old AAA team with multiple organizational players, but the Giants have nobody, and they are older. There was a family sitting two rows behind us last night, and the mother/aunt/family friend (?) got a call from one of the Dodger players during the game, and said he needed a ride to the hotel to get ready to fly out to NY for today’s game. I have no idea who it was, but my wife seems to remember them talking about “Casey”, meaning Casey Fein. I was really hoping it was Segedin, but I really do not know. I was too busy holding my tongue to an obnoxious Giants fan sitting directly behind me. I needed my best client with two former SF Giants organization players with me who would have shut him up. A lot of Dodgers fans in Sacramento. It was good to have a lot of Company.
Stripling goes tonight. LeCure probably tomorrow, and hopefully Ryu on Monday. Hopefully I will get to see Cotton. It looks like I will miss Zach Lee. Zach Walters is now my favorite AAA Dodger. He signed my grandson’s 1st autograph, gave him a ball, and got a hit. My grandson was happy, but Zach is the epitome of organizational depth.
Very good report, A+…
Excerpts from recent Ron Cervenka article:
…there is an excellent chance that some of the guys currently pitching in Tulsa might make it to The Show before many of the guys currently at OKC will – Julio Urias notwithstanding.
…Currently leading the pack among Driller starters with at least five starts is right-hander Brock Stewart, who is 1-2 with a remarkable 1.25 ERA at Tulsa. However, the 24-year-old Normal, Illinois native was 2-0 with a 0.82 ERA in his two starts with the Advanced Single-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before his April 15 promotion to Tulsa.
….Right on Stewart’s heels is right-hander Scott Barlow from Santa Clarita, California with a 2-2 record and 1.93 ERA in eight starts – all with the Drillers.
….But the real magic and the guy that Dodger fans might want to keep a real close eye on is right-hander Chase De Jong–The 22-year Long Beach, California native.
…De Jong currently leads the Drillers in innings pitched (50.0), shutouts (one) and more importantly strikeouts (49) among all Drillers starters with five or more starts. In fact, De Jong hasn’t allowed a run in his last 14 innings pitched – capped off by a stellar two-hit / seven-inning shutout performance this past Tuesday against the Frisco RoughRiders (Rangers) at ONEOK Field in Tulsa.
…Right behind De Jong is 23-year old right-hander Trevor Oaks from Riverside, California.
…Scott Barlow, Chase De Jong and Trevor Oaks pitched the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes to a three-game sweep over the San Jose Giants (Giants) to win the 2015 California League Championship last September. Oaks was promoted to the Drillers on April 27 and Since arriving in Tulsa he is 4-1 with a 3.00 ERA.
AC
Don’t be a stranger, welcome back
“we can get back to our regularly scheduled losing.”
🙂
I am very happy for Loney. It was Kemp and Loney before it was Joc for me. Loney is one of the better fastball hitters in baseball.
Urias’ slider didn’t drop down and in enough and stayed in the strike zone and was hittable. Now that Urias has a pitch that he knows needs improving, it could help him to drop back to OK and work on it. I still see him pitching 4 games in June.
As I was watching the game yesterday and like everybody else wasn’t thrilled with the beginning, middle, or the end a thought came to me that when I came back to this blog I wouldn’t get any comfort from it. I was right. Same old harping, saying the same old things.
We sure don’t cheer each other up do we? Everybody is preaching to the choir.
Bum
Doesn’t Turner look over matched? And he is having trouble hitting fastballs. It is from his surgery in the off season I believe.
I read that it takes a very long time to recover, and strengthen your muscles. Let alone he couldn’t, work out in the off season.
I just want him to be moved down, not stop playing him. He is not letting his leg soon enough, to be ready to hit a good fastball.
Not everybody. We still have at least one FAZmania! supporter in the group. Most left the building. If the Dodgers start winning we should see them return. It is rather depressing to see other teams making advances while we mark time. There is some exciting baseball going on around the league, but not in LA.
What do you think of the “marking the field” controversy?
Game time. On the Big Screen! Maeda Syndergaard. Who you got?
Bob — the reason Dodger pitchers throw so many fast balls is this —- the Dodger catchers have a hard time remembering just what they know — “1”
4 of the 8 position players .248 and under – and our 37 year old the only guy over .290.
That is serious offensive suckage.
Badger
I think the ump should just give a warning, not throw the pitcher out, even if it was against the Dodgers. But I didn’t like Buck saying that about Utley. He said in a sarcastic voice that Utley didn’t mind the umpire throwing the pitcher out. Like Utley made that call!
I will be surprised if Joc can hit a fair ball against Syndergaard.
Badger
Because his swing is to long?
Yep.
Problem solved.
Poor decision by home plate ump. You would think he would know better than that.
Badger
I was thinking the Mets manager, should have waited way later in the game too!
Why was Turner off base so much? He constantly getting caught off base.
What a wasted inning. Our best hitter, gave up his at bat, to move Turner over, and Turner is once again, caught off base. And no one can get the runner home, with one out!
Badger
Is that Ump having a bigger strike zone, for the Mets, because he threw there pitcher out?
No. You never do that.
The league will have a talk with that guy. First the veteran umps will give him an earful – privately of course. What a bush league move by young ump. I’ll bet the fans are pissed. Unless that blue’s family is in the stands not, one person who bought a ticket came to see that jackwagon.
These annoucers are being so unprofessional! They didn’t have to hit Utley early in the game! That is there own fault! And they could have hit him yesterday, but they wanted there fastest pitcher, to hit Utley! They got just to greedy!
In these 7 games, 3 against the Mets and 4 against the Cubs) — The Dodgers just might be able to win 1 game. These are two good, solid teams, that have skills.
Hey Hey everyone
Scott
Don’t you love Utley?
Fein AAA WHIP = 1.70. Neddy Jr. = Felony Moron.
And Fein’s era, in AAA, over five!
BOB
Fein looked good, and he has at least three good pitches! And throws pitches, at different speeds, decent, unlike Baez.
Best defense = load the bases.
K H is a A+ player. Enjoy the bus next week.
Utley is a stud. See it helps when people are booing!
Wow, utmost respect for Utley. He just goes about his business. No over reaction to the grand slam, just goes about his job
Hopefully it’s over now
Bobby
It looks like Agone and Puig are heating up! And obviously Utley!
And Utley would have done the same thing, if he was hit by that pitch!
I get sick of everybody being all over Utley. He isn’t the only player, that has slid like that. The shortstop should have been facing second base.
Not trying a perlite, on a ball, that was hit to slow, and because of that, it wasn’t going to be a certain, double play.
The turn around game, or just a lucky break?
Badger
Puig has had good at bats tonight, and just maybe, they are breaking out tonight! From what the annoucers have said, the Mets bullpen pitchers, have been good, and haven’t given up many HRs.
And Badger
Howie is heating up, that is why I think he should bat second, and move Cory up to third.
And move Turner down, in the order, until he starts hitting better.
Fein AAA WHIP = 1.70. Neddy Jr. = Felony Moron.
Maybe they know something you don’t. Maybe you wanna’ re-think that?
Based upon what we have seen the past two days, Julio Urias is crap and Casey Fien is Cy Young!
I have stopped watching SNL – I just come here and get “high comedy.” I mean, this is funny stuff…
So far, Chase Utley is the Dodgers MVP… other than that Kershaw guy.
But Utley is in the line up more, but Kershaw does make an impact, in more then the days, he pitches.
But Utley has done everything he could, to will this team to win!
And he is helping Cory to be an even better player, both on defense, and on offense, as well as everyone else.
It is to bad, that certain people in baseball, don’t have more respect, for this guy!
See how games can go when TWC isn’t controlling ransom? I’m sure glad this one was aired the old school way. Mets fans better act like the elder Met fans used to act or it’s likely they’ll have to get used to more nights like tonight. The young-uns feed the beasts!
I think it’s safe to say that many of the posters here fell for the Urias hype. I don’t know why, really. You’ve seen the problems that many of the youngsters have coming from AAA to the majors. It’s another dimension, not a transition! You’ve got the best players in the world competing. It’s an overwhelming experience for many. Just look at Pederson, Hernandez, Guerrero. Struggles aplenty. Out of all the prospects, there is only a small % that make a real impact.
Having a good farm system is important, but engaging in the free agent market plus trading, gives you much more bang for the buck and results! This is something the Dodgers have not done well, be it by design or flaw. I would tend to think by flaw. If they didn’t go and out and get their best player, Agone, 4.5 yrs ago, in that crazy Boston deal, where would they be now? I think nowhere. Relying on prospects is a slow boat to China, if you ever get there.
Jeff,
You have obviously never seen Julio… because if you have I’d say you were stone-cold crazy! Kershaw got rocked in his second game.
The rest… does not even compute.
Perhaps you should reboot. 🙂
I think most agree with that Jeff. I know I do. If 1 rookie a year is good enough to start you’re doing well. The Dodgers have a few that will be stepping in, but most of the team will be experienced players. The good ones are expensive. I hope we don’t turn into the Rays, and I don’t think we will, but doing well in trades and the FA market is crucial. So far? Well, there’s plenty of room for improvement.