If you don’t have Spectrum and the ability to watch the Dodgers regularly then I feel for you. Because these nationally televised games on ESPN, the ten or so games televised on KTLA and the occasional FOX Saturday broadcasts are the only Dodger games available to the general public. The Dodgers latest ESPN coverage on Sunday evening was barely watchable despite the game being quite enjoyable. The Dodgers defeated the Rockies 12-6, completing a three game sweep of their division rivals yet we had a hard time enjoying the Dodger’s latest offensive explosion due to ESPN’s irritating and over produced game coverage.
I use the term coverage loosely here. Most of the game is shadowed by ESPN’s incessant cutaways to prerecorded videos or interviews. Most of the non-interview videos were of Nolan Arenado’s throwing dynamics. The videos completely dominate your television to the point where you no longer are showed the game. As the video drags on and on about Arenado’s throwing motion and highlights of past games the actual game that ESPN is supposed to be showing you is taking place and you have absolutely no idea what is going on.
Dodgers 12 12 0
Rockies 6 10 2
WP-Kelly-1-1
LP-Bettis-0-2
HR-Bellinger-7-Muncy-3
The cutaways and diversion from the game is made even worse with the worst broadcasting team of all time. Alex Rodriguez, Jessica Mendoza and Matt Vasgersian are painfully boring and repetitive. Droning on and on about Nolan Arenado made me want to gouge my ears out. We get it, Arenado is good. While the crew was gushing over Arenado, the Dodgers were systematically destroying his team on the field.
Let’s face it folks, the Dodgers are immensely more talented than the Rockies are. They outscored Colorado 29-14 in the series. They’ve now homered in ten consecutive games. The Dodgers may not have the greatest pitching in the world but if the bats are going to score ten runs per game than they don’t have to have the greatest pitching in the world. They just outscore you.
Dodger starter Julio Urias lasted only 3.2 innings. It’s hard to anyone to pitch at Coors Field, let alone a young inexperienced pitcher. Urias has pitched at Coors before but it’s been a while. That rust showed a bit as the youngster allowed three earned runs on four hits while issuing four walks. Urias struck out two and made 74 pitches before being hooked with two outs in the fourth. Joe Kelly relieved him and got out of the inning.
Opposing starter Chad Bettis lasted only 2.2 innings and allowed six runs on seven hits while walking four. The Dodgers scored two runs in the second and four runs in the third and never looked back. Justin Turner, and Corey Seager each had two hits. Max Muncy homered, but the star of the game was Cody Bellinger. The young slugger went 3 for 4 with a home run and four runs scored. Bellinger is now hitting .455 and leads the majors with 7 home runs and 18 runs batted in. It looks like Mr. Bellinger is on his way to having a monster season.
The Dodgers had 12 hits and were 4 for 16 with runners in scoring position. They did leave nine runners on base, but had six extra-base hits. Even Urias had himself an RBI base knock. Defensively there was a mental lapse in the third inning on a ground ball that should have been a double play. Enrique Hernandez forgot how many outs there were, but it wasn’t a big deal.
Before the game the Dodgers optioned Brock Stewart and called up Dennis Santana. It wasn’t working out for Stewart and Santana is a better pitcher. Santana did find himself in the game and tossed 2.2 innings allowing one earned run on two hits and struck out two. Ironically it was Joe Kelly who got the win, even though he allowed two earned runs on three hits over an inning and a third. However he didn’t allow a home run, or a walk and struck out three. He looked better and lowered his ERA to just 14.40. Maybe there is hope for him? The Dodgers travel to St. Louis to open a series against the Cardinals on Monday evening. Hyun-jin Ryu will counter Miles Mikolas in the series opener.
Dodgers continue to roll, despite a wild start for Urias, and 4-16 RISP. The bullpen did a great job, Kelly finally showing positive signs, despite allowing two runs. Kelly was lucky the Dodgers had a lot of insurance runs. Santana impressive with 2+ inning to close out the sweep.
They still manage to bag 12 runs, with the help of errors and 10 walks.
I was suprised that a hot Muncy did not start with a lefty on the bump. Max finally got in the game, and Kapow, a two run shot. Pederson got his second straight start, made good contact, but unfortunately hit it right to the fielders. Belli-bombs continue to fly out… is this guy hot, or what?
St Louis still licking their wounds after losing 2-3 to the Padres. Can the Dodgers cage the Cardinals? Need to continue to swing the bats, avoid errors, and “brain farts”, like Kike’s missed double play which cost a run, an extra out, and 5 more pitches by Urias, which may have contributed to his early exit.
Santana looked good, especially striking out Arenado on 3 straight sliders. He will be needed shuttling back and forth between OKC and the Dodgers.
Muncy is hitting well again and although Joc hasn’t gotten hits, he is making contact and not striking out. Hopefully he gets more regular playing time and get back into a groove. Strikeouts are down across the board, which is a good sign.
These next two series against the Cardinals and the Brewers will tell us a lot about this club. Its still early in the season and you don’t win titles in April, but they sure seem to be on a mission this year.
We will now see how the Dodger offense goes against a better pitching staff in St. Louis.. BP hopefully gets it together because no team will win without a good BP. And last night, believe it or not the Dodger pitching kept the baseball in the yard.
Well, deja vu? “Deja Vu” Ryu that is. Down for the count, again. Kershaw, Hill, and now Ryu on the IL. Dodgers do not think it is serious…. haven’t we heard that before regarding Ryu’s injuries? No word on Hill, and will Kershaw come back from IL and be effective?
Another “Kelly Flop”…. he has already lost three games for the Dodgers, 3 blown saves. The game he won by default was a fluke. He still surrendered 2 runs in that game. What a wasted offseason pick, and somewhere around $30M down the drain.Dodgers are stuck with his contract for two more years. Still a Dodger Killer no matter who’s uniform he puts on.
Offense melt down tonight. Kiké experiences another “Brain Fart”. Elevator lineup again. Also resting players who are playing well, and playing players who stink.
Dodgers were just the medicine the Cards needed to recover from their Padre spanking. I know you can’t win them all, but you also can’t throw games away, playing down to an inferior opponent.
Same old Dodger Song as last few seasons. Getting a bit redundant, if you ask me.