The event that everyone has been clamoring for is finally here. Top prospect Jose De Leon will be making his Dodger debut this afternoon. The 24-year old phenom’s contract was selected today and he will be taking the mound against the Padres in the series finale and rubber game of this three game series. The Dodgers were able to even the series on Saturday night thanks to a solid start from Rich Hill and a three-run bomb from Yasmani Grandal. That kept the Dodgers 2 games in front of the Giants as we race down the stretch. There are only 12 home games left in the season.
So how will the Dodgers reward De Leon this afternoon? By rolling out the all-righty scrub Sunday lineup. That means Kike Hernandez of course batting second in center field, Charlie Culberson playing at shortstop and Austin Barnes behind the plate. So no Corey Seager today, no Grandal, and no Joc Pederson. Why play your best players when you can play guys that can’t hit above the Mendoza line. Percentage baseball at its best guys. Oh and look who’s back in right field? You guessed it, Yasiel Puig.
Dodgers Lineup vs. San Diego
Kendrick LF
Hernandez CF
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Puig RF
Utley 2B
Barnes C
Culberson SS
De Leon P
Christian Friedrich-4-10 vs. Jose De Leon-0-0
Game Time – 1:10 PM – TV-SNLA
De Leon’s opponent will be left hander Christian Friedrich. The former first round pick is making his 19 start of the season. He’s 4-10 with a 4.84 ERA over 100.1 innings of work. He’s struck out 6.5 per nine and allowed 9.6 hits per nine innings pitched. The 29-year old has faced the Dodgers twice this season, losing once and getting a no-decision.
The Dodgers last saw him back on July 10th when he allowed three earned runs on 7 hits across 5 innings while striking out 7. Friedrich got off to a really hot start by posting a 1.65 ERA in April. Since then he’s been lackluster. He was 0-4 in August with a 5.19 ERA. Friedrich has made 2 starts and 12 career appearances against the Dodgers and is 0-1 with a 7.04 ERA.
Friedrich 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 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .455 | .455 | .545 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 9 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | .444 | .444 | .778 | 1.222 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 8 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | .714 | .750 | 1.286 | 2.036 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 8 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | .167 | .375 | .167 | .542 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chase Utley | 6 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .167 | .167 | .167 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joc Pederson | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | .400 | .400 | 1.000 | 1.400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasiel Puig | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .333 | .600 | .333 | .933 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Corey Seager | 5 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | .400 | .400 | .600 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | .333 | .500 | .667 | 1.167 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carlos Ruiz | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .750 | .750 | 1.250 | 2.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Charlie Culberson | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .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 |
| Josh Reddick | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 72 | 65 | 25 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 6 | 17 | .385 | .444 | .615 | 1.060 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
De Leon is a 24-year old Puerto Rican that was drafted by the Dodgers in the 24th round of the 2013 draft. In his first season at Oklahoma City this year De Leon was 7-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts. De Leon was tearing up the Pacific Coast League. He struck out 111 and walked just 20 across 86.1 innings pitched. He’s posted an 11.6 strikeout per nine rate, and has struck out 12.1 over his 4 minor league seasons. De Leon is 6’2 and 190 pounds and attended Southern University in Baton Rouge. He just had a 13-strikeout performance in his last OKC start.
Some notes before the start of the game. The Padres have released shortstop Alexei Ramirez. Apparently the Padres didn’t want to pay the 4 million dollars for his 2017 vesting option. Ramirez was batting just .240 with 5 home runs and 41 runs batted in. Ramirez was posting a .605 OPS. In 444 plate appearances.
The Padres have released Alexei Ramirez.
— AJ Cassavell (@AJCassavell) September 4, 2016
Oh and Clayton Kershaw is coming back on Friday. Kershaw’s rehab start at Rancho went very well and he is slated to return and start against the Marlins in Miami on a strict pitch count. Oh and Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to return on Friday.
Guys Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to return on Friday! No sweeter words have ever been spoken.
Go Blue
Predictions?
I’ll go first:
5 IP, will qualify for a win.
I know it doesn’t mean much to many, but even with a rookie making his ML debut, we are favored to beat the lowly Padres. The line is -190. 8 runs O/U. As always, and I know I’m the only one who does this, I have the Dodgers and the over.
I really hope we go to a six man starting roataion in September. Kershaw, Hill, Maeda, and three of these four, Stewart, Urias, Stripling or De Leon. This would really help Kershaw, Hill with his blister and Mada. It will give them one more day of rest and they will need it. Put very one else in the bull pen.
I agree. Been sayin it for a while now. There must not be a favorable algorithm for it.
3 more off days between now and 10-2.
I agree for this year. Keep Urias, Deleon, and Stewart throwing.
Badger, so far I think FAZ has been a mix bag but one thing you have to like is their willingness to move prospects up quickly. Guys like Stewart and Toles started at High A. Many like them have moved multiple levels this season. A young Verdugo was started at AA. Bellinger getting a sniff of AAA this week for the playoffs.
Is Puig back?
Sure hope so.
Just noticed Peraza and Schebler got on base 5 times today. Peraza hitting .336.
DeLeon looks good. I think we will be glad we didn’t trade him, Seager and Urias for Hamels.
And Pederson 😉
Amaro would have asked Bum.
If we only still had Guerrero to help against leftys.
I heard Guerrero is playing in the Independent Pecos League for the Roswell Invaders. He’s allegedly hitting .480 with a dozen taters.
Badger
The Dodger announcer said that Puig hit a fastball for that HR.
What kind of pitch was it that you saw?
Nomar and Hairson didn’t correct the anouncer, but I would like to know for sure.
Someone said that JDL tied a franchise record with 9 K in his debut.
What about Karl Spooner with 15 K against the Giants in his ML debut in 1954?
Probably only for Los Angeles Dodgers, not Brooklyn.
Another FAZtastic victory today Dodger fans!!! 3 in front of the hated ones!!!!!
Badger: “DeLeon looks good. I think we will be glad we didn’t trade him, Seager and Urias for Hamels”.
About time you got on board with this. I remember so many, internet GM’s demanding Hamels. Sure Hamels would have been nice, but, the value of young, cost controlled, studs is off the charts. Important to remember “not all prospects are created equal”. Welcome to the FAZ train!
Not only does the above non-trade exhibit great wisdom by FAZ, I don’t hear to many people complaining about the Kemp or Gordon trades anymore.
I have seen the future and the Dodger future is bright!
Apparently you are FAZ’s lapdog. You know, you really aren’t doing him any favors, acting the way you do…
“Lapdog”, NAH, I just REALLY appreciate Dodgers finally having good management. Twenty-eight year championship drought is too long. There is now a new “Sheriff in Town” and this one has bullets.
Lastly, I don’t think FAZ is worried about me “doing him any favors”.
FAZ is not a him, it’s a them. Friedman and Zaidi. You don’t even know who you’re cheerleading – and you don’t seem to recognize a good chain pull.
Clue. Get one.
Looks like I got that one wrong. Clue. Read the quote. Apologies to both you guys.
But the point about the joke remains. I’m on board for 2018. I’m still not that crazy about the FAZ roster moves. De Leon isn’t a FAZ get. Most of the FAZ signings have have fizzled. Or should I say FAZZLED.
When Hill beats Washington in the playoffs then I’ll be on board. Until then, this is a team playing .500 and it might be good enough as SF tubes.
I think it will be 2019 before FAZ makes the big FA move. Less $ committed in contracts and still gonna be a good FA season.
I still don’t like the Gordon trade. We haven’t had a good leadoff hitter since he was traded. None of the guys that we got (Hatcher, Kike, Barnes) have been all that.
The Kemp trade was genius in retrospect – I have to give them that one.
The “plan” to keep prospects that White and Ned obtained isn’t a plan – you can’t give the Braintrust credit for uncovering JDL with a 24th round draft pick.
I agree the Gordon trade wasn’t as good as the Kemp trade, but, you forgot we also got Kendrick as a result of the Gordon trade. Additionally, Gordon hasn’t “been all that” since he got off PEDs. Lastly, Gordon will be 29 yrs old next year, Hernandez 25-26 and Barnes 27 years old next year and Miami is on the hook for another 4yrs for $40M.
I am not sure why “to keep prospects that White and Ned obtained isn’t a plan”. FAZ was under a lot of pressure to win NOW. Hamels, Price and other top starters would have cost “mucho bueno”. Their plan was to resist the easy move, for instant gratification, and plan instead to compete every year. This year we are already starting to reap the benefit of this strategy.
I think if they gave Kike the second base job, he’d play it well and hit enough to keep it. Nobody hits if they don’t play regularly. I don’t see any return at all from Hatcher and Barnes best serves us in a trade for a better player. But FAZ doesn’t shop for better players, does he?
Wondering: “But FAZ doesn’t shop for better players, does he?”
Open your eyes and you can see!!!
20 months and Rich Hill, Grant Dayton, Joe Blanton, Adam Liberatore, Kenta Maeda, Yasmani Grandal, Carlos Ruiz, Rob Segedin, Chase Utley, Enrique Hernandez, Howie Kendrick, Andrew Toles and Josh Reddick. These are just the ones on 25 man roster. That looks like a shopping spree just about every month. And while they may look like the bargain basement acquisitions to some, they are 3 games ahead of the $250M spending Midgets up north.
Very much the same as Ivanka Trump in her $138 Macy dress, compared to Crooked Hillary in her $12,500, Oscar De La Renta dress. Who looked better to you?
If you like the vampire zombie look Ivanka’s your gal. Personally I think Michelle Obama is 1000 times better looking. For that matter so’s Bill.
Something we agree on 58.
I think all trophy wives look the same. That may be because most are the same. I find the concept ridiculous. But then, I’m not their type either.
Why are you comparing Hillary to Trumps daughter instead of Trump.
It must be his bad rug on his head.
Wow right Melania, Ivanka his daughter. Duh an other senior moment I’m afraid.
Yes MJ, you get an “A”. Ivanka not Melania.
I was merely comparing Ivanka to Crooked Hill to emphasize my point on “smart shopping”, which was raised by Wondering. I wanted to help him wonder no more.
I am surprised that you haven’t heard of the dress comparison between the two. One of my favorite bloggers “SooperMexican” did a nice write up on the subject.
http://www.thepoliticalinsider.com/ivanka-trump-dress-meme-destroys-elitist-hillary/
Box, calling “someone” crooked makes you less of a person.
Consider the source. The Political Insider? Please. Not even going to open it.
Too early to tell on Barnes. It was a good move having catch the kid today since he was most familiar with Jose.
Barnes could play on a lesser club. So could Kiké. Trade them both for pitching prospects then trade those prospects, along with Seager and Urias for Hole Camels.
Who free kin cares about their dresses and stop with Crooked Hillary crap when your supporting someone who almost as many lawsuits against him as Walmart. Trump University and his multiple bankruptcies don’t exactly make me think of good ethics.
Dee Gordon? Which Dee Gordon? You must mean the Dee Gordon before he was caught and suspended 80 games. This year for Gordon:
BA-.254; OBP-.296 SB- 15/6
Fielding-2016: .971; LG AVE-.982
Compared to last year, Gordon has made one more error in almost 500 less chances. I like the trade because you forgot to mention an end result to the trade. Howie Kendrick who is a true professional at his trade.
This win was more on Roberts and the players.
De Leon made a few 1st timer mistakes, other than that… AWESOME.
I was never a Gordon fan.
He got a lot a chances to play for the Dodgers, but he couldn’t handle the pressure.
What ever the Marlins are paying him, has nothing to do with the Dodgers.
But he sure suckered that Marlins owner.
The PED thing surprised me with Gordon but looking back guess it shouldn’t have, gained a lot of weight between 2013 and 14 even though he played all winter.
It was awesome being there today. Besides my vodka soda(s), I got to watch DeLeon show some BIG TIME stuff vs SD, while at the same time watching giants cubs on my iphone. Great celebrating the Cubs win with all the Dodger fans, and then celebrating our own win a bit later.
I thought DeLeon looked great in person today. I’d love to see highlights and see how he looked on tv. Clearly I’m glad we didn’t send DeLeon, Urias, Seager, Todd Gurley, D’Angelo Russell, Brandon Ingram, Anze Kopitar, and Blake Griffin to Phil for Cole Hamels and a cheesesteak to be named later, like Philly asked!
3 games up. This week we get AZ at home for 3 then go to Miami for 3 (with Kersh). SF goes go Col and AZ for 3 each.
Bobby
We get to see Greinke tomorrow.
I want to see how the crowd reacts to him.
I thought De Leon pitched much better, then the box score shows.
I’m glad you had a great time.
Kershaw
Urias
Deleon
Maeda
Stripling
Stewart
Wood
All big league ready. They need to ship the dead weight like McCarthy and Kazmir out of town in the offseason. Wood too if you can get a decent return.
Soon to be ready:
Buehler
Alvarez
Dejong
Oaks
Sborz