Sometimes life gets in the way of Dodger Baseball and that is exactly what has happened to me over the last few weeks. I decided to take some time off from writing and focus on other things in my life. I still kept an eye on Dodger’s spring training in Glendale Arizona, but I had to spend some time with my girlfriend, family, friends, work, a growing side business, and my health. In the meantime the Dodger’s spring has been going on just fine.
As the Dodgers prepare to begin their three-game exhibition freeway series against the Angels tonight, there hasn’t been a lot of noteworthy performances in spring training. Some young prospects have looked good like Michael Busch, and others haven’t exactly stood out. With opening day fast approaching on Thursday April 1 in Colorado at Coors Field (lord I know), the Dodgers enter into the 2021 season ready to defend their World Series championship, although with a few familiar faces gone.
Guys like Enrique Hernandez, Joc Pederson and Pedro Baez have left for free agency. The rest of the roster should look like it usually does. Thank god Justin Turner has returned, and there will be question marks in the bullpen again with the injuries to Joe Kelly and Brusdar Graterol to start the season. Big man Jimmy Nelson could be the comeback story of the season and the usual chatter for Kenley Jansen‘s diminishing velocity and decline continues to make the rounds.
Speaking of diminishing velocity, Clayton Kershaw did not have a great spring, but nevertheless prepares to make his seemingly fiftieth opening day start on April 1. Kershaw had a poor spring, but he’s healthy. The Dodgers are still mulling over their options for the fifth starter in the rotation. We know Trevor Bauer, Walker Buehler, Julio Urias will round out the rest of the rotation behind Kershaw. The last spot should go to either David Price, Dustin May, or Tony Gonsolin. My choice would be May.
Gavin Lux appears ready to get another shot at second base. The rest of the spring has been pretty mundane honestly. Bauer pitched with one eye open and said some stuff on twitter. Corey Seager is still a stud. It’s been business as usual.
That’s all I got for now. I promise I’ll have more than this, as time allows. Just know I am still here rooting for the Dodgers as usual. Here’s hoping we get another championship before Kershaw retires. (wash my mouth out!)
Hi Scott,
Good to hear from you again. Glad all is going well.
Well, as far as Spring goes, it is a typical Dodger scenario. The kids look promising, as they play their hearts out, even though they know the inevitable…. they will not make the 40-man roster. As always, the veterans seem to start slow, except for the stud Seager, and Lux finally looks like he is ready to assume 2nd base duties full time. Smith and Barnes are showing signs of being the top tag team in the Major Leagues behind the dish.
Don’t know if I like the antics of Bauer. He might be setting himself up for failure, as he has painted a big target on his own back. Ballplayers do not like to be belittled. Kershaw is continuing his nosedive to becoming just another average pitcher. These guys can downplay their spring performances all they want, but we all can see the inevitable. Kenley still not as sharp as he needs to be. Lots of money tied up in these three.
Price and Nelson could be a nice surprise. Glad to see JT back.
Looking forward to the start off the season, with fans in attendance. Anticipating another slow jump out of the starting gates for the Dodgers.
Nice to see Kiké, Joc, Maeda, Ryu, Baez, Wood, and even Darvish doing well in spring. Wish them well.
Kudos to DR for possibly nixing the All Star Game in Atlanta, Georgia. Heard rumors that LA may get 2 Classics in a row, if MLB does the right thing, and decides to pull the game from Atlanta. That would be nice.
Freeway pre-season starts. I’m sure that other team in LA will be playing hard in the Fwy Series. Dodgers to face Ohtani on Monday, I think.
Let’s Go Dodgers!
Would rather not read these articles about the Dodgers winning 105+ games, but while those writers are more informed than us here, it’s only marginally so.
Would love to see both more posting and commenting here.
Even from the (IMO) poor commenters.
Hi Bluto! Gonna’ be a long season.
Go Dodger Blue!?
If you have any friends who aren’t reveling in the Dodgers, point then to the most recent effectively wild podcast with Pedro Moura
Informative and fun
Where can we listen to this Bluto?
fangraphs.com?
Apple Podcasts?
Podcast Addict?
Stitcher?
Google Podcasts.
Spotify.
Any podcast app.