I would like to apologize to you all. On Wednesday I wrote a pregame bragging about how it was “moving day” and that the Dodgers (64-50) were on a roll. What I meant was that the Dodgers would be “moving” into first place and the Giants moving into second place. I was right about the moving. Unfortunately I got the locations mixed up. Instead it was the Dodgers moving back into second place after their 6-2 loss to the Phillies and the Giant’s 1-0 win over the Marlins. I must apologize again because I’m pretty sure I jinxed the Dodgers.
If you look deeper into the situation you can plainly see that it probably wasn’t my fault. After all when I am grouchy and complaining the Dodgers seem to win. When I am sunny, cheerful, and optimistic the Dodgers fold up like a beach chair on a lovely afternoon.
The problem was many of you wanted me to talk about the front office in a more favorable light and talk about the good things that they have done. So as soon as I began to speak highly and praise the front office….boom. The club loses and falls out of first place. I blame most of you of course, (points finger at computer screen). Yes it’s your fault. The players may have something to do with it but I would rather go through my day believing that all of you are to blame. I hope you all understand now, that I have a method.
(Update)- The Dodgers have reinstated Joe Blanton and optioned Luis Avilan back to Oklahoma City
Dodgers Lineup vs. Pittsburgh
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Reddick RF
Gonzalez 1B
Grandal C
Pederson CF
Kendrick LF
Stripling P
Ivan Nova-8-6 vs. Ross Stripling-3-3
Game Time – 7:10 PM – TV- SNLA
When I complain, the Dodgers win……….
It’s ok. I forgive you all. Next time I complain don’t tell me to stop being so negative or something. Because when that happens the Dodgers will lose. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.
The Dodgers will open a weekend series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. They sure had a heap of trouble with them when they visited at the end of June. That was Clayton Kershaw’s last start before he was placed on the disabled list with his herniated disc.
The Pirates aren’t doing very well. They have a 57-55 record and are in third place, 14.5 games back of the Cubs in the NL Central. They’re 2 games behind the second team in the wild card race, and 6 games behind the Dodgers. The Bucs have a 24-30 record on the road. The problem for the Pirates has been their mediocre pitching. Their starters have a 4.60 ERA (20) and overall they rank 15 with a 4.18 ERA.
They’ll give the ball tonight to newly acquired Ivan Nova. The 29-year old right hander was acquired from the Yankees for two players to be named later. Nova was 7-6 with a 4.90 ERA in 21 appearances this year. He started 15 of those and struck out 6.9 per nine while allowing 9.9 hits per nine. This is his second start for the Bucs. He won his first start by tossing 7 frames of 3 earned runs ball and striking out 5 against the Reds. He’s never faced the Dodgers, but Josh Reddick is 5 for 13 (.385) with 2 home runs against him.
Nova vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Josh Reddick | 13 | 13 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .385 | .385 | 1.000 | 1.385 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 10 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .100 | .000 | .100 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howie Kendrick | 9 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .222 | .222 | .556 | .778 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Justin Turner | 6 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 38 | 37 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 5 | .243 | .263 | .541 | .804 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The Dodgers will give the ball to right hander Ross Stripling. Newly acquired Rich Hill was scheduled to start tonight but he is still unable to go because of his blisters. The Dodgers have no idea when or if he’ll be able to start. So the Dodgers will have to turn to Stripling for another spot start.
Stripling is making his tenth start and fourteenth appearance. He is 3-3 with a 3.79 ERA. Stripling has struck out 44 and walked 21 in 59.1 innings pitched. He’s allowed 8.2 hits per nine and struck out 6.7 per nine. One of Stripling’s greatest strengths is his ability to keep the ball in the park. He’s only allowed 3 home runs this season. Last week against Boston he tossed 5 shutout innings and picked up the win. Stripling has been very serviceable and is always a good option in a pinch.
Hopefully Corey Seager is ok to play after being hit by a pitch on his right wrist in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s loss to the Phillies. Manager Dave Roberts said he was fine and x-rays were negative. It’s just a bruise. Otherwise start praying.
The Giants will be at home playing Baltimore. In that game Dylan Bundy will take the hill for the Orioles and the Giants will counter with Matt Cain.
On a closing note, let’s all give Kenley Jansen a break. I know he’s blown a few games this year and at times has been a bit shaky. Let’s not forget he’s the greatest closer in LA Dodger history. The guy isn’t perfect and he’s going to give up a few runs. IT HAPPENS. He’s still one of the best closers in all of baseball. Go easy on him.
Go Blue!
Go Dodgers!!!!
So far the trade with Oakland is a very interesting, and for some disappointing, trade.
Hill – DL
Reddick BA = .125
Montas (Their # 11) DL
Homes (their # 13) ERA 10.00
Cotton (Their # 16) ERA 0.60 – So far one player is actually playing very well.
Hopefully this trade works out for the LAD by Labor Day.
Hmm…Holmes was, what, our #5 prospect and he’s not in Oakland’s top ten?
There was a Met fan/writer that made several trade scenarios where the Mets would get Puig and the Dodgers would get Familia. He named other names but those were ridiculous.
Familia stats http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/f/familje01.shtml
Only NL teams with worse records than the Mets could block Puig and worse than the Dodgers to block Familia by claiming either of the two players.
Would you do it?
I think they will wait until the off season to move Yasiel if it is done at all. That’s just my opinion, and I expect no one to agree with me. But it does not make sense to move him now when his value is so low. If he does well at AAA and gets a Sept call up, a good 4 weeks would increase his value.
Trade scenarios now are very restrictive with players having to clear waivers, it’s easy for one team to block another team from getting a player. All the teams will be in play as trading partners in the off-season.
Michael:
I agree they will wait for the off season to trade Puig but unlike you it will be done. I hope he does put good numbers which would make him more tradeable with more in return.
I pretty much agree that Yasiel’s days as a Dodger are numbered. But it was a fun ride. Just wish he understood what he blew. He could have been as big as Fernando in LA. I really think that he would flourish in Miami,, if the managers name was not Mattingly. No way DM wants him down there……Tampa might be a good fit for him, but put that kid in the Big Apple, and it is trouble waiting to happen.
Who knows what would happen between Cespedes and Puig, in the big apple.
They might just run amok.
I think your right Michael, or they would have already traded him.
Question, why in the world is Roberts batting Reddick in the 4 hole again???? The guy can’t hit air!
Word from on high, obviously. Maybe he gives AGon more time to study the opposing pitcher.
Michael
He is hitting 300 against this former Yankee pitcher.
But I don’t get any of the other times, that Roberts had him batting fourth.
Bum said that maybe Roberts was batting fourth, to get him good pitches to hit, and get him starting to hit.
Charlie McCarthy
Unlike most of you I like Reddick and even like him high in the lineup, but not in the 4th spot. I really doubt this is even sabermetrics, just old schooled stubbornness at doubling down.
And Scott, the only reason this is the only Dodgers blog I post at is that I won’t get accused for being a troll with my negative posts. I think most longtime fans just sit back and enjoy the view when things are going well; its when something’s rubbing me the wrong way, that I feel the need to put down my beer and type.
In the 6th inning tonight, Puig is 3 for 3, including a triple and a HR.
That just proves that Puig can hit good AAA pitching, like he did against the Dbacks pen, in his last major league game.
No, it doesn’t prove anything.
Rios, down in AA, is also 3 for 3 with a home run tonight. It’s good seeing him doing well after being promoted from A ball.
Have you seen Puig’s AAA numbers?
And have you seen Puig’s major league numbers?
They have went down every year.
He was one of the Dodgers’ hottest hitters when he was demoted. So it’s kind of unfair to say they went down every year, when they probably would have ended up higher than last year.
His AAA numbers are very important if he is going to have any trade value. He’s batting .448 in AAA and has had 2 home runs this week.
Have you seen how major league hitters hit Urias?
And Urias is one of the best pitchers in AAA.
The pitching in AAA, is not major league pitching.
His AAA numbers are very important if he is going to have any trade value. He’s batting .448 in AAA and has had 2 home runs this week.
Most of the Pirates runs were because of the errors Cory made in the first inning.
The official scorer didn’t give Cory even one error, in that first inning.
And Reddick did his usual.
First off, neither of those plays were errors. Harrison is a fast runner, Corey double clutched on the throw and Harrison beat it out. That is no error, in fact the ump originally called him out. How are you going to call and error on a play like that? On the second ball, Corey did the right thing. He held onto the ball because he did not have a chance in hell of getting the runner. Vinny even mentioned that. You need to look at the whole play, and learn a little bit about what an error is.
And please, if you are going to criticize a player, at least spell his name right. It is COREY.
Everyone in the starting line up had hits, except for Reddick and Grandal.
But Grandal might have hit the hardest ball tonight.
Grandal was unlucky on the first ball he hit because McCutcheon mis judged it, but he is a good enough OF to go back and make the play. The rest of his at bats, he was the usual Grandal. He couldn’t hit in the clutch if someone threw him a pitch underhanded. Reddick is a very pedestrian hitter. Maybe he is trying too hard to impress his new employers to get a new contract this winter, if so he is failing miserably…and this was an offensive upgrade……he did make a great catch in RF, so he at least contributed.