The Dodgers rolled off their fourth consecutive win on Monday evening as Clayton Kershaw defeated the Nationals by a 4-1 score. It was a brutally hot day in Los Angeles with temperatures in excess of 110 degrees. Despite Kershaw tiring in the top of the seventh, he still allowed just one earned run on six hits and struck out eight over seven strong innings to earn his eleventh win of the season. Kershaw owned Bryce Harper striking him out 3 times. Of course he did not walk anyone. Kershaw now has 142 strikeouts and 7 walks. Stunning.
Kenley Jansen picked up his 20 save of the season to move ahead of Eric Gagne (162 saves) to become the all time Dodger leader in saves. Justin Turner remained red hot as he smacked his tenth home run of the season in the first inning and Joc Pederson smashed a monster home run of his own in the fifth frame. The Dodger bats added one more run in the fourth, fifth, and seventh frames (Turner was 2 for 4 and drove in 2 of the four runs and now has hit in eight straight) and were 2 for 6 with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers have now won 6 of their last 8 games. The boys in blue even gained a game on the Giants who lost to Pittsburgh and are now 39-33, 5.5 games back in the NL West.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Washington
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
González 1B
Kendrick LF
Pederson CF
Puig RF
Grandal C
Kazmir P— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 21, 2016
Tanner Roark-6-4 vs. Scott Kazmir-5-3
Game Time – 7:10 PM – TV – SNLA
The Dodgers caught a huge break though before the game even started. Just 45 minutes before game time scheduled starter Stephen Strasburg was scratched because of lower back tightness, effectively ruining my pregame article. Yusmerio Petit started in his place. Nothing in my pregame was accurate. Strasburg was scratched and Yasiel Puig wasn’t activated on Monday like he was supposed to. Although to be fair he’s supposed to be activated today. So that heavyweight pitching battle that we all were hoping for never materialized and my pregame article was worthless.
Of course as you all know by now, I have a day job and normally can’t write these pregames’ while at work. So the majority of them get written the night before, or in the morning. Unfortunately if changes are made to the match-ups I’m normally not available to update anything. In case you guys were wondering I work for a large telecommunications company doing tech support.
So I’ll try this again and hopefully this pregame will still be correct by game time. In game two of the series Tanner Roark will counter Scott Kazmir as the Dodgers look for their fifth win in a row.
The 29-year old Tanner Roark (6-4 3.14) is from Willimington, Illinois and was originally drafted by the Rangers in the 25 round of the 2008 amateur draft. Roark has won three consecutive decisions and has not lost a start since May 25. In his last start he got pummeled for four earned runs over six innings against the Padres. He had a notable start on April 23 against the Twins in which he struck out 15. Roark has the toughest month in June. His ERA is the highest in June (4.15) than it is in any other month. He’s only made 2 career appearances against the Dodgers tossing 3 innings allowing one earned run on two hits. Roark has a five pitch arsenal. He primarily throws a sinker, but also mixes in a 92-95 four-seamer, curve, slider, and a changeup. The Dodgers are only 3 for 28 against Roark in 31 plate appearances.
Roark vs. Dodgers
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Chase Utley | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .100 | .182 | .100 | .282 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Will Venable | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Howie Kendrick | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .250 | .250 | .250 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmani Grandal | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | .000 | .333 | .000 | .333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Enrique Hernandez | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joc Pederson | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | .000 | .500 | .000 | .500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Adrian Gonzalez | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 4.000 | 5.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Turner | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 31 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 7 | .107 | .194 | .214 | .408 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Countering Roark will be veteran Scott Kazmir. The lefty has been pretty horrendous this season. He got hammered again in his last start against the Brewers lasing only 4 innings. Kazmir has had only 4 quality starts out of his 14 all season. Overall Kazmir has a 5-3 record and a 4.64 ERA in 77.2 innings pitched. He’s struck out 83, but his walk per nine rate has risen to 3.6 this season. His trademark control hasn’t been there. He’s allowed too many home runs (12) as well. Kazmir has made 2 career starts against the Nationals and is 1-0 with a 4.66 ERA. The current Nationals have lit up Kazmir like a Christmas tree. They’re hitting .375 (12 for 32) with 2 home runs in 37 plate appearances. Former Dodger Jayson Werth (Werthless) is 5 for 7 with a home run and 4 runs driven in.
Kazmir vs. Nationals
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP | missG |
| Jayson Werth | 11 | 7 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | .714 | .818 | 1.286 | 2.104 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Daniel Murphy | 5 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | .400 | .400 | .400 | .800 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Anthony Rendon | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .200 | .200 | .400 | .600 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ben Revere | 4 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .500 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Stephen Drew | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Oliver Perez | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .333 | .333 | .333 | .667 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Danny Espinosa | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Jose Lobaton | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Ryan Zimmerman | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1.000 | 1.000 | 4.000 | 5.000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 37 | 32 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | .375 | .459 | .625 | 1.084 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
The Dodger offense better score a lot of runs tonight because Kazmir really sucks. It’s looking like the Dodgers are finally coming together and all of my complaining is really starting to pay off. I told you guys. My limit is mid-June before I start complaining and calling guys bums. Then once that happens the Dodgers get angry and turn it around to start playing better baseball. Before you know it we’ve caught the Giants. Even if we don’t, the Dodgers now occupy the first wild card spot. Remember there are two wild card spots and the Dodgers have Clayton Kershaw available to throw in that game. There are plenty of options for making the playoffs. Nowadays, you don’t have to win the division to go all the way. Lesson learned for everyone, my process works. Don’t ever question it.
|
#
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
||
|
1
|
|
44
|
27
|
.620
|
–
|
22-13
|
22-14
|
8-2
|
||
|
2
|
|
39
|
33
|
.542
|
5.5
|
21-15
|
18-18
|
6-4
|
||
|
3
|
|
33
|
36
|
.478
|
10.0
|
15-16
|
18-20
|
6-4
|
||
|
4
|
|
33
|
39
|
.458
|
11.5
|
13-25
|
20-14
|
7-3
|
||
|
5
|
|
29
|
42
|
.408
|
15.0
|
18-22
|
11-20
|
4-6
|
||
Enjoy the game guys! Go Blue!
Can Kazmir get his act together? I have no clue, but lest it go unnoticed, the Dodgers now have the third best ERA in baseball. That’s right! Third best!
The bullpen is also #3 in all of baseball in ERA and Number 1 in the NL. That’s right. The ship is sailing straight. With a lot of help on the way in the minors, I think the pitching is in good hands (pun intended).
The more I read about him the more I think Chris Taylor is EXACTLY what the Dodgers need; a True Backup Shortstop. Kike appears to be the odd-man out! Taylor also has a nice compact line-drive swing. He’s a utilityman, but those guys are valuable too.
The Dodgers are #3 in team fielding and have the 3rd fewest errors.
Now, the hitting: They are still 28th in Batting Average, 23rd in OB%, 26th in OPS and 17th in runs. Turner and Kendrick are heating up – now if just a couple more can step up, everything changes. We are nearing the half-way mark. It’s time to show-up, step-up or shut-up!
BTW, how about that Joe Blanton! I love it!
That was one of the criticisms Rick had during Spring Training….that the Dodgers didn’t have a true backup SS. That plugs a hole. He doesn’t have the pop of Kike, but Kike better start sweating a little.
And to think, some of the naysayers here were complaining that Kike wasn’t given the starting 2nd baseman job and the idiot FO signed that old washed up Utley and the superfluous Kendrick.
Puig has been activated and Frias has been sent back down. He won’t be the 5th starter with Bolsinger gone. And the team has been non-committal about whether Urias will start again after his start against the Nats tomorrow, so they may need 2 starters.
They will have 17 games in 17 days and only 3 guy set to start? As to Bolsinger’s spot, no one is an obvious choice to replace him, and Frias can’t be sent back to the majors for 10 days after being sent down unless someone goes on the DL.
I think you are going to see Ryu or McCarthy, De Leon or Montas or all of the above. I think Urias gets a couple more starts after tonight, before he goes to the pen.
As horrid as the Dodgers season is so far, they have the 4th best record in the NL. Ponder that!
You could also see a trade….
I don’t think I’d trade for an expensive starter like Gray or Teheran. Both of those guys are young and cheap and under team control for a while. Ergo, they’re going to cost a ton in prospects. Sonny Gray’s stock has dropped this year, and, even thought the Braves stink, there’s really no incentive for them to trade their best starter if he’s young…cheap…team control until 2020. They want an ace to build around when the retool and move to a new stadium. If they don’t have Teheran, they’re going to want Urias. Someone in that other thread mentioned that were willing to sacrifice Urias for the POSSIBILITY of winning in the next couple of years. … Nope! Don’t do it.
As Mark mentioned, we have four possible starting pitcher upgrades to choose from that are already drawing a Dodger paycheck. I’d rather try to pry Atlanta’s closer loose….Arodys Vizcaino, and have him replace Hatcher. We almost don’t need him either the way Libertore’s been pitching.
Neither of those guys is making that much, but would cost a lot in prospects, but according to Dodger Blue, Fried Brains said the Dodgers would target elite players…
Sounds like we don’t need anybody. On to the NL West crown, win against the Cubs in Chicago and the Nats in Washington. Easy peasy Kazmir greasy.
Well guys, just back from a 4 1/2 day fishing trip to Lake John, Colorado. Beautiful lake about 17 miles from Walden, Colorado. Fishing was not great, but I did get 2 Cutthroat trout. One 3.5 pounds, and one 2.12 pounds, so it was not a total loss. Glad to see the Dodgers played well while I was gone. I wish Zack Lee a lot of luck with the Mariners.
Michael
I glad you had a good time!
Welcome back Michael!
Thank Scott….I must be good luck cause they pulled out tonights win..
Hey guys, I need help. I am on vacation in Park City Utah. I have the ML Baseball package. Can I get that on my iPad? Should of thought of this before I left home . ESPN had last nights game and Wednesday’s game. Please let me know if I can get it on the iPad.
I do.
You do best to the the app, like At Bat or what ever it is. Free, but plugs you right in.
Thanks fellows. I got it, I think. I will know when 8:00 comes around.
Al,
Download the MLB app from the AppStore and it’s a breeze.
Lord Timmons, I like that, Badger. Could you just call me “Lord Timmons, Sir?”
… or maybe Sir Lord Timmons.
Yeah, that’s the ticket!
How about – “oh lord, it’s Timmons”.
Doesn’t appear we will gain any ground tonight.
Well, I went on Ancestry.com and found that I could trace my ancestors back to the Sheriff of Nottingham, William the Conquerer, King of England, King Enske of Denmark and Radbard Russia (638-690) so I am definitely royality. 😉
A royal pain…
Even Gorm De Gammel Hardaknutsson III!
Puig starts; Thompson sits.
“In his past nine games, Thompson is 5 for 33 with a double, a homer and three walks and 10 strikeouts.” per Dodgers Insider.
OK, write this down:
If you get behind Harper 1-0 or 2-0, just walk him. End of story!
Am I clear?
The Cubs walked him 13 times in a series…
Sounds like they are show casing Puig, and also seeing if he will hit.
Hey guys
kazmir is a bum – 7 hits in 4 innings
6 innings. I’m impressed.
He’s had some help. Nats even as worser as the Dodgers WRISP.
Roark is pitching like Cy Young tonight – and he’s just not that good. The Dodgers must not be either…
Solid start from Kazmir today; I’ll take it as I don’t expect Kershaw game from him anyway.
and man, I’m so happy for Yasmani! Huge HR; hopefully he gets his swing back
Now Kenley needs to close this
Grandal Man!!!!
I would not get too excited…..even a blind dog finds a bone now and then….still way below the Mendoza line….guy is a slug….
But Michael he is still a Dodger.
Yes he is, and that is the worst part of it, he should be gone….
MJ, Just because the guy is a Dodger does not mean I have to like him. There have been other guys who have been Dodgers that I have not liked while they were on the team. Gary Sheffield comes to mind. Frank Robinson was a great player, but not very likeable. Another was Richie Allen. At least in their brief time with LA they produced. Grandal had had a great 8 weeks, and since he has been a MAJOR disappointment, and I am sorry, this bum could not carry Matt Kemp’s jock.
If somebody tossed him Matt Kemp’s jock it would go to the backstop.