We’re about three days from the trade deadline, but the Dodgers haven’t done anything yet. There hasn’t been much movement across the boards to be honest. The Cubs got Aroldis Chapman. The Giants got Eduardo Nunez from the Twins for cheap. The Marlins just got Andrew Cashner because why not? Speaking of those Giants, they’re in the middle of an incredibly wonderful slump.
They’ve won just two games since the all-star break after falling to the Nationals last night by a 4-2 score. Those are the same Nationals that the Dodgers beat 5 out of 6 games. Since the Dodgers didn’t play last night, they picked up a half game in the standings. The Dodgers are now 2 games behind in the NL West.
|
#
|
Team
|
W
|
L
|
PCT
|
GB
|
HOME
|
AWAY
|
L10
|
||
|
1
|
|
59
|
43
|
.578
|
–
|
30-20
|
29-23
|
2-8
|
||
|
2
|
|
57
|
45
|
.559
|
2.0
|
31-19
|
26-26
|
5-5
|
||
|
3
|
|
50
|
52
|
.490
|
9.0
|
25-24
|
25-28
|
7-3
|
||
|
4
|
|
44
|
58
|
.431
|
15.0
|
23-25
|
21-33
|
3-7
|
||
|
5
|
|
42
|
60
|
.412
|
17.0
|
17-35
|
25-25
|
3-7
|
||
I don’t know how long this slump will last for the Giants, but the Dodgers need to pounce. Right now. I do mean right now. They need to start winning again. Those games against Arizona they blew on the last road trip still bother me. As does that 16-inning crapfest in St. Louis that ended with Bud Norris doing the most predictable thing ever.
The Dodgers win 2 of those games and they’re in first place right now as I am writing this. Or maybe if they won on Wednesday against the Rays instead of dropping that game and splitting the two game series. Spilled milk I guess. Andrew Friedman has got to do something big and it has to happen between now and Monday.
Dodgers Lineup vs. Arizona
Utley 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Kendrick LF
Grandal C
Toles RF
Pederson CF
Maeda P
Zack Godley-3-1 vs. Kenta Maeda-9-7
Game Time – 7:10 PM 0 TV-SNLA
Speaking of those annoying Dbacks, they’re in town this weekend for a three game series. Tonight rookie Zack Godley will take on Kenta Maeda in the series opener. Godley is actually in his second MLB season but is not otherworldly.
Godley went 5-1 with a 3.19 ERA in his first stint with the Dbacks back in 2015. In 6 starts he struck out 8.3 per nine but also allowed 4.2 walks per nine. This season he has made 4 starts and 8 appearances. He has a 3-1 record and a 5.88 ERA in 26 innings pitched. He’s allowed 11.1 hits per nine, and his FIP is 4.37. When you have a WHIP of over 1.6, something isn’t going right for you.
He got off to a great start last year when he tossed six shutout innings against the Brewers in his first MLB start. He then threw another six inning shutout against the Nationals in his third start and it seemed the sky was certainly the limit for the young Godley. After all he has a big bag of pitches which included a two-seamer with movement, a hard four-seamer, changeup. Curveball, and cutter. All the tools a young pitcher needs to succeed. Then the bottom fell out and here is with a 5.88 ERA for the last place Dbacks. Godley has only faced the Dodgers for one career inning.
The Dodgers will counter with Kenta Maeda. The Japanese import is well versed with the Dbacks by now. After all he’s faced them three times this season. He’s 1-1 (4.02 ERA) with a no decision. Maeda knows how to handle the Snakes. Just don’t do anything stupid like pitch to Paul Goldschmidt with runners on base and you should be fine. Maeda knows this stuff now. Hopefully he utilizes this knowledge. Overall Maeda is 9-7 with a 3.25 ERA. He’s struck out 115 and walked 32 in 113.2 innings pitched. His next win will be the tenth of the season for him.
Maeda vs. Dbacks
| Name | PA | AB | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | SH | SF | IBB | HBP | GDP |
| Paul Goldschmidt | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | .250 | .333 | .250 | .583 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jean Segura | 9 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .556 | .625 | 1.181 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jake Lamb | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | .714 | .750 | 1.429 | 2.179 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Michael Bourn | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | .600 | .600 | .800 | 1.400 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Welington Castillo | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .667 | .667 | .667 | 1.333 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Archie Bradley | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Patrick Corbin | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Drury | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Freeman | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tuffy Gosewisch | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Robbie Ray | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .500 | .500 | 1.000 | 1.500 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Yasmany Tomas | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 48 | 45 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 | 9 | .400 | .438 | .600 | 1.038 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
The Dodgers are rumored to be getting someone big. They better do it because now Adam Liberatore has a sore knee and Yasiel Puig is still battling a sore hamstring, (unless they are keeping him out of the lineup because of a potential trade and then its hamstring…wink wink). Nobody knows when Clayton Kershaw will return or if he will at all. So Can the Dodgers (57-45) not only overtake the Giants to win the NL West, but also advance through the playoffs? I don’t know but they’re going to have to get somebody to put the club over the top. Whether that is Chris Sale, or Chris Archer, or Jay Bruce, or Lucroy, or whoever. Moves need to be made soon. Andrew Friedman is on the clock and under the gun if he doesn’t pull off something big.
Anyways, something big is brewing soon. You can bet on that. Well don’t actually bet on it, just keep it in your mind for later. Enjoy the game! Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled here for breaking trade news and rumors. Good times.
Go blue!
I was thinking the same thing: maybe Puig is being held back because of a potential trade. Whatever it is we just wait and wait and wait…and play 500 ball.
I could see that. make sure his hammy is totally healthy for his future team. Plus by NOT putting him on the DL, he’d be available right away for his new team
Something will go down this weekend..
Maybe Arizona’s pitching is so bad because those ugly uniforms are also uncomfortable.
This article is shocking. Seems the price is skyhigh for anybody and everybody!!! I’d almost rather trade Kenley right now and get some top prospects from somebody than buy! :
The Nationals are doubtful enough that Andrew Miller will be available or attainable with what they are willing to do that they have shifted their focus more strongly toward Kansas City’s Wade Davis and Pittsburgh’s Mark Melancon.
The Nats badly wanted Aroldis Chapman, yet refused to include Lucas Giolito, Trea Turner, Reynaldo Lopez, Victor Robles or Joe Ross in discussions, namely because Chapman can be a free agent after this season. They might be more amenable on Miller, who is on a team-favorable contract (two years, $18 million) for 2017-18.
Jon Morosi of MLB.com tweeted Friday that outside executives “believe” the Nats would trade Giolito straight up for Miller. The Yankees have not heard that offer, nor would they make the deal if offered.
Giolito is No. 1 in some prospect rankings. However, two scouts not from the Yankees have raised concerns about the righty’s tenacity, saying his performance this year has not matched his reputation. The Yankees do like him, but have enough concerns that they would want other pieces to mitigate some fears they have or they would simply want a different combination of Washington prospects.
Prediction for tonight’s game: Goldie will hit a homerun. (Same prediction tomorrow and next day)
Jayson Stark? Verified account ?
?@jaysonst
Rumblings of a big 3-team extravaganza brewing with the Dodgers, Reds & a mystery team. Jay Bruce would land in LA when the dust settles
Give me Lenny Bruce instead
Springsteen.
I hope they don’t go after that pitcher Hill on the A’s.
That would be the same kind of move, as last year’s moves.
And this pitcher has injury problems too.
That’s just awful.
Here is my question, if Friedman going to make a big move this year, or if he going to make a move, much like last year’s move?
exactly. this is not a sexy splash whatsoever
Bobby
We have to many starting pitchers like that Hill guy anyways.
We need quality whether it is a position player, or a pitcher.
Jay Bruce landing in LA? Another lh bat? Meh. Not exactly Manny Ramrez. Terrible defender. There has to be more than that.
Badger
Of course it has to be a three team deal.
One guy said Red’s Dodgers, White Sox.
Another guy says with Red’s , Dodgers and Rays.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/latest-on-jay-bruce-market.html
Rays likely third team, Puig likely involved.
MJ, you asked in the last thread when the trade deadline is
It’s Monday at 1pm PST
Thanks Bobby!
Peralta is back tonight. When Pollack gets back this will be a far more dangerous club. He’s taking batting practice. We should still beat them.
3 teams huh? Seen that before.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/latest-on-jay-bruce-market.html
My take on this is Tampa is sending a pitcher to L A and a pitcher to Cincy. Cincy is sending Bruce to L A. L A is sending pitching prospects to Tampa. Tampa is sending Position player Prospects to Cincy. My guess. A typical FAZ trade….
Wondering
Good guess
The old Army game. I’ve got three shells and you’ve only got two eyes.
That was the best oppo hit I have seen Joc hit!
I agree. Why can’t that happen more often
Excellent 6 from Maeda. Excellent! And only like 74 pitches.
Meanwhile, new “rumors” that Atl could be that 3rd team in our Bruce/Puig deal
6 excellent innings – but still only 6 innings. a starting pitcher should only be expected to throw 74 pitches? really?
in 1963, 43 year old Warren Spahn and 25 year old Juan Marichal pitched 16 innings each – Willie Mays won it in the bottom of the 16th with a HR. Spahn threw 16 innings at the age of 43 . And it wasn’t a fluke – he won 23 games that year.
And today, the best we can expect is 74 pitches? Shameful.
https://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Game-Ever-Pitched-Marichal/dp/1600788211
he actually threw 93 pitches
About nineteen too many.
If Cory could have kept Goldy’s line drive in front of himself, Maeda probably would finish that seventh inning.
Blanton has not pitched well lately – his arm is probably falling off due to overuse caused by too many starters who can only throw 74 pitches
It was bound to happen…..BP implodes in the 7th and 7 runs score….not good on a night when the Giants are losing and we could have picked up a game in the standings….still not hitting…….
what a mess
at least sf is losing again
JOC!
Great game for Joc tonight!
I told you Utley can hit leftie relievers!
I love this team!
Well, it wasn’t bad pitching tonight that did Blanton in. A couple of bloops and a bleeder are what kept that inning going.
And as I write this Utley just connected. And Seager doubles. Just keep the his coming. Please don’t leave Seager stranded. Thank you Yasmani. Wanted a hit from Toles badly. Sure could use Wade Davis and Kenley in the next two innings. It’s now hold your breath time.
I don’t see why anyone would be shocked that our pitchers can only go 6. After 4 months of this, I don’t expect anything else. If they can give us a solid 6, then we need 3 from the bullpen.
And if we need 3 from the bullpen, then I’m all for getting another big arm for the 8th. We need that KC type shutdown bullpen with this starting staff we have. Expecting this staff to go 7 is a bit silly. So let them go 6. And then let’s fortify the back end of our pen
Bobby
Even someone like Houston Street could help.
And he won’t cost a bunch
I was thinking that too; plus Anaheim could use some prospects anyway!
Giants lose again
And really most of the starting pitchers in baseball, don’t throw eight innings anymore.
And like Bobby said, because our starters won’t suddenly pitch much past six innings, we need another good arm in the pen, to shorten the game.
And the front office showed that they knew the team needed that one big arm, when they went after Chapman, but after that, they didn’t do anything close to what the Dodgers needed in the bullpen.
Blanton has been mostly good, but he should not have to fill that role.
If Roberts didn’t find the right guys to keep us in games, we would be farther behind.
1 game back, kids!