June 2015 – Page 6 – Dodger Thoughts

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Atlanta Braves Monday, May 25, 2015 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles,California. The Dodgers beat the Braves 6-3. Photo by Jon SooHoo/©Los Angeles Dodgers,LLC 2015

(Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Cardinals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Andre Ethier, RF
Alex Guerrero, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Carlos Frias, P

By Jon Weisman

Kenley Jansen has been cleared by medical staff to pitch tonight after being held out of Wednesday’s 7-6 Dodger loss to the Rockies.

Jansen, who has faced 20 batters this season and allowed one hit and no walks while striking out 11, complained of headaches and an upset stomach and was found to have elevated blood pressure, according to Don Mattingly, who said he learned Jansen would be unavailable in about the fifth inning.

Mattingly said he did not discuss the specifics of Jansen’s condition after Wednesday’s game out of respect to Jansen’s wishes. Jansen, however, is expected to speak to reporters before tonight’s game.

In other medical news, Howie Kendrick has been given a rest from the starting lineup tonight after his knee stiffened following a slide into third base Wednesday. Kendrick has started 50 of the Dodgers’ first 53 games in 2015.

Also, Triple-A pitching prospect Zach Lee has experienced tingling in the fingers of his right hand, and is in Los Angeles to be examined.

25 years ago today: Ramon Martinez whiffs 18

In History

From the pages of the brand-new June edition of Dodger Insider magazine, a look back at Ramon Martinez’s 18-strikeout game, 25 years ago today.

— Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson vs. Justin Turner in Dodger Grill-Off

In Uncategorized

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For me, this Joc Pederson-Justin Turner Father’s Day BBQ Set battle comes down to who mugs it better. And it might be too close to call.

Presented by Farmer John, the Father’s Day BBQ Set is being given away to the first 40,000 fans at the Dodgers’ game with the Giants on June 21.

— Jon Weisman

Before Pederson, there was Pedro: 15 homers in June 1985

In History

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By Jon Weisman

With Joc Pederson on his latest homer spree to open June, it’s hard not to recall the exploits of the greatest month of circuit clouting in Los Angeles Dodgers history — especially since it took place exactly 30 years ago.

In 30 days from the start to the end of June in 1985, Pedro Guerrero blasted 15 home runs, a mark only previously achieved by a Dodger in any month by Duke Snider’s 15 in August 1953.

Guerrero hit his 15 home runs in only 25 games. Only Mark McGwire (July 1999) has hit more home runs in a single month while playing in 25 games or less.

Appropriately enough, Guerrero started out with a home run on the first day of June — in the 11th inning off National League saves leader Jeff Reardon of Montreal. But Guerrero’s pace over the next several days was not especially rapid. By June 9, he had a modest four homers in the month — matching his total from April and May combined.

Guerrero homered again on June 10, but thanks to some Midwestern rain, three straight days without games further slowed his progress. After that, things got serious: Four homers in three games in Houston’s spacious Astrodome put the slugger at nine for the month, and five more in the next 10 days put him within one of Snider and the MLB record for home runs in June, shared at the time by Babe Ruth, Bob Johnson and Roger Maris. (Eventually, Sammy Sosa would hit 20 homers in June 1998.)

Over the next three days, through his 29th birthday on June 29, Guerrero went homerless. One day remained in June: a rare midweek day game at Dodger Stadium against the Braves. Guerrero grounded out in his first at-bat and hit two furious but futile fly outs in his next two. He had one more trip to the plate left.

SportsNet LA joins Charter lineup Tuesday

In Television

By Jon Weisman

SportsNet LA, the 24/7 Dodger channel, will be made available to Charter Communications customers beginning Tuesday.

SportsNet LA will air on Charter Spectrum TV Select, Charter’s most widely subscribed tier of service, via channels 44 SD/789 HD in Los Angeles, 68 SD/773 HD in San Luis Obispo and channel 95 SD in Porterville.

SportsNet LA’s Spanish-language game telecasts and Korean-language Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) will also be made available to Charter customers.

“We’re thrilled that Dodger fans will now be able to watch SportsNet LA’s 24/7 Dodger programming on Charter’s systems,” Dodger president and CEO Stan Kasten said. “SportsNet LA continues to deliver unparalleled coverage of the Dodgers, and we hope other providers come on board soon so all fans can enjoy the network’s first-rate programming.”

Said Charter Communications president and CEO Tom Rutledge: “The Dodgers are an iconic franchise and part of the fabric of the community. We are very excited to be bringing the Dodgers back to Charter customers in the L.A. area.”

In addition to live games and pregame/postgame shows, SportsNet LA’s comprehensive coverage of the Dodgers includes documentary series such as “Backstage Dodgers,” “Dodgers Clubhouse,” “Dodgermentary” and “Connected With …,” as well as full games from the past in “Timeless Dodgers.”

Don Mattingly confirmed for NL All-Star coaching staff

In All-Star Game

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodger manager Don Mattingly has officially been named a National League coach for this year’s All-Star Game, along with Cincinnati manager Bryan Price. NL manager Bruce Bochy of the Giants invited Mattingly and Price to join.

With the Dodgers playing .585 ball (31-22) so far this year, Mattingly remains on pace to become the second manager in the past 100 years to improve his won-lost record for the first five full seasons of his career (as noted in the April issue of Dodger Insider magazine).

— Jon Weisman

Joc Joc Joc Joc Joc

In History, Postgame

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By Jon Weisman

Though the Dodgers, with Kenley Jansen unavailable, were unable to finish off the Rockies on Wednesday, it shouldn’t be lost that Joc Pederson delivered his fifth straight game with a home run.

Pederson has tied the Dodger record for most consecutive games with a homer — and is the first rookie to do so, after veterans Roy Campanella (1950), Shawn Green (2001) and Matt Kemp (2010) and Adrian Gonzalez (2014-15).

With 109 games left in the season, Pederson is already tied for 10th place on the Dodgers’ all-time single-season home run list for rookies, with 17. He is tied with Giancarlo Stanton for second place in the NL in home runs, one behind Bryce Harper.

“@espn30 for 30: The Joc Pederson Home Runs in June Story”

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 4, 2015

The 23-year-old has raised his 2015 OPS to .998, fifth in the National League. He is sixth in the Major Leagues, third in the NL and second among NL outfielders in wins above replacement, according to Fangraphs.

And, he’s the cover story in the June issue of Dodger Insider magazine. Make sure you pick up a copy at Dodger Stadium the next time you stop by.

In case you missed it: Home Run Dopey

On June 3, 2015

In Pregame, Transactions

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Dodgers at Rockies, 5:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Guerrero, LF
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Mike Bolsinger, P

By Jon Weisman

I strongly recommend you read Eric Stephen’s piece at True Blue L.A. today on the Dodger offense, which is starting to take on criticism for hitting too many home runs. Yeah, really.

At the heart of the problem is the increasing circulation of the misleading statistic that 49 percent of the Dodger offense has been produced by home runs (117 of the Dodgers’ 238 runs have been driven in by homers) — which conveniently ignores how the guys who scored ahead of the home runs get on base.

Example: Do you really want to be arguing that the three ninth-inning singles Tuesday had *nothing* to do with Alex Guerrero's grand slam?

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 3, 2015

I guess the fear is that somehow, if the Dodgers score too many runs on home runs, then they’ll be in trouble in October when the home runs don’t come so easily — as if somehow walks, hit-and-runs and stolen bases in the playoffs somehow are a piece of cake.

Let’s find other things to think about …

Tonight’s Dodger game has been — shocker, I know — delayed by rain. No cancellation is expected.
Hector Olivera is expected begin his professional career Thursday with Double-A Tulsa in a 5:05 Pacific game against Midland.
Yasiel Puig is expected to start his rehab assignment with Rancho Cucamonga in a 6:30 p.m. game at Lancaster. His last rehab assignment began three weeks ago but was cut short May 8.
Ian Thomas, the 26th man on the roster for Tuesday’s doubleheader, has been returned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
In the wake of Joc Pederson’s awesome power display Tuesday, Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs looks at Joc Pederson’s awesome power.
ESPN’s Home Run Tracker, updated through Tuesday, is a lot of fun to look at today.
Talk about batting 1.000 …

In 523 combined plate appearances, Pederson, Gonzalez and Guerrero have hit .297/.383/.617/1.000! with 61 walks, 33 doubles and 37 homers

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 3, 2015

Puigiversary

On June 3, 2015

In Uncategorized

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Yasiel Puig throws to Adrian Gonzalez at first base for the final out in his MLB debut, June 3, 2013 (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

By Jon Weisman

Today marks the second anniversary of Yasiel Puig’s Dodger debut, which began right away with his first Major League hit in the first inning and culminated with that memorable, game-ending 9-3 double play.

Puig, who is said to be nearing a minor-league assignment to complete his rehab of an injured left hamstring, has been stuck on 50 plate appearances and an .845 OPS since April 24. For the first two years of his MLB career, Puig — still only 24 — has a .386 on-base percentage and .501 slugging percentage with 37 home runs.

His 150 OPS+ ranks fifth in Dodger history among players with at least 1,000 plate appearances, behind only Gary Sheffield, Mike Piazza, Jack Fournier and Reggie Smith.

The Dodgers have held their own without him, but it will be great to have him back …

‘I am speechless — I am without speech’

In Postgame

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8XhiaUE9xg&feature=youtu.be&t=17s

By Jon Weisman

How can something be so exhilarating and so exhausting at once?

How can Joc Pederson hit two homers and a triple in one day … and his team still be one strike away from two losses?

How can his team still be down by three with two out and two strikes on the batter … and win the game?

Who stole the cookie from the cookie jar? pic.twitter.com/0ptBa5a4Mu

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) June 3, 2015

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Doctor, my eyes … my eyes are fried.

If you’re a Los Angeles Dodger fan, this was a first for your team.

Since moving to Los Angeles in 1958, according to Elias Sports and the Dodger public relations department, the Dodgers had hit five other grand slams after two were out in the ninth. Four of those were in tie games. After the only previous two-out, come-from-behind grand slam in the ninth inning, the Dodgers still lost the game. Todd Benzinger’s heroic blast on September 4, 1992 was not enough to prevent a ninth-inning collapse and the Dodgers falling to 54-80 in that misbegotten season.

Kenley Jansen made sure that didn’t happen again.

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How in the world is Guerrero doing this? Ten home runs in 98 at-bats. A 1.011 OPS.

Babe freakin Guerrero!!

— Brandon Beachy (@Brandon_Beachy) June 3, 2015

And how in the world is Pederson doing this? Home runs in four straight games. A .971 OPS, at age 23. On pace (forgive me) for 50 homers.

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Pederson and Guerrero have combined for 26 home runs, and the season has 110 games to go.

Not for nothing, the three players who got the hits ahead of Guerrero’s slam had batting averages of .212 (Alberto Callaspo), .211 (Jimmy Rollins) and .125 (Chris Heisey).

And let’s not forget Josh Ravin, who came up today and made his big-league debut after 209 games across 10 seasons in the minors, threw five pitches at a combined 494 miles per hour — and got the win. He is the first National League pitcher since 2006 to get an MLB win with only five career pitches.

Oh, it’s a scene, man. It is a scene.

Exit Barnes and Huff, enter Coulombe and Ravin

In Pregame, Transactions

Josh Ravin (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Rockies, 12:10 p.m.
Joc Pederson, CF
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Andre Ethier, RF
Alberto Callaspo, 3B
Jimmy Rollins, SS
Chris Heisey, RF
Zack Greinke, P

Following their 6-3 loss to Colorado in the first game of today’s doubleheader, the Dodgers …

optioned catcher Austin Barnes, who went 0 for 2 with a walk today, to Triple-A Oklahoma City
designated pitcher David Huff, who threw a shutout eighth inning today, for assignment (for the second time this year)
called up lefty reliever Daniel Coulombe, who has a 1.13 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 15 2/3 innings for Oklahoma City, for the third time in the past 30 days.
selected the contract of righty reliever Josh Ravin, who has a 2.25 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 20 innings for Oklahoma City, for his potential Major League debut.

— Jon Weisman

Dodgers-Rockies in 18-round bout today

In Midgame

By Jon Weisman

So with at least 18 innings of baseball on tap today, my experiment is to score each inning like a boxing match, using the 10-point system.

This system assigns ten points to the winner of each round. The loser receives nine points for a close round, eight points if he was knocked down or dominated, and seven points if he was knocked down twice. If a round is even and neither boxer was knocked down, both boxers receive 10 points.

Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. will join me as a fellow judge. Check back here for round-by-round updates.

Round 1: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-10 (Weisman)
Comment: “Pitch count and strikeout edge for De La Rosa and the ground ball off Nicasio was hit harder.” — Stephen

Round 2: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)
Comment: “Dodgers initially parried the Rockies’ hard-hit punches, only for Colorado to sneak in a soft blow to the underbelly. ” — Weisman

Round 3: 10-8 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-8 Dodgers (Weisman)
Comment: “Pederson with the left hook! ” — Weisman

Round 4: 10-8 Rockies (Stephen), 10-8 Rockies (Weisman)
Comment: “The ball is really carrying today in this day game.” — Orel Hershiser

Round 5: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-8 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 6: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)
Comment: “The Rockies have lost only one round so far, but a big round for the Dodgers could get them back in this fight.” — Weisman

Round 7: 10-8 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 8: 10-9 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-10 (Weisman)

Round 9: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)
Comment: “The Rockies didn’t bat this inning, but sealing the victory seems worth an edge. The Dodgers had one baserunner in the final four innings.” — Weisman

Round 10: 10-8 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-9 Dodgers (Weisman)

Round 11: 10-9 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-9 Dodgers (Weisman)

Round 12: 10-9 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-9 Dodgers (Weisman)
Comment: “Lots of punches that landed.” – Stephen

Round 13: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 14: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-10 (Weisman)

Round 15: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-8 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 16: 10-8 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 17: 10-9 Rockies (Stephen), 10-9 Rockies (Weisman)

Round 18: 10-7 Dodgers (Stephen), 10-6 Dodgers (Weisman)

But do we rule this a TKO?

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Gonzalez, Pederson losing ground in All-Star vote

In All-Star Game

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By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez still leads the National League All-Star balloting at first base, but as was the case in 2014, Arizona’s Paul Goldschmidt has begun cutting into Gonzalez’s lead.

Ahead by nearly 450,000 votes a week ago, Gonzalez leads Goldschmidt by about 313,000 votes now.

In addition, Joc Pederson fell from sixth to 10th in the outfield race, despite continuing to lead NL center fielders in WAR. Pederson, who a week ago was 356,000 votes out of a starting spot in the NL outfield, now trails current No. 3 Giancarlo Stanton of Miami by more than 620,000 votes.

The best news for the Dodgers this week is that Yasmani Grandal has moved into the top five at catcher, though he still trails San Francisco’s Buster Posey by more than a million ballots.

See below for the current leaders …

Read More

Scott Van Slyke becomes third Dodger outfielder on DL