May 2016 – Page 6 – Dodger Thoughts

Happy Mother’s Day, Dodger-style

On May 8, 2016

Feliz dia de las Madres!
Te amo Mama! pic.twitter.com/jcFB4jhXh1

— Adrián González (@Adrian_ElTitan) May 8, 2016

Dodgers at Blue Jays, 10:07 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, DH
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
Trayce Thompson, RF
(Ross Stripling, P)

By Jon Weisman

Mother’s Day brunch meets the Dodgers with this morning’s game at Toronto.

Howie Kendrick, who has already started at second base, third base, left field and designated hitter for the Dodgers this year, takes the field at first base today. Kendrick has 573 1/3 career innings at first base, though none since 2011. He started 44 games there during his rookie season in 2006.

Ross Stripling takes the mound for the Dodgers on seven days’ rest. After going a total of 13 1/3 innings in his first two starts, he has gone 13 2/3 in his past three.

Mike Bolsinger, whose slot Stripling took in the starting rotation, threw 46 pitches (30 strikes) in his first rehab start of the year Saturday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, walking none and striking out three. He pitched three shutout innings before surrendering two runs in his fourth.

And with that, Happy Mother’s Day! Start with this piece by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com on Corey Seager’s mom Jody, and go from there …

Clayton Kershaw’s strikeout-walk feats go international

By Jon Weisman

On May 7, 2016

In Postgame

Clayton Kershaw allowed two runs on eight hits, but again walked none while striking out 10. (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Clayton Kershaw didn’t throw a 14-strikeout shutout today like he did six days ago, but his work today at Toronto was hardly less impressive.

Starting in an American League East ballpark for the first time in his career, Kershaw continued to showcase otherworldly control in pitching the Dodgers to a 6-2 victory over the Blue Jays.

In seven innings, Kershaw struck out 10 and walked none, which means the following:

Dodgers mulling Julio Urias callup

By Jon Weisman

On May 7, 2016

In History, Minor leagues

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Bolsinger to make rehab start
Mike Bolsinger is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with a start at Triple-A Oklahoma City tonight. Bolsinger has been out since March with an oblique injury.

By Jon Weisman

Dave Roberts told reporters today that the Dodgers are considering bringing up 19-year-old Julio Urias, potentially to pitch out of the bullpen.

Urias is among several options the Dodgers are considering to shore up the relief corps, but could be considered the primary one.

After pitching six no-hit innings Wednesday for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Urias has a 1.88 ERA and 0.71 WHIP with 29 strikeouts and only three walks in 24 innings.

Urias turns 20 on August 12. In the closest recent comparison, Clayton Kershaw made his MLB debut on May 25, 2008, at age 20 years and 67 days.

Kershaw looks to cure what ALs Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

On May 7, 2016

In Pregame

Dodgers at Blue Jays, 10:07 a.m.
Kershaw CCXLIX: Kershaw-ish
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Carl Crawford, DH
(Clayton Kershaw, P)

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers are 1-2 to start interleague play, 2-8 in their past 10 games and 14-15 on the season.

Enter Clayton Kershaw.

Today, Kershaw appears in his 100th game since the beginning of the 2013 season, a run that began with his Opening Day shutout (and eighth-inning, tiebreaking home run) against the Giants.

In 713 innings over his past 99 games, Kershaw has a 1.92 ERA with 826 strikeouts. This is what his average start in that time looks like: 7 1/3 innings, five hits, 1.7 runs (1.5 earned), 1.3 walks, 8.3 strikeouts.

Interview: Forging a career in baseball operations

By Jon Weisman

On May 6, 2016

In Front office

Emilee Fragapane

Megan Schroeder

Providing an enlightening window into the evolving Dodger front office, senior research and development analyst Megan Schroeder and baseball operations coordinator Emilee Fragapane spoke to Ben Lindbergh and Sam Miller on Baseball Prospectus’ “Effectively Wild” podcast about what they do, the impressive level of study that prepared them, and their rare gender status in their roles. Give it a listen …

— Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson’s quiet offensive surge

By Jon Weisman

On May 6, 2016

In Pregame

get in emmmmm #Defense

A post shared by Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) on May 5, 2016 at 5:59pm PDT

Dodgers at Blue Jays, 4:07 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, DH
Joc Pederson, CF
Carl Crawford, LF
(Kenta Maeda, P)

By Jon Weisman

Joc Pederson isn’t just about tight man-to-man defense, as seen in the above video.

Under the radar and near the bottom of the batting order, Pederson is quietly reducing fears about his offense after last season’s post-June slump.

Overall in 2016, the 24-year-old has a .386 on-base percentage (.403 against right-handed pitching) with a .500 slugging percentage, .380 weighted on-base average and 137 weighted runs created.

Beyoncé coming to Dodger Stadium on September 14

By Jon Weisman

On May 6, 2016

In Dodger Stadium, Entertainment

Dodger Stadium will host Beyoncé’s “The Formation World Tour” on September 14. Tickets go on sale to the general public May 13, but Dodger fans can jump ahead with a presale that runs from 10 a.m. May 11 to 5 p.m. May 12 by visiting dodgers.com/beyonce.

The Dodgers are playing an afternoon game at Yankee Stadium that day, part of a 10-game road trip September 9-18 to Miami, New York and Arizona that is their longest of the season.

— Jon Weisman

Video: Vin Scully wishes Willie Mays a happy 85th

By Jon Weisman

On May 6, 2016

In History

[wpvideo eLEuw539]

By Jon Weisman

Baseball legend Willie Mays turns 85 today. Mays was always a favorite of Vin Scully, and Scully taped a birthday greeting that is more than just platitudes — it’s a celebration of greatness.

Scully’s praise for Mays is for good reason, and not just for his legendary catches. If you haven’t looked at Mays’ stats recently, or recollected anything beyond his 660 home runs, take a moment to refresh.

Video: Irving Piken, 107-year-old Dodger fan

By Jon Weisman

On May 6, 2016

In History

[mlbvideo id=”662739983″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]
Irving Piken, at age 107 believed to be the Dodgers’ oldest living fan and an actual trolley dodger, was profiled in this piece by SportsNet LA’s “Backstage: Dodgers,” in which he meets that young reporter nearly 20 years his junior, Vin Scully.

— Jon Weisman

Video: ‘Mid-Afternoon with Clayton Kershaw’

By Jon Weisman

On May 5, 2016

In Uncategorized

[mlbvideo id=”652842883″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Earlier this week, Clayton Kershaw had some fun with Chris Rose and Kevin Millar on MLB Network’s “Intentional Talk,” talking about his greatest Little League memory, his eephus pitch and most of all, the glorious physicality of A.J. Ellis. If you missed it, enjoy …

— Jon Weisman

Video: Adrian Gonzalez bobblehead go boom

By Jon Weisman

On May 5, 2016

In Promotions

[mlbvideo id=”658099183″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

More outstanding acting from your Dodger team comes in this spotlight on Adrian Gonzalez Bobblehead Night (presented by Time Warner Cable), which takes place May 25 when the Dodgers play the Reds.

— Jon Weisman

LGBT night set for June 3 at Dodger Stadium

By Jon Weisman

On May 5, 2016

In Community, Promotions, Tickets

By Jon Weisman

Dodger Stadium’s fourth annual LGBT Night will take place June 3 when the Dodgers play Atlanta.

A special event ticket package that includes a game ticket and exclusive Dodger LGBT Night tank top can be purchased only at dodgers.com/LGBT.

Los Angeles Galaxy star Robbie Rogers will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and former NFL defensive taclke Esera Tuaolo will sing the National Anthem, on a night that will also welcome former NFL player Michael Sam, former NBA player Jason Collins, University of Laverne women’s basketball coach Julie Shaw, former Chapman University defensive end Mitch Eby, TV personality E.J. Johnson, “The Real O’Neals” star Noah Galvin and international recording artist Lance Bass.

Road rash burns Wood in Tampa Bay

By Jon Weisman

On May 4, 2016

In Postgame

Mike Carlson/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

Alex Wood still can’t shake the roadrunner blues.

Wood has made 18 starts as a Dodger. He has a 2.08 ERA in 47 2/3 home innings and, after allowing four earned runs in five innings tonight at Tampa Bay, a 6.79 ERA in 55 2/3 road innings.

Home runs hadn’t been the problem, but they were in this game. The 25-year-old left-hander had only one home run in his five starts this season — and for that matter, four in his 10 previous road starts as a Dodger — before giving up three tonight.

The third one was a crusher — a three-run shot by Rays cleanup hitter Steve Pearce that broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth inning and put Tampa Bay ahead to stay in a 8-5 victory.

Dodgers suspend Erisbel Arruebarrena

By Jon Weisman

On May 4, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Erisbel Arruebarrena watches Corey Seager in a 2015 Spring Training game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Erisbel Arruebarrena watches Corey Seager turn a double play in a 2015 Spring Training game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Rays, 4:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, DH
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Corey Seager, SS
Charlie Culberson, 3B
(Alex Wood, P)

By Jon Weisman

For the second year in a row, the Dodgers have suspended infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena.

Dodger director of player development Gabe Kapler confirmed the suspension, which was for repeated failure to comply with the terms of his contract.

Arruebarrena was signed in February 2014. A defensive whiz, he went 8 for 41 with a double, three walks and 17 strikeouts for the Dodgers that season, and was 2 for 4 as the shortstop the day of Josh Beckett’s no-hitter.

Farm Fresh: Julio Urias throws six no-hit innings

By Jon Weisman

On May 4, 2016

In Minor leagues

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

It’s not easy for Julio Urias to follow an act like Julio Urias, but if anyone’s up to the task, it’s Julio Urias.

Baseball’s No. 1 left-handed pitching prospect did just that for Triple-A Oklahoma City against New Orleans today, firing six no-hit innings and facing the minimum 18 batters.

Urias retired the first 12 batters he faced before Dan Black reached base on an error by Zach Walters. One out later, Matt Juengel forced Black at second. One moment later, Urias picked off Juengel.

That was the only time the bases were used while Urias was on the mound. Finishing his day with his sixth strikeout, Urias needed 77 pitches (52 strikes) to cut through his six innings on the mound.

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Month: May 2016 (Page 6 of 7)

Happy Mother’s Day, Dodger-style

Clayton Kershaw’s strikeout-walk feats go international

Dodgers mulling Julio Urias callup

Kershaw looks to cure what ALs Dodgers

Interview: Forging a career in baseball operations

Joc Pederson’s quiet offensive surge

Beyoncé coming to Dodger Stadium on September 14

Video: Vin Scully wishes Willie Mays a happy 85th

Video: Irving Piken, 107-year-old Dodger fan

Video: ‘Mid-Afternoon with Clayton Kershaw’

Video: Adrian Gonzalez bobblehead go boom

LGBT night set for June 3 at Dodger Stadium

Road rash burns Wood in Tampa Bay

Dodgers suspend Erisbel Arruebarrena

Farm Fresh: Julio Urias throws six no-hit innings

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