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Anonymous
Among position players on the roster vs RHP, Uribe is first in BA, first in OBP, 3rd in SLG, 2nd in OPS
but he is 1 for 15 with a walk, 6 K’s against Jhoulys C.
Anonymous
The Cardinals just scored 7 runs on 9 hits off Cain in the third inning, going 7 for 9 with RISP in the process. Cain had retired the side in order in both the 1st and 2nd nnings. Descalso and Kozma each had two hits in the 3rd inning. Cain’s ERA for the season has gone from 5.00 to 5.68 today. It is 7-0 the Cardinals over the Giants after 3 innings. Bochy never went to the mound in the inning but, finally, had Kontos warming up. The Giants and Cardinals play a day-night DH today because of last night’s rainout.
Anonymous
Bochy is leaving him in for further abuse, though he’s thrown 75 pitches in just four innings.
foul tip
LATd in answer to a SaMo post last thread which pointed out that wins for relievers often come after the reliever has messed up a hold or save, a fair point. Anyway, a rerun….
========================
OK, makes sense in many cases.
But what accounts for an off-the-charts good W-L record for a reliever
like Dodger Ron Perranoski’s 16-3 in 1963? That year was off-the-charts
good for Dodger pitching anyway, especially for a certain lefty
starter.
Did he rub off on Perranoski, whose stats for the year aren’t overpowering?
A 1.67 ERA (+179), great there. 129 IP( !) but just 75Ks, 21 saves in I don’t know how many chances, 1.202 WHIP.
Maybe part plain old luck?
Good question for a Dodger librarian, maybe…
As for Koufax, 1963 was his 25-5 year, which he followed by
dominating the Yankees in the Dodger 4-0 sweep. IIRC, Yogi Berra said
of Koufax after the WS, “I understand how he won the 25. What I don’t
understand is how he lost the 5.” Koufax’ 1963 salary was….wait for it…
$35,000. No, no misplaced or omitted zeros or commas.
The two accounted for 41 Dodger wins that year.
Koufax’ highest salary, in his final year of 1966, was $125,000.
Anonymous
How about Phil Regan’s 14-1 in 1966?
Linkmeister
Well, many of those were wins after ties or lead losses. That’s why the players called Regan “The Vulture” that year.
Anonymous
I bought my first car in 1963, a brand new Pontiac LeMans for $3,000
Anonymous
you can’t really compare relievers from different eras because they were used so differently back then.
KT
Finally finished searching all the autographs for my daughters birthday present. Here’s the result as best as I can figure: (separated by who signed on what portion of the ball) The first section is best.
Yasiel Puig #66 / Peter Moylan #76 / Zack Greinke #21 / Matt Kemp #27 / Andre Ethier #16 / Clayton Kershaw #22 / Nick Punto #7 /
Ted Lilly #29 / Brandon League #31 / Skip Schumaker #3 / Jerry Hairston Jr. #6 /Don Mattingly #8 / Alex Castellanos #49 / Alfredo Amezaga #0 / Carl Crawford #25 / Elian Herrera #37 / Hanley Ramirez #13 /
Mark Ellis #14 / Juan Uribe #5 / Chris Capuano #35 / Stephen Fife #54 / Davey Lopes #15 / Kenley Jansen #74 / Hyun-Jin Ryu #99 /
Josh Beckett #61 / Aaron Harang #41 / Rusty Ryal #84 / Miguel Rojas #81 / Matt Guerrier #54 / Yimi Garcia #69 / A.J. Ellis #17 / Joc Pederson #29 / Ronald Belisario #51
finding Yimi Garcia was a bitch and not sure of Rusty Ryal or Miguel Rojas but they were on the roster. Here are the links:
http://imgur.com/vOtsIQp
http://imgur.com/YjYXhDG
overkill94
I think people are missing the point about League. Everyone keeps saying that Jansen needs to be used in higher-leverage situations like he did last night, which makes a lot of sense. This does not mean League needs to follow him in the 9th though. I realize there’s no great alternative, but League is the team’s LEAST effective reliever right now so literally anyone would be a better choice. No one else in the pen right now has an ERA over 3.54 yet the guy with the 5.31 ERA continues to get opportunities? I think they should continue pitching Jansen in the toughest spots and then just play match-ups with everyone else.
Anonymous
ERA is not a measure of effectiveness for relief pitchers although it is possible that League is right now the least effective member of the bull-pen.
Anonymous
Final: Cardinals 8, Giants 0. Bochy let Cain pitch 6 innings and make 101 pitches. He was perfect in 5 innings, but then of course there was the 7-run, 9-hit 3rd. The Cardinals put a man in only one other inning, the 8th, when they had a walk and a double and a run. Giants announcers were making a big deal of how keeping Cain in helped save the bullpen for the night game tonight and a game tomorrow. Giants had 2 relievers go an inning each today.
Anonymous
Only the third was perfect.
Anonymous
Agreed!
KT
Carl!!
KT
way to move him over Mellis…Come on Gonzo
Anonymous
Sure, but is he paid to do that, as Lyons says?
KT
Good inning Zack
Anonymous
Time for a DP.
Anonymous
A run too late, but still welcome.
KT
yes
KT
Ken Gurnick@kengurnick 4m
Hyun-Jin Ryu isn’t sure he can make his start Sunday because of a sore foot. http://atmlb.com/10HxYLg
KT
FED!!!1!
Anonymous
Backup catchers have the HR fever!
KT
Zack!
KT
Carl!!…oh no!
Anonymous
Hamstrings are not contagious, are they? .. . . But training habits are.
Anonymous
Makes me wonder what exactly Sue is doing to them. Our players are going down left & right. She didn’t used to train the Portland Trail Blazers during the Oden/Roy era did she?
Anonymous
Perhaps this is too much information, but here goes:
Responding to foul tip’s questions about Ron Perranoski’s performance in 1963, although he led the Dodgers in saves with 21, he also had 8 blown saves. He pitched in 69 games, so 40 of them were non-save situations. His 21 saves were distributed as follows: Sandy Koufax 4, Bob Miller 4, Don Drysdale 3, Pete Richert 3, Johnny Podres 3, Dick Calmus 1, Ed Roebuck 1, Ken Rowe 1 and Nick Wilhite 1. He had only 2 saves through June 3, but the season didn’t begin until April 12.
Perranoski’s 8 blown saves cost the following pitchers of record potential victories: Koufax 3, Drysdale 1, Miller 1, Rowe 1, Roebuck 1 and Larry Sherry 1. Perranoski picked up the win himself in 3 of the blown saves, and the loss in 1. His other 2 losses were in non-save situations.
Koufax didn’t need a lot of relief help. He completed 27 of his 41 starts.
Perranoski, with an ERA of 1.67 and the league lead in winning percentage at .842 at 16-3, was 4th in the MVP voting that year behind Koufax (1), Dick Groat (2), and Hank Aaron (3). Willie Mays was 5th and Jim Gilliam 6th. Koufax was a unanimous pick for the Cy Young.
Perranoski pitched more than 100 innings in 5 of his 7 years with the Dodgers.
Anonymous
A pitcher can come in to a game in the 6th inning have the tying run score while he is pitching and get a blown save but even in 1963 that was not a save situation. For all you know at present all of Perranoski’s blown saves were in non-save situations.esp on a low scoring team such as the 1963 Dodgers.
Anonymous
By definition, all of Perranoski’s blown saves were technically in save situations. However, of the eight blown saves, he entered the game once in the 5th inning, three times in the 6th inning, twice in the 7th inning and once each in the 8th and 9th innings. So, even though he was somewhat of a workhorse, one couldn’t have expected him to complete too many of those games and earn saves.
Anonymous
My point was you can’t subtract 69 appearances minus 21 saves minus 8 blown saves (only one of which sounds like what we now call a save situation in normal baseball talk) and then refer to the result 69-21-8=40 as non-save situations just situations that didn’t result in either a save or a blown save as some of the might have been what we call save situations.
Anonymous
C’mon, Agon — bring ’em in!
Anonymous
Now Mellis is paid to get HPB.
Anonymous
Hope getting that run doesn’t cost even more than Carl’s injury, i.e. Zack getting winded.
Anonymous
Got a gift — now cash it in!
Anonymous
Did Crawford’s injury look particularly bad?
Anonymous
Not really. Looked like he wanted to stay in so hopefully just a cramp.
Anonymous
Thanks
KT
SVS!!
Anonymous
Should have Mellis been sent or was it just a good throw?
Anonymous
He was meat by plenty. Foolish coaching.
Anonymous
Thanks everyone
Anonymous
Rick and Charlie said it was a great throw, especially compared to ones Cargo made vs. Dodgers previously.
Anonymous
I didn’t think he should be sent as soon as I saw Cargo field the ball.
Anonymous
Jean Stapleton died today. That is the segue to me wondering if anybody else see’s a lot of All In The Family in the Big Bang Theory.
Anonymous
Maybe I am dating myself
Anonymous
dating yourself is a LTR
Anonymous
I watched All In The Family regularly. It broke ground in key areas, among them in its depiction of racism as shown by Archie Bunker. I don’t know The Big Bank Theory very well. Does it do similar things?
Anonymous
The Bib Bang Theory is the #2 rated show and maybe #1 as far as the age group watching that is most coveted by advertisers. It has a wide age group that follows it. Tune in for the first time and you will want to research those statistics for yourself.
It is not in-your-face humor like All In The Family and much more subtle but things still get said.
Anonymous
The are two dodgers I haven’t learned to appreciate yet. 1. Stan Conte and Wallace. Maybe Conte has the Dodgers doing the wrong exercises or too many of them thus the pulled hamstrings and oblique injuries. Wallace’s decision making regarding sending or not sending runners home seems like his success average is a little low.
Anonymous
his name is Wallach; I cut him a break because this team has trouble scoring esp with the bases loaded.
Anonymous
looking at the vision, to me it just looked like Mellis was running in slow motion
Anonymous
I gotta think that, unless they are in rehab, these guys pretty much make up their own exercise regimes.
Anonymous
Would AJ Ellis and Fedex get enough at bats to hit their best if they split time at catcher?
Anonymous
I walk away for 20 minutes and look what happens!?!
KT
why are you walking away??
Anonymous
walkabout.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Third straight start that Greinke has given up at least 4 runs in 4 innings.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Well at least he got through 5…
Anonymous
It would be nice if Ethier began to earn even a (small) fraction of what he is being paid.
Jeffrey Thomas III
FedEx!
Anonymous
Just like Albuquerque for him.
Anonymous
Gonna need as many runs as possible the way Zack’s going . . . plus the bullpen . . . plus Coors field.
Anonymous
C’mon, Mark!
Anonymous
Well, they answered back!
Anonymous
I only have audio — is this going to be another episode of Umpire Blunders?
Jeffrey Thomas III
I didn’t see it. Watching Kings game and only switching over when I can.
Anonymous
seems that it might have bounced, but not all that clear to me from the replays.
KT
I definitely rule bounce
KT
Jerry!!
Anonymous
Cmon Schu
KT
SHOE!!
Linkmeister
Pile ’em on, boys, pile ’em on.
Anonymous
The Shoe fits!!!
Anonymous
Speaking of Ethier’s underwhelming performance so far, we all know what a streaky player he is, but has he been on a good streak yet this year?
Anonymous
Started the season with an eight game hitting streak, but has been up and down and down since.
Anonymous
He has not had at least 2 hits in consecutive games even once this year. He went 4-for-4 on May 11, but was hitless both the game before and the game following.
Anonymous
Nice improvement: The Dodgers are 8-for-23 with RISP thus far in these two games in Colorado.
Anonymous
This rally even more impressive because it came with 2 out!
Jeffrey Thomas III
“No inherited runners for me to let score? I’ll have to be creative…” – Belli
Anonymous
That’s classic…
Anonymous
Belisario should not be the closer.
Anonymous
Or anything but the mop up guy
Anonymous
Terrible overmanaging by Donny again. Paco had thrown 11 pitches, so he gets pulled in favor of the frequently ineffective Belisario. Donny’s mantra: If it ain’t broken, break it.
Linkmeister
He got ejected, right? So maybe this is on Wallach.
Jeffrey Thomas III
Doesn’t Hillman take over managing duties when Donnie goes?
Anonymous
Yeah, but he left him the book.
Linkmeister
Hillman’s coaching third now, so I think it’s Wallach who moved to the bench. Pretty sure I heard Lyons or Collins say Wallach was now managing.
Anonymous
It was Hillman who yanked Greinke, no?
KT
yes
Anonymous
Scooplew, in this case I tend to agree but not for the reason you gave. Tulowitzki, in 203 PA this year and also 203 PA last year when his season ended on May30, has been worse, last year much worse, against LHP so no time to switch Belisario for Rodriquez.
But, we don’t know how many pitches Paco can throw and still come back a day later as would be something to plan for in Colo. 16 is the highest # of pitches for which he has come back to pitch the next day in his short career.
Anonymous
Good points. Part of my reaction is frustration.
Anonymous
I knew that; appreciate the reply
Anonymous
Agree. I think Paco & Howell have been our most effective relievers this season so far (even considering when facing RH’s). 11 pitches thrown was way too soon, especially since Zack didn’t get deep into the game.
Anonymous
please see my comment below, Toby
Anonymous
Usually pitchers, even relievers, will make the comment that it’s not so much the pitches that they throw in the game, but more so as long as they don’t have a long inning. I would also add a pitcher warming up in the pen multiple times. Paco (if I remember correctly) got 2 outs in the 6th on 6 pitches, then threw 5 more to strikeout Gonzalez in the 7th. Belisario, had pitched the previous 2 games before, and now (other than Gonzalez) he was going through the heart of the Rockies order. Paco hasn’t (in limited time, of course) had any problem against RH’s. Also, Paco hadn’t pitched since throwing a whole 2 pitches last Sunday. I think he would agree, he could’ve thrown more than 11.
Anonymous
I did not say he could not have thrown more than 11. I said he has never pitched on the next day after throwing more than 16 pitches. I think he could have gone one more batter if you wanted him available for Sunday which I said was the proper stance to take. Do you disagree with me?
Anonymous
I believe you have to play to win that game. Since he was going to be PH for the following inning, unless he even starts to get into trouble, why would you remove him to have a fringe reliever (who had pitched the previous 2 games) come in to face Tulo, Cuddyer, and possibly Helton? Let’s say Paco gets out Tulo (his one more batter), do you still remove him to have Belisario face Cuddyer with 2 outs/nobody on, Helton on deck, and the pitchers spot due up 2nd the following inning?
Anonymous
Pardon me, Donny. I didn’t know you had been ejected. When did that occur?
Jon Weisman
Hi.
Howell looked nice.
KT
really nice
Anonymous
Only because the umps don’t like Torrealba.
KT
^_^
KT
Good eye Gonzo!
Anonymous
Dre didn’t see anything he liked.
Anonymous
Neither did Dodger fans.
Anonymous
I don’t think Ethier improved his status with Mattingly today.
Anonymous
I have never liked Ethier. I know he came up through the Oakland system, with a big bat, but that just hasn’t transpired into the majors yet over a full season. They sign him to that long term deal last season, and he’s only had 1 good (not great) season. The Dodgers broadcasters thought it seemed like a good move at the time, but if they let him walk at the end of last season, we’re able to sign a much cheaper/just as good OF’er for a shorter contract. Now, he’s just blocked the path of 2 possible ML ready prospects (Pederson & Puig), and unless the Dodgers eat a huge chunk of that contract, he’s stuck with us.
foul tip
In 2009 Ethier posted 685 AB, 31 HR, 106 RBI, and .869 OPS. He was 6th in MVP balloting. He also was solid in 2010, (an all-star, whatever that’s worth, mostly based on ’09.)
His career averages are 20 HR, 85 RBI, and .833 OPS, +123. Solid but way short of the contract Ned gave him. He’s fallen so short of expectations arising from that contract that some tend to insist he’s never done anything. Obviously he has in years past, including several very visible walkoff hits. The contract was lavish, but it wasn’t just handed out to some guy brought in from an indy league .
He’s been streaky and, um, disadvantaged against lefties. He started one recent year with 11 very early HRs but got hurt and fell way off after coming back.
He appears to be in decline, unless he can find a way to turn it around. For all we know–let’s hope not–both he and Kemp may never be what they once were after various injuries.
Also, IIRC, there weren’t many “much cheaper/just as good” options. Ned likely was deathly afraid Ethier would walk (scarred by the JD Drew debacle) and promptly hastened to overpay him.
Anonymous
good post tip.
I would say many rather than several walk-off hits.
Unusually for me, I blame the Guggenheim group rather than Ned for the $ amount of Ethier’s contract.
Anonymous
2009 was Ethier’s lone good season. Yes, he did finish 6th in MVP, but I could name 20 players (off the top of my head) who should’ve finished higher than him. Yes, he has been streaky, usually at the start of the season, and not so much later in the year.
As far as Free Agent’s last season (Ethier signed his contract in June of last year), every contract given to the FA RF’ers this season looks better than Ethier’s.
Melky Cabrera 89 OPS+/.5 WAR signed 2 Year/$16 Million
Torii Hunter 110 OPS+/.9 WAR signed 2 Year/$26 Million
Cody Ross 80 OPS+/.4 WAR signed 3 Year/$26 Million
Ichiro Suzuki 73 OPS+/.4 WAR signed 2 Year/$13 Million
Nick Swisher 133 OPS+/1.9 WAR signed 4 Year/$56 Million
Andre Ethier 103 OPS+/.3 WAR signed for 5 Years/$85 Million
Where Ethier really falls short is his hitting vs LHP. Career .651 OPS, and like almost all the Dodgers hitters, he’s never been a good clutch hitter. Those 2 things alone should’ve never got him that kind of deal. Sure Ned didn’t know what would be out there, but 5 free agents (when even if Ethier did hit the market), the Dodgers could’ve outbid each & every one of those teams that ended up with those players. Sure, Hunter & Cabrera signed early in the free agency period, but Swisher did not, and I’d rather see him (a switch hitter, who’s always been talked about being a great teammate, and giving his all, something Ethier has not) out in RF of Dodgers Stadium.
foul tip
Quite a few walkoff hits don’t qualify as good in the clutch, back then at least?
How can we know Ethier has not given his all? Not producing is not the same as not trying. Quite often, when an athlete in any sport underproduces at least part of the reason why is overtrying.
Anonymous
Watch Ethier run down the 1b line (before Mattingly came out with his comments), on a play that would otherwise be close. Watch his swing on a 2 strike pitch late in the game. Watch Ethier hit when the game goes into extra innings…
foul tip
Not much point in going a lot further after this. But you seem to claim you can tell a player isn’t giving his best just by watching him…
Body language can reveal a lot. It’s also easy to misinterpret.
DM has said Ethier gives away ABs due to emotion coming from being too hard on himself. “Shake it off and focus on next time” seems to fall on uncomprehending ears. Doing self-defeating things can result.
I’m aware Ethier has been described as moody and not exactly a joy to be around in the clubhouse. See “doing self-defeating things.”
And yes, DM seemed to call him out specifically recently in remarks about playing the game the right way. And seemed to make him an example.
At least I hope you’re not in the camp of “since Ethier (or Kemp, or whoever) is not producing, it means he’s not trying, not giving his best.”
That’s self-defeating lack of logic. As talented and competitive as MLB players are, they’re going to lie down and absorb the blows to their egos that come with that territory?
I agree with those who wouldn’t be heartbroken if Ethier could be traded. Overall, he’s been solid when healthy, at least v. RHP. But unless he’s on one of his hot streaks he’s not a difference maker. Wonder if catchup and mustard would make that contract tastier? Probably no issue for the Guggenheimers.
I don’t doubt some players go through the motions near the end of seasons where their teams are toast, but there still are personal stats and individual contract benchmarks for most.
That’s not in play here with just a third of the season gone and playoffs still very reachable, especially if injured players return and can play just to career average standards.
Anonymous
I was aghast at the money given to Ethier which I think was Guggenheim’s doing. However, the Dodgers have never, as long as I can remember, been interested in any player with questionable behavior in the player’s background. (I didn’t know how to phrase this so it would be absolutely clear that Jackie Robinson was not a counter-example.) They would have had no interest in Melky no matter what. I wished for my opinion to be proved wrong last autumn.
Of the others, Hunter and Ichiro are too old for our owners purposes; Ross has too low a ceiling and Swisher if he is is any good in 2016 will make his contract $70 million for 5 years. Which is not that much of a difference with Ethier. But you do not mention that the contract was a PR move not a baseball decision. Would Ethier have signed a shorter contract extension? If so that would have been smarter.
Btw: baseball-reference, not often wrong, has Ethier at 6 yrs total of $95.95 for 2012-2017 with a $2.5 million buyout or if one is done acontract vests with no information on its vesting terms $110.95 million for 7 years.
I don’t remember when his previous contract was ending.
Anonymous
You said the Dodgers would’ve never been interested in any player with a questionable background…Just wondering what your thoughts were of Milton Bradley & Manny Ramirez? (Just 2 of the more recent ones)…I think Melky would sound like a dream compared to those 2. Plus, I never thought of Melky as having a questionable background. If you’re referring to him getting caught doing ‘roids, is that to say Carlos Ruiz or Yasmani Grandal have questionable behaviors?
I mentioned Hunter & Ichiro because they give the team a dependable RF’er, for a much cheaper price than Ethier was going to cost. Everyone knew Anaheim wasn’t going to resign Torii, and the Mariners weren’t going to sign Ichiro (before he was traded). I think if they waited later in the season to discuss with Ethier, yes he would’ve come cheaper. He would’ve been a FA at the end of last season. Do you think he would’ve made 5 years/$85 million (according to Cot’s baseball contracts, which I don’t disagree with baseball-reference ((great, great site) if he went to free agency?? Absolutely not. He might’ve got 1 more year than Swisher, but not a chance of a higher average yearly salary. The thing that really upsets me about Ethier is this is his “cheap” season ($13.5 million). How will he be producing the next 3 seasons when his salary averages over $16 million?
Anonymous
I did say I didn’t know how to phrase the behavior question. Melky did roids and lied about it, that’s too much. Bradley wasn’t so bad when Dodgers got him.
Manny you may have a good point as I don’t know exactly what he did; dogging it on the field is ok, beating your wife is not if it becomes public. Hitting the traveling secretary is ok if you say you didn’t hit him and he doesn’t sue.
Main point: have you not grasped even at the time of the Ethier extension I thought it was foolish, now it looks very dumb. It was PR; the things you point out would not have mattered; how high would they have gone, I hope not $1 higher.
Anonymous
Army was eliminated from the NCAA baseball tournament today by UNC Wilmington when the Knights struck out into a triple play in the 9th to lose 9-5.
Anonymous
NL West records in May:
Arizona 15-12
San Diego 15-13
S.F. 14-13
Colorado 12-16
Dodgers 10-17
Anonymous
For those listening to Lyons: Howell got Cuddyer out twice this season before today; once a strike out. Of course, if you talk as much as Lyons the chance of saying something foolish increases.
Btw: What is the name of the other announcer with Lyons?
Anonymous
Tamer
Anonymous
he should tame his mouth just as Lyon’s should.
Anonymous
The Kings have now lost 6 times in the playoffs. All of the losses have been by 2-1 margins.
Anonymous
Mattingly should be fired at least twice for stupidity. Paco is doing great… so he takes him out for Belisario who promptly gives up the tying runs. Howell holds them in a tie… Until the genius removes him and brings in another bad pitcher to lose the game. (I know he was kicked out but I have no doubt he was still calling the plays.)
Jeffrey Thomas III
You must have missed the part where Mattingly was ejected.
Anonymous
The Dodgers next day off is June 13. You never want to burn out relief pitchers in Colorado. As I said below, none of us know how many pitches Paco can throw and still come back the next day. I can tell you that the most pitches he has thrown and still pitched the next day in his short career is 16.
Howell threw 35 pitches. I doubt he is available for tomorrow so maybe he could have gone one more batter as his high for the year is 44. His high last year for the Ray was 37 but he had 3 days off after that.
Guerrier was barely OK in May which is better than bad. Our bull-pen is bad except for Jansen, Paco and Howell something no one expected yet you criticize Mattingly for bringing another bad pitcher who is actually one of the 4 best in his bull-pen over the last 30 days.
Since I can’t attack you as you did Mattingly (rule 2), I’ll just say the genius is you.
Anonymous
If you want to disagree, that’s fine. You do better when you don’t venture into the area of insulting. As far as Rule 2 is concerned, it doesn’t apply to non-commenters, e.g. Mattingly, as I read it.
Anonymous
the comment I replied to was foolishly over the top; we are talking about 1 extra batter for each of 2 pitchers imo and I explained why yet the commenter insults Mattingly (who may or may not have even made the decisions) and you feel the need to defend said commenter. I am, at minimum, perplexed.
Anonymous
Mike: Your comments are invariably insightful. I am just Old School. One of the best things about this site is the general lack of sarcasm, so if I read it, it rubs me the wrong way. That’s all.
Anonymous
Our bullpen is so problematic as it is, so when someone is pitching well what sense does it make to remove him? If I am making a list of why Mattingly should be fired, his handling of the bullpen is near the top. On the good side yesterday and today, this team is battling with some of the non-stars contributing quite a bit.
Anonymous
The way this season is going, I can see us saying in mid-September that although we haven’t played well we’re still only 6 or 7 games out. Something dramatic is needed. Something risky. Bring up Pederson and perhaps Puig. Sit Ethier. Bring back Magill and start him in place of Capuano or Lilly, both of whom are not much better than mediocre at this point in their careers. The season is officially one-third over. We are 23-31. Continue on this pace, and we end up 69-93.
Anonymous
In the silver lining department, we are now officially 1/3 of the way thru the season.
Since I am not a masochist, that IS good news.
foul tip
Every team is fortunate I’m not its manager. But if I were, I almost always would send a reliever back out for a second inning (or maybe more) after he had breezed through his first, especially if he did it on very few pitches. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it is often overlooked but often effective managerial strategy.
I know all the stuff DM and other by-the-book managers say about relievers doing better if they know they have defined roles. Well, you can have loosely defined roles, but that doesn’t mean it’s a big deal if you vary slightly. I’m awfully afraid I’d have to tell relievers to be paying attention and be ready to go whenever needed.
Sure, you’d have to watch pitch counts and number of times warming up and be careful not to Joe Torre your best relievers. It’s a balancing act, but the better managers tend to get bullpen management right.
Quite likely “not having a defined role” is relieverspeak which began as “here’s why I screwed up; my manager doesn’t use me right. I do better if I know when I’m going to pitch.” (Could that mean they want to be sure they get their quota of scratching and spitting out of the way first? ;-])
Of course, defined roles for a bullpen also could be managerspeak for covering dumb moves that don’t work, as in “Joe Gopherball is my setup man, but he caught some bad breaks today and gave up 3-run HR on an 85 mph FB right down broadway. Since he’s my setup man (or closer, or 7th inning guy), that’s why I left him in after he walked his first two batters and everyone except me could tell he had no clue where the ball was going.”
Anonymous
Howell was in a groove, feeling it. pitching as good as anyone available, no reason to lift him there. In extra innings, you HAVE TO stay with the hot hand hand until he falters – there was nobody on base.
Anonymous
would love to know who gave me my one up vote for the following short comment: (esp. now that I know there are women here; actually only know one person claimed to be a woman.)
only Beckett feels badly
Anonymous
Dominican Summer League started today. Dodgers lost 2-0.
34 players on the roster; I think 40 is the limit. Ages just 21 down to will be 17 in July.
The league don’t often have games on Sundays, at least in past years.
foul tip
Planning to leave the pen management thing alone for now after this, but was Moylan not available yesterday? At least he’d have had the advantage of a bit of surprise. Not a great lot since he’s been in the league before, but it’s possible the Rockies hadn’t discussed him much. Even if they had, his unorthodox style would give him a bit of an edge v. the predictability of Guerrier.
Anonymous
After worst May in history, Dodgers are 0-1 in June. Maybe if the Dodgers can find a closer and setup reliever that can throw an off speed pitch they can be the team the owners thought they had.
Anonymous
Seems very specific. Belli had an ERA+ of 146 coming into this season without throwing off speed. It would be great if he just got back to doing what he did before.
Jon Weisman
NPUT