Pregame – Page 8 – Dodger Thoughts

Seventeen innings later, what’s new?

On May 23, 2016

Trayce Thompson, preparing for his eight consecutive start, works in the indoor cage before tonight’s game. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Reds at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLII: Kershawnhattan
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Corey Seager, SS
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

Here’s a quick update on some of the Dodger newsmakers over the past 24 hours …

Ross Stripling

Getting optioned to the minors after winning Sunday’s game didn’t shock Stripling, who told SportsNet LA’s Alanna Rizzo that it was always the plan that he would be optioned around this time — though certainly current circumstances made the decision more obvious.

Stripling added that the plan is for him to throw three innings when he starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, according to Andy McCullough of the Times.

Dave Roberts said that Stripling could be used in the rotation or out of the bullpen when he returns to Los Angeles.

A Dodger fan’s state of mind

By Jon Weisman

On May 22, 2016

In Pregame, Status report, Thinking out loud

Dodgers at Padres, 1:40 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Trayce Thompson, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

It has been, if one weren’t to mince words, an ugly time.

The Dodgers have lost four straight, six of their past seven, 16 of their past 25.

Since April 25, when they were 12-7, the Dodgers have played .360 ball and have lost eight games in the standings to the National League West-leading Giants, who are 17-8 in that span.

On Saturday, the Dodgers lost when Chin-hui Tsao threw 12 of his final 14 pitches of the game out of the strike zone, forcing in the game-winning run.

“We’re finding different ways to lose games and I haven’t seen this one,” Dave Roberts said afterward. “It’s a tough one and to try to defend it, having a hard time.”

The only thing harder to watch than the final score of the games has been the frustration of the fans, because that’s really whom the games are for.

I’ve been blogging about the Dodgers a long time now, coming up on 14 years. This is when I usually step up and make my attempt at “it’s always darkest before the dawn” arguments. I’ve hesitated, not because I believe any less in those arguments, but because I believe less that the audience for those arguments is willing to hear them.

Nonetheless, there are certain fundamental things I feel worth saying, however succinctly. You either buy in, or you don’t …

Adrian Gonzalez returns to lineup

By Jon Weisman

On May 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Dodgers at Padres, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Trayce Thompson, LF
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Alex Wood, P

By Jon Weisman

Adrian Gonzalez is in the Dodger starting lineup for the first time since Monday, ending his longest absence since.

Gonzalez, who came off the bench in the eighth inning of Friday’s game, went 8 for 21 with a homer, two doubles, three walks and a sacrifice fly (1.059 OPS) from May 10-15, but then left Monday’s game in the sixth inning with lower back pain after going 0 for 3.

The 34-year-old leads the Major Leagues with 1,629 games played since 2006 and hasn’t missed more than six games in a season since his rookie year in 2005.

Frankie Montas begins rehab assignment

By Jon Weisman

On May 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Minor leagues, Pregame

Frankie Montas at Spring Training in February, post-surgery. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Dodgers at Padres, 7:40 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Trayce Thompson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Yasmani Grandal, 1B
A.J. Ellis, C
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Frankie Montas, the fireballing right-hander acquired with Trayce Thompson and Micah Johnson from the White Sox, has been a mostly forgotten man since he had rib resection surgery February 12.

But Montas threw two innings Thursday in an extended Spring Training game Thursday at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers said, and is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Saturday with Double-A Tulsa.

A potential starter or reliever, the 23-year-old struck out 108 in 112 innings with a 2.97 ERA for Double-A Birmingham, before striking out 20 in a 15-inning trial with the White Sox. In his last appearance of 2015, he struck out seven in four innings of one-run ball October 4.

Dodgers bring up Chin-hui Tsao, option Mike Bolsinger

By Jon Weisman

On May 19, 2016

In Postgame, Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Angels at Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, DH
(Ross Stripling, P)

By Jon Weisman

Mike Bolsinger will return to the minor leagues after making a spot start Wednesday for the Dodgers, with reliever Chin-hui Tsao joining the roster from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Tsao, who turns 35 in June, has a 3.31 ERA and 1.35 WHIP with 14 strikeouts in 16 1/3 innings this season, and has been unscored upon in his past eight appearances.

Last year, returning to the Majors after an eight-year absence, Tsao pitched seven innings for the Dodgers, with a 2.84 ERA in his first four games before allowing six runs in two-third of an inning July 25 against the Mets. He also doubled in his only at-bat.

Making his first MLB start in nearly eight months and his first since recovering from a March oblique injury, Bolsinger went 4 1/3 innings and was charged with two earned runs in the Dodgers’ 8-1 loss to the Angels, allowing nine of the 21 batters he faced to reach base, while striking out two.

Dodgers activate Bolsinger, option Culberson

By Jon Weisman

On May 18, 2016

In Pregame, Transactions

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Angels at Dodgers, 7:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, DH
(Mike Bolsinger, P)

By Jon Weisman

Mike Bolsinger has been officially reinstated from the disabled list to start tonight’s game in Anaheim against the Angels, with infielder Charlie Culberson being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

We’re getting more Clayton Kershaw than ever before

By Jon Weisman

On May 17, 2016

In Pitching, Pregame

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCLI: Dankershawoen
Chase Utley, 2B
Justin Turner, 3B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 1B
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
A.J. Ellis, C
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

By one measure, Clayton Kershaw never worked harder in than he did in 2010.

Then 22, Kershaw averaged 106 pitches per start, which remains his career high.

Now 28, Kershaw is on pace to throw approximately 270 innings, which would be 44 more than his previous high total.

But Kershaw isn’t exerting himself more. He isn’t throwing more pitches. He is currently averaging 105 pitches per start, which is completely in line with what he’s done throughout his career.

If anything (with the caveat that no one should question how hard he is working), Kershaw’s days at the office are easier, because he’s averaging a career-low 13.5 pitches per inning.

Dodgers look to get jump on Angels in Freeway Series

By Jon Weisman

On May 16, 2016

In Managing, Other teams, Pregame

Angels at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

Taking the mound tonight against the Dodgers is a pitcher with a 9.12 ERA, which might be enough to make you want to dial 9.11 if you’re an Angels fan.

But Matt Shoemaker is also a pitcher who had a 3.04 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings as recently as 2014. And even last month, he pitched back-to-back games — both on the road — in which he allowed two runs in 12 innings.

It’s almost as if there are two Shoes, and you don’t know which the Angels will put on tonight when they meet the Dodgers in the regular-season kickoff of the Freeway Series.

Hyun-Jin Ryu to pitch rehab game Sunday

By Jon Weisman

On May 14, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame

Cardinals at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Cary Osborne

Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch in a game Sunday — the first time he has toed the rubber for a game since March 17, 2015 in Spring Training.

Dave Roberts said today that Ryu will start his rehab assignment in Rancho Cucamonga, where he will pitch possibly two innings.

The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in San Bernardino, where the Quakes will take on Inland Empire.

Roberts said he anticipates Ryu making four or five appearances before he’s ready to return to the Dodgers.

In addition, Brandon McCarthy pitched another simulated inning at Dodger Stadium today and faced Charlie Culberson, who was taking hacks against him.

“Charlie said the ball was coming out good — fastball, changeup, curve — and so that’s another step in the right direction,” Roberts said. “He puts some good swings, but there were also some swings and misses, which was good to see from McCarthy’s standpoint.”

Roberts said McCarthy will get one more simulated inning before being sent out for a rehab assignment.

Yimi Garcia, who went on the disabled list April 23 with right biceps soreness, is in Arizona and not near a return.

“We’re a little beside ourselves on the lack of progress, so he’s just kind of laying low and not really doing any baseball activities,” Roberts said.

Garcia felt soreness on April 22 and left after two-thirds of an inning in Colorado.

One more note: Chase Utley returns to the starting lineup at second base, a day after Howie Kendrick went 2 for 5 and was robbed of a home run.

Roberts said he wanted Utley’s left-handed bat in the lineup with right-hander Carlos Martinez’s ball running in on right-handers.

Suddenly Seager … is standing beside you

By Jon Weisman

On May 13, 2016

In Pregame

Corey Seager (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Corey Seager has given Justin Turner and the rest of the Dodgers reason to smile. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

Cardinals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

Have you all noticed what Corey Seager’s been doing lately?

It almost feels like there’s been a media blackout on the 22-year-old shortstop, which might not be a bad thing. But just to make sure you’re up to speed, here’s a bulletin: Seager is producing.

Since April 22, he has a .403 on-base percentage and .522 slugging percentage (.925 OPS) in 77 plate appearances. He now has a .770 OPS on the season, and that might understate his value.

Kershaw CCL has arrived

By Jon Weisman

On May 12, 2016

In Pregame

Patrick McElhenney/Fox

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCL: Kershawrter Country
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P

By Jon Weisman

It’s probably the least popular and least productive thing I’ve ever done with my life, though I wish it were the most humiliating.

But ever since Clayton Kershaw made his Major League debut, on May 25, 2008, I’ve pictured every subsequent start as if it were a sequel in a blockbuster movie series.

You just had that feeling about Kershaw, from the very beginning, that he was going to be epic.

The first sequel was Kershaw II: The Kershawing. And it went on from there. Mostly downhill.

Tonight, Kershaw reaches career start No. 250. To commemorate the event — and with deepest apologies — here’s the list of all the titles I’ve created.

So many of them are just awful, truly awful. Some, I really don’t know what I was thinking — even by my lowly standards. Some were repeats, with me having forgotten I had used a title already — sometimes within the same month.

But, what’s done is done, and what’s here is here. At least I haven’t cursed him. And I am happy with the quote I used to introduce him before his first big-league game.

Delving into Kenta Maeda’s transition to the U.S.

By Jon Weisman

On May 11, 2016

In Pregame, Publications

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Kenta Maeda, P

By Jon Weisman

In the cover story for the latest issue of Dodger Insider magazine, Kenta Maeda — tonight’s starting pitcher for the Dodgers — speaks to Cary Osborne about the differences between Japan and the United States, and the adjustments he has been making.

“I was the ace of the staff in Japan,” said Maeda, who enters tonight’s game with a 1.66 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 38 innings. “Coming over here, I need to prove myself again to hopefully eventually be in that position.”

Rick Honeycutt and Dave Roberts chime in to discuss why Maeda is capable of transcending in this journey across the Pacific.

Read the entire story by clicking here.

Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.

Dave Roberts knows .500 isn’t good enough

By Jon Weisman

On May 10, 2016

In Managing, Pregame, Status report

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Alex Wood, P
Note: Alex Guerrero is beginning a rehab assignment tonight with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

By Jon Weisman

If you’re wondering whether the Dodgers are content to be in first place in their division with a .500 record, the answer is no.

“We’re not playing great baseball,” Dave Roberts said this afternoon. “I think for the most part we’re catching the baseball, but for the pitching and hitting to sync up, we’re still waiting for that to happen.”

The debate about the Dodgers that’s happening right now around town and on social media is which of their two seemingly irreconcilable identities is true. Are they a first-place team, or are they a squad that loses at least as much as it wins?

Justin Turner warming up as Mets come to town

By Jon Weisman

On May 9, 2016

In Pregame

Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Trayce Thompson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Charlie Culberson, SS
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

When Justin Turner hit his first homer of 2016 on Saturday, it capped his best four-game stretch of the season.

Turner went 6 for 16 with two doubles, two walks and the homer, raising his OPS from .631 to .714. Though Turner went 0 for 3 with a walk Sunday, Dave Roberts didn’t think the uptick in numbers was a fluke.

Happy Mother’s Day, Dodger-style

By Jon Weisman

On May 8, 2016

In Pregame

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 …

Dodger Thoughts

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

Category: Pregame (Page 8 of 32)

Seventeen innings later, what’s new?

A Dodger fan’s state of mind

Adrian Gonzalez returns to lineup

Frankie Montas begins rehab assignment

Dodgers bring up Chin-hui Tsao, option Mike Bolsinger

Dodgers activate Bolsinger, option Culberson

We’re getting more Clayton Kershaw than ever before

Dodgers look to get jump on Angels in Freeway Series

Hyun-Jin Ryu to pitch rehab game Sunday

Suddenly Seager … is standing beside you

Kershaw CCL has arrived

Delving into Kenta Maeda’s transition to the U.S.

Dave Roberts knows .500 isn’t good enough

Justin Turner warming up as Mets come to town

Happy Mother’s Day, Dodger-style

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