Dodger Thoughts

On August 24, 2016

In Minor leagues

Josh Sborz (Amanda Ray/MiLB.com)

By Bart Harvey

It’s been an excellent 24 hours for the Dodgers’ 2015 draft class …

In case you missed it: Rob Segedin’s big night

On August 24, 2016

In In case you missed it, Transactions

Welcome to the world Robinson Marley! Born August 23rd at 11:36pm. Weighing in at 6 lb 14 oz and 20.5 inches long! Mommy and baby are doing great!

A post shared by Rob Segedin (@robsegedin) on Aug 24, 2016 at 12:52am PDT

By Jon Weisman

It’s been a whirlwind in Dodger land lately, and for no one more than Rob Segedin, who not only hit his first two homers in the Majors on consecutive days, but also became a father late Monday.

Segedin and Andrew Toles became the first teammates in Major League history to hit their first two MLB homers in the same two consecutive games, according to Elias Sports. Here are their combined stats as Dodgers:

Doug Padilla has more on the Segedin saga at ESPN.com.

Let’s catch up some other things …

Dodgers got a way with the Giants, 9-5

In Health/injuries, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

Early in tonight’s Dodgers-Giants showdown, Dodger Stadium organist Dieter Ruehle played Billy Joel’s “Pressure.”

Funnily enough, the Dodgers played as if they felt no pressure at all.

#VinTop20: No. 18, Yasiel Puig’s first slam

In Broadcasting, History

Between now and Vin Scully Appreciation Day on September 23, the Dodgers are revealing the results of the fan vote ranking Scully’s top 20 Dodger calls of all time, one at each home game. Here’s No. 18: Yasiel Puig’s first career grand slam.

— Jon Weisman

[mlbvideo id=”1085170483″ width=”550″ height=”308″ /]

Brett Anderson, Scott Kazmir placed on DL

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Jill Weisleder/Los Angeles Dodgers

Giants at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kiké Hernandez, 2B
Howie Kendrick, LF
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Rob Segedin, RF
Charlie Culberson, 2B
Kenta Maeda, P
Note: Clayton Kershaw had a 41-pitch bullpen session today. Read more at MLB.com.

By Jon Weisman

Starting pitchers Brett Anderson (blister, left index finger) and Scott Kazmir have both been placed on the 15-day disabled list by the Dodgers, who in a trio of transactions have also optioned reliever Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Anderson is returning to the disabled list after having been activated August 14, while Kazmir becomes the Dodgers’ National League record 27th player on the DL this year.

Taking their place on the active roster will be right-hander Ross Stripling, lefty reliever Luis Avilan and infielder Charlie Culberson, who is starting at second base tonight.

Dodgers on Facebook Live (featuring Dave Roberts)

In Social media

Earlier this month, the Dodgers began expanding their Facebook Live presence in a big way for home games. At facebook.com/dodgers, you can now find the Dodger Stadium pregame show — exactly what fans at the ballpark get to see — at approximately 30-35 minutes before first pitch, and Dave Roberts’ postgame press conference within 10 minutes after final pitch.

In addition, on weekdays we now have Dodger Insider on Facebook Live — a segment that begins shortly after Roberts’ pregame meet-up with reporters, at around 4:15 -4:30 p.m. (One needs to be flexible.) Today, we’re pleased to say that Roberts will be a special guest on this pre-pregame show, joining Erica Weston and myself. If you are looking to enhance your YouTube presence, you can Buy Youtube Subscribers from Vinyadmedia. Their service uses real subscribers, ensuring that your channel grows both in numbers and credibility, helping you attract more organic viewers.

If you miss the live broadcast, you can always come to the Dodgers’ Facebook page to watch a replay. So check it out …

— Jon Weisman

The battle for first place: Dodgers-Giants preview

In Other teams

By Jon Weisman

So, did you hear the Giants are coming to town?

Though we’re more than a month removed from the All-Star Break and more than 75 percent through the 2016 regular season, tonight marks the start of the second half of Dodgers-Giants 2016: nine games, split over three series, across the next 30 days.

Mike Axisa of CBSSports.com, Phil Rogers of MLB.com and Sarah Langs and Mark Simon of ESPN.com have put together a pretty good collection of trends leading into this week’s series, to which I’ll add these items:

Scott Kazmir to see doctor in latest pitching twist

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

After retiring only seven batters in the Dodgers’ 18-9 victory today at Cincinnati, Scott Kazmir is scheduled to see a doctor on Tuesday, though the initial report of an MRI, as Cody Pace of MLB.com described, has been revised.

“Scott is fighting some physical things with his body,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s doing what he can, but when your body doesn’t feel right, mechanically, it affects mechanics. He knows he wants to go out there and go deeper in a game. When you’ve got a 6-1 lead, he wants the decision, for himself, for the team. When you’re physically limited and you can’t execute, he’s frustrated.”

Kazmir is dealing with some stiffness in his neck and his back, something he said that he’s been dealing with “for years.” The problem with his neck in particular has messed with Kazmir’s mechanics, not allowing him to get his head toward the catcher properly and resulting in him flying open. …

… “No matter what happens, we’ve gotten this far,” Kazmir said. “I know how my body works. If we have some type of imaging, whatever happens, I’ll strengthen it up and I’ll continue to do what I do.”

Kazmir’s next start would theoretically be Saturday against the Cubs. Between now and then, about the only sure thing for the Dodgers is that Kenta Maeda will take the mound Tuesday against the Giants. Rich Hill remains on track to start Wednesday, and then the bigger question marks arise.

González blasts three HR, Dodgers seven in 18-9 romp

In Postgame

Adrián González hits the first of his three home runs at Cincinnati. (Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

An offensive onslaught unlike any by the Dodgers in 10 years was unleashed in Cincinnati today, and Adrián González was at the forefront.

Dodgers Sports Accelerator taps five companies in ’16

In Uncategorized

By Jon Weisman

Five budding businesses have been chosen by the Dodgers and R/GA Ventures for the second Dodgers Sports Accelerator, which launches today.

The Accelerator focuses on growth-stage companies and immediate business opportunities designed to create a path to category leadership and scale — i.e., being great with the potential to be greater. The companies will receive in-depth engagement with the Dodger leadership, business units and industry network, as well as with R/GA’s award-winning strategic marketing, branding, design and technology services.

The companies:

Greenfly transforms the relationships of organizations into powerful networks for content creation and distribution.
Keemotion enables broadcast partners, professional leagues and universities from around the world to produce, customize, stream and share professional-quality HD video content live with the push of a button.
ShotTracker, with its innovative “ShotTracker TEAM” solution, affordably captures real-time stats for basketball teams, yielding powerful analytics for coaches, players and fans.
Renegade creates next-generation, “Sweat X” branded sports detergent, stain and odor technologies, specifically engineered to meet the needs of today’s high-performance sports apparel and gear, used at the professional, collegiate and youth sports levels.
WSC Technologies has developed a platform that creates personalized sports videos automatically and in real-time, helping sports leagues and broadcasters to engage fans and monetize their content.

The program will conclude in early November with invite-only demo events, at which each startup will present to industry leaders, partners, and customers in the sports, technology and entertainment communities.

For more information, visit www.dodgersaccelerator.com and follow @dodgersaccel and @rgaventures.

No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Reds, 9:35 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Andrew Toles, RF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Reddick was a late scratch from today’s early game at Cincinnati, and the reason instantly came across like a taunt to his detractors — a jammed right middle finger.

Reddick is available off the bench, according to Dave Roberts, though it could be until at least Wednesday when he starts next, considering that lefty ace Madison Bumgarner is starting Tuesday for the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

But in the meantime, it’s another setback in what has been anything but a storybook chapter in Los Angeles for Reddick. Three weeks into his Dodger career, Reddick has one extra-base hit and a .211 on-base percentage. Combined with the absence of fellow former Oaklander Rich Hill from the starting rotation, judgment has rained down on the trade that sent Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas to the A’s for the pair.

It’s reasonable to expect more immediate impact from a trade specifically designed to boost the Dodgers’ pennant chances, particularly when the two players are free agents at the end of the year, than the Dodgers have gotten. But consider these counterpoints:

Andrew Toles recalled, Chris Taylor optioned

On August 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Reds, 10:10 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Andrew Toles, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers shifted one of their bench spots from right to left, calling up left-handed outfielder Andrew Toles from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning right-handed infielder Chris Taylor.

Toles, who will allow Howie Kendrick a rest today in left field, has a .395 on-base percentage and the same slugging percentage in 43 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year. Since he was most recently optioned August 3, he was producing at a .348/.565 rate in Triple-A.

Taylor has a .271 OBP and .382 slugging in 59 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year, including the July 15 game when he doubled, tripled and hit a grand slam. He went 0 for 3 Saturday in his first start since July 31,

The Dodgers didn’t make any moves on the pitching side today. despite back-to-back 3 2/3-inning starts from Bud Norris and Brett Anderson to start the series in Cincinnati. At right, the chart shows the recent pitch counts of Dodger relievers.

Kenley Jansen had the rare event of appearing in a game without throwing a pitch. He was officially entered into Saturday’s seventh inning when the rain delay arrived, but replaced by Joe Blanton when play resumed.

Dave Roberts gave a quick update on Andre Ethier, telling reporters that Ethier is hitting off live pitching while on rehab in Arizona and taking balls off the bat in the outfield. Roberts still didn’t have a date for the start of an official rehab assignment, saying that Ethier’s running is at about 75 percent.

A good night to take the long view

On August 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

Baseball sends waves and waves of challenge, testing to see how well you can ride them — or recover from the wipeouts.

It’s what I love about the game, though clearly it’s hard to stomach when you’re going the wrong in the riptide.

Brett Anderson’s second start of 2016 rolled him only slightly less than his first. He allowed four runs in the first inning tonight and six runs overall in 3 2/3 innings, before leaving with a blister on his left index finger, in the Dodgers’ 11-1 defeat at Cincinnati that kept them half a game behind San Francisco in the National League West.

Brandon Finnegan no-hit Los Angeles until Adrián González lined a single to center to start the seventh. It was even closer to the third no-hitter against the Dodgers in the past 12 months than you might have feared, because rain stopped the game barely five minutes later. After 79 minutes, the teams came back to wrap things up.

It’s been a terrible two nights in Cincinnati for the Dodgers, outscored 20-3 so far. But the question, as it has always been, is how they respond. This is not the end of the line, however weird a line it’s been.

Baseball is never static. Baseball is process. A game isn’t an inning, a series isn’t a game, a season isn’t a series. Setbacks are inevitable. What comes after them is what it’s all about.

Clayton Kershaw dropping out of ERA lead, but comeback continues