The Silver Lining

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1. Great post Mark, ESPN did talk for awhile about the Dodgers inability to hit LHP will ultimately be there undoing in the playoffs, Marcell Ozuna sounds great.

   You have to like what you saw from Ryu last night, it is def encouraging.

   Christ Taylor is here to stay, wait, did I say Christ?

   “Pederson is batting .200 with two home runs. Although the Dodgers largely have shielded him from left-handed pitching, his .623 on-base plus slugging percentage is the third-lowest of any National League outfielder with at least 100 plate appearances, better only than Hunter Pence and Gorkys Hernandez of the San Francisco Giants.”

   Joc is a career .222 hitter, does not play against lefties and is very bad against righties. Just end the Joc experiment already, I’ve pulled enough hair out watching him play over the past two years, CHRIST TAYLOR.

   1. Jesus…

2. Yadier Alveraz – He was reinstated from the temporarily inactive list for yesterday’s game. I have no idea as to what that means. But he’s pitching again. That is what is important!!

   1. What happens in Tulsa stays in Tulsa.

3. I was the first one here to get behind Osuna and Taylor which helps me trust my gut more about Joc than I do other’s gut.
   .
   I find it comical when I read that Bellinger adjusts and Joc does not. Let’s look again at the end of June.
   .
   I admit that Joc needs to do well in rehab games but Forsythe has to keep Taylor from taking his spot at second base as well and Taylor has to prove he isn’t the second coming of Billy Grabarkewitz.
   .
   As it goes that 73% of all statistics are made up on the spot it holds that the gap between Joc’s defense and an elite CFer’s defense is smaller that the gap that exists between Joc’s defense and Taylor’s defense.

   1. Bum

      I don’t know if you read about Joc’s rehab starts, but Roberts said that Joc is going to have to prove he can hit, before he is going to be allowed, to come back.

      But then Roberts said that Joc would have to prove he can hit for a good week, before he will come back.

      But as you know, hitting for a week is really no proof, so who knows what will happen with Joc.

      I wonder if Joc is going to Rancho for his rehab, or AAA.

      A couple of weeks or more in AAA, might really start a fire within for Joc, and that might be even better.

      1. Part of Joc’s recovery plan was staying in a dark closet for 5 days without TV or a flashlight. Well, maybe not that extreme but he has been idol for sure and not doing anything to stimulate his brain. He couldn’t even sit in the dugout.
         .
         There is no reason to bring him up until he is making consistent contact and getting good jumps on fly balls. The Dodgers brought up Thompson when he something like 1 for 30 because he seemed to have seniority so based on that I think Joc will be brought up sooner than most seem to think.

         1. Bum

            I just thought it might be good for Joc if he went out to AAA for a couple of weeks, to get him more ready.

            It wasn’t a knock.

            And like I said Roberts said he had to hit for a good week, so I don’t think it will be long either.

            But a couple of weeks in AAA, might be good for him.

4. Great article on Logan White and the 2002-2003 drafts.
   https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/06/inside-the-draft-room-the-2002-2003-dodgers.html

5. Mark

   I felt exactly like you did, about Ryu’s performance, last night.

   All Ryu needs to do, is bare down in those RBIs situations, better.

   If he would have done that last night, he would have only gave up, a couple of runs.

   He was out two years, so it is going to take him a little while, to get where he wants to be.

   Ryu is a pitching better, with each start he gets.

   And he was pitching against a team that has a lot of players, hitting the cover off the ball, so Ryu’s outing, wasn’t that bad, and the increase in his velocity, is a really good sign, just like Mark said.

   I really think Ryu is pitching better, then both Hill and Maeda.

   Because those two guys, are only pitching five innings or less, most of the time, and they are giving up three runs on an average, or more, in the five innings, that they pitch.

   I still don’t like having our utility players, playing against the Nats everyday line up, especially with the great offensive start, the Nat’s players have had, from the beginning of the season.

   It is just to hard to win like that!

   I also think our utility players, except for Taylor, are all over exposed, right now.

   They have been playing to much, because of Turner, Logan, and Joc being out.

   Kike and company, are getting to many at bats, and they are showing their deficits, right now.

   Kike has stopped hitting, for the same reason, he didn’t hit well last year.

   The pitchers have stopped throwing Kike fastballs, and that is why he is not hitting, like he was.

   I didn’t see Kike adjust once last night, to the off speed pitches, that the pitchers were throwing him, and the only fastballs I saw Kike get, was from the Nat’s wild fill in closer, at the end of the game.

   Kike should have tried to go the other way, but he continued to just try to pull the ball all night.

   Kike of course is not the only utility player that is over exposed, , I am just using him, as an example.

   Gutierrez has not looked very good lately either, and it looks like his injury issues, and time off, has started to get to him.

   I know we need another good right hand bat, but I rather we get a one year rental, because that will cost us less.

   And remember how Reddick played, we just don’t know what a player from a team that isn’t in the spot light, will perform in LA, with the pressure of a pennant race, and playing under the lights, for a big market team.

   1. Agree with a lot there MJ. Bellinger is what the Dodgers hoped Joc would be. The utility players or should I say Kike is getting too much PT. His AB’s the last two days were awful and by starting him in RF on Sunday it probably cost the Dodgers a run on defense too. FG looks bad and he’s not getting enough PA’s to look any better. Ryu certainly looks better than Maeda and I would trust him more in a big game too.

      1. Hawk, there are many similarities between Bellinger and Pederson. Hot start followed by strikeouts and walks. When Roberts was being interviewed for Manager he was asked what he would have done with Joc in the second half of 2015. He said he would have sent him down. Trout was sent down in his rookie year. I think Bellinger willo be sent down but will bounce back up soon thereafter.
         .
         What happens between now and when Joc returns has lots to do with what Bellinger and Forsythe do.

         1. Here’s the difference that I see. Bellinger is quicker to adjust his approach not only during games, but during AB’s. Honestly, I just think he’s brighter than Joc. Bellinger can actually run and steal a base. Bellinger can hit lefties. While Joc is willing to drop a bunt down against the shift now and then, it usually goes foul or he winds up taking the pitch. Bellinger has already beat the shift with bunts 3 times. I was yelling for him to do it a second time against Milwaukee on Sunday so the tying run would come to the plate.

            I like Joc and I want him to succeed. Especially after I bought my son an authentic big league helmet with Joc’s autograph on it. I should have bought the one with Trout. Let my Dodgers bias get in the way and my son likes Joc. The Dodgers would be better if Taylor is the second baseman of the future and Joc can play CF, but all of things we read about Joc while he was coming up through the minors is what I see in Bellinger. All in all Bellinger is a better athlete and a smarter ball player. It doesn’t mean I don’t want them both to succeed, but out of the 3 young lefty bats, Joc is by far the lesser of the three ball players.

            1. Joc is probably nicer than he is smart. Joc gets frustrated more than Cody does. I agree about Joc’s bunting. Bellinger has made a few adjustments but always goes back to the big uppercut swing so not sure he actually adjusts.
               .
               I really want Joc, Cody, and Cory to play together for a long time. I like Taylor as well.

6. I feel Forsythe will come around but Gutierrez and Eibner are simply taking up space, along with Hatcher and Romo.
   Turner will take one spot on the roster when he returns this weekend, but that still leaves three spots that need to be upgraded.

7. Roster management will be a challenge. I think that they signed Gutierrez because of his history hitting lefties, but his physical condition is such that he isn’t reliable. He can’t play defense any more and you never know if he will be able to hit, given his ankylosing spondylosis. Eibner isn’t a big leaguer. He is just taking up space, but given the number of utility infielders that the Dodgers have playing OF these days, they have to do something.
   –
   When Turner returns, he plays 3B. I assume that Forsythe plays 2B (although he hasn’t done anything since returning from the DL). Eibner returns to AAA where he belongs. This still leaves the Dodgers with a utility INF playing CF (Taylor). He doesn’t look like a CF to me. There are times that he is the only guy hitting though, so I understand why he is playing.
   –
   Bellinger has mostly stopped hitting. They have to keep playing him to see if he will adjust, and of course he does lead the team in HR, so there is that. Gonzalez appears to be done. Will he pick it up in the 2nd half?
   –
   Romo should be gone. When Avilan is ready to return from the DL I would DFA him.
   –
   They still have too many SP who give up too many runs early and don’t pitch enough innings. Goody – Ryu went 7 IP yesterday but had given up 4 runs in 4 innings and the Dodgers never got back into the game. It’s like Maeda giving up 3 runs in the 1st two times in a row, or Hill walking too many guys and struggling to make it 4 IP. Something has to change. The only starters that I have faith in now are Kershaw (natch) and McCarthy (I never thought I’d be writing those words).
   –
   I still think they need a RH outfield bat and a more reliable starter. This series against the Nats reveals what I have been concerned about. We have Kershaw against Strasburg but Ryu vs. Gonzalez wasn’t a good matchup and neither is McCarthy vs. Scherzer.
   –
   The 7 man rotation/10 day DL shuffle might get them through the regular season but won’t work in the postseason.

   1. Rick

      Gio didn’t pitch that well, at all.

      Look at who Ryu was pitching to, Harper, Murphy, Zimmerman, and the Nat’s third baseman..

      The only really good bats that Gio faced, was Corey and Taylor.

      Really, Ryu pitched better then Gio did, because Gio had more run support, and he didn’t have to pitch to the same class of hitters, except for Corey.

8. Rudy, I agree with you 100 %. Three guys need to go. They are Gutierrez, Romo, and Hatcher. Why Eibner is on the team I do not know. Joc will be sent to AAA. He will have to find his hitting stroke there or will be traded. We really do need a strong right handed outfielder. Ozuna looks better all the time.

   Wood is coming back. We need him. I thought Ryu pitched well last night. We need McCarthy to have a good game.

   MJ, I agree with you on Kike. He did not look good last night.

9. This from MLB.com about the Dodgers’ rotation:
   ” The rotation, while effective, has durability concerns. Among the seven pitchers to start at least one game for Los Angeles this season, six have spent time away from the active roster due to injury or assignment to the Minors.
   Rich Hill has had two stints on the disabled list due to a blister on the middle finger of his left (throwing) hand. Kenta Maeda had a tight left hamstring, Brandon McCarthy a dislocated left shoulder, Hyun-Jin Ryu a left hip contusion. Lefty Alex Wood is idled by an inflamed joint in his throwing shoulder. Julio Urias is pitching well, albeit with a high walk rate, at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
   The group of six has combined for one Major League regular season of 200-plus innings — by McCarthy in 2014. And then there is Clayton Kershaw, who’s done it five times.
   Thus, the Dodgers must ask themselves: Are they comfortable with the risk that two of the aforementioned starters won’t be available in October due to injury? The group’s collective history suggests it’s reasonable to expect that level of attrition.”
   –
   The article, which is on the Dodgers’ website, suggests that the Dodgers’ starting pitching is not reliable enough to take them to October and that they need – you know – someone who can actually take the ball every 5 days and pitch.

10. I’m sorry friends but I can’y help it. I’m not the boy who cried wolf or did I see some Dutch boy with a finger in the dyke, but so many others have that it’s making me wonder. But I am hearing nothing from trusted sources and I think I probably trust those here more than elsewhere. My own eyes are seeing some of the evidence that something extremely major is happening but I learned to doubt my own eyes. Thusly I’m asking you all to look into this planet X thing somewhat open minded and give me some feedback. I’m not with fear, actually I don’t even really give much of a rats ass about the ‘me’ in this issue. I’m not in panic at either side of the line but there’s too much to simply ignore.

    1. Quas

       I really don’t know what you are going through, but I wish you the best.

       Sometimes all you need is a good sleep and a new day, and that can make a big difference, and change your prospective, about things.

       1. That is the best post I have ever seen you make MJ.

       2. MJ, I slept over 10 hours last night. I’m well aware I’m shinning brightly looking a fool. But at least one you can trust to go against the majority when he feels ‘that’s the way it is’. I’m not saying, in this case, that’s the way it is, but the reason I brought this up is because the sources I could normally trust have been too quiet where there’s been too much noise to ignore. Where’s Dr. Michio Kaku or Neils Degrosse Tyson when all this evidence keeps leaning towards facts. I asked friends to look ‘open minded’ and then give feedback because lackadaisical bliss is an oxymoron to me. I have the one word ‘Nibiru’ in the search on youtube that I click on every so often and there’s more and more on this as minutes go by. Of course there’s plenty smoke and perhaps disinformation but the evidence is stacking more towards this shit is real. Just try youtubing the one word a few times today and then I may later take the advise that I need more sleep. Why do I risk to look like a damn fool? Because I’m supposed too. There’s been many things I’ve stuck my neck out for.

          1. Q,
             Not really sure where you are coming from but if the world about to be destroyed there is not a f—— thing anyone can do about it. As for me, it would mean I wouldn’t have to deal with Trump any longer…possibly a fair exchange. But until that time…”It’s time for Dodger baseball.”

             1. Rudy

                I couldn’t agree, with you, more!

    2. What the heck is this about?

       1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nibiru_cataclysm

          1. The Looney Tunes ending is perfect for that.

          2. Thank you Bumsrap. At least you recognized my request. I hadn’t looked at wiki till now. There are a couple inaccuracies there but for the most I trust wiki. There is something unusual happening and that is certain. What that something is, I don’t know.

             1. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvZBg7qLzU8

             2. Quas

                I talked to Badger and he acknowledged what you are talking about, but he doesn’t seem to worrried, and you know where Badger lives, is one of those areas.

          3. Lol.
             .
             This part reads like an unproduced sequel to Buckaroo Banzai.
             .
             The idea was first put forward in 1995 by Nancy Lieder,[4][5] founder of the website ZetaTalk. Lieder describes herself as a contactee with the ability to receive messages from extraterrestrials from the Zeta Reticuli star system through an implant in her brain.

11. I’ve seen some of these rumors floating around.
    .
    Puig to Mets for Harvey. Yes, other players would be involved.
    .
    Osuna to Dodgers or Cards. Marlins need pitching and prospects. Marlins are out of it this year so maybe Toles, Verdugo, Oaks, Hatcher, Maeda for Osuna.
    .
    Outfield = Osuna, Pederson, Bellinger, Taylor
    Infield = Turner, Gonzales, Forsythe, Taylor, Utley, Bellinger

    1. Ozuna would interest me. I’ll take a big pass on Harvey. Cain and Herrera would interest me too.

12. How about we take on Stanton’s contract and Osuna for Pederson, Puig, Oaks, Kazmir, Alvarez? I would rather have Yellich than Stanton but would settle on Stanton. Of course the real piece there is Osuna.

    1. Eric

       I wish Yelich was a rightie hitter too.

    2. No

13. Bum,
    –
    I was looking at your stats that you posted earlier. You can’t cherry pick stats.

    Bellinger:
    –
    April – .286
    May – .245
    June – .294
    –
    Pederson:
    –
    April – .220
    May – .182

    1. I posted the last 30 days. That is not cherry picking.

14. 10 Ks for Dodger hitters already and we’re not out of the 4th. Can’t anyone on this team hit?

15. So, the Dodgers didn’t listen to me and the Giants got Sam Dyson., I’m pissed!

16. Disappointing defeat.
    Batters gone to sleep.

17. Had to leave for Chicago at 5 AM this morning. I’m not back until late tonight so today the inmates can run the asylum!

18. It wasn’t lack of pitching that cost us the game last night.

19. We are missing Turner’s all-around play, but also Toles in the lead off spot, where he was a spark plug. The lead-off role is a dilemma right now with Forsythe, Utley, and Pederson not cutting it.

    1. So, Pederson gets blamed even when he doesn’t play?

       1. Bum

          Logan’s average slipped below 200 after that last game, so he is below Joc now.

          But just like it looks like Roberts goes with seniority as you call it, he also stands by veteran players.

          Remember how bad Reddick was, in his first month with this team.

          And that affected Toles hitting, in September.

       2. Are you advocating to put Joc back in the lead-off role once he returns? I say pass.

          1. I am okay with Joc at lead off but #6 will probably be where he winds up this year.

          2. Rudy if you are talking to me, no I am not suggesting putting Joc in the lead off position.

             I think Joc hits best, in the eighth position, and his stats show that.

             The problem is that Puig is best in that same position in the order.

             1. Was commenting to Bum, MJ.

20. This from the Dodgers’ website:
    “Logan Forsythe is in an 0-for-20 slump and, in 13 games since coming off the disabled list, is 4-for-42 with 16 strikeouts, including two by Scherzer. Cody Bellinger, in the last 13 games, is 8-for-46 with 22 strikeouts, three by Scherzer. Yasmani Grandal, in the last 10 games, is 6-for-38 with 17 strikeouts, three by Scherzer. Corey Seager, who snapped out of a 3-for-23 slide with three hits Monday night, was 0-for-4 on Tuesday night. Franklin Gutierrez, who did not play Tuesday night, is in an 0-for-12 funk.”
    –
    In June, the Dodgers are last in team batting average of all 30 teams in MLB (.175). They are last of 30 in OPS (.517). They are 27th in runs (15), but 10 of those were scored in 1 game, so they have scored 5 runs in 5 games otherwise. They are last in HR (3).
    –
    Here are the OPSs of the Dodgers who are playing much in June:
    Gutierrez – .000
    Forsythe – .056
    Kike Hernandez – .192
    Eibner – .282
    Grandal – .333
    Seager – .535
    Utley – .536
    Barnes – .558
    Gonzalez – .739
    Bellinger – .781
    Puig – .899
    Taylor – .914
    –
    In short, 2 guys over .800 in June so far, and Stasburg tonight. The team faces the Mets, Rockies and Indians this month as well. This group slump thing that they tend to do drives me crazy. The all utility player lineup that they roll out against lefties (Taylor, Kike, Eibner, Gutierrez, Barnes) drives me crazy. It’s nuts that they will score 6 runs/game for several weeks and then everyone stops hitting all at once.

    1. The Dodgers are anxious to get Joc’s .623 OPS into the lineup 😉

       1. Bum

          That is only the OPS for the six days, in June.

    2. Rick

       It does seem as soon the month changed from May to June first, the team suddenly, stopped hitting!

       But they have to do a better job, of using the basics to get runs in, like moving runners over, and being more productive on offense, since clutch hits, are hard to get now.

       But those stats on June are to small of a sample, since it has only been 7 days in this month.

    3. Rick

       I don’t know if you just made a mistake about the game today, but the game is at 12 today, not tonight.

       I forgot too.

    4. Rudy

       Thanks, I wasn’t sure!

21. Rick – the collective funk is something the Dodgers have excelled at over the past few seasons.

    1. Watford

       Ain’t that true!

22. I forgot to say that McCarthy pitched better then I thought he would, so I want to give him credit when credit is due!

23. Beyond the Box Score looks at Badger’s new boy, Wilmer, amongst others:
    ~
    http://www DOT beyondtheboxscore.com/2017/6/7/15706434/font-jurrjens-masterson-dodgers-pitching-depth?utm_campaign=beyondtheboxscore&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
    ~
    A part of this:
    Perhaps most encouragingly, Font’s peripherals suggest that the top-line numbers are legitimate—he is running an higher-than-average BABIP at .333, and his FIP (2.52) and xFIP (2.83) are each more than a point below his ERA. While his age and injury history have kept the hype at bay thus far, Font is sure to get broader attention if he can maintain his early season performance.
    …
    In other organizations, Font, Jurrjens, and Masterson might have done enough already to get a look at a major league start, but there are a lot of names in front of them on the Dodgers depth chart. Scott Kazmir is still around rehabbing a hip injury, and reportedly has begun to regain his velocity. Stripling has looked strong in the bullpen, and may be given an opportunity. Brock Stewart has already made three short minor league starts as he rehabs a shoulder injury, and Oklahoma City teammate Trevor Oaks (the Dodgers’ #16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline) has a 3.46 ERA and a K/BB over 5 in his first 10 starts. Yet, with Rich Hill’s blister situation, McCarthy’s injury history, and some early shakiness from both Maeda and Ryu, the non-Kershaw portion of the Dodgers’ rotation looks to be a revolving cast of characters again this year. If they were to match the last two years’ numbers, the Dodgers would be using 8 or 9 more starters this year. Just don’t be too surprised if you see Font, Jurrjens, or maybe even Masterson, jumping over the boards and onto the Dodger Stadium mound in 2017.
    ~
    Next, FanGraphs looks at Pederson’s struggles. It’s not exit velocity, it’s the swing stupid.
    ~
    http://www DOT fangraphs.com/fantasy/joc-pedersons-less-than-ideal-batted-balls/
    ~
    While Pederson displays well above exit average velocity, the problem he appears to be having stems from a combination of pop-ups and weakly hit ground balls (I say weakly hit, because, while exit velocity still his well above average on his balls hit below zero degrees, the launch angle is such that it is difficult for those balls ever to be valuable.) So the question becomes, is this a sample size issue?
    ~
    Finally, a look at Ozuna (a potential trade target as per Rosenthal)
    http://www DOT fangraphs.com/blogs/another-marcell-ozuna-breakout/

24. Trying again:

    Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    Beyond the Box Score looks at some AAA starters, including Wilmer Font:
    ~
    www DOT beyondtheboxscore.com/2017/6/7/15706434/font-jurrjens-masterson-dodgers-pitching-depth?utm_campaign=beyondtheboxscore&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter
    ~
    A part of this:
    Perhaps most encouragingly, Font’s peripherals suggest that the top-line numbers are legitimate—he is running an higher-than-average BABIP at .333, and his FIP (2.52) and xFIP (2.83) are each more than a point below his ERA. While his age and injury history have kept the hype at bay thus far, Font is sure to get broader attention if he can maintain his early season performance.
    …
    In other organizations, Font, Jurrjens, and Masterson might have done enough already to get a look at a major league start, but there are a lot of names in front of them on the Dodgers depth chart. Scott Kazmir is still around rehabbing a hip injury, and reportedly has begun to regain his velocity. Stripling has looked strong in the bullpen, and may be given an opportunity. Brock Stewart has already made three short minor league starts as he rehabs a shoulder injury, and Oklahoma City teammate Trevor Oaks (the Dodgers’ #16 prospect according to MLB Pipeline) has a 3.46 ERA and a K/BB over 5 in his first 10 starts. Yet, with Rich Hill’s blister situation, McCarthy’s injury history, and some early shakiness from both Maeda and Ryu, the non-Kershaw portion of the Dodgers’ rotation looks to be a revolving cast of characters again this year. If they were to match the last two years’ numbers, the Dodgers would be using 8 or 9 more starters this year. Just don’t be too surprised if you see Font, Jurrjens, or maybe even Masterson, jumping over the boards and onto the Dodger Stadium mound in 2017.
    ~
    Next, FanGraphs looks at Pederson’s struggles. It’s not exit velocity, it’s the swing stupid.
    ~
    www DOT fangraphs.com/fantasy/joc-pedersons-less-than-ideal-batted-balls/
    ~
    While Pederson displays well above exit average velocity, the problem he appears to be having stems from a combination of pop-ups and weakly hit ground balls (I say weakly hit, because, while exit velocity still his well above average on his balls hit below zero degrees, the launch angle is such that it is difficult for those balls ever to be valuable.) So the question becomes, is this a sample size issue?
    ~
    Finally, a look at Ozuna (a potential trade target as per Rosenthal)
    www DOT fangraphs.com/blogs/another-marcell-ozuna-breakout/

    1. Bluto

       It is Hill and Maeda that has been shakey lately, not Ryu.

    2. The sample size that you use to look at Joc’s offense, is small, since your only basing it on, one half of a season, in two years plus.

       Joc has not hit well, more then he has hit well, in two years plus.

       1. Hey MJ, the article on Joc is actually focused ONLY on this year.

          As to the pitching, I’d say all have been shaky. But neither you nor I wrote or edited the article!

          1. Bluto

             I think that is fair!

25. Grandal’s home/away splits are a little perplexing, given how Dodgers Stadium is considered a pitcher’s park.
    ~
    Right? Isn’t it?
    ~
    Home: 301 BA 858 OPS
    Road 224 BA 667 OPS

26. Bluto

    I took a closer look at Joc’s second half numbers, in 2016.

    He only played in ten games in July, and he only had 41 at bats.

    So his July numbers look good, but that is a very small sample size.

    And in August he didn’t do well, and he had 96 at bats, in August.

    In September and October combined, he had just over 80 at bats, and he had good numbers then.

    So actually Joc only hit well, in September and October combined, but the at bats he got those months combined, was more like a month of at bats, not two months.

    Because he had 90 plus at bats, in August.

    So actually Joc only hit well in the second half of that season, for a month and ten games, so he didn’t even hit well that entire second half of the season, in 2016.

    So Joc only hit well, in about 128 at bats, in the second half, and he had about 228 at bats total, in that second half.

    So Joc’s positive numbers in that second half, were based on only just over 100 at bats, and that is close to the amount of at bats, he has had this year.

    That is to small of a sample size, in a two years plus career, to take seriously.

    1. OK, MJ.
       ~
       Believe what you want. To me, last year, you could make the case he was the 3rd best hitter ALL YEAR on the team. I don’t really care to get into first/second half splits. I do remember, now that you mention it, that his first year had uneven splits as well.
       ~
       But back to 2016, he is/was IMO behind Turner and Seager. He wasn’t perfect, he wasn’t great. But he was better than the team’s average.
       ~
       I base this on the following FULL YEAR (137 games) stats:
       An OPS of .847
       An OPS+ of 127
       An wRC of 129
       A fWAR of 3.6
       ~
       If those are because he hit well in spurts, I guess there were enough good spurts to suffice for an entire year of production.

       1. Bluto

          No biggie!

          It is just a small sample size for his time, in the majors.

          And these type of hitters, always look better with sabers because of the credit given to walks, and strike outs.

          Most fans don’t see it that way, if they see most of the games.

          Also go check that age 24 season of Duke Snider, as compared to Joc’s season last year.

          The OPS’s are unbelieveable, for the data that is there.

          1. Frankly MJ, I don’t give a damn about the fans perception.

             Now do I really care how Pederaon matches up against Duke Snider.

             1. Bluto

                It is kind of interesting to see the data and the OPS.

                Mark posted it here one time.

                I didn’t see Snider play, but our announcers have compared Joc’s HR pace, to Snider.

                I was just curious to see what you thought about the comparison, and the difference in their OPS’s.

                Because you are a die hard saber metric guy.

                I just wanted your thoughts, on this comparison.

27. Idiots! And the pitch count strikes again.

    1. Better lucky than good sometimes.

28. Ryu pitched with great confidence. As though he is healthy and not afraid to cut loose. I liked what I saw. Murphy cost him about 10 pitches early in the game. On Pederson: he was doing the shuffle in spring training. Probably still is. He needs to be sent to the minors, play every day and try to find that key. He’s still young enough to keep around. The team really needs Turner. He is good enough to carry the lineup. I hope he can go 100% when he returns. Too many strikeouts. Bellinger doesn’t let striking out multiple times bother him. I guess that’s good.

    1. Bobbie 17

       We really did miss Turner in this series the most, because he was practically a one man team, with the way he hit against the Nats, in both the regular season, and in the post season.

       Turner became the best hitter on the team, last year.

29. Well, that was easy.

30. Great game today. Everyone filling up the strike zone. Baez our set up man? These games would have had better outcomes if Turner was playing. Turner went all out in a sim game. Feels good.

    1. Kudos to Baez so far this year, but Kershaw is pitching to Turner and Harper if I’m the manager. If not, I’m letting one of the millionaires on the bench take a swing instead of sending Kershaw up there with two outs to strike out.

       12-7 without Turner. If you offered me that when he went down with the Cubs, Cards twice, and Nats on the schedule I would have taken it in a heartbeat.

       1. No clue as to why Kershaw batted in the seventh. Weird decision.

          1. Rudy

             Roberts wanted to keep Kershaw off his back, for a little longer!

             1. No doubt.

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