Patience, Grasshoppers

This is just some random guy, but he nailed it! Like everyone else, I seek patience… and I want it NOW, Damnit! I admit that I have lost patience with Gavin Lux, Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Max Muncy, and Robert Van Socyoc. Yes, the guy who preaches patience doesn’t practice what he preaches. So, sue me!

It is starting to pay off. The Dodgers need Max Muncy and Justin Turner to be bettered offensively and it is finally looking like it is paying off. Cody had his moments last night, but even if he does not return to his MVP production, the Dodgers can tolerate his bat because he is likely the best CF’er in baseball…. defensively! Patience is indeed a virtue! With Bellinger, Turner, and Muncy struggling mightily, the Dodgers have been the personification of patience, and still have the second-best record in all of baseball.

The Dodgers are now 3.5 games ahead of the Padres and 7.5 games ahead of the Giants. Now, Let’s Roll! The Dodgers are now tied with the Yankees for most runs scored – 384, but the Dodgers have done that in one less game. With all the “belly-aching” by Dodger fans about the offense, with all due respect, that is awesome. Think what they might do with Belli, JT, and Max improving slightly… or more?

In the Team ERA Race, here are the MLB Leaders:

  1. Yankees – 2.92
  2. Astros – 2.93
  3. Dodgers – 2.95

Cy Gonsolin – Dodger Ace?

It’s not too early to think that the All-Star Game Starter could also win the Cy Young Award. The question now is: “Who REALLY is the Dodgers’ Ace?” It’s not Kershaw or Buehler. It’s either Urias or Gonsolin and right about now, Toney is every team’s Ace. There is no one better… right about now. 10-0 record, 1.54 ERA, 0.82 WHIP. That is just sick!

Austin Barnes – Dodger Captain?

Mookie said it during his in-game interview. Get him a “C” for his Uni! If he really is, that speaks volumes about Austin. Of all the players on the Dodgers, he is regarded as the Captain! I hope AF pays him enough to keep him. He should retire a Dodger. #MuchRespect.

Ian is a 28-year-old defensive lineman, who plays alongside Nose Tackle Reyes Moronta… Of course, I am kidding! Actually, one of the most interesting aspects about the 6′ 3″ 250+ pounder is that he has only started 3 games… EVER! He is a career reliever, having logged 434 innings in 10 seasons of college and minor league baseball. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 11th round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of Tulane. He went to the Twins, Indians, and now the Dodgers subsequent to that.

Who Really is John Galt Ian Gibaut?

One can only assume that Andrew Friedman and the Dodger Brass see something that they think can be built upon. Think: Evan Phillips. I would not bet against Friedman. That said, he will have to produce immediately. This is not the time for a “project.”

Future Dodgers Down on the Farm

  • OKC lost 11-4
    • Garrett Cleavinger got shelled in his one-inning pitched, and he gave up 2 hits (both HRs), 2 BB, and 3 Runs. They beat him like a Rented Mule.
    • Marshall Kasowski gave up 3 BB in his inning pitched. Don’t look for Cleavinger or Kasowski anytime soon.
    • 6′ 7″ Mark Washington pitched 1.1 scoreless innings and is now 3-0 with a 0.93 ERA and a 0.79 WHIP across AA and AAA.
    • Miguel Vargas was (again) 2-4 with 2 Runs Scored and 2 RBI and a BB. .294 BA/ .892 OPS.
    • Jacob Amaya is coming to life at AAA as he went 2-3 with 2 BB.
    • Jamie Martin was 4-4 with 2 HR (#14 and 15) and 3 RBI. .299 BA/ .976 OPS.
  • Tulsa won 9-3
    • Andy Pages went 1-4 with his 13th HR.
    • Kody Hoese has been hit of late and was 2-5, including his 4th HR and 3 RBI. He is hitting .284/.787 OPS. He is starting to swing that bat like a buggy whip.
  • Great Lakes won 11-8
    • Eddys Leonard was 3-4
    • Diego Cartaya was 1-5 with a double (.314/1.031)
    • Jose Ramos was 2-3 with a BB.
  • Rancho Cucamonga won 7-2

Coming Soon…

Video Interviews with Austin Chubb, Emmitt Sheehan, and Diego Cartaya. We have been extremely busy at US Water Systems and my video guy (who happens to be my son-in-law) has been working like a rented mule on Business Stuff. His boss is an SOB.

Happy Fourth of July From All of Us at US Water Systems

I don’t know if I told you but we started moving into our new Manufacturing Facility yesterday.

This article has 40 Comments

  1. Morning gang, well I made it home in time to watch the last 4 innings of the game. Yeah, I drove straight through. Left at 2:00 LA time, arrived a little after 8 LA time. 1053 miles, 225.00 on gas. Before everyone goes nuts about Bellinger, chew on this, Belli is hitting 46 points higher than he did last year in less games. He has one more homer than last year in 54 fewer at bats. Not 2017 like, but an improvement none the less. He still chases pitches he has no shot hitting, but then so does Mr. Swing and Miss, Chris Taylor. He had 9 bags, and he had 3 all last year. So he is doing better, he is just not doing as well as Dodger fans expected. Trayce Thompson is playing like a man on a mission. He wants to be part of this team. Game on FOX tonight. Mookie expected back next week. Looks like he might be getting some time at second base. I still think they need another RH power bat. Soto and DC talking extension.

  2. Yes, as Dodger fans we are spoiled with a well run org, large payroll, deep farm, etc,. We belly ache because we seek excellence, even perfection — it’s like being a Laker fan in the 80’s (without the titles). The lens through which we view the Dodgers is oriented to winning the WS. We’re not overly concerned with the regular season. The question is do we have what it takes to win it all. We know what it feels like to be over matched (Boston), lack depth due injuries/tired arms (Atlanta), and so on. I feel like the winning combo for the Dodgers is part patience with underperforming players, adding a youthful spark from the farm, gamble we get important arms back and built up (Treinen, May, Ferguson, Buehler) and, lastly, adding an arm bc we know pitching wins playoff games and there’s a good chance all our key pitchers will not be healthy. It’s fun to be a Dodger Fan right now!

    1. How about we add Gavin Stone, Ryan Pepiot… and maybe Bobby Miller in September?

      Also remember, back in the day, if you won the NL, you had a 50/50 chance of winning the World Series (theoretically). Now you have to win up to 3 more Playoff Series just to get to the World Series. Essentially, it is up to 300% harder than back in the day! If you are gauging today’s Dodgers with yesteryear’s Dodgers you are not using the same measurement. it is dramatically harder to win a World Series now.

      BTW, the leading YARDSTICK MANUFACTURER says that they are not going to make them any longer.

  3. And don’t forget, those same guys Turner, Muncy, Bellinger, have basically won the last two games for us against what we have to consider our main division rivals. It might be a short-term thing right now, but it counts for something.
    Cheers

  4. One change for the better this year with the Dodgers and kudos to Roberts is that we are stealing a lot of bases. We’ve struggled to put hits together and this has helped. We have tons of team speed and we’re finally taking advantage of that.

    1. Amen to that! Plus, when the running game is working it is just so much fun.
      Cheers

  5. I’m worried for MArk’s son-in-law. He’s liken to him as a “rented mule” after he suggests that a Cleavinger was beaten like one.
    Beaten like a Padre? Dodgers have won 12 of the last 13 matchups. Nice.
    News to me: Mark Washington stands 6-7 and he has an ERA below 1.00 in AA and AAA ball –and yet he’s somehow under the radar. Seriously, when we think of up-and-coming prospects, where does he rank? I think I could name a dozen pitchers before I’d remember Washington. All considered that’s a good thing for the Dodgers.

    1. Here’s the Meathead with my daughter (actually “step-daughter” – she has an awesome Dad and that’s not me):
      Cassie

      Washington has to be top 25, but there is just something about him that I cannot identify that gives me pause.

  6. Nice game. Nice win. Fun pitchers duel early with Snell and Gonsolin. 20 K’s between them.
    * Gonzo seems to get better and better. He reminds me of Ohtani when he can command 4 pitches, any one of which can look unhittable. He gets guys out up, down, in and out with huge speed variations and pitch shapes keeping balls off barrels. He has really come into his own.
    * Snell is interesting. 107 pitches to get through 5. He can be nasty and he can be shitty. I saw him in the state playoffs in high school where he lost to my best friend’s team. He sailed along in the 7 inning game, giving up one hit. He came out in his last inning in a 0-0 game and promptly went ball 1, ball 4, ball 8, ball 12 and walked em loaded. Out of nowhere he just lost it. A relief pitcher came in a hit his first hitter which scored the only run in the game and Snell lost 1 – 0. It seems he’s still capable of being irratic. While we struggle with lefties, he still looks too good to be 0-5 with a 5.1 ERA.
    * God we strike out too much. Smith looking in the 7th and Trea and CT3 with 3 each Everybody in the line up had at least 1 K. CT3 misses so many opportunities to score or advance runners. Situations where practically any contact would get the job done. And to use his speed. I want to see defenses forced to make plays which seems unimportant for the crowd that feels that strikeouts are just other outs. But us old guys remember when striking out was a sin.
    * CT3 has a Bobble Head Day coming up. I wonder if it somehow they could depicts him swinging from his ass, missing a breaking ball low and away? Probably not.
    * Speaking of Bobble Heads, I see there’s a Cody Bellinger Bobble Head Night coming up as well. I wonder if they will make it more lifelike and have him in his rigid batting stance with his head bobbing up and down? Probably not.
    * Freddie leads the planet in hits the other way. Orel had a great point, why shift him with a runner on 2nd, leaving the 6 hole vacant? Good question.
    * Which leads me to the thinking about rules to eliminate the shifts. For the first few years of big over shifts, I kept thinking that players would adjust and rule changes wouldn’t be needed; going oppo or bunting would eventually get teams out of shifting. Now I believe nothing will do that short of rule changes. That’s why a rule change is necessary as defenses will never adjust even with guys like Freddie who can beat the shift. The metrics must show the shifts are effective more than not.
    * Max has dug himself a pretty deep hole hitting .168 the first 76 games. Max has never really hit for an average, his best year hitting .263 in 2018 but his OPS has been very good most years. He’s basically a .250 hitter with an nice 800+ OPS. I would certainly take that right now. But he’s at .168 / .619 but hopefully coming on. It’s a steep mountain ahead to get to his career normal .250. He would need to go 67 for 201 (.333) to get there. How nice would that be for him to get back to his career normal?
    Darvish and Anderson today. On paper another great match up. The 2 are combines 15 – 4 with a 3.25 ERA. I hope it lives up to the billing.

    1. Phil

      As always, thanks for your astute observations! I agree that CT3 is the cause for a lot of missed scoring opportunities by striking out instead of making contact to move base runners up. Given that he is streak hitter it seems that making more contact would not only help the team but enhance his individual value. I hope the Dodger front office still values this part of the game. They won the World Series in 1959, 1963 and 1965 by playing this type of baseball; in fact, it was the only kind of offensive baseball they could play….

    2. This caught my eye. “I want to see defenses forced to make plays”, but you mention the contact play every time it doesn’t work. Haven’t heard you mention it that much this year. It was used in the opener successfully. I forgot to mention it.

      Gonsolin and Shohei don’t remind me of each other at all. It must be all that heat coming off Shohei’s fastball. But, Gonso has been way more effective overall. If Stone is the best kept secret in the minors, Gonso has to be the best kept secret in the majors while sporting a career 2.37 ERA and .991 WHIP. 20-5 career record is almost as outrageous.

      The “Black Hole” gang is starting to heat up. Cody has 4 big flies in the last 14 games, but can’t seem to do anything to improve that sub 700 slash line. He hasn’t turned a corner. He’s just going round and round in a traffic circle trying to figure out how to get off.

      Do we strike out too much? We’re 15th in the league. We’re perfectly average in that category. I think baseball in general strikes out too much. I remember when 100 K’s was ungodly. It seems that every player on this team is on pace for 100 K’s and that’s average? Crazy.

    3. They use their best moments for the bobbleheads. Taylors depicts his running the bases after his homer sent the Dodgers to the NLDS> Turners was pretty cool, showing him doing his slide.

  7. It’s July and we’re a perfect 1-0 so far in the month of trade rumors and deadlines. The Dodgers currently have one of the best team ERA’s in baseball. On or around the deadline, they’ll add a couple of bullpen pieces and a couple of the best starting pitchers the game has to offer.

    I’m talking about Walker Bueller, Dustin May, Tommy Kahnle, Blake Treinen and Victor Gonzalez. Wow! Could you image the excitement pulling off a trade deadline like that?!

    In all reality, we are really fortunate on the Pitching front. There’s also Heaney if he can ever prove he can throw a couple of starts without an IL stint in between. He’s going to look really good coming out of the pen. I wonder how long before CK makes back to the infirmary ward.

    What about the bats you say? Yes, it would be awesome to bring in a quality bat, or better yet a Super Star. But, I don’t see it happening. They’ve been reluctant to let the “Black Hole” go on an Oklahoma vacation all year, so I doubt they’re gonna do JT, Belli or Muncy like that. They’re the three worst hitters on the team and everyone else is performing reasonably well.

    Well, I suppose you can make CT3 the 15M per year utility guy again, a position where he thrives. But, with all the bitching about paying Belli $17M as a starting CF with stats not far off from CT3, is it doable? Hell Yeah! I have no problem giving close to Belli money to CT3 to play 4 days a week and come off the bench in the others while giving guys a extra breather.

    Okay, so where do you put this new dynamic bat? Well, it ain’t gonna be CF, RF, C, 1B, SS unless you’re thinking Brian Reynolds is going to take over for Cody in CF. He’s the only CF that is better, right now, that might be available.

    Forget about 2B. There’s a few guys they play there that have a better OPS that Lux, that don’t have his range, are on contending teams, or are pre arb. Altuve, Chisholm, Gimenez, and McNeil are the only ones that are producing at a much better clip. None of them are available.

    3B and LF are likely places where you could improve. Uh, but we have Lamb and Thompson who have had good starts to their career revitalization. We also have professional hitter, bad defender Vargas just waiting for this glove to catch up with his bat at AAA. Ooh, Rafael Devers is on a Boston Team that’s 13 games back. Unfortunately, they’re also up a couple of games in a Wild Card spot. Damn extended playoffs!

    Then there’s Drury. Like Mark said, he’s injury prone and like I said, is having an outlier year. Well, at least he’s the best choice for some offense so far. He check’s another box, being a right handed hitter. He’s also got an expiring contract, so he’ll definitely be traded away from a crappy, forever rebuilding Reds team.

    He can play OF and 3B, so he does make some sense. But, with Lamb, Vargas, JT and Muncy on the team. It’s doubtful they’ll go after a 3B.

    Most likely, anyone we bring in would have to be and outfielder. Any outfielder can play left field, so the list should be big, right? That outfielder has to hit better than CT3 though and that could move him to third base or back to the Super Utility role which isn’t quite as important with the DH in the NL.

    It might surprise some, but not me, that there are only 12 outfielders in MLB with an OPS over 800. Wow, that’s crappy! Do we really want to waste prospects to acquire guys less than that mark?

    Ian Happ would be a nice pickup. He has another ARB year after this one and bats switchy and he’s a lefty killer. After Happ, it looks like Reynolds is the only other clear upgrade that might be available.

    So that’s pretty much it. The closest thing to a Trea Turner this year is Ian Happ. Otherwise it’s Drury and Reynolds. Honestly, I would take any of those three right now. I like some better than others for difference reasons. I think Reynolds is the best defender. Happ has the highest ceiling. Drury’s got some versatility.

    Like pitching, the list is short. Prediction? This is going to be the crappiest, most disappointing trade deadline ever.

    1. Hey BP,
      This may be your finest, or at the very least, one of your finest posts in 2022. I had a big smile while reading it. I’m glad you are here to always keep the outliers and impulsive neurotics balanced.

      TM

      1. Thanks TM, It seems that I may have talked you down from the ledge. I can’t recall the last time you were worried about certain players. If we can only get Cassidy and NoCal to follow suit. Bums and Patch mostly just like to talk crap, I don’t believe they believe what they’re saying is true. But, the comedic value is there.

        Funny thing, my first thought was writing about how Tony Gonsolin is the best pitcher in baseball, but Mark got me sidetracked and this is what came out when my fingers started moving.

        Mark is my muse, I guess. He does a phenomenal job getting the conversation started and that’s what this site is all about.

        Cheers and thanks again for the kind words.

        1. Yeah, you helped me relax and get past making “quick” judgments this year. The baseball season is a marathon so I’ve decided to not get too excited until we get closer to the trade deadline……and then as we get closer to the playoffs.

          I’m totally cool about the 3 guys some here call the “Black Hole” …..and in fact, i am optimistic all 3 will do enough to compliment the big 4 guys we expect to mostly carry us – Mookie, Freddie, Tre, and Will- to the Promised Land.

          Besides, I have been much more involved in following my NY Giants off-season, which was great if you ask me. Football season being only 17 games is a lot different than baseballs 162 game season.

          TM

  8. Mark always preaches patience during the long season, and he is proving correct again. In the 162 game season, there are so many frustrations even for the best teams. I need to learn to enjoy the journey!
    Also I appreciate the regular updates on the minor league prospects. Such a deep pool of talent!
    And as usual, Bulldog makes great points about the trade deadline options, and the even better options coming off the DL.
    Great day to be a Dodger fan after 2 straight wins against the Padres. And two more tough games to go in the series.

    1. Remember, not that long ago at the beginning of this almost Dynasty how we went on a horrible losing streak during the middle of the summer? People forget just how much movement there is in the standing over the course of a long season. There will be ebbs and flows this year as well.

      The Black Hole gang is going to put up better numbers in the second half, than in the first. Here’s why…

      Cody is going to hit more bombs. With warmer weather, the ball is going to start travelling further and more of his warning track shots to dead center will carry. His Ave, OBP and Slg will make a big jump as a result.

      Old man JT always starts slow. He’ll have slumps that are little longer and shorter hot streaks like aging players do. But, it won’t be as bad as the unseasonably cool first half.

      Muncy is starting to make more hard contact recently. He obviously doesn’t feel comfortable and that’s the biggest problem with him in the box. I think all three of them will have more comfort in the box and more confidence which will bring better results. They may not play at all all-star level. But, they won’t be as bad as the first half. Barring injury of course.

  9. 7:15 PM ET

    Padres (46-33)
    Dodgers (48-28)

    SPTyler Anderson L
    8-1 3.23 ERA 78IP 67K
    Confirmed Lineup
    SS Trea Turner R
    1B F. Freeman L
    C Will Smith R
    2B Max Muncy L
    3B J. Turner R
    CF C. Bellinger L
    DH Jake Lamb L
    RF Chris Taylor R
    LF Gavin Lux L

    Clear-day
    0% Rain
    79° Wind 9 mph Out

    Someone to keep an eye on is Carlos Duran pitching for A+ Great Lakes tonight

  10. Well I don’t think half a season is a rush to judgement. The “Black Hole Gang” OPS+ is 84, 84 and 79. I’m just saying I don’t think there’s much of a chance we win a WS if that continues. I sure hope they can catch fire and change course but no one knows. I know Nellinger has hit some bombs but I’m more impressed by his 13 pitch ab the other night and his sac fly against a lefty last night. There’s not much out there at the deadline and only an AF blockbuster will move the needle. Devers anyone?

  11. There are lots of really good hitters struggling this year.

    Look at the bottom of the bating charts and you could field a team of former All-Stars.

  12. Well when I look at the bottom OPS rankings beginning with Bellingers .672, the three biggest names are him, Muncy and Turner. I know hitting is down this year but those three are way down. That needs to change when we face playoff caliber pitching in October.

  13. OF Mookie Betts (right rib fracture)
    Expected return: July 3-4
    For the first time since he sustained a right rib fracture on June 15, Betts took about four live at-bats on July 2 against left-hander Caleb Ferguson. Betts hit a couple of line drives and ran the bases after his swings. He also went through infield and outfield drills.

    Betts and the Dodgers are aiming for a return on July 3 against the Padres or on July 4 against the Rockies. Betts will play second base in his first few games off the injured list. — Juan Toribio (Last updated: July 2)

    LHP Caleb Ferguson (left forearm tendinitis)
    Expected return: In the coming week
    Ferguson threw live at-bats against Mookie Betts on July 2 and came away feeling good, according to manager Dave Roberts. Ferguson could be activated at some point during the current 11-game homestand. — Juan Toribio (Last updated: July 2)

  14. Suprised to see Trace Thompson not in the lineup tonite. It would have been a good time to rest Chris Taylor. In the last 10 games TT is hitting .321 (9-28) OPS .881. CT is hitting .143 in the same 10 games(that includes a game he was 3-3.) His OPS dropped from .786 to 734.

    1. Don’t be too surprised. Looks like a Jake Lamb / Trayce Thompson platoon is in the works. Get them used to their roles since they’ll both be bench pieces when Mookie returns tomorrow or the next day.

      1. Yeah, it looks like a platoon for sure with those two, but I hope both of those guys can provide much needed pinch hits or quality depth should they be needed to start some more games.

  15. Is it safe to say the game is over? The only thing left is to see a straight fastball to Manny’s asshole face…. That’s all I ask

  16. That pitching sequence to Machado was the best I have seen Bazooka has pitched to date. Just increíble.

  17. “A voice from the ledge”. That’s 3 in a row from the Black Hole Gang and the results speak for themselves. And It’s the new me. Only positive vibes for Bellinger from now on. He only struck out once tonight! And me too B&P. Bring in Gabaut!

    1. I second that, I’ll be nothing but positive from this point forward or until Muncy gets his BA above the Mendoza Line. So good to see the Dodgers play good baseball….liked the HR’s but loved the sac fly RBI’s and good fundamental baseball. Lets get the sweep tomorrow.

    2. I have an affinity towards over weight pitchers. Loved, Sid Fernandez, CC Sabathia, Bartolo Colon, David Wells, Hyun Jin Ryu. I like how baseball is played among all sorts of shapes and sizes. Looking forward to seeing Gibaut at 6’3″ 250. Not quite as round as Moronta.

  18. Another great win.

    Freddie still a class act on and off the field in my eyes.

    Very encouraging to see this power outburst from JT. Think B&P was right all along about the ball travelling further in these hotter evenings.

    These games and results against Atlanta and SD got me thinking that the 22 Dodgers find it much easier to fucus against the perceived “better” teams, than against the perceived “lesser” teams.

    Hopefully this bodes well for the Post Season should we get there?

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