The Los Angeles Dodgers have finished their first road trip of this shortened season, going 7-2. Manager Dave Roberts rated the journey though Houston, Arizona and San Diego “a solid A.”
The San Diego series especially was fun to watch for more than one reason. The Padres have a bunch of young talent that is going to be haunting the Dodgers for years to come. Chris Paddack and Dinelson Lamet are great, young arms and Fernando Tatis Jr. slugs the ball and blasts homers with ease.
The Dodgers lost the first game of the series, but almost had a comeback. In Tuesday’s game, they were getting no-hit going into the sixth inning before finally finding their offense. They took a Justin Turner hit-by-pitch and turned it into a game tying inning. A total of five batters were hit during the game, but that one seemed to spark something in the Dodgers offense.
“I don’t know if it was a wakeup call, but it certainly could have been. It honed our focus a little more,” Roberts said after the game.
The Dodgers went on to score five runs that game, and seven in Wednesday’s game. As stated, the Padres have a good, young core of talent and are tired of playing Little Brother to their upstate rivals. They really wanted to show that they could hang with, and be better than the Dodgers. It took a little bit to get going, and one crazy good throw from Chris Taylor to save the last game, but the Dodgers outlasted them in the final two games.
While the Dodgers have won nine games so far, aside from the first game, the offense has not quite looked like the offensive juggernaut we were expecting. Corey Seager and AJ Pollock have been consistently good. Others, not quite so much yet.
Cody Bellinger was having some issues finding his MVP self, so Roberts sat him for a game on Saturday. He hit homers in back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday and while he’s not all the way back, he may be starting to get his swing back, pun intended.
Max Muncy could maybe benefit from a night off or two. While he has three homers so far this season, more often than not he looks lost at the plate and has a high number of strikeouts. Muncy had mentioned that he does not like batting leadoff, and the constant flip-flopping of the top two batters in the lineup between him and Mookie Betts seems to have messed with him a little bit. While Joc Pederson and Pollock are both hot, it also might serve Muncy to move him down in the lineup and not have the pressure of batting in the leadoff spot.
While the Dodgers are enjoying their first night off in nine games, Thursday also marks the two week point of the season. Teams are now required to drop their active roster from 30 to 28. The Dodgers optioned relief pitcher Adam Kolarek and rookie infielder Zach McKinstry to their alternate training site. Kolarek pitched in four games this season, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing only two hits and no walks while striking out three. McKinstry did not see any game time while up with the big club.
The Dodgers will start a three game series at home on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Julio Urias, Clayton Kershaw, and Walker Buehler are slated to take the mound for the Boys in Blue.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Always had a problem with young talent. Don’t often end up being major league talent. Tatis and paddock look good. Dont see anyone else that is very impressive. Right now they seem to be playing over their heads, led by a bunch of over achieving ageing borderline players. Not much potential in that lineup. And whats with machado, who seems to be fiting on with Hosmer and Myers.
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I liked what I saw from Jake Cronenworth. Basically a shortstop but when Hosmer went down they threw him over to first and he played it like a Gold Glover after never having played there before. Maybe he could give Joc some lessons. Also showed some tools at the plate. Another young guy they have is a southpaw pitcher, MacKenzie Gore. On one of the Top 100 Prospect Lists May is number 25 and Gore is number 5.
You’re right that lots of these guys never have the careers they are expected to have, but I think the Pads will probably be our strongest competitors in the division sooner than later.
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Don’t take the Padres lightly they are a good team. They have a good mix of young hitting and pitching that makes them by far the biggest competition to us over the next couple seasons.
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I am not taking those kids lightly at all. And they will give the Dodgers some problems over the next few years. First order of business for this team is get the offense hitting on all cylinders. Belli, Muncy, and Turner need to be more consistent. Did not think I would ever say that about JT. He has always been steady as a rock. SD comes in for a 4 game series after the Giants leave. Should be interesting.
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What I noticed about JT is he is getting out on those high fast balls whether over the plate or high and inside. Often these have been strikeouts. When he stops chasing these and goes for pitches more in the zone he will start hitting. Just my opinion.
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Muncy seems to be taking too many strikes and getting behind 8n the count.
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Yes, he is not catching up to balls he hit in the past
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Angels RH Dylan Bundy pitched a complete game last night with 10 K’s over the Mariners. Former Dodger Dee Gordon was playing LF for the Mariners.
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Dee Gordon’s trade was, perhaps the best early indicator, of the good times that lay ahead with Friedman.
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Horribly comma usage there!
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I forgive you Jesus. This is not a creative writing blog.
I also forgive you for the “y” instead of “e” in your second comment. 🙂
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He got value in return and 2 of those players still in LA, Barnes and Kike. But maybe the last year for both. Gordon has been in Seattle for 3 seasons now. Miami did not get a great return on that big contract. I still think Friedman is over rated. His teams get to the big dance, but as of now have not found the way to win one. I measure success by a championship banner, and until they break this 30 years plus streak, they and he have not finished the job.
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So its AF’s fault Kersh, Belly and al cant finish it off? Don’t agree. AF has consistently put together the best team in baseball over the last 4-5 years while continuing to have the best prospects in baseball. There’s not a team in baseball that wouldn’t want AF. Players win championships and they just haven’t performed up to their capabilities.AF has hit a home run this year with Treinen, McGee and Betts! You’re wrong on this one with AF bear
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I would say the jury is still out on Treinen. Much like Kelly cannot be counted on for any consistency. and AF should never have brought Wood back. Betts and Graterol are definitely a wins. McGee has looked good.
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ALSO they were cheated out of a WS! That changes everything.
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Whadya say Andy, how about you and I present the team with a World Series banner.
“L.A. Dodgers – 2018 World Champions” emblazoned on a field of trash cans. I think we could sell lots of replicas of that banner online. You’re in charge. We split the profits.
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2017, but yes let’s do it!
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Yes, 2017. That’s why I put you in charge. 🙂
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