One day after the Dodgers executed a picture-perfect 8-0 victory against the NL West-leading Giants, the Los Angeles offense went missing once again, this time resulting in a 5-0 defeat. The loss closed a three-game set between the division rivals, with the Giants winning two contests and lengthening their lead to three full games.
The Dodgers mustered just four hits on the afternoon, all singles. AJ Pollock had two of the hits for Los Angeles, while Max Muncy and Austin Barnes added one apiece. The Dodgers had just one runner in scoring position all day after starting pitcher David Price laid down a bunt to advance Barnes to second base in the third inning.
The inconsistencies of the Los Angeles offense from one night to the next have been commonly viewed as the team’s modus operandi for the 2021 season.
Price lasted 4-1/3 innings and 64 pitches in what was “officially” his sixth start of the year. The veteran lefty allowed four earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two San Francisco batters.
Aside from the struggling Victor Gonzalez, the Dodgers bullpen held their own. Gonzalez allowed an earned run on two hits and a walk during the eighth inning, increasing his season ERA to an uncharacteristic 3.65.
Johnny Cueto picked up the win for San Francisco. The veteran righty threw 77 pitches, surrendering four hits and two walks while striking out five.
Austin Slater and Wilmer Flores had two hits apiece for the Giants. Both players scored one run.
Brandon Crawford delivered the big blow of the day for the Giants on a ground-ball double to left field that scored Mike Yastrzemski and Donovan Solano.
Next up for the Dodgers is a three-game series against the Diamondbacks on the road beginning Friday.
Dodgers Acquire Danny Duffy
In other news, Los Angeles threw its name back into the summer trade action when the club reached a deal with the Royals for veteran starting pitcher Danny Duffy.
The lefty Duffy is currently sitting on the 10-day disabled list with a sore forearm, which would seemingly put him right at home with the injury-riddled Dodgers.
Current indications are that Duffy might need three to four more weeks to heal, allowing him to return to action sometime in late August.
The 32-year-old Duffy is in the last year of a five-year/$65 million deal he originally signed with the Royals in 2017.
Before his injury, the 6-foot-3, 205-pound Duffy posted a 4-3 record with a 2.51 ERA, 3.38 FIP and 1.213 WHIP alongside 65 punchouts and 22 walks over 12 starts and an even 61 innings of work.
Duffy has a vast repertoire of pitches, but he mainly uses a fourseam, slider and change along with an occasional curve.
According to Brooks Baseball, Duffy’s heater this season topped out as high as 94.6 MPH in June.
The Royals will receive a player to be named later in return.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Duffy, the Dodgers designated outfielder DJ Peters for assignment.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
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It matters little if the Dodger pitchers allow runs if the Dodger offense continues to be ineffective. The 2021 Dodger team will have a big offensive blow-up against a team and score 6-20 runs and then average 1-3 runs in the next 2 or three games. This team needs to get Seager and Mookie back and possibly put Bellinger in the 7th or 8th spot or let him swing and miss at OKC.
There are 58 Games left there is still plenty of time but the injured guys need to get back in the next 10 games or so to give them a chance to acclimate and get on a run.
I like the Duffy deal. Hopefully, they let the Padres sign Scherzer. At some point, they will run out of money.
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Yikes, hadn’t seen that Gray was part of it. No wonder we’re leading the pack. That’s quite the haul for the Nats and I’m sure there are others.
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If Turner is part of the deal trading him for Ruiz is a good deal for both the Nats and Dodgers as the Dodgers need a SS that can stay on the field and hit the ball plus Turner can play Centerfield. If they get Turner you can see where that would give them the ability to not re-sign Seager. And the Dodgers have Cartaya and Galiz coming up and both very highly thought of making Ruiz expendable for a good return.
If they sign Scherzer which I don’t think they should then Gray is blocked as Scherzer has said the only way he waves the no-trade is to get an extended contract. So Gray being traded would be very reasonable. If they need to throw in a mid-level guy especially one that is blocked so be it. Hopefully, they keep young Miller as reportedly he is special. If they give Scherzer a huge deal that complicates their re-signing Kershaw next year.
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I wonder how Lux will factor into all of this? He won’t have any place to play. Let’s assume they let Seager stay at short so Turner goes either to center with Belli to first and Muncy to second. Or, Turner goes to second with Belli staying in center and Max at first. No room at the inn for Lux, or for CT3 for that matter.
Maybe Lux goes off tomorrow to Chicago for Kimbrel. He’ll be closer to home.
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Dodgers assuming the salary’s of both Scherzer and Turner.
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Hmmm, Nats owe Scherzer for several more years. Do the reports mention the extended payments I think they are 15 Million for several years…???
If so as it’s costing the Dodgers Ruiz, Gray, Carrillo, and Casey if it’s all the money owed I can see why the Padres did not take the deal. Turner is the big win here with Seager a free agent next year and having such a bad injury history and not agreeing to move to 3rd and being a below-average defender.
Scherzer is a rental and a pricey one too…
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Scherzer will not be a rental.
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It is only for this season, they assume the rest if he is retained.
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Friedman must not believe Bauer will be back this year.
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Tmaxster, I don’t think there are many people who do.
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I doubt anyone thinks he will return. And from all accounts, his team mates are distancing themselves and do not want him back either. I think he would automatically be a cancer in the clubhouse. With the trade for Scherzer and Duffy, Kersh coming back, the rotation looks a lot better. And, Knebel threw again today and had a good inning 1 hit and 2 K’s no runs allowed. SD did swing a deal for Daniel Hudson and he helps their pen a lot. But AF probably is not quite finished yet. Seager will be back tomorrow in Arizona, and then Betts is supposed to be activated on Sunday. Check this lineup when Turner comes off of the Covid list….Turner, Betts, Muncy, Turner, Seager Smith, Pollock and Bellinger. Taylor can go back to being the super sub and giving the starters a blow, they can keep guys like Raley down in AAA. Lux, Barnes, Beaty, Pujols and Taylor your bench players. Not too shabby and they can put Bellinger down in the order, which allows him to not have to be great, just decent in a lineup that long. Turner can also play CF. He will most likely be used to begin with at 2B. He is hitting over .300 with 18 HR’s.
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I am excited that they got Turner. This team needs someone to generate a run when needed. Turner can steal a base and is excellent defensively. Is Trea Turner on Covid protocol right now? Hate to lose Ruiz but getting a needed bat and position player for him is a good deal especially with Cartaya and Galiz in the system. I think Gray has major talent but obviously, the Dodgers are planning to go for it this year despite all the injuries and Bauer’s situation
This team needs to generate runs! Hopefully getting Mookie and Swager back this week will help until Turner can play.
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McKinstry will most likely be a victim of the depth also. I do not see them keeping him up while he is struggling so bad. He has not been the same since he was injured.
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I agree McKinstry has not returned to his former batting skills. Was it the injury or did the pitchers figure him out? Would you send McKinstry down or Lux?
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Both.
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