Games at Dodger Stadium and MLB ballparks will look a bit differently next year, as MLB has instituted the new on-field play rules for the 2023 season.
MLB hopes to improve the pace of play and create more game action. First up is the pitch clock. One person who may not be happy is Pedro Baez. Pitchers have 15 seconds to throw a pitch if the bases are empty, 20 seconds with runners on, and hitters only get one timeout per plate appearance.
We’ll also see the size of bases increase from 15 inches to 18 inches. So maybe more bases for Trea Turner to steal? I hope it’s in Dodger Blue next season.
And lastly, the good old shift is gone. It is gone but never forgotten, especially when the Dodgers pulled off that four-person infield on the right side. It looked absurd, but it worked to perfection. Now, rules will require two infielders to be on both sides of second base, and all four infielders need to have both feet within the infield when the pitcher is on the rubber.
Quite intriguing to see the shift gone just like that after it’s been a big discussion and part of the game in recent seasons. But if one man is happy, it must be Joey Gallo.
It also seems like, for the first time in a long time, we may have a rainout in Southern California. Even if the game does begin, the Dodgers may want to push Dustin May’s start back if they have him warmup only to sit back down due to a rain delay.
This is the second-to-last series the Dodgers have with the Padres as they’ll face them again later this month. If the Dodgers sweep San Diego this weekend, they’ll wrap up the division.
Pitching matchups have already been set for the weekend, but everything is tentative due to the Friday night weather forecast.
The Dodgers are sending out Dustin May, Julio Urias, and Andrew Heaney. The Padres will send out Mike Clevinger, Blake Snell, and Joe Musgrove.
Interestingly, after being snubbed from the All-Star team, Urias now has the lowest ERA in the National League at 2.29, quite the underrated year. Unfortunately, signs still point to Sandy Alcantara winning the CY Young, but Urias deserves his credit.
We’ll see if there is a game, but barring any delay or postponement first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
Based on the article I read and the explanation for each rule change, I think they are all good rules.
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Dave does it again. Sits hot hitter Muncy, while playing Taylor, Bellinger and Gallo.
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Once you prove to Doc that you can hit, he sits you.
CT, Belli and Gallo haven’t proven that yet.
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Careful there are guys on here that yell at you if u say something critical about Robert’s.
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The new rules might make Bellinger an all star again!
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Why, are they giving certain batters 4 strikes?
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I apologize, Belli, that was nasty.
He’ll definitely be helped with no shifts, but so will a lot of other guys and most of them will have started with better stats to begin with.
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Taylor got a hit. Back to bench tomorrow
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Serious Tmax?
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Sorry in a really bad mood.. shouldn’t write while ticked off about something
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I’m not entirely certain we’ve gotten all the facts on that story. On the surface it sure seems like Belli is being stupidly stubborn and unwilling to change, but until I hear that from someone like AF or Doc, I’m going to stand back and let you guys fight it out.
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Despite my unwarranted sarcasm. The facts remain. He strikes out and pops up continually and veteran retired players are critical of his stance and unwillingness to correct a heinous flaw. Harrision is in the Loop! He knows they are struggling to get him to change and have been for at least two seasons. That is what is true. He is at .200 with an OBP of 262 and an OPS of 644 these numbers cannot be argued about they are fact. He is flailing around with that bat.
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4 strikes won’t help. If you listen to what Harrison talked about and Nomar has stated this in the past it is physically impossible to make good % contact starting in a stance that has your bat over your shoulder against quality MLB pitching. Harrison stated he was in awe of Bellinger in hitting 200 with that stance. As he said the talent Bellinger has he is wasting because he is too stubborn to change. To me this is a management and organization issue. They are paying him 17 MILLION dollars! More money than a vast majority of us will ever earn in our lifetimes. The Team has the right to sit him down and demand he change. If the Manager won’t do that they need to change managers. Because he isn’t managing. He is acting like a Cub Scout Mom. Aww poor baby are they booing you? Poor Belli…What a waste!!
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You don’t have to be to knowledgeable about baseball to see that Bellinger is not a major league player anymore. To assume the end of the shift will make him a all star again is more than ridiculous. If it improves his average by say 50 points , why wouldn’t everyone else improve say 50 points. We are talking about ground balls basically. You think a bunch of guys will be hitting 350 or 375 now? And you really think the dodgers don’t know what the problem is and aren’t fixing it after 3 years? Pretty incompetent if you ask me. Or they are dealing with a real head case as you have pointed out repeatedly. A litle late to send him to triple A so bench him and let’s get on with it. I’m getting a little tired of the Belli situation. This is 3 years and less we forget, he was barely above league average during the 2nd half of his mvp season.
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Bellinger is a top tier athlete. We have watched him struggle for seasons. The reason I think the ending of the shift will have a larger than average impact on him is watch what he has been doing. If he manages to hit a ball he hits it with maximum velocity. The new rule says 2 guys on each side of 2nd base and in the dirt. Bellinger could gain 50-75 points. With only 2 defenders he will drive balls through the right side when he makes contact and doesn’t pop it up.
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Maybe. But he needs to put more balls in play too. Same with Tayor, Muncy and Gallo.
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Yep at the end of the day Ya gotta hit the ball. That is the difference between MLB players and all the wannabes. So let’s see if it is a meritocracy or same old for Roberts. I vote he plays the veterans no matter their performance as that is his MO. Gotta keep the clubhouse happy.
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