Last time we talked, I proposed that these first three series would do a lot to telling much about how the Los Angeles Dodgers’ second half of the season would go. So far, so good. Currently, the Dodgers are two games above both the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants for first place in the division.
The Dodgers started by taking two of three from the New York Mets, and then two of three from the AL East leading Orioles in Baltimore. (I was in attendance for two of those games. Highly recommend going to Camden Yards if you are able).
Now the Boys in Blue return to the site of their World Series win, Globe Life Field. They start a three game series against the Texas Rangers, who are also in first place in their division.
If the Dodgers could manage to also take the series from the Rangers, it would be one successful road trip.
Aside from the finale against the Mets, the offense has not had too much of a problem scoring runs. They scored five or more in those remaining games. The only real issue with those games was the Wednesday afternoon outing by Julio Urías, who gave up all eight runs in that game. It was the first time in his career that he allowed that many runs.
Unfortunately Urías has not been a steady force at the top of the rotation. He looked incredible against the Mets in his first start, allowing a lead off double and then nothing else for the next five innings.
“Julio as a ballplayer has nothing to do with our thoughts on the Deadline. I know that certainly,” Manager Dave Roberts told MLB’s Juan Toribio. “But with our ballclub and the fate of our ballclub, for him to pitch like a top-end guy as he has in his career is definitely needed for us.”
Overall, if they don’t flounder like some other postseasons, the Dodgers offense probably has enough to power through games. The starting rotation really is the weak link of this team right now, with the rookies and the inconsistency of Urías’s starts.
There are 10 days left until the trade deadline of August 1. The most smoke still seems to be surrounding a trade with the Chicago White Sox possibly including Tim Anderson, Lucas Giolito, and perhaps another pitcher like Kendall Graveman. Anderson has been playing more second base as of late, and has had a hot start to the second half at the plate.
Rumors also continue around Shohei Ohtani and if he actually would be traded, and if Arte Moreno would trade him to the Dodgers. Both seem to be actually possibilities but are far from probable.
Quick notes before Friday’s opener in Arlington –
Mookie Betts is making his first start in right field since July 8
Max Muncy has finally been moved out of the top half of the order, batting sixth
Clayton Kershaw threw another bullpen session before the game
Ryan Pepiot had another rehab outing in Triple-A Oklahoma City. He allowed two home runs and a total of four runs on four hits, going 2.2 innings. His fastball touched 95 and his change was in the zone more that 50% of the time.
Noah Syndergaard started Friday for Oklahoma City for his first rehab start.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
That was actually Thor’s second rehab start. He went 5 in his first one. Last night he lost the game giving up 4 runs. Dodgers now three up as both the D-Backs and Giants lost. Angels have won 4 in a row and are in the wild card hunt. Doubt they trade Ohtani if they are still in the hunt by the end of the month.
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Trayce Thompson has started his rehab assignment. He played all 9 innings yesterday going 2-5 and playing CF. He might be back by the end of August.
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Where is he playing?
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He is in Arizona Jeff. At the minor league complex there. Should be moved up in a few days if he responds well.
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I’m a TT fan and wish the best for him but not at the expense of Jonny D at bats. I’m a bigger fan of DeLuca’s. I’m guessing that Jonny will go through the same thing Outman did last year and be used very sparingly and then left off the playoff roster. I really want him (JDL) to pull an Outman next spring and force his way on to the OD roster.
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I don’t get this devotion to Thompson by the Dodgers. He has done very little to nothing to earn it. Just a couple of monster games. They need to give the playing time to Deluca.
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DeLuca can’t get them tickets to Warriors games. 🙂
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I know he got hurt against us the other day but we really should have paid Seager in hindsight if they were planning to move on from both Turners. He’s hitting .350 with 15 HR. That would be our best hitter right now. I feel for Muncy but I think he’s done. He’s been .200 or below for 2 years now. As for deadline trades obviously if Ohtani is available you go out and get him now and try to sign him to an extension. He should have been a Dodger from the start I hope they make it happen whatever it may take. I’m not sold on the team giving Urias a new deal now that they have seen that Bobby Miller has a top of the rotation arm and you also have Buehler and hopefully May coming back next year. Putting Ohtani with Kershaw, Buehler, Miller and May/Gonsulin would be a formidable rotation. Obviously I’d still like Urias but there needs to be additions to the lineup as Peralta and Heyward are older rental players basically. Our roster is going to look very different next year I feel.
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When they let Seager go, I don’t think they had a plan in place to move on from both Turners yet.
Although our offense seems to be doing just fine with a very inexpensive and fairly weak hitting Rojas playing there. At least for now.
I’m not sure we can ever count on May’s being part of the starting rotation again. A number of people on blogs and even some on tv have been mumbling that they expect May’s future to be in the bullpen, possibly even as a closer. They just don’t think his arm is built to take the number of innings required of a starter. I don’t have an opinion either way on that, but it does make some sense to me.
I really love the experience that Miller, Sheehan and Grove are getting at this level this year. Who could have predicted that we would have 3 rookies pitching this many innings and having such relative success.
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Yes we have some intriguing young arms beyond May who I also believe is going to end up as a late inning reliever. Maybe a setup man or even closer. This team needs help in the bullpen anyway so I think it ends up being a good thing if May’s starting days are done. His delivery is just too violent to throw 100 pitches every 5 days. I’m worried about Buehler too but I think he comes back and performs well. We have to upgrade spots though. Taylor, Muncy, Heyward and Rojas aren’t really starting quality anymore although Rojas has always been a glove guy and he’s played well. Lux will fix that but 2B is a hole. They have to decide if Mookie is gonna to be a RF or 2B so they can find a player for the position he doesn’t fill. Tim Anderson intrigues me because I think he bounces back from his bad start this season. I think Mookie wants to stay in the IF and play 2B though and he might be more valuable there. It would be really nice if DeLuca can hit enough to find a place in the OF.
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Don’t give up on Muncy and CT3 just yet. They’ve both shown signs of life lately and I’m guessing they will contribute a lot more than you expect between now and October.
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I hope you’re right but Muncy basically either hits it out of the park or gets out. Much like guys like Joey Gallo and Adam Dunn seemed to do late in his career. Max still is more athletic than his body type suggests and he’s still able to play 3B, 1B and 2B without killing you on defense but his bat is just way too hot and cold. I’m still baffled that they let JT go to Boston. He clearly still had life in his bat and could still play the field at least at an average level. I’m fine with us using Diego Cartaya as the centerpiece to any big trade they want to make. He’s been untouchable to me for a few years but now there’s no doubt who our catcher is for the next 5-7 years so he’s blocked and his value to us is as trade ammo. CT3 I love for his versatility and he always plays hard but he’s best as that utility guy, not as a set starter at one position. I think Friedman is big game hunting though and he’s only got one name on his mind wether that he at the deadline or free agency. Ohtani.
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