At the beginning of the season, I, and I would venture many other fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers, didn’t think this team would amount to what we have been previously accustomed.
So many fan favorites moved on over the past two seasons, like Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner. Sure Cody had a down season last year, but look what’s he’s accomplishing in Chicago. JT also is producing in his new home to Boston.
Andrew Friedman and Co went out and brought in a bunch of ‘old’ guys, like J.D. Martinez, Miguel Rojas, and David Peralta. Jason Heyward also was thought to be well past his prime. The thought was this season was to see what young talent they had and hold off on giving any big contracts so maybe a certain pitcher/hitter across the freeway might come over after next season.
But what has this team done, even with a laundry list of injuries, is nothing short of impressive. The Dodgers currently have an 11 game winning streak, and are 10.5 (!) games ahead of the second place San Francisco Giants in the NL West.
The guys that were acquired before the trade deadline seemed meh. Lance Lynn had the highest ERA among qualified started in the league. Amed Rosario didn’t seem to move the scale either offensively or defensively. Kiké Hernandez was a fan favorite for sure, but wasn’t having the greatest season. Ryan Yarbrough? How was he going to help?
Lynn has gone 4-0 in his four starts as a Dodger, he’s sporting these stats – 1.44 ERA, 3.94 FIP, .189 AVG, 0.88 WHIP, 26.3 K%, 1.44 HR/9. Not too shabby. He’s also giving the bullpen a rest, going 7.0 innings in two of his starts.
Rosario has hit three homers in his first 13th games with the Dodgers, while he had three in 94 games with Cleveland. Hernandez is hitting over .300 since his return with several key hits. Yarbrough has become an incredible long man, already having a three inning save.
Old friend Joe Kelly has also returned, and while he is currently on the IL, has also had some great outings.
Never underestimate a change in scenery, I guess.
This team has incredible vibes to it. Manager Dave Roberts has said it’s his favorite team he’s ever managed. That 111 win team last year was missing that spark, and this year’s team has it. If the pitching holds up, this could be The Year.
A note on this weekend’s series with the Miami Marlins. Because Hurricane Hilary is expected to impact Southern California on Sunday, Sundays game has been moved to a day-night doubleheader on Saturday. The first game will be at 12:10 PST, and the second will start at 6:10 PST.
Julio Urías will pitch the night game, as scheduled, and the day game will feature the season debut of Ryan Pepiot, who has been on the IL up until this point. Yarbrough will also be in equation.
Think Blue Planning Committee 
That was brutal! Tony was ripped! Roberts has alluded to Gonsolin not being well. I am guessing they will use this huge lead to experiment with Pepiot, Sheehan, Stone or ? to see what young arm that is on the roster can fill Tony’s spot as they put him on the IL as something is wrong with him. Yarborough has been outstanding as a long man and I think they will leave him there.
41 games left with a 10.5 game lead is lead and time enough to see who could step in.
LikeLike
Gonsolin to the IL with an elbow problem. He’s supposed to have a scan sometime this week and Doc says the odds are pretty good he won’t pitch again this year. It’s been obvious that he’s been hurt for quite a while. I can only guess that the doctors told them it wouldn’t get worse if he pitched.
Got to give the Catman credit, going out there time after time, not healthy, just because the team didn’t have many other options. Then, after getting his brains beat in last night he was willing to face the media after the game. A lot of players would have just disappeared.
Good luck Tony. Hopefully you come back fully healthy next year (or the year after if this leads to TJ).
Roberts says the Pepiot and/or possibly Stone are candidates to take his spot in the rotation.
LikeLike
So true. It seems Tony went above and beyond what he should have. Hope this doesn’t completely derail his career
LikeLike
Pepiot pitched 5 and allowed 1 ER. Great outing. Walked only 1 SO 5. Control has been his issue so good adjustments.
Yarborough continues his great pitching with two scoreless, Nice win in first game.
Urias up next and then 2 days without a game.
LikeLiked by 1 person
New idea. The multiseason sagas of the Dodger pitching staff are the makings for a multiseason reality tv series. Dodger Blues. They could use the old MGM cliche’: “with a cast of thousands.” 😎
LikeLike
Talking about taking one for the Team! That is a true teammate…Very easy to say I am injured and not the the beating and fight through and give your all. Tony also talked to the media without using the fact he was injured and helping the team as a reason for his performance, Huge standing O for Tony…
Just read that the Angels put Rendon on the 60 day. Rendon has been the opposite as he has shown no class in his horrible communications with the media. For a guy making more than Trout or anyone else on the Team he has shown no class.
Pepiot has allowed 0 runs through his 3 innings. He has thrown 45 pitches in 3 innings so he might be able to go another inning. Not sure how far he has gone in OKC, I think 6 in his last start allowing 0 runs.
Can’t get much better than that but would love to see Stone come up and gain some experience and confidence. Plus he has also learned the cutter.
LikeLike
Definitely dodged a bullet in Rendon
LikeLike
Do you think Ohtani is scared to turn us down now? 🙂
LikeLike