Just when you think the Dodgers are about to push themselves out of the 2018 playoff picture, they surprise you—like winning two out of three in a volatile setting like Denver. Yet on the other hand, right when you think the Boys in Blue have established momentum and might make a run at another division title, they lose two at home to the lowly Mets, then another two on the road to the cellar-dwelling Reds.
Continue reading “Underachieving Dodgers Salvage Final Game of Cincinnati Series”
OKLAHOMA CITY DODGERS (Pacific Coast League-AAA): Although it was an exciting down-to-the-wire regular season finish for manager Bill Haselman‘s OKC club to kick-off the previous week, their luck eventually ran out at the hands of the Memphis Redbirds (St. Louis Cardinals affiliate) as they were dusted off in four games of the PCL American Conference Championship series. Still, it was a a largely successful 2018 campaign for the team as they posted a very good 75-65 regular season record which culminated in them clinching the PCL American Northern Division title. Key players of note who were getting it done this past week are 26-year old OF/former 2010 5th round pick of the Boston Red Sox Henry Ramos (.765/.778/1.118 in the month of September, also batted a white-hot .500 avg with 3 HR and 7 RBI in the OKC/Memphis division series), 26-year old INF/OF Connor Joe (.545/.737/.909 with a HR and 5 RBI during the same stretch; .299/.408/.527 with a career-high 17 HR and 55 RBI combined between AA Tulsa and AAA OKC this season), and 24-year old corner player Edwin Rios (.467/.529/.800 this month with a HR and 5 RBI; .304/.355/.482 with 35 XBH and 55 RBI in 88 games for OKC this season).
Continue reading “Dodgers Weekly Minor league Report: Two Teams Left Standing”
Once again it wasn’t necessarily pretty, but the Dodgers got the job done in Colorado, taking two of three from the Rockies and moving within a half-game of the NL West lead.
Continue reading “Series Preview: Dodgers Seek Revenge Against Reds in Cincinnati”
We’ve been talking about it a lot lately, and it seems to gain momentum in the critical games, especially when they’re played in the thin air of Coors Field. Whomever is writing out the lineup card for the Dodgers is sticking to their guns, though, despite the club failing to deliver at times when they need to win the most.
Continue reading “Matchup-Based Lineups Failing to Provide Dodgers with Offensive Charge”
Considering all the obstacles the Dodgers have faced over the course of the 2018 season, starting pitching has not been one of them. Sure, there have been quite a few injuries, but each hurdle prompted somebody new to step into the group and perform admirably. Heck, even young righty Brock Stewart deserves some kudos for the hundreds of thousands of frequent-flyer miles he racked up before the All-Star break.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Ranking the Arms in the Starting Rotation”
We Dodger fans have spent a lot of time over the last month or so lamenting that the team needs to start winning, or it will be too late. Well, I think that we may have actually arrived at the Make or Break Weekend.
Continue reading “In a Pivotal September Series, Dodgers Prepare for Rockies in Colorado”
Many followers of the Dodgers hoped the addition of veteran reliever Ryan Madson would bolster the team’s relief corps just a little bit, but that doesn’t seem to be the case—at least not yet. Since returning from the DL because of nerve irritation in his lower back, Madson has made four appearances—one for the Nationals (before he was traded) and three for the Dodgers. In 3-1/3 innings of work, the righty has surrendered five hits (one of which was a long ball) and a walk, resulting in three earned runs. Despite his heater sitting in the 94-95 MPH range, he still hasn’t been able to find any mojo from his former self from a long time ago.
Continue reading “Dodgers Bullpen: Still No Solutions for an Otherwise Shoddy Relief Crew”
While the Dodgers themselves aren’t focusing too far ahead on the remaining 2018 regular-season schedule, many fans are starting to look at the calendar to see what’s left before the NL West division race heats up even more.
Continue reading “Dodgers Schedule: A Quick Glance at the Remainder of the 2018 Regular Season”
Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Justin Turner has been named as the National League Player of the Month for August. The announcement was made early Tuesday on the MLB Network.
Continue reading “Justin Turner Named NL Player of the Month for August”
It was certainly an exciting sight to see the big-league Dodgers briefly retake first place in the NL West this past weekend; but now, it’s that time of the week to see how their minor-league affiliates fared as their respective seasons are quickly drawing to a close.
Think Blue Planning Committee 