Last year, a few stubborn fans who didn’t care to comprehend simple math believed it to be a season-long jinx. But only ten games into the 2017 campaign, the struggles the Dodgers have been wrestling with against left-handed pitching have become so obvious that other teams are realigning their pitching rotation when they see a series vs. Los Angeles appear on their respective schedules.
Continue reading “Dodgers Lineups: What’s the Problem Against Lefty Pitching?”
On Tuesday afternoon, Andy put together a rather intriguing story surrounding the question of whether or not the Dodgers should consider a roster move or two based on the early performances of some players, most specifically those in utility or bench roles. Ironically, as the club embraces the middle game of the three-game set against the Cubs at Wrigley, we may see the bullpen revamped with the addition of righty Pedro Baez, while the offense could be infused with the presence of Trayce Thompson, if lefty-killer Franklin Gutierrez does indeed find himself on the 10-day disabled list with a hamstring problem.
Continue reading “Dodgers Prospect Watch: Joe Broussard Dealing, O’Koyea Dickson Raking Early”
One week into the season, and fans of the Dodgers are already getting restless. The narratives from last year have carried into this one — the injuries, the inability to hit with runners in scoring position, and the troubles facing left-handed pitching. Other teams are changing their rotations to have as many left-handers as possible face the Dodgers. Rich Hill is the first starter to be placed on the DL, and Justin Turner left the game early last night with a quad strain.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Is It Too Early for a Few Performance-Based Adjustments?”
It’s the series I’ve had my eye on since the schedule was announced last fall — the Dodgers facing the Cubs for Chicago’s home opener. Would the Dodgers be the World Series Champs, and the Cubs be dealing with the what-ifs, or would the Dodgers be faced with watching the Cubs raise the World Series banner?
Continue reading “Dodgers vs. Cubs Series Preview: More Lefty Pitching on Tap for Chicago “
So far during the young 2017 season, one of the more common lineup themes of the Dodgers has been to employ utility man Enrique Hernandez in center field against left-handed pitching, while stashing away Joc Pederson on the pine for possible appearances later in games against righty pitching, or for his skills as a defensive replacement.
Continue reading “Should Joc Pederson Receive More Plate Appearances Against Lefty Pitching?”
Admittedly for many fans of the Dodgers, veteran lefty Rich Hill wasn’t the first member of the original starting rotation thought to have been destined for a stay on the 10-day disabled list so early in the season. But while this move is more of a precautionary measure than a required need, it’s probably safe to say that Hill’s stay will result more towards the minimum amount of time instead of an elongated period. Even so, it surely doesn’t hurt to take a look at the depth chart beyond the current starting five.
Continue reading “Dodgers Roster: Realigning the Starting Pitching Depth Chart”
The Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday placed left-handed pitcher Rich Hill on the 10-day disabled list with a blister on his left middle finger and recalled right-hander Josh Fields from Triple-A Oklahoma City. The move will be retroactive to April 6.
Continue reading “Dodgers Send Rich Hill to Disabled List, Recall Josh Fields”
They’re the team that many baseball experts have picked to be a possible breakout team in 2017 — the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers begin a three-game set with the could-be NL West spoilers on Friday, which is also Colorado’s home opener. The Rockies are sporting the same record as the Dodgers at 3-1. They are in their first year being managed by Bud Black, who most recently was with the San Diego Padres. It’s the Dodgers’ first game at Coors Field since the infamous Andrew Toles grand slam comeback game in August of last year.
Continue reading “Dodgers vs. Rockies Series Preview: Colorado Throwing Two Southpaws”
Outside of a dreary evening against Padres’ starter Clayton Richard on Tuesday, the Dodgers‘ opening series of the 2017 campaign turned out to be quite productive. Three wins in four games is a solid outcome for Los Angeles, as the crew now prepares to carry its momentum to the mountains of Denver for a three-game set against the Rockies.
Continue reading “5 Things Dodgers Fans Learned During Opening Series vs. Padres”
In the overwhelming number of game previews leading up to the Dodgers‘ season opener against the Padres on Monday afternoon, there were actually a few writers who referred to the San Diego squad as having the traits of a “glorified Triple-A club.” While the description certainly seemed to hold true in the first game of the series, the Padres almost appeared like a division contender in Tuesday’s affair, riding the back of southpaw Clayton Richard to a 4-0 shutout of Los Angeles.
Continue reading “Hill, Dodgers Hope to Rebound Against Padres”
Think Blue Planning Committee 