After officially being named the backup catcher for the beginning of the 2017 season by skipper Dave Roberts in early December, many fans of the Dodgers were left wondering exactly what to expect from Austin Barnes, especially when considering his highly regarded potential and versatile ability to contribute all around the diamond.
Continue reading “What Should Dodgers Expect from Austin Barnes in 2017?”
On Tuesday, while publishing the first edition containing our projections for the Dodgers‘ 25-man roster heading into 2017, there were a few areas of the squad that provoked some curious contemplation, with the depth chart at catcher being among the most interesting. After the departures of veterans A.J. Ellis and Carlos Ruiz, 28-year-old Yasmani Grandal will step up to be the new leader of the catching crew, headlining an area of the team that seemingly got loads of years younger with the blink of an eye.
Continue reading “Exploring the Dodgers’ Depth Chart at Catcher”
Having been mired in a nasty slump for the entirety of the season’s first half, catcher Yasmani Grandal‘s bat came through in a big way on Friday night, rescuing the Dodgers from a three-game losing streak and propelling the club to a 10-6 win against the Padres at Dodger Stadium.
Continue reading “Dodgers’ Offense Could Soar if Grandal Stays Hot”
“I said it’s alright – You know it’s alright – I guess it’s all in my heart.” ~Page/Plant
Safe to say DodgerFam is feeling a little better this week. The Dodgers took two of three in each series against the Diamondbacks and Giants, moving to an 8-5 record and sole ownership of first place in the division. The bullpen, the subject of so much angst in the first week, and later losing the home opener, has not allowed a run in the last 14 innings. Howie Kendrick and Yasmani Grandal returned from the disabled list, and Enrique Hernandez went on a tear against Madison Bumgarner in a 7-3 win Friday night.
All that pressure got you down
Has your head spinning all around
Feel the rhythm, check the ride
Come on along and have a real good timeLe Freak – Chic
Remember last Monday? When the Dodgers scored 15 runs, Kershaw threw seven innings of shutout ball allowing only one hit, and all was right with the world? Here we are a mere week later, and all those good feelings have gone away. Coming off losing three of four to the Giants, one of which included Ross Stripling being pulled from his no-hitter in the 7th to see the lead gone in two pitches, one can only think that the Dodgers season is doomed, done, over. Time to pack it in, forget that there are 155 games left to go.
Continue reading “Ahhhhhhh…….Freak Out! (le Freak, c’est Chic)”
(Photo Credit: EFE)
After battling nagging injuries that left them off the Opening Day roster, Yasmani Grandal and Howie Kendrick have begun their respective rehab assignments, and barring any major setbacks, expect to be part of the Dodgers’ 25-man roster for the home opener against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday.
Both players took part in minor league action on Thursday night. Kendrick appeared as the designated hitter for High-A Rancho Cucamonga at Lake Elsinore, while Grandal caught seven innings for Oklahoma City in Nashville.
Continue reading “Grandal, Kendrick Preparing for Dodgers’ Home Opener”
(Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)
Still unable to throw or swing a bat with just nine days remaining until Opening Day, Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal may be dangerously close to beginning the season on the disabled list.
Grandal has been battling soreness in his right forearm for the past two weeks, and apparently the strain was made worse when he fouled a ball off his upper arm in a Cactus League game against the Mariners on Monday.
Continue reading “Dodgers’ Grandal Still Battling Forearm Strain”
Think Blue Planning Committee 