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Category Archives: La Dodgers
Kershaw Saves the Day and Gruden Optimistic about Goff, McVay and Other Tidbits
I am sitting here at my desk and gazing at laptop’s screen while wondering what to write today, MY mind has been wandering in so many directions. Should I write about the Dodgers victory over the Rockies last night? How about Jon Gruden’s comments about Jared Goff and Sean McVay? Maybe I can write about the Rams signing a Patriots’ castoff. So many topics and too little time, so I guess that I’ll briefly write about them all.
I am going to tread the day that we ever lose Clayton Kershaw. If you ever need somebody that can be the clutch for an uplift, he is the one you want because he comes through all the time and last night he came through for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers went into last night’s game after a disappointing Wednesday night loss to the Rockies and adding to their three-game losing streak. They faced the division leading Rockies for the last time in their series and needed to avoid a series sweep, but one obstacle stood in their way. The last time Kershaw faced the Rockies he gave up two back to back home runs for a lifetime first and lost the game 2-4.
But, Kershaw blasted through that obstacle last night. While he did give up two runs, they were not back to back and they were the only two. While Kershaw did his part, the others scored four runs to break their losing streak get a 4-2 victory.
The Dodgers will be in Arizona Friday night to face the Diamondbacks with Ales Wood on the mound in place of Rich Hill.
Jon Gruden is optimistic about Jared Goff and Sean McVay. Before I proceed, I would like to make this disclaimer. McVay had been an assistant coach for Gruden when he coached the Buccaneers. He also had been Jay Gruden’s offensive coordinator. There could be some bias here coming from Gruden, but here is what he has to say about Goff:
“He came out early — a true junior,” Gruden said on a conference call Wednesday. “I don’t think he’s a hundred percent what he’s going to be physically; I still think he’s going to get stronger, I think he’s going to mature physically. I do think that he went into a difficult situation. That’s an offensive line that has struggled; that’s a receiving corps that has struggled. And his inexperience — I think that’s a difficult combination for a young quarterback. And I think that’s a big reason why they were 0-7 when he was the starter.”
Now His thoughts about McVay:
“I just think he’s going to bring a real positive, upbeat presence to the offensive side of the ball,” Gruden said. “And fortunately for him, he’s hired one of the best defensive minds in all of football over the last 25 or 30 years [in coordinator Wade Phillips]. I think they have a unique battery there — a young, energetic offensive coach who’s proven he can get the job done, and a very, very good, experienced defensive coach on the other side.”
All I can say is that I am not a Goff hater because I believe that he got a raw deal under Fisher and his offensive cohorts. Some people compare his play to Carl Wentz of the Eagles and that is an unfair comparison. The Eagles had a much better head coach and offensive staff. I am looking for a better performance from Goff given the positive changes in the Rams’ offensive staff.
Gruden’s quotes come from an article written by ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez which could be read by clicking here.
The LA Times’ Gary Klein reported yesterday that the Rams claimed Patriot castoff lineman Tre Jackson off waivers. The Patriots drafted out Florida State 2015 according to Klein who also wrote that he did not play a single game in 2016 because of a knee injury. In 2015, he started in nine games as a right guard.
I wonder if this pickup just to have competition at that the guard position. While I am little concern about his missing last season because of his knee, I will take a wait and see position before beginning to gripe.
You can read Gary Klein’s piece in the NY Times by clicking here.
This is it, for now, peace out.
The Dodgers Tried to Comeback in The Ninth But Fell Short to The Rockies
There was some good and bad news that came out the Dodgers’ 4-3 loss to the Rockies. The good news is Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched for more than four innings, but the bad is he gave up 4 runs giving him a .587 ERA. The other good news is while holding the Rockies, to four runs they mounted a comeback in the ninth by adding two to their one run they scored in the fourth. The bad news is that the comeback was neither good for a tie nor win the game. This is what Dave Roberts had to say about the comeback.
“We were good in the ninth inning,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “Our guys aren’t going to lay down. They’re going to keep competing. It was good to see us stress them.”
What would have been nice to into tonight’s game with a win because they will be facing their nemesis in the form of a left-handed pitcher Tyle Anderson. Even though they have been their problems facing a left-handed pitcher, they were able to rough him up the last time they met. I hope they have the same success again tonight.
They Rockies will be facing Clayton Kershaw who they roughed up the last time they met when they scored two home runs in a row. I hope there is not a repeat tonight.
Last Nights’ Finale Loss to The Diamondbacks Exposed The Dodgers Achilles Heal
Last nights’ loss to the Diamondbacks might have exposed a the Dodgers’ Achilles Heal. Some Dodgers’ fans rightfully would tell me not to worry because the season is still young. I would probably agree with them if the exposed Achilles Heal was any other area but this one. And what area am I so worry about, you ask?
And I reply. The exposed area is in their pitching rotation and to be more specific, the inning pitched.
The only pitcher that lasted well into the game is the Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw while the others bearly make it five innings. This played out again last night when Brandon McCarthy left the game after five innings.
The game Dodgers had been up 2-0 when McCarthy gave up two runs that tied the game. His early departure force overworked relievers to finish up, and it resulted in the Diamondbacks getting two more runs to break the tie and win the game.
Why were the relievers overworked? Because they had to work extra innings after early departures of other starting pitchers. Below I have statistics that will make my case.
Innings The Pitched
Clayton Kershaw 21.1
Brandon McCarthy 17.0
Kenta Maeda 14.0
Hyun-Jin Ryu 9.1
Rich Hill 8.0 (Hill played in two games because he was on the DL)
Game Logs
Clayton Kershaw
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA |
| 04/14 | vs ARI | W 7-1 | 8.1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 29 | 100 | W(2-1) | — | 2.53 |
| 04/08 | @ COL | L 2-4 | 6.0 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 9 | 26 | 100 | L(1-1) | — | 3.46 |
| 04/03 | vs SD | W 14-3 | 7.0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 10 | 24 | 84 | W(1-0) | — | 1.29 |
Brandon McCarthy
| 04/17 | vs ARI | L 2-4 | 5.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 7 | 3 | 21 | 86 | — | — | 2.12 |
| 04/12 | @ CHC | W 2-0 | 6.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 6 | 21 | 91 | W(2-0) | — | 1.50 |
| 04/06 | vs SD | W 10-2 | 6.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 10 | 23 | 78 | W(1-0) | — | 3.00 |
Kenta Maeda
| 10 GAME LOG | ||||||||||||||||
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA |
| 04/15 | vs ARI | W 8-4 | 4.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 8 | 17 | 71 | — | — | 7.07 |
| 04/09 | @ COL | W 10-6 | 5.0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 11 | 22 | 83 | W(1-1) | — | 6.30 |
| 04/04 | vs SD | L 0-4 | 5.0 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 21 | 75 | L(0-1) | — | 5.40 |
Hyun-Jin Ryu
| DATE | OPPONENT | RESULT | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GB | FB | TBF | Pit | Dec. | Rel. | ERA |
| 04/13 | @ CHC | L 0-4 | 4.2 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 21 | 77 | L(0-2) | — | 5.79 |
| 04/07 | @ COL | L 1-2 | 4.2 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 77 | L(0-1) | — | 3.86 |
Rich Hill
| 04/16 | vs ARI | L 1-3 | 3.0 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 15 | 54 | L(1-1) | — | 3.38 |
| 04/05 | vs SD | W 3-1 | 5.0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 4 | 18 | 75 | W(1-0) | — | 1.80 |
Alex Wood (Even though Wood isn’t part of the starting rotation, He did take Hill’s place for the Chicago series and will back in place of Hill again. Hill is on the DL again.)
| 04/15 | vs ARI | W 8-4 | 3.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 41 | W(1-0) | — | 1.00 |
| 04/10 | @ CHC | L 2-3 | 3.2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 19 | 70 | — | — | 1.59 |
| 04/05 | vs SD | W 3-1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 22 | — | H(1) | 0.00 |
I want to start with Alex Wood since he will be back in the rotation. He only lasted 3.2 innings in his only start. That resulted in six innings being filled by relievers,
Then you have Hill who has not got past five innings and leaving Sunday’s game after three because of a reoccurring blister. Again relievers have to come into the game for four and six innings respectfully.
These early departures from games are putting a strain on the relievers. Unlike Kershaw who last six innings and sometimes seven where you use maybe two or three relievers, you are using four to six relievers. These early departures are happening on regular basis and thus the relievers are pitching more with less rest. If this pace of early departures keeps up, the relievers will be burnt out by the All-Star Break.
So the Dodgers are either gonna have to find some way of getting longevity from their starters or seriously look into making replacements. Neither option has easy answers.
Where the Dodgers Wrong by Extending HIll’s Contract?
Did the Dodgers make a mistake betting on Rich Hill? Why do I ask? Well, it looks like Hill will be heading back to the DL for the second time this year. His ongoing blister problem flared up again last night against the Diamondbacks. This comes after spending time on the DL.
The Dodgers had hope that rest on the DL and easing him back would help him. Well, as far as helping pitching they were right but according to Los Angeles Times’ contract reporter Bill Shaikin, the blister did not occur while pitching but by batting.
This leads one to wonder if this blister will sideline him more often or he will be better off in the bullpen. The Manager Dave Roberts has the answer.
He’s not built for that,” Roberts said, “but Rich is all about doing what’s best for the team. I think it’s worthy of a conversation. It wouldn’t be as devastating if something flared up.(Shaikin’s Article)
So, did the Dodgers make a mistake betting on Hill? The Dodgers signed Hill to $48 million three-year contract this year. I agreed with this resigning, but his recurring blister could make one move toward having second thoughts.
I also can not accept someone in the bullpen making $16 million a season to pitch maybe one or two innings.
For right now, there is no accurate answer to this question. It is way too early to give an accurate answer but is not too early to be concerned and pray for some relief and cure for Hill’blister…
The Cubs Shut Out The Dodgers
It was a bad night for the Dodgers, the Cubs ate Hyun-Jin Ryu alive and drove from the mound after four innings and gave him his second loss. The Cubs blanked the Dodgers 4-0.
Dodgers face the Rockies on Saturday with Clayton Kershaw on the mound.
Toles and Utley Drive the Dodgers Pass The Cubs
Toles and Utley tarnished the Cubs’ ring ceremony last night. Despite the windy conditions, Toles and Utley hit two home runs that put the Dodgers over the Cubs. Brandon McCarthy and the bullpen kept up their end by keeping the Cubs Scoring. The Dodgers won the game in 2-0.
Hyun-Rin Jyu will be going against the Cubs’ Brett Anderson.
Despite Come Back Effort by The Dodgers, The Cubs Walk Away with A Win
After giving up two early runs to the Cubs, the Dodgers came back to tie the game. The Cubs broke that tie in the bottom of the ninth when Jon Jay scored off Anthony Rizzo’s single to left field. The Cubs win the game 3-2.
Alex Wood started the game but lasted only 3.2 innings before Ross Stripling replaced him. Sergio Romo gets the loss while Wade Davis gets the win for the Cubs.
The Dodgers and Cubs go at it again today. Brandon McCarthy(1,0) will be on the mound for the Dodgers against John Lackey.
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