The Dodgers had a five run lead going into the bottom of the 8th. Dave Roberts thought that Gavin Stone could give him one more inning, and if he could not, the lead was big enough to call on the pen. It turns out, he couldn’t get one more inning. But what if he could? 7.0 innings from Gavin Stone would have been huge. Instead it was a good enough 6.0 IP and two batters.
I have been reading a lot on Twitter and most have been upset that Roberts sent him back out there. This game really meant nothing. Stone was in a position to pitch 7.0 innings…in an MLB game. How special could that have been? I was more than okay with giving him a chance. It didn’t work.
Up till then, he had allowed only a 2 run HR that was a HR in one park…Fenway. It was an out in the other 29 parks. It had and expected BA .030.
This was easily his best professional outing MLB or MiLB. I do not believe the two HR’s in the 8th damaged his confidence. If they did, he has no business being considered for a ML roster spot. I think he will be just fine.
After the two HR’s in the 8th, Doc brought in Boston’s throw away reliever, Ryan Brasier, who retired the side on 16 pitches, including two strikeouts of Tristan Casas and Trevor Story. How do you think he felt after that inning…game?
The team might as well see what they have over the next five weeks. Who can they count on? Who might give them extra innings? Before I think Gavin Stone is ready for the playoffs in any capacity, we need to see what he can do in his next outing. Will it be with LAD or OKC?
Mookie started the series in this way:
For the series, Mookie was 7-15 with 5 runs, 4 RBI, 2 doubles, 1 HR, 1 K, and 1 BB. His HR was a majestic blast over the Green Monster:
The other half of the Dynamic Duo, Freddie Freeman, had a great series himself. For the three games: 7-13, 4 runs, 1 RBI, 3 doubles, 3 K, 2 BB.
Freddie now has 50 doubles in 2023. The next closest MLB player is Jeimer Candelario with 37. Mookie is actually tied for 3rd with 36. Freddie’s 50 doubles breaks Shawn Green’s 2003 LA Dodger record of 49. Johnny Frederick has the franchise record of 52 doubles he hit in 1929. I think he gets there.
In addition, Freddie is now within .009 of Luis Arreaz for the MLB lead in batting average. Luis Arreaz – .350 and Freddie – .341.
It looks like James Outman may be breaking out a little bit. I will not say he has completely broken out of his his latest slump, but it is encouraging.
OTOH, Michael Busch is struggling. Since his recall, he is 1-14, with the one being his MLB first HR. It looks like the LAD rookies down the stretch are going to come from Outman and the pitchers. Which ones, we will find out.
In other news:
Joe Kelly is still not ready to return.
The Dodgers have claimed RHRP Tyson Miller from NYM. This is the second time Miller has been with LAD. After his first time with LAD, Miller was DFA’d to make room for Ryan Pepiot. Now the Dodgers have moved Tony Gonsolin to the 60 Day IL. Miller has already been optioned 5 times, so he can not be optioned to OKC, so he is going to need to stay on the 26 man. Bryan Hudson was optioned to make room on the 26 man for Miller. Who here thinks Miller stays on the 26 man for the remainder of the season?
One day after Landon Knack was pulled after 2 innings and a trainer’s visit to the mound, Knack was placed on the IL. Maybe somebody knows what the injury is, but I have not heard as of yet. If someone else knows, please advise.
Now this is a baseball play from the hit, speed around the bases, and the throw to home. In what is being called Corbin Carroll vs Elly De La Cruz:
Two very special players that will give baseball fans joy for many years.
How are things going for Manny Machado and the San Diego Padres?
The Padres and Nationals now have the same record of 61-70. How did that Juan Soto trade work out?
Nick Frasso AAA debut was a HUUUUGE success:
He is getting closer, but just not there yet.
Yusniel Diaz is reminding many of us just how highly thought of he was prior to his being dispatched to Baltimore in the Machado deal.
How special was this moment for Louis Lappe and the El Segundo Little League team?
Stone is 6’1” 185 pounds. About the size of Buehler. A little shorter. Stone was throwing 97 last night. About the same as Buehler before he went down the first time. Just sayin
Don’t miss Verdugo. Do miss JT. But, he got more money than was being offered here.
The walkoff was fun.
Hope JD is ready by playoff time.
If Urias isn’t pitching like the ace in a month, what’s the plan?
Busch may be 1-14 but he’s had some hard hit balls. They just need to keep giving him regular at bats and he’ll be fine. I’m guessing JDM will be out at least another couple of weeks so the opportunity will be there.
Wow. Gavin Stone has had one so-so game in the big leagues and 4 stinkers and now he looks like a “keeper”?
I am always hopeful that the Dodgers’ farms system turns out real major leaguers but I have to say that the jury is out on Gavin Stone. One game isn’t anything. It might be the start of something. Or maybe not.
Too early to judge Stone. Let’s see how he looks by the end of the season. I like the kid’s grit though. He just kept filling up the zone.
I want to be clear. I have never intimated nor do I believe that Gavin Stone is going to be in the rotation come playoffs. Neither is Ryan Pepiot or Emmet Sheehan. But all three could be bulk inning / piggyback pitchers, depending on how many management wants to consider for the playoffs. They already have one in Ryan Yarbrough. So chances are MAYBE one of Pepiot, Stone, Sheehan will be on the playoff roster, but not all three. Michael Grove could also fulfill that bulk inning role.
The rotation will center on:
With the number of days off, only three will be needed for the NLDS.
I also believe that Stone needs to follow up yesterday’s game with a strong outing his next time out (LAD or OKC). But that will not diminish whether I think he is a keeper for 2024. He will be a major league pitcher in 2024. Maybe not with the Dodgers, but he will be a MLB pitcher.
In the meaningless stat department Justin Turner with 2.7 WAR, none of it defensively, JD Martinez 1.2 WAR, also none of it defensively.
No Dodgers pitchers are not expected to pitch into the 7th inning. Man you can say that again. No Dodgers pitcher is anywhere near the top of the league in innings pitched. Lance Lynn is 20th and he came from somewhere else.
Tony Gonsolin to have TJ surgery on Friday. No reason for woulda, coulda, shouldas. Gonsolin will pitch next in 2025. The Dodgers will have two years of control when he returns.
If every team jumped off a bridge, I say don’t follow, because then we’d be guaranteed at the title!!
I feel like Miller has trouble recollecting himself in adverse conditions.
is this normal? Am I making stuff up?
We slug. We win.
Miller with 4 earned in 6 gets the W. A 6 ERA is not really great but the bullpen looked good and we score 7.
A well rested Kershaw and a 13 game lead today. Everything is good, right?