On August 14, 2022, I wrote a post about the Dodgers team being relentless.
re·lent·less
/rəˈlen(t)ləs/
adjective
oppressively constant; incessant
In just about a year, I find the adjective again defines the current version of the Dodgers. I wrote that last year’s LAD team epitomized the above definition. They are oppressively constant. The Dodgers do not believe they can be beat. Somebody gets hurt, and somebody takes their place. Their confidence is sky high.
But this year’s team seems to be even more defined by this word. They have had even more injuries than last year, and while they will not have a 111 win season, they will win their division, a very competitive division, for the 10th time in 11 years.
Last year both the offense and pitching was relentless. This year the offense is relentless while the pitching is resilient. Last year, Kershaw went out for a month on August 4, and returned September 9. This year he has been out since June 27, but should be back this week. Last year the Dodgers lost a
Just like last year, and 2017 (my favorite team), another game, another hero. Sure Mookie and Freddie are superstars, but like last year with Gavin Lux at the bottom of the order, this year’s team is again getting timely hitting from the bottom of the order. Every batter believes they will get a hit.
Since the All-Star break, the team has scored 143 runs in 22 games, or a 6.5 runs per game, and are 14-8 over those 22 games. Since the trade deadline, the team has scored 59 runs or 8.4 runs per game. Is it any wonder they are 6-1 in those 7 games? They scored 7 or more runs in 6 of those games. The one game they scored less than 7, they lost.
It was not just against a bad Oakland pitching staff. Going into the 4-game series, San Diego had the best team ERA in MLB at 3.66. After the 4-game series, in which the Dodgers scored 34 earned runs, SD is now #7 in team ERA at 3.84.
Miggy Rojas can hit .222 as long as he continues to make the defensive plays that he is making.
James Outman might still be striking out too much, but since July, he has become a new threat.
- July – .309/.434/.471/.905
- August – .444/.600/.722/1.322
- July and August – .337/.472/.523/.996
David Peralta and Jason Heyward continue to clutch up with big hits.
Mookie has 31 HRs and is one of 6 Dodgers with an OPS of at least .800, and one at .799.
- Freddie – 1.013
- Mookie – .966
- JD Martinez – .870
- Will Smith – .858
- Max Muncy – .812
- Jason Heyward – .807
- James Outman – .799
It does not take much to tear apart an AB, a start, a relief appearance, one game, or even a week. Be patient and this team will find a way. I try not to look at comments during a game. I am too busy watching the game. After the game, I saw where some were almost giving up after Gonsolin was torched for 5. However, this team has the players that want to win and seemingly know how to. On get-away day, a game situation they have been failing with, they found themselves down by 5 runs after 3.0 innings, but came roaring back.
Seth Lugo was sailing along and looked very much like the pitcher that had pitched 7.0 innings his last two games, and could get to the back end of the bullpen, including Josh Hader. He’s had 3 straight quality starts, and 5 out of 6. In this one, it started out simple enough with a single and fly out. Then 7 straight batters reached, culminating in a grand slam by Mookie. In 0.1 inning, the Dodgers turned it around from 0-5 to 8-5. Seth Lugo and San Diego were for all practical purposes done for.
When Gonsolin came back out in the 4th with a 3-run lead, while he did not dominate, he was efficient. He gave up a single in the 4th, 2 in the 5th (one erased in a DP), and a double and single for a run in the 6th. By that time he had an 8 run lead (7 after the run in the 6th). But he got through 6 on 84 pitches, which apparently is his game max.
The Dodgers would only need two relievers in this one. Joe Kelly was masterful in striking out all three batters he faced on 13 pitches, including Tatis, Jr. Bryan Hudson came in to relieve in the 8th, and did what a reliever with a 7 run lead should do…he threw strikes. He may be auditioning for one of the LHRP needed for the playoffs. He did give up a Luis Campusano HR in the 9th. Campusano had 4 hits on the day, so he was not to be denied.
The Dodgers won the game, the series, and have now won the first three 2023 series with San Diego. They are 8-2 against the Padres, and own them…in the regular season.
On August 4, the Dodgers traded RHP Aldrin Batista (20) and RHP Maximo Martinez (19) to CWS for International Signing Bonus Slot Money, the speculation began. Who do the Dodgers have their eye on. We have since learned that LAD is favored to land pitching prospect Hyun-suk Jang. The 19-year-old pitching phenom out of Masan Yongma High School in Changwon, South Korea, announced that he would forego the KBO draft in favor of pursuing his MLB career.
According to KBO insider Daniel Kim, Hyun-suk Jang’s MLB career may begin with the Dodgers. Kim stated online that several experts believe that the Dodgers are nearing an agreement with the lauded high school pitcher. This announcement may happen sooner rather than later as prospects need to declare themselves for the KBO Draft by August 15th.
Angels are completely worthless if they can’t even knock off the Giants.
While I do agree that this offense is relentless, have said so all year, my concerns going forward from here are the same as they have been from the beginning. Pitching.
Was just perusing fangraphs team pitching site, and no matter the page, Dashboard, Standard, Advanced, Win Probability etc, the Dodgers are middle of the pact in Major League Baseball. You know who isn’t? SF, Philadelphia, Atlanta, SD along with a few AL teams. I do believe we’ve shown improvement. Though Lynn and Yarbrough both look like they can help, it’s my opinion that Kershaw and Urias are the key players going forward. I’m not confident Miller can sustain the intensity into October. Maybe. He’s thrown 77.2 this year. He threw 112 innings last year, but most of those were in AA. Gonsolin is trending down and who else is there? I think Kershaw needs to step in and lead the way.
I’m counting on maintaining a lead going into September and maybe with that this staff can get a few days off and collect themselves. In the meantime, we continue to slug our way to wins.
Not exactly accurate Jeff. Pads and Dodgers have met exactly twice in the playoffs, and they are 1-1. LA swept them in 2020. I still think the 5-day layoff had a huge effect on the 22 Dodgers. Also not playing meaningful games for a long stretch.
Corbin will be hard to catch for 2023 NL ROY but Outman is climbing back into the vote.
The Yankees are disintegrating and so is their Manager Boone. The Padres are holding it together though so far.
You left JD Martinez out of the list of Dodgers with an OPS over .800 (.870).
The Dodgers won’t go anywhere in the post-season without starting pitching. Right now they don’t have it. Will the rotation sort itself out by October? That is the big question.
https://www.tankathon.com/mlb/remaining_schedule_strength
https://twitter.com/BlakeHHarris/status/1689028958464221184?s=20
I’m not going to visit Vegas and bet on Dodger pitching. I do remain optimistic that by the end of September their rookie pitchers will pitch more like veterans.
It would be very entertaining if at least two from Miller, Sheehan, Grove, Stone, Pepiot pitched the Dodgers into and through the playoffs. I’m hoping Buehler also finds his way for meaningful innings.
When I play golf and I hit a good drive that might find a bunker, I enjoy the drive and don’t worry about where my ball might be. There is always plenty of time to say oh heck when I get to the ball if it is actually in the bunker.
Good news! We’ve signed Jang, the 19 year old Korean pitcher we were after.
Signing confirmed by his agent.
This bullpen is not championship quality.