August 2016 – Page 4 – Dodger Thoughts

No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

On August 22, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Reds, 9:35 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Andrew Toles, RF
Rob Segedin, 3B
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

Josh Reddick was a late scratch from today’s early game at Cincinnati, and the reason instantly came across like a taunt to his detractors — a jammed right middle finger.

Reddick is available off the bench, according to Dave Roberts, though it could be until at least Wednesday when he starts next, considering that lefty ace Madison Bumgarner is starting Tuesday for the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

But in the meantime, it’s another setback in what has been anything but a storybook chapter in Los Angeles for Reddick. Three weeks into his Dodger career, Reddick has one extra-base hit and a .211 on-base percentage. Combined with the absence of fellow former Oaklander Rich Hill from the starting rotation, judgment has rained down on the trade that sent Grant Holmes, Jharel Cotton and Frankie Montas to the A’s for the pair.

It’s reasonable to expect more immediate impact from a trade specifically designed to boost the Dodgers’ pennant chances, particularly when the two players are free agents at the end of the year, than the Dodgers have gotten. But consider these counterpoints:

Andrew Toles recalled, Chris Taylor optioned

By Jon Weisman

On August 21, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Dodgers at Reds, 10:10 a.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Josh Reddick, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Andrew Toles, LF
Julio Urías, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers shifted one of their bench spots from right to left, calling up left-handed outfielder Andrew Toles from Triple-A Oklahoma City and optioning right-handed infielder Chris Taylor.

Toles, who will allow Howie Kendrick a rest today in left field, has a .395 on-base percentage and the same slugging percentage in 43 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year. Since he was most recently optioned August 3, he was producing at a .348/.565 rate in Triple-A.

Taylor has a .271 OBP and .382 slugging in 59 plate appearances for the Dodgers this year, including the July 15 game when he doubled, tripled and hit a grand slam. He went 0 for 3 Saturday in his first start since July 31,

The Dodgers didn’t make any moves on the pitching side today. despite back-to-back 3 2/3-inning starts from Bud Norris and Brett Anderson to start the series in Cincinnati. At right, the chart shows the recent pitch counts of Dodger relievers.

Kenley Jansen had the rare event of appearing in a game without throwing a pitch. He was officially entered into Saturday’s seventh inning when the rain delay arrived, but replaced by Joe Blanton when play resumed.

Dave Roberts gave a quick update on Andre Ethier, telling reporters that Ethier is hitting off live pitching while on rehab in Arizona and taking balls off the bat in the outfield. Roberts still didn’t have a date for the start of an official rehab assignment, saying that Ethier’s running is at about 75 percent.

A good night to take the long view

By Jon Weisman

On August 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Postgame

By Jon Weisman

Baseball sends waves and waves of challenge, testing to see how well you can ride them — or recover from the wipeouts.

It’s what I love about the game, though clearly it’s hard to stomach when you’re going the wrong in the riptide.

Brett Anderson’s second start of 2016 rolled him only slightly less than his first. He allowed four runs in the first inning tonight and six runs overall in 3 2/3 innings, before leaving with a blister on his left index finger, in the Dodgers’ 11-1 defeat at Cincinnati that kept them half a game behind San Francisco in the National League West.

Brandon Finnegan no-hit Los Angeles until Adrián González lined a single to center to start the seventh. It was even closer to the third no-hitter against the Dodgers in the past 12 months than you might have feared, because rain stopped the game barely five minutes later. After 79 minutes, the teams came back to wrap things up.

It’s been a terrible two nights in Cincinnati for the Dodgers, outscored 20-3 so far. But the question, as it has always been, is how they respond. This is not the end of the line, however weird a line it’s been.

Baseball is never static. Baseball is process. A game isn’t an inning, a series isn’t a game, a season isn’t a series. Setbacks are inevitable. What comes after them is what it’s all about.

Clayton Kershaw dropping out of ERA lead, but comeback continues

By Jon Weisman

On August 20, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching, Pregame

Clayton Kershaw on July 5. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, LF
Kiké Hernández, 2B
Adrián González, 1B
Justin Turner, 3B
Rob Segedin, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
A.J. Ellis, C
Chris Taylor, SS
Brett Anderson, P

By Jon Weisman

Today, the Dodgers play their 122nd game of the season. Clayton Kershaw remains stuck on 121 innings.

That means, for the first time since the season began — and hopefully only for the time being — Kershaw will no longer qualify for the MLB lead in such stats in ERA (1.79) and strikeout/walk ratio (16.1, a big-league record pace).

The chances of Kershaw compiling 41 more innings before the season ends October 2, in order to re-qualify, have dimmed. However, the hope that he does return to contribute sometime in September continues to grow, thanks to what looks to have been a successful bullpen session today in Cincinnati.

Kershaw's bullpen has ended. He appeared to be laughing walking off the field, and, most importantly, wasn't holding his back in agony.

— Cody Pace (@CodyPace) August 20, 2016

Bud Norris struggles, on a memorable night for a Reds reliever

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Postgame

Kirk Irwin/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

From the moment he had the Cincinnati grounds crew work on the mound before throwing his first big-league pitch in 19 days, Bud Norris rarely looked comfortable, and he rarely got comfortable in what became a 9-2 loss Friday to the Reds, a loss that dropped the Dodgers into a temporary first-place tie with San Francisco in the National League West.

Three batters into the game, Norris was down 3-0 after a walk to leadoff hitter Billy Hamilton, a single by one-time Dodger Ivan De Jesus Jr. and a three run homer by Joey Votto. Norris stabilized some in the second and third innings, but was knocked out in the fourth by a two-run double form opposing pitcher Tim Adleman and a bases-loaded walk by Votto.

Corey Seager's OBP is .368, the highest it's been in 2016 except after the second game of the season.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 20, 2016

The Dodgers reached base 17 times (four by Corey Seager), enough to threaten the Reds more than once, but their only run-scoring hit was Seager’s single in the seventh to cut the Reds’ lead to 6-1. Then, in the bottom of the inning, Reds reliever Michael Lorenzen drilled a ball with two runners on into the surely-you-jest stream.

It had to be a special and surreal moment for Lorenzen, whose homer was his first and came hours after he was reinstated from the bereavement list following the passing of his father.

Update: Cody Pace of MLB.com has more from Norris on his difficulties.

Rich Hill throws 75 pitches in simulated game

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

Clayton Kershaw, Scott Kazmir and Rich Hill jog during batting practice August 9. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

By Jon Weisman

Rich Hill threw 75 pitches in a simulated game Thursday at Camelback Ranch that “went well,” according to Dodger manager Dave Roberts, and is likely to start for the Dodgers in their August-23-25 series against San Francisco.

Roberts also said that Julio Urías will make a spot start Sunday, with Kenta Maeda getting extra rest and going either Monday in Cincinnati or Tuesday against the Giants. Roberts noted that the team has enough bullpen coverage to avoid using Urías tonight (behind Bud Norris) or Saturday (behind Brett Anderson), even if either makes an early exit.

Obviously, never say never — you never know when an 18-inning game is around the corner — but that’s the plan.

Clayton Kershaw threw on flat ground today in advance of his scheduled bullpen session Saturday, consisting of 20-25 pitches. Kershaw is then penciled in to follow that with a 40-45 pitch session Tuesday. Roberts told reporters that Kershaw was in “good spirits.”

Farm Fresh: August 18 minors highlights

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Minor leagues

Jared Ravich/MiLB.com

By Miranda Perez

Here are the highlights from the Dodger farm system for August 18, including twin bases-clearing feats …

Dodgers activate Bud Norris, Adam Liberatore from DL

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pregame, Transactions

Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Reds, 4:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Bud Norris, P

By Jon Weisman

Bud Norris and Adam Liberatore have been activated from the disabled list by the Dodgers, who optioned Ross Stripling and Casey Fien to Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Norris, who is starting tonight, has a 4.34 ERA in seven games (six starts) for the Dodgers, including his most recent appearance July 31, when he left after facing two batters.

Jack Riley, Vin Scully and ‘Occasional Wife’

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Television

Jack Riley (right), who was best known — and beloved — as Mr. Carlin on “The Bob Newhart Show,” passed away today. I mention that here because Riley got his start in television as a guest on the 1966-67 NBC series “Occasional Wife,” which had (along with a lot of subtext) a narrator by the name of Vin Scully.

Scully has several credits in Hollywood, but “Occasional Wife” was the scripted show he participated in the most, even if it was all off screen.

“There are 8 million stories in the Naked City,” Scully begins in the pilot (below). “Some are violent. Some happy. Some sad. But one of them is just plain cuckoo.”

— Jon Weisman

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7TpXORfK78

The Dish: Off the field with … Trayce Thompson

By Jon Weisman

On August 19, 2016

In Profiles, Publications

By Jon Weisman

Trayce Thompson might be far from returning to the playing field, but he isn’t far from our hearts. In the most recent Dodger Insider magazine, we asked Thompson about his off-the-field thoughts and interests for our regular profile, “The Dish.”

Click the image above to enlarge.

Despite not having played since July 10, Thompson remains fifth on the Dodgers with 13 homers, seventh with 11 doubles and tied for second with five stolen bases.

Beginning this year, the Dodgers merged their previously separate Playbill and Dodger Insider magazines into one publication (at least 80 pages per issue) with a new edition available each homestand plus one in October, 13 issues total. It is distributed at auto gates (one per vehicle) and via Fan Services for those who use alternate transportation. Dodger Insider magazine includes news, features, analysis, photos, games, stadium information and more. Fans who still wish to subscribe can do so at dodgers.com/magazine.

Dodger momentum snapped in Philly

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2016

In Postgame

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

By Jon Weisman

The Dodgers’ good-time roll hit a rock in their series finale at Philadelphia.

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2016

In Health/injuries, Pitching

By Jon Weisman

Some quick Dodger pitching updates for before the game:

Clayton Kershaw is expected to meet the Dodgers in Cincinnati, where he will throw off flat ground Friday with a tentative bullpen session scheduled for Saturday.
Bud Norris remains scheduled to be activated from the disabled list Friday, with Brett Anderson starting Saturday.
Lefty reliever Adam Liberatore is expected to be activated from the disabled list Friday as well, meaning the Dodgers would have to make two roster moves in the next 24 hours.
Kenta Maeda, whose next turn in the rotation would be Sunday, might get extra rest, with the Dodgers turning to an in-house spot starter in that case.
Rich Hill is pitching a simulated game at Camelback Ranch tonight.
Hyun-Jin Ryu is rehabbing but has not picked up a baseball. He is not expected to return for the Dodgers in 2016.

Dodger offense on record pace since All-Star Break

By Jon Weisman

On August 18, 2016

In Offense, Pregame

Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Ross Stripling, P

By Jon Weisman

The Dodger offense has been sensational over the past several weeks, and part of the reason for this post, believe it or not, is to remind people (OK, me) that they can’t stay this hot forever.

Right now, the Dodgers have an .814 OPS since the All-Star Break, which is 30 points higher than the Los Angeles record for second-half OPS of .784 by the 2008 Dodgers. In franchise history, only the 1953 Dodgers have had a higher OPS after the All-Star Game.

González provides sock, Dodgers’ lead hops

By Jon Weisman

On August 17, 2016

In Postgame

Adrian Gonzalez connects for a three-run home run in the fourth inning. (Tom Mihalek/AP)

By Jon Weisman

Just like Tuesday, the Dodgers erased a 1-0 midgame deficit tonight with one swing of the bat.

It’s a fine formula.

Tonight’s hero was Adrián González, who — doing his best Howie Kendrick — hit a lead-changing homer in the fourth inning, and then — doing his best Chase Utley — hit his second homer of the night in the seventh inning of the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory over Philadelphia.

Los Angeles now leads the National League West by 1 1/2 games, their biggest margin since April 26. The Dodgers have gained 9 1/2 games on the Giants in 52 days.

Comparing Dodgers-Giants remaining schedules

By Jon Weisman

On August 17, 2016

In Pregame, Spring Training

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

Dodgers at Phillies, 4:05 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Josh Reddick, RF
Adrián González, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Scott Kazmir, P

By Jon Weisman

In the words of “Evita,” “So what happens now?”

The flip side of the Dodgers’ 97-day climb from eight games out to first place in the National League West is their tenuous hold on the spot.

The Giants scored twice in the first inning of their game this afternoon against Pittsburgh and twice again in the third, putting them on track to pull back within a virtual tie with the Dodgers by the time Chase Utley steps up to bat for the first time tonight.

Update: Pittsburgh came back with six runs in the fifth inning and held on for a 6-5 victory, putting the Dodgers up by a game in the division heading into this evening.

If there’s an Olympic event that describes the remaining NL West pennant race, maybe it’s the 400-meter hurdles — two rivals running alongside each other, with their own individual roadblocks to surpass, but ultimately boiling down to a straight-up duel.

The morning of August 23, San Francisco and Los Angeles will each have 38 games remaining. Remarkably, nine of them — nearly 25 percent — will be against each other.

Six of those will be in Los Angeles, although the advantage for the first might be with the Giants, who will have an off day August 22 to make the short trip from the Bay Area, while the Dodgers can’t head home until after they finish a 9:35 a.m. PT game three time zones away in Cincinnati.

When you compare and contrast the remaining schedules for each team, you find the similarities are more pronounced than the differences …

Dodger Thoughts

Jon Weisman's outlet for dealing psychologically with the Los Angeles Dodgers, baseball and life

Month: August 2016 (Page 4 of 8)

No, you shouldn’t give up on Josh Reddick

Andrew Toles recalled, Chris Taylor optioned

A good night to take the long view

Clayton Kershaw dropping out of ERA lead, but comeback continues

Bud Norris struggles, on a memorable night for a Reds reliever

Rich Hill throws 75 pitches in simulated game

Farm Fresh: August 18 minors highlights

Dodgers activate Bud Norris, Adam Liberatore from DL

Jack Riley, Vin Scully and ‘Occasional Wife’

The Dish: Off the field with … Trayce Thompson

Dodger momentum snapped in Philly

Clayton Kershaw eyeing Saturday bullpen session

Dodger offense on record pace since All-Star Break

González provides sock, Dodgers’ lead hops

Comparing Dodgers-Giants remaining schedules

Buy ‘The Catch: A novel’

Buy ‘Brothers in Arms’

‘Brothers in Arms’ coverage

Instagram

Twitter

Recent posts

Other writing by Jon

Archives

Commenting guidelines

Attendance