By Jon Weisman
Alex Wood extended his Dodger Stadium mastery another six innings (one run, five baserunners, five strikeouts), but another dominant streak ended a moment too soon for the Dodgers.
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Cardinals at Dodgers, 5:07 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Wood, P
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Alex Wood, P
By Jon Weisman
Hyun-Jin Ryu threw two scoreless innings for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga today in his first rehab appearance, retiring six batters in a row after a leadoff single and striking out two.
Ryu is expected to require three or four more rehab appearances before the Dodgers would activate him, Dave Roberts said Saturday.
J.P. Hoornstra of the Daily News said that Ryu threw 22 pitches in the game, plus 10 more in the bullpen afterward, and that both strikeouts came on curveballs.
“Ryu said he was exerting about 60 to 70 percent of his maximum effort, which explains his lower-than-usual 85-mph average fastball velocity,” Hoornstra wrote.
Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers
Cody Bellinger hit a 10th-inning walkoff grand slam Saturday for Double-A Tulsa, which makes Cary Osborne’s current Dodger Insider magazine feature on the 20-year-old all the more timely (a bit more so than Mike Petriello’s Gamevolution piece on Yimi Garcia, who went on the disabled list shortly after our magazine went to print).
Read the entire story by clicking here.
* * *
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.
By Jon Weisman
You might be aware that Alex Wood’s home-road splits as a Dodger are poles apart, but we’re not talking your typical North and South Poles. We’re talking the North Pole on Earth and the South Pole on Neptune.
How so?
- No starting pitcher in Los Angeles Dodger history has a lower home ERA than Wood’s 2.00 in eight starts.
- One starting pitcher* in Los Angeles Dodger history has a higher road ERA than Wood’s 6.79 ERA in 11 starts.
If you include Wood’s time with Atlanta, he has a career 1.78 ERA at Dodger Stadium — a full five runs better than what he’s done on the road as a Dodger.
So yeah, Wood comes across as a wee bit happy to pitch at Chavez Ravine (if also a wee bit inconsistent overall). The formula gets put to the test in tonight’s 5 p.m. game against St. Louis. For the second time in his Dodger career, the 25-year-old Wood is making a second consecutive start at home.
![Image-1[85]](http://www.dodgerthoughts.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/image-185.jpg)
Yasiel Puig’s diving catch in the second helped Scott Kazmir retire the first six batters he faced.
Well, thanks for the lovely meal, Scott Kazmir.
Kazmir hadn’t served past the seventh inning in seven previous starts for the Dodgers, but he was everything but the after-dinner mint tonight, coming out out short of his third career complete game in a 5-3 victory over the Cardinals.
Cardinals at Dodgers, 6:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Scott Kazmir, P
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Scott Kazmir, P
By Cary Osborne
Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch in a game Sunday — the first time he has toed the rubber for a game since March 17, 2015 in Spring Training.
Dave Roberts said today that Ryu will start his rehab assignment in Rancho Cucamonga, where he will pitch possibly two innings.
The game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. start in San Bernardino, where the Quakes will take on Inland Empire.
Roberts said he anticipates Ryu making four or five appearances before he’s ready to return to the Dodgers.
In addition, Brandon McCarthy pitched another simulated inning at Dodger Stadium today and faced Charlie Culberson, who was taking hacks against him.
“Charlie said the ball was coming out good — fastball, changeup, curve — and so that’s another step in the right direction,” Roberts said. “He puts some good swings, but there were also some swings and misses, which was good to see from McCarthy’s standpoint.”
Roberts said McCarthy will get one more simulated inning before being sent out for a rehab assignment.
Yimi Garcia, who went on the disabled list April 23 with right biceps soreness, is in Arizona and not near a return.
“We’re a little beside ourselves on the lack of progress, so he’s just kind of laying low and not really doing any baseball activities,” Roberts said.
Garcia felt soreness on April 22 and left after two-thirds of an inning in Colorado.
One more note: Chase Utley returns to the starting lineup at second base, a day after Howie Kendrick went 2 for 5 and was robbed of a home run.
Roberts said he wanted Utley’s left-handed bat in the lineup with right-hander Carlos Martinez’s ball running in on right-handers.
Corey Seager has given Justin Turner and the rest of the Dodgers reason to smile. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)
Cardinals at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P
Howie Kendrick, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasiel Puig, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Trayce Thompson, LF
A.J. Ellis, C
Ross Stripling, P
By Jon Weisman
Have you all noticed what Corey Seager’s been doing lately?
It almost feels like there’s been a media blackout on the 22-year-old shortstop, which might not be a bad thing. But just to make sure you’re up to speed, here’s a bulletin: Seager is producing.
Since April 22, he has a .403 on-base percentage and .522 slugging percentage (.925 OPS) in 77 plate appearances. He now has a .770 OPS on the season, and that might understate his value.
By Jon Weisman
The walk to David Wright in the first inning mattered not at all, except that it just brought the slightest bit of humility to the superhuman Clayton Kershaw.
The very slightest.
Patrick McElhenney/Fox
Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Kershaw CCL: Kershawrter Country
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P
Kershaw CCL: Kershawrter Country
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Kiké Hernandez, LF
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
It’s probably the least popular and least productive thing I’ve ever done with my life, though I wish it were the most humiliating.
But ever since Clayton Kershaw made his Major League debut, on May 25, 2008, I’ve pictured every subsequent start as if it were a sequel in a blockbuster movie series.
You just had that feeling about Kershaw, from the very beginning, that he was going to be epic.
The first sequel was Kershaw II: The Kershawing. And it went on from there. Mostly downhill.
Tonight, Kershaw reaches career start No. 250. To commemorate the event — and with deepest apologies — here’s the list of all the titles I’ve created.
So many of them are just awful, truly awful. Some, I really don’t know what I was thinking — even by my lowly standards. Some were repeats, with me having forgotten I had used a title already — sometimes within the same month.
But, what’s done is done, and what’s here is here. At least I haven’t cursed him. And I am happy with the quote I used to introduce him before his first big-league game.
By Erin Edwards
Dodger fans now have the chance to win big by participating in the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s inaugural 50/50 Raffle.
This charitable in-game raffle will be launched at Dodger Stadium tonight, continuing here all season, and the proceeds will benefit LADF’s programs and giving to local youth organizations.
During every Dodger home game, tickets will be sold by staff in gold shirts throughout Dodger Stadium. The winning raffle number will be selected during the seventh inning to determine the 50/50 Raffle jackpot winner. The winning raffle number will be displayed in stadium during the eighth inning.
For each and every raffle, half of the 50/50 Raffle jackpot will go to the selected winner, and the other half will go to LADF for its programs and to support youth organizations across Los Angeles.
Raffle tickets will be sold for cash only at three price points: three for $5, 10 for $10 and 40 for $20. Fans can visit kiosks in the Left Field Plaza, Loge Level (behind sections 103/105) and Reserve Level (section 10). Sellers will also be roving throughout the concourse and Top Deck, Reserve, Club, Loge, Field and Pavilion seating areas.
Kenta Maeda looks away from the second time around the bases by Noah Syndergaard. (Harry How/Getty Images)
By Jon Weisman
The first time was a shocker. The second time was a stunner.
No, this isn’t about the two home runs Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard allowed. It’s about the two he hit.
Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Kenta Maeda, P
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Howie Kendrick, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Kenta Maeda, P
By Jon Weisman
In the cover story for the latest issue of Dodger Insider magazine, Kenta Maeda — tonight’s starting pitcher for the Dodgers — speaks to Cary Osborne about the differences between Japan and the United States, and the adjustments he has been making.
“I was the ace of the staff in Japan,” said Maeda, who enters tonight’s game with a 1.66 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 35 strikeouts in 38 innings. “Coming over here, I need to prove myself again to hopefully eventually be in that position.”
Rick Honeycutt and Dave Roberts chime in to discuss why Maeda is capable of transcending in this journey across the Pacific.
Read the entire story by clicking here.
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.
Trayce Thompson follows through on his walkoff home run Tuesday against the Mets. Thompson’s career wRC+ is a robust 137 in 203 plate appearances.
By Jon Weisman
Trayce Thompson has almost nothing in common with Alex Guerrero, except for this: People wondering, like they did last May with Guerrero, if he’s for real.
Tim Locastro has collected at least two hits six times during his 13-game hitting streak. (Fernando Gutierrez Jr./MiLB.com)
By Jon Weisman
Over at Fangraphs, Carson Cistulli has a regular feature called “The Fringe Five,” which (in a shorthand definition) is dedicated to prospects that fall just outside of the spotlight of all the top rankings.
Minor-league Dodger infielder Tim Locastro has become something of a regular on this roundup. Here’s what Cistulli wrote about him five days ago:
Locastro made his first appearance among the Five last July, shortly after having been traded by the Blue Jays to the Dodgers — which transaction also led to his debut at High-A, thus rendering him eligible for consideration here. Here were Locastro’s credentials at that time: he’d carried a strikeout rate below 10%, exhibited at least average power on contact, posted impressive baserunning numbers, and recorded the majority of his defensive starts at either second base or shortstop. A month through the 2016 season, here are some statements one might employ to characterize the 23-year-old now: he’s got a strikeout rate below 10%, is exhibiting at least average power on contact, is posting impressive baserunning numbers, and has recorded the majority of his starts at either second base or shortstop. He’s been particularly impressive of late. Regard: in 28 plate appearances from April 28 through May 3, Locastro recorded a 5:1 walk-to-strikeout ratio and five extra-base hits, including a home run. None of which is to recognize how he was drafted out of Division III Ithaca College.
Fringe or not, Locastro is generating headlines. In the midst of a 13-game hitting streak, on Tuesday he hit for the cycle for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga, as Tyler Maun of MiLB.com reports:
Mets at Dodgers, 7:10 p.m.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Alex Wood, P
Note: Alex Guerrero is beginning a rehab assignment tonight with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Yasmani Grandal, C
Joc Pederson, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Carl Crawford, LF
Alex Wood, P
Note: Alex Guerrero is beginning a rehab assignment tonight with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.
By Jon Weisman
If you’re wondering whether the Dodgers are content to be in first place in their division with a .500 record, the answer is no.
“We’re not playing great baseball,” Dave Roberts said this afternoon. “I think for the most part we’re catching the baseball, but for the pitching and hitting to sync up, we’re still waiting for that to happen.”
The debate about the Dodgers that’s happening right now around town and on social media is which of their two seemingly irreconcilable identities is true. Are they a first-place team, or are they a squad that loses at least as much as it wins?
