The Los Angeles Dodgers once again want you to forget everything you think you knew about starting pitching. So writes Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated this morning.
Hill has a “hot spot” on his finger? Shut him down (twice) so it doesn’t become a blister. Urias is perfectly healthy but is only 20 years old and needs to be protected so that he throws only about 165 innings during the regular season? Stash him in Oklahoma City and conserve his innings. (His starts have lasted 3 2/3 and 4 2/3 innings. He should join the Dodgers at the end of this month, with occasional rests during the season.) Kazmir has a bad hip? Let him take his time in extended spring.
I emailed a link to this newsletter from the LA Times’ Houston Mitchell to those of you on my mailing list earlier. If you like it and want to subscribe, there’s a box at the bottom of that page where you can sign up to get it directly.
Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ROOTRM
LHP Kyle Freeland (1-1, 5.91 ERA) goes for the Rockies, LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (0-2, 5.79 ERA) goes for the Dodgers. Freeland gave up one run in six innings and beat Ryu and the Dodgers earlier this month. Ryu’s velocity hasn’t gotten back to what it was in 2014 before his injuries and rehab, which may explain why he’s not gotten past the fifth inning and given up 12 hits and six runs including three HRs in his first two starts.
Lineup when available.
Tonight's Dodger lineup vs. Rockies:
Forsythe 2B
Seager SS
Turner 3B
Puig RF
Hernández LF
González 1B
Barnes C
Pederson CF
Ryu P pic.twitter.com/SncKaQdjJj— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 18, 2017
NPUT
Any iPhone users out there looking for a new case? Here’s a nice one.
Turned the tube on just in time to see Grandal’s single. Elation! Then watched Adrian ground out. Despair!
I need to smooth out my emotions.
Better said than done for Dodger fans so far this year.
RBI has to remind them her old monicker has been retired — they need to do the same!
Silver lining or just teasing us? Sure hope they can start hitting on a regular basis.
So close. Dang.
Gonzo. Single ties this thing.
Ump no help.
Grandal. Long double ties this thing.
Puig. HR wins this thing.
A little drama at least.
You called it (almost)
Turner the tying run up at bat.
Feel good about the bottom of the 9th.
Remarkably inconsistent hitting by this team thus far in this young season.
What he said!
Baez is fast!
The long balls are discouraging, but Ryu also had seven K’s and threw 97 pitches, easily his longest outing so far. I wouldn’t write him off yet.
He didn’t lose much velocity, but didn’t have that much to lose. He has the stuff that might enable him to be effective in any event, but will need to adjust a little in his approach.
Chance he’ll gain a bit as he recovers arm strength.
Interesting that it was Doc who called Rod to tell him he was being called up.
I guess Ryu has earned another start, particularly with Hill out and Wood needing to take his slot next time around. But Wood knockin’ to get his own slot.
Nice to get out of that one.
Keep a knockin’.
Freeland tossed out of the game – by Bud Black.
Dropping like flies?
Target practice for the Rox.
Perhaps we could hit Arenado and LeMaheiu and see how Colorado likes it.
Lead off walk to Seager. Good start.
HBP to Turner not so good.
Apparently HR’s are a good way to advance runners and score runs.
Ryu needs to pitch in a much bigger park.
Grand Canyon or Yellowstone?
Beam it out, Scotty!
Seager, so hot just a few days ago.
It happens. I have confidence in his track record.
Prognosis: Bunt by Ryu and single by Forsythe and we are back in business.
Remind me not to prognosticate. Forsythe out of the game.
What happened? Just tuning in.
No word, but Forsythe got HBP’d on the foot and was limping a bit. I expect precautionary radiografías, but I’m speculating.
Ryu must have had a pep talk with himself and has settled in a bit better now.
Last year the Dodgers were 12-7. And 12-13. And 17-17. So not exactly lights out for the first month and a half then either.
I had forgotten that. I feel a bit better now. Thanks.
No problem. Glad I could help. 🙂
Somebody advance the runner. Just once. Please?
Rough start for Ryu tonight. Dodgers will definitely need their hitting shoes on tonight.
I don’t believe in judging a book by its cover, but once I read Link’s initial post and the Dodgers are going against a lefty, I’m not too encouraged.
Mr. Peale? Mr. Norman Vincent Peale to the microphone, please?
I just got a text from him, Link — he said he positively thinks I may be right to be pessimistic.
Yikes! Texts from THE BEYOND!
Extra rates apply.
Houston Mitchell seems to attract the ranters, so I’ll forego. Blaming Honey for anything is a real stretch.
Dustin at DD thinks last night’s game lost due to roster mismanagement, seems to think FAZ blew it recalling Segedin instead of another reliever.
http://dodgersdigest.com/2017/04/18/dodgers-poor-depth-management-cost-them-a-game-last-night/
Meh, although not a good matchup for Hatcher, hard to fault the pitching, when you score only two runs and Segedin contributed to one of those. Fellow wants to find a scapegoat, but misses the forest for the trees, in my opinion. How different is losing 2-1 to losing 4-2?
Poor Josh Harrison was hit by a pitch four consecutive times at bat on Sunday and Monday.
Let’s see if he, and his body, can sustain it. Recall that one season Ron Hunt got plunked 50 times.
Dave likes healthy pitchers. Good luck with that. Half of all pitchers were on the DL last year and teams have been putting six per day of the DL so far this year. It’s tough work. Guessing that most would be happy to have only blisters.