DODGERS Dodgers vs. Rays - WORLD SERIES

Discussion in 'Los Angeles DODGERS' started by doyerfan, Oct 19, 2020.

?

Which struggling Dodger has a good World Series

Poll closed Oct 20, 2020.
  1. Kershaw

    46.7%
  2. Pollock

    26.7%
  3. Taylor

    20.0%
  4. Dustin May

    6.7%
  1. Chiefdodgerslkrs24

    Chiefdodgerslkrs24 Among the Pantheon

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    Kiké should rightfully get the start at second base with Taylor in LF. It’s our best defensive lineup anyways. The only decision here should be Smith vs Pollock for DH. And that is only a question because of Smith’s recent struggles
     
  2. lastatman

    lastatman DSP Legend Staff Member Moderator

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    Do you recall how Smith looked vs Snell, because if not good I wouldn't be against giving him tomorrow off. He's looked over-matched at the plate the last couple of days.
     
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  3. blazer5

    blazer5 DSP Legend

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    As long as the pitcher steps off and disengages from the rubber he can run or throw.
     
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  4. doyerfan

    doyerfan MODERATOR Staff Member Moderator

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    he struck out twice and didn’t look great in either one haha. Idk if Pollock and Enrique have shown enough to start over him though. I’m fine with it either way but do think I lean towards starting Barnes which is kinda weird but yeah
     
  5. Chiefdodgerslkrs24

    Chiefdodgerslkrs24 Among the Pantheon

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    0-2 with 2 K’s
     
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  6. Bluezoo

    Bluezoo Among the Pantheon

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    We'll need wood possibly. To fashion the cross for the crucifixion for_______________ (choose a name).
    Or maybe these days they come pre assembled in plastic or another space age materials.
     
  7. Bluezoo

    Bluezoo Among the Pantheon

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    Or Smith maybe.
     
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  8. Bluezoo

    Bluezoo Among the Pantheon

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    Imagine if Mookie had a good day at the plate ? Wow. Sure would be excellent.
    Quite honestly , after the first inning double that started us going, he just faded into the backgrounds nd and was barely mentioned. Doesn't usually happen at all.
     
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  9. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

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    I stick with Smith in the lineup and I would be surprised if the Dodgers don't do the same, but I can see arguments for choosing between Pollock, Kiké, Smith in any order.

    The one obvious choice to me is Barnes has to start. The only reason to not start Barnes is because he's not the sexy choice they were expecting at this point in the season. Kershaw was right. Buehler has gone to Kershaw's corner. This choice should be easy for them.
     
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  10. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

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    Mookie's goal was to win free tacos for America. He did that. What more do people want? :p
     
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  11. lastatman

    lastatman DSP Legend Staff Member Moderator

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    I guess the only reason I can see not to start Barnes is if they feel it's too much in the squat (3 games in 4 days). Knowing that he caught yesterday, and if needed will on Wednesday, they may want to keep his legs fresh.

    On the other hand, you have catchers like Yadier that never seem to need games off. And yeah, this is it... put your best team forward both tomorrow, and if necessary, game 7.
     
  12. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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    How bout you can start the game with Smith but once its about the 5th inning switch Smith to DH and bring in Barnes to make sure there isnt any fuck ups at the end of the game.
    Start Joc at DH and if hes having a bad game he sits or if hes hitting and Taylor or whoemever else is in LF is not then switching out for him.
    I should totally manage the Dodgers.
    High and drunk and halfway through a pizza and wings and mojo fries shakeys coma I would still outmanage dave robots.
     
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  13. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

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    Something that should be more worrisome in the future about Smith is that him falling apart down the stretch is no longer a blip, but a constant. This has happened at every level in every year since he joined the org. On top of that, his all-around play behind the plate has gotten worse as have the AB's as the playoffs have worn on.

    I am in no way giving up on this kid, but it may be time to explore getting him back to playing the infield a bit next season if the universal DH does go away with an eye on being a full time 2B-3B down the road. He seems to get worn down really easily and I think all the games stacked on top of one another have had a bit to do with it. I am not sure if his issues are he just gets burned out behind the plate(I mean he barely played even half the games in the shortened season and has DH'd a ton) or if he is thinking too much at the dish right now and it could be a bit of both. He was never considered a bad defensive catcher coming up, actually quite the opposite and was looked at more as a Barnes 2.0 where he would be near elite behind the plate(as his arm is considerably better) and he was a contact oriented catcher with SLIGHTLY more pop. Smith has transformed himself into an impact bat catcher, but with defensive woes. Since he is a catcher that climbed the ladder very quickly, you can blame it potentially on him moving too fast and his defensive development was stunted from it.

    There is also more to him moving out from behind the dish... the Dodgers have two more catchers coming that are only available to catch. Both Ruiz and Cartaya are also considered to have higher upsides than Smith and that is not a knock on him. If the team wants to keep an eye on the future, it is probably time for Smith to start moving around a bit.
     
  14. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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    Smith probably got with Joc and got high while Joc imparted his sacred wisdom as they shared some jack in the box oreo shakes.
    It boils down to getting paid and separating yourself from all the other prospects in your weight class.
    Everyone is trying to get faster to get a higher batting average by beating out weak hits and to get steals and to be more versatile and better defensively etc...
    Fuck that noise son. That's a shit ton of work and you got bud to smoke and pizza to eat.
    Besides call of duty isn't going to beat itself.
    So those other boys can kill themselves trying to be perfect.
    You be chill.
    Eat.
    Lift weights.
    Eat.
    Don't do cardio, ever.
    Eat.
    Lift more weights if you want but if not its cool.
    Eat.
    Stretch a little, maybe.
    Eat.
    Hit lots of home runs.
    Don't swing at balls that don't look like home runs.
    By the time the playoffs roll around your plate discipline should be laser focused and you will be getting big hits and home runs coming up clutch as always and earning the love of the fans.
    They will have to find a place for you.
    And they will have to pay you.
    Without you killing your body.
    Or your love of the game.
     
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  15. doyerfan

    doyerfan MODERATOR Staff Member Moderator

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    You can’t switch a position player to DH. You can do the opposite (put a DH out on field and lose DH) but you can’t start someone in field then move him to DH
     
  16. ColoradoKidWitGame

    ColoradoKidWitGame DSP Legend Administrator

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    You can't move a position player into the DH spot during the game. They can only be subbed out from the bench, I believe.
     
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  17. rube

    rube DSP Legend Staff Member Administrator

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    Rule change!
    To appease the NL teams who are used to making changes and didnt use the DH before.
    The AL managers would have another option and a little more depth to their job.
     
  18. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

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    Barnes overall use this season and this postseason has been very light. I'd have no worries about his legs holding up.
     
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  19. Bluezoo

    Bluezoo Among the Pantheon

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    Low carb egg rolls ?
     
  20. BlueMouse

    BlueMouse 2020 World Champions

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    I've been wondering how the Dodgers would handle the catcher position moving forward, and I like this idea of moving Smith out from behind the plate. There was some thinking that Barnes would be the odd man out next year with Ruiz being ready, but Barnes is more of the typical backup Catcher. This is also not the first time Barnes has stepped into the postseason spotlight as our regular starting catcher has faded at the end of the year - this is almost a yearly occurrence at this point. We have team control of Barnes for 2 more years, and maybe this is the blueprint moving forward, use him lightly during the year so he has fresh legs for the postseason. If the DH stays I think it makes his light-hitting bat more acceptable too.

    As for Smith, we have some questions about how the infield will shake out over the next couple years, and having a cheap, team-controlled bat like Smith at 2B/3B would give us huge financial flexibility (like for signing Seager, Bellinger, and Buehler). An infield of Muncy-Lux-Seager-Smith works. You can even re-sign Turner, add Rios and make a rotation that works. You don't even have to give up on him completely behind the plate, you could give him a start once a week, or more during an inevitable IL stint.

    I like it, it sounds like the most Friedman thing ever.
     
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