DODGERS 2017 NEWS/RUMORS/AROUND MLB Thread

Pedro Baez vows to continue working, get better on secondary pitches
by Matthew Moreno | Dodger Blue — 7 hours ago



The Los Angeles Dodgers were unable to protect a late lead for a second time in as many games with the Philadelphia Phillies, the. They enter Wednesday on a three-game losing streak that’s further delayed clinching an expected fifth consecutive National League West title.

Whereas Clayton Kershaw was responsible for allowing the Phillies to come from behind in the series opener, that squarely lied on Pedro Baez’s shoulders Tuesday night. Yu Darvish went 5.1 innings and exited with runners on first and second base.

Tony Watson allowed an infield single but induced an inning-ending double play to escape the bases-loaded jam. Baez took the mound in the seventh with the Dodgers clinging to a 2-1 lead.

Facing the bottom of the Phillies lineup, he immediately ran into trouble. J.P. Crawford led off with a triple, Jorge Alfaro was hit by a pitch, and Cesar Hernandez walked to load the bases with one out.

Curtis Granderson made a tremendous sliding catch to prevent a run from scoring, but Baez offset it by issuing a two-out walk. Rhys Hoskins’ double cleared the bases, gave the Phillies a 5-2 lead, and knocked Baez out of the game.

After yet another disappointing relief appearance, Baez said he’s aware of a need to throw more secondary pitches, expressed gratitude for continued chances to pitch and vowed to work on emerging from his struggles, via Spectrum SportsNet LA:

"I've been having trouble with command of the fastball. I did shy away from using my secondary pitches, but I think it’s something I have to go back to. I want to be that pitcher they can use in the sixth or seventh inning. … I continue to work hard and try to do my job. It just hasn't been a good stretch. I'm grateful they keep giving me opportunities. I've never been in a stretch like this, but I'm going to continue to work hard to try to get out of it."​

Since a rough appearance Aug. 21 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he walked three and only retired one of five batters faced, Baez is 0-4 with two blown saves, a 12.38 ERA and allowed opponents to hit .306/.490/.667 in eight innings across 11 games.

The month of September has been particularly rough, as Baez has allowed 12 runs (10 earned) in just 4.1 innings pitched (20.77 ERA), walked seven, struck out five and surrendered three home runs. Opponents are batting .417/.563/.917 in seven games .

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has come to the defense of his embattled right-hander on multiple occasions of late. The most recent of which was after Baez was booed at Dodger Stadium upon entering a game.

Overall this season, Baez is 3-6 with a 3.17 ERA, 4.76 FIP and 1.36 WHIP in 62 relief appearances. He’s used a slider 16.5 percent of the time, which is a career high, but changeup usage is down to 10.4 percent from last season’s career-high 12.7 percent.

Baez has thrown his fastball 73 percent, which is around his career average of 74.7 percent. He has become over-reliant with the pitch during September, however, as fastball usage is at 81 percent. Comparatively, he’s thrown the slider 11 percent this month and a changeup eight percent of the time.

 

these numbers were before today's game...

Dodgers offense fading down the stretch
by Eric Stephen | True Blue LA — 15 hours ago



While most of the focus of Tuesday’s loss was on Pedro Baez and the bullpen, the Dodgers offense stalled again after a pair of early runs in the club’s third consecutive loss. Here’s a look at some numbers down the stretch, which hasn’t been kind to Dodgers bats.

In September, the Dodgers have scored three or fewer runs in 11 of their 19 games, including each of the last four. Prior to the season’s final month, the club had 48 such games (out of 132), no more than 12 in any month (August, out of 27 games).

Their 59 games with three or fewer runs in 2017 are tied for seventh fewest in baseball. When scoring four or more runs, the Dodgers are 78-14 (.848), but when scoring three or fewer they are 18-41 (.305).

That downturn has contributed to the club hitting just .213/.298/.368 as a team in September, averaging only 2.95 runs per game.

On the season, Dodgers batters have been ahead in the count in 36.4% of their plate appearances, and behind in 31.2%. The National League has seen batters ahead in 33.6% of PA, and behind 33.3%, a more even split.

In September, Dodgers batters have been ahead just 32.6% of the time, and behind 33.9%. They have been struck out in 25.6% of plate appearances in September, after 22.2% from April through August. The Dodgers walk rate was 10.6% before September, and 9.2% this month.

Nick Pivetta and Aaron Nola have pitched quality starts against the Dodgers in the first two games of their series in Philadelphia. Opposing pitchers have thrown 10 quality starts against the Dodgers in September.

Opposing pitchers have pitched quality starts against the Dodgers 31 times in 61 games since the All-Star break, after 32 quality starts in 90 games before the break.

The Dodgers averaged 5.14 runs per game before the break, hitting .256/.342/.447. Since the break, they are down a full run, averaging 4.08 runs while hitting .240/.322/.418.

 

After suffering three consecutive losses, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts interrupted the daily hitters meeting to deliver a message, per Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:

“It was like, this is what we’ve got,’” Roberts said. “We’ve got 11 days left. Let’s band together, and let’s understand what’s at stake. Because this is a golden opportunity. At the end of the season, when that last out is made, we can all look back and know we left everything we possibly could on the field for each other.”

 

does that make orel goliath?

 

We should give up on best record.

We're gonna limp into the playoffs. I'm hoping they'll be fine come October but I'm getting my heart ready to be ripped out.

 

They are fucked with the fans either way.
If they celebrate in an effort to get their rocks off they will be lambasted by the fans.
If they dont celebrate to due to bowing to the fan pressure and they go into the playoffs without having found their fighting spirit they will not have anyone to blame but themselves.
But only because you cant blame the shitty fans and media who unwittingly ushered in their choking.

 

In this weird ass season it would have to be Andre Ethier.

 

doesn't matter who (although i'd like it to be dre)
but someone needs to take the lead like @N.Z says