Dodgers Notes: Heartbreaking Loss, Blockbuster Trade Deadline Action, Padres Load Up
The Dodgers lost to the San Diego Padres, 6-5 in 10 innings. The bullpen squandered another lead. (The Dodgers led, 5-0, after the first inning.) The bad news: the Padres moved to within 5.5 games of first place in the National League West.
The good news? Today is Kershaw Day.
In case you missed any of Tuesday’s trade deadline action, here are the stories that will get you caught up:
Dodgers to Acquire Jack Flaherty in Blockbuster Trade With Tigers
The Dodgers’ starting rotation is set to receive a major boost with the acquisition of Jack Flaherty from the Detroit Tigers. This trade is hailed as a blockbuster, as Flaherty carries a stellar 2.95 ERA and 133 strikeouts this season, significantly enhancing the Dodgers’ pitching arsenal.
Dodgers Acquire Kevin Kiermaier From Toronto Blue Jays
The Dodgers have strengthened their outfield by acquiring four-time Gold Glove winner Kevin Kiermaier from the Toronto Blue Jays. This move aims to enhance the team’s defense in center field, which has been a point of concern this season. In exchange, left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough heads to Toronto.
Dodgers’ Potential Trade Deadline Target Heading to Pirates
In a twist of events, outfielder Bryan De La Cruz, previously linked to the Dodgers, was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. This move comes as the Dodgers had shown interest in bolstering their outfield options; Kiermaier was their only outfield addition ahead of the deadline.
Dodgers Miss Out on Tanner Scott as Padres Make Surprise Move
The Dodgers lost the bidding war for left-handed reliever Tanner Scott ahead of Tuesday’s trade deadline. The highly sought-after Marlins closer was acquired by the San Diego Padres for a haul of prospects. This development strengthens a division rival’s bullpen and could have implications down the stretch.
Recently Traded Dodgers Reliever Sent from Yankees to Astros
Caleb Ferguson was traded from the New York Yankees to the Houston Astros on Tuesday. This movement follows a less than stellar performance by Ferguson with the Yankees, who began his career with the Dodgers organization and helped the team win the 2020 World Series.
Former Dodgers Reliever Claimed Off Waivers by AL East Team
Yohan Ramírez, who went 0-5 out of the Dodgers’ bullpen before he was designated for assignment last week, has been claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox. The right-hander heads East, hoping to stabilize his turbulent season.
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It is very interesting to me that the Dodgers website talks about last nights failure, putting all the blame on the teams relief corps. This is not at all accurate. The offense exploded in the first, and I realized then that the team was doomed, I knew the offense would sleep walk thru the rest of the game and the Padres, being the hungrier team, would find a way to eventually pull the game out in the end. Its a catastrophic failure of our offense and it seemingly never ends.
That is right on. In previous successful years, the Dodgers had one characteristic that won them a lot of games — they were RELENTLESS. They would keep hammering at the other team all game long. This team seems to mail in their efforts in a lot of games. I don’t see the passion and determination in previous years. Maybe they think Ohtani is going to do it all for them and they can kick back.
Should have DFA’d Trienan, not Yarborough…
I don’t know what’s going on, but it’s bizarre that seemingly the whole bullpen has collapsed at the same time. Not a big fan of Roberts managing, but I don’t think this one is his fault. Nobody in the ‘pen seems on game now.
@Mike W – whether or not it’s on Roberts to TBD. However, it is a testament to his failure to utilize and manage the bullpen appropriately – something he has done his entire tenure. They were the most used BP in the entire MLB during July and had the highest ERA for the entire month as well. That’s a problem of utilization. to me, that’s on him. They are now an underwhelming 13 – 15 since the midway point of the season (81 games, NOT the all star break). But for those who don’t understand math, they came out 6 -1 after the all star game and are now 7 – 5. It’s pathetic. And let’s not blame it on injuries – they’ve been dealing with those all year and so have other teams. It’s not a new phenomenon, just the same old Roberts not being able to help address the team when it struggles.
Jeebus, the most used bullpen because they have the most starters on the IL. Have you been watching this season? Like most Dodger seasons this year, the only starter they have on the roster that they had planned for the season is Glasnow, and he is fading (they also have Stone, when they had planned on Sheehan). Not to mention many of their relievers have also been on the IL. Sheesh.
@ Michael Hurst. Yes, I understand the injuries and guys on IL. Jeebus yourself. They’ve been dealing with these injuries for months., but this just started in July. He’s pulled starters too early too often. If they were the most used all year, I’d get that. But the highest ERA is the real problem. Use them – and use them right – it’s fine. He doesn’t. Keep being a Roberts apologist and fan boy.
These heartbreaking losses are all on the pitch scouting department and game strategists. In a close game the batter is only thinking to his strength side to jack one. Why throw a cookie cutter fastball middle-in for the batter to jack? Make him go oppo or roll one over. Pitch him down and away on the edges. Even giving up a weak single where they will need a couple more to score is better than giving up momentum changing jack.
On offense, whenever a new pitcher comes in, the Dodger hitters are not thoroughly informed to ambush and attack the pitcher to keep the pressure on. Look at what Detroit, Houston, and San Diego did to win.
Wrong, wrong, wrong. While the bullpen hasn’t been stellar, it’s the offense that sux.
In Tuesday’s game in the bottom of the tenth, I do not understand why the Dodgers did not walk the first batter intentionally. It would have set up a double play and what difference does it make if he scores? However, I’ve seen this happen frequently with other teams. But on the “good” side, with the Dodger’s relief pitchers, it probably would not have mattered. Another point while I’m ranting, it is past time to reconsider what to do with Clayton. A really sad situation.
I think what’s most important is that the Dodgers have been getting their hats handed to them by every good playoff team. With exception to the Red Sox, they have been swept by the Phillies, swept by the Padres, etc. They just lie down. That’s what’s sad.
Right, and they lost 2 of 3 to Houston. they’ve lost 2 games with 5 run leads in the last two series. There are huge problems and Roberts, like he does every single time the team struggles, has no answers.
It’s not right to blame Roberts for a slump when the team is so depleted by injuries…We can all agree Max Muncy’s absence has been the worst, while Mookie’s has been the hardest to overcome. Help is on the way, though
No, of course it’s not all on Roberts. But they’ve had they’ve been dealing with injuries all season long, as has every other team. My concern is Roberts has no answers when they struggle. There have been more examples than I can count of this guy being completely unable to address any issue…that’s a problem. Even with injuries, they were playing well. %0 – 31 at the halfway point. 13 – 15 since. That’s way more than a slump – that’s over a month of being absolutely horrible to mediocre at best. Take away their 6 – 1 burst right after the all star break and that’s 7 – 14. That’s a problem beyond “injuries”.
Yes, the Dodgers have injuries and every contender have them too, but the smart ones know how to adjust. Yes, the bullpen have been a major head scratcher. Is it being overused or unprepared? I think it’s both and not having the right guy in the right moment.
And what’s up with all the strikeouts? Square the ball up and barrel the ball, shorten that swing and move the runners up, and get that runners in. Hitting approach of just slug have to change.
This is where Roberts and the whole coaching staff have to rethink their philosophy of how to a game.