Game of the Week: April 24: MIA @ LAD

[Commissioner Erick]

Miami Marlins (11-10) @ Los Angeles Dodgers (10-11)


MIA: Joe Kelly (1-3, 2.86)
LAD: James Kaprielian (1-0, 0.00)



It's not a surprise that despite Ben Vincent moving from GM of the Miami Marlins to the Los Angeles Dodgers, both teams would be in the thick of playoff races. It is a surprise that the Marlins are the team with the better record though.

Vincent takes on his old team for the first time when the Dodgers host the Marlins. Los Angeles has suffered numerous key injuries and weathered them pretty well. Three starters have an ERA under 3.52, and a fourth, tonight's projected starter James Kapriellan, went 6 shutout innings in his season debut last week. With Clayton Kershaw due back soon, once Julio Urias gets over his blister issues, the Dodgers should field an outstanding starting staff. Kenley Jansen has struggled to begin the year, but the other key relievers have been outstanding. Age is an issue with Jansen, but the Dodgers should continue to field an excellent staff.

Once again, the offense has been the issue. Alex Verdugo and Alex Bregman have played a combined one game this season, so there's an excuse as to why the Dodgers have the worst offense in the National League. However, the Dodgers also have the second biggest payroll in baseball, so it's not a good one. Jurrickson Profar slumped in 2022 and has fallen off a cliff this year, with a .134 average and .179 slugging. After two strong years, Willie Calhoun has gotten off to a slow start with a .198 average and five RBIs. Amin Valdez has shown decent plate discipline, but has otherwise looked overmatched. With Nomar Mazara struggling in the power department despite hitting .300, the Dodgers haven't had any bite at the plate.

It'll be hard for them to find their teeth against a Marlins club that 's third in run prevention. The Marlins have committed the fewest errors in baseball and have a 2.13 bullpen ERA that's allowed the club to punch above its weight despite the loss of Jeren Kendall. Nick Gordon is hitting .348, taking over as the club's new best player, and Trent Clark may finally be putting things together. After a .631 OPS last year, Clark is hitting .321 with four home runs, and a .931 OPS this year. He's finally appearing to fulfill the promise he had when named a Top 20 Prospect two years in a row. The rest of the offense hasn't been great, but with the pitching and defense Miami has, it's been enough to get to 11-10.


Questions for the GMs:


For Paul Denyer, Joe Kelly was signed as a minor league free agent, but he's been very strong for you despite a brutal schedule. What's allowed him to be so strong.

The Dodgers are a little bit like your team, which makes sense as they were built by your predecessor. They have an outstanding pen, a good rotation, and a bit of a limited offense led by one or two stars. Will that affect how you approach them today?

Brady McConnell was brutal last year, and hasn't gotten off to a good start last year. How long will you stick with him?

For Ben Vincent, your Dodgers have played a lot like last year's Dodgers. Will you take any steps to improve your offense or hope health will solve the problem.

Alex Verdugo should be back today. Whose spot will he take over for?

How concerned are you over Kenley Jansen's struggles thus far?


TRIVIA: Which team has the best record of any NL team that finished last that year in runs scored?

[Ben_Dodgers]

We're off to a slow start, but it's too early to panic. That said, if Profar can't turn it around before Bregman returns he's going to lose his starting job. I'm open to moving Profar now, actually, if a deal can be made.

Verdugo is joining the team today and will be taking over the starting LF job. (I think I gave him the day off, though) Raley heads to the bench, and Muzziotti to AAA. I expect Muzziotti to be back before long. He's a great defender and had an impressive spring. but we haven't found many chances to get him in the lineup. Raley has played pretty well thus far and Mazara has made a few mistakes in the field, so I could see Raley getting starts in RF with Mazara at DH.

I'm not too concerned about Jansen at this point. He had one bad outing last week which cost us a game. That's tough to swallow, but it happens. Fortunately he was able to bounce back the next day and get the save. His ERA has been inflated since the first week when he came in during garbage time and gave up a couple runs. His peripherals look good - xFIP is 2.11 - so I think he'll stabilize as the season continues. Fortunately we have a lot of talented arms in the bullpen who can step in if there is a problem.

[Paul - Miami]

Kelly was the last piece of the rotation after a good spring training, beating out Hoeing. He has performed above expectation so far this season, and was expecting a number 5 starter to be honest, long may it continue.

No it won't affect us, we ask Kelly like any other starter to go out and give us 6 or so innings, and let the bullpen bring us home. We need to keep runners off the bases with Kelly though as his control isn't as good as other starters.

McConnell was given the gig at third after Gahagan struggled early in the season, and hasn't been much better. It is something we need to look at going forward. We like McConnell or Gahagan at third ahead of Tiberi mainly because Tiberi lacks defensively we feel. Both have time to make it their own position with no real replacement in New Orleans to threaten their spot at the moment. But if McConnell does lose the job we have the option this season to demote as he no longer holds the rule 5 draftee status.

[Commissioner Erick]

Marlins 6 - Dodgers 0


WP: J. Kelly (2-3)
LP: J. Kaprielian (0-1)


The Miami Marlins got a stellar performance from pitcher Joe Kelly, who handcuffed the Los Angeles offense en route to a 6-0 win at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers fall to 10-12 and continue their uneasy start to the 2023 season.

Miami needed the clutch hitting of Trent Clark to notch the win. The center fielder hammered a 3-run home run in the top of the third inning to put the Marlins on top, 4-0. For the game, Clark had 1 home run and 1 single in 4 at-bats.

"It was a solid team effort," said Clark after the game.


Questions for the GMs:


For Paul Denyer, Trent Clark had yet another big game with two hits and a three-run home run. His offensive track record has been spotty in the past, so how fortunate do you feel that he's putting it all together?

Outside of Kendall and Mazara, Dodgers hitters went 2-22. How happy are you that your pitching staff didn't mess around with the weaker hitters in the Dodgers lineup?

Wilmer Flores continues to be a solid presence in your lineup, as he has been in his two stints with the club. Where does he fit in to what you want to do with the team?

For Ben Vincent, Nomar Mazara had a bad day and the rest of the team did absolutely nothing. You noted that it's too early to panic, but this is another data point that your offense isn't working. Will you take any steps after this game?

Penguin Robles was a 2020 first rounder who fired three shutout innings. What are your thoughts on the youngster?

Jeren Kendall made only one defensive play, but it was a nice one ranging deep into the gap to reel in a long Trent Clark extra base hit attempt. He also had two hits. What did you think of his performance in an emotional game?



TRIVIA: Jeren Kendall is second in NL Zone Rating All Time. Who is first?

[Paul - Miami]

For Paul Denyer, Trent Clark had yet another big game with two hits and a three-run home run. His offensive track record has been spotty in the past, so how fortunate do you feel that he's putting it all together?



Outside of Kendall and Mazara, Dodgers hitters went 2-22. How happy are you that your pitching staff didn't mess around with the weaker hitters in the Dodgers lineup?



Wilmer Flores continues to be a solid presence in your lineup, as he has been in his two stints with the club. Where does he fit in to what you want to do with the team?


Clark has had an excellent start to the season, blowing away memories of last season, long may it continue through the season. We felt Clark was an excellent replacement when trading away Kendall and to date we made the right decision.

Pretty happy, we did allow guys on base five times through walks, but it came to nought.

Flores is a leader of this team alongside Donny Sands, has consistently put up numbers in a Marlins uniform, we would be worse off without him!  

[Ben_Dodgers]

First, to get the trivia out of the way: Albert Almora

So, yeah, that was a pretty disappointing game for us. Kelly has been hot, and deserves credit, but I expect more from our guys. We definitely need to shake up the left side of the infield. Fortunately, Bregman is on his way to rehab and will be back with the club soon. While he didn't come through in this game, it has been really nice to see Kelbert Ruiz producing on both sides of the ball. He's hitting .300 now, which is great production from the any catcher.

Kendall is a bright spot. I've always wanted to use him as a leadoff hitter, but he just wasn't getting on base enough in Miami. This year he's making better contact and has more dangerous hitters around him, so I think he'll thrive there. Defensively he's one of the best outfielders in the PBA, and on par with his 2021 performance. If he can stay healthy he's on pace for a 6.0 WAR season, easily the best of his career.

I think Robles has the potential to be a closer. I wish he had a third pitch, because he otherwise has the makings of a great starter, but he's going to be a weapon for us out of the bullpen for years to come.

[Commissioner Erick]

Mar 4, 2020 16:42:16 GMT -5 Ben_Dodgers said:

First, to get the trivia out of the way: Albert Almora

So, yeah, that was a pretty disappointing game for us. Kelly has been hot, and deserves credit, but I expect more from our guys. We definitely need to shake up the left side of the infield. Fortunately, Bregman is on his way to rehab and will be back with the club soon. While he didn't come through in this game, it has been really nice to see Kelbert Ruiz producing on both sides of the ball. He's hitting .300 now, which is great production from the any catcher.

Kendall is a bright spot. I've always wanted to use him as a leadoff hitter, but he just wasn't getting on base enough in Miami. This year he's making better contact and has more dangerous hitters around him, so I think he'll thrive there. Defensively he's one of the best outfielders in the PBA, and on par with his 2021 performance. If he can stay healthy he's on pace for a 6.0 WAR season, easily the best of his career.

I think Robles has the potential to be a closer. I wish he had a third pitch, because he otherwise has the makings of a great starter, but he's going to be a weapon for us out of the bullpen for years to come.

You got the Trivia right!

[Commissioner Erick]

TRIVIA 1: The 2022 Atlanta Braves