Post by Commissioner Erick on Jun 9, 2019 12:42:41 GMT -5
Los Angeles Dodgers (61-44) @ Colorado Rockies (58-46)
LAD: Jacob Rhame (2-3, 6.02)
COL: Michael Fulmer (9-5, 3.85)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had issues with several sub-standard players on their roster, particularly with their fifth starter. The Colorado Rockies now have issues with banged up players in their outfield and designated hitter.
While these teams have struggled with their weaknesses, the rest of the league is starting to pass them by.
In a huge game for each team, limited versions of the Dodgers and Rockies face off in the Game of the Week.
Jacob Rhame will get the start for the Dodgers, though he hasn't gone 5 innings in any of his five starts. Rhame has a 7.65 ERA as a starter as he's clearly a reliever being asked to do more than he can. Rhame's inclusion in the rotation is also damning as Rhame had been a serviceable relief option for the Dodgers. LA clearly has an excellent pen that can withstand his loss, but it's one of the ways the Dodgers are weakened. The team is still waiting the doctors to clear Kenta Maeda, whose mysterious Oblique injury has really held the team hostage.
As a result of the injury, the Dodgers went just 12-12 in July against a schedule that wasn't overwhelmingly difficult. However, they went 0-5 against Arizona in the month. They won the final game of a six-game set on Sunday, but they also lost the last two games against them in a June series. This means the team has gone 1-7 against the Diamondbacks in the last eight games between them. That has helped bring Arizona closer to them in the NL West, and also puts a ton of pressure on Colorado in a Wild Card hunt that's getting very tight.
Colorado lost three of four to the Mets over the weekend. Combined with Arizona's resurgence, the Rockies have dropped to the second Wild Card, are just three games over the Mets, and are just a half game ahead of the Diamondbacks. Colorado's series with the Dodgers is critical as Colorado can use the series to potential take control of the NL West, while also providing some separation from competitors in the Wild Card race.
However, their offense is struggling with injuries. David Dahl has had a history of injuries, and he's day-to-day with a bad knee. In the long term Carlos Santana has hurt his quad, which should keep him from running at full strength for up to two months. Colorado is loathe to rest him as their getting so little from Josh Ockimey.
Ockimey broke out in 2020 with 45 home runs, 118 RBIs, and a .271 average. This year he's hitting just .211 with 18 home runs and 39 RBIs. He has a -0.6 WAR and has been a thorough disappointment. Erick Blasco has hinted that he may want to sit Ockimey more down the stretch, but won't be as able if Santana is out of the picture. Colorado will need to get more production from their first baseman to overcome the Dodgers and make the postseason.
Questions for the GM's:
For Troy Allenbagh, Jacob Rhame doesn't have the arm strength to start. Are you going to stick with using him as an opener and riding your bullpen, or will you find someone who can give you more length?
You've given a lot of at bats to subpar hitters, but you also have the third-worst defense in baseball. Does your poor defense concern you?
You have a ton of money in your coffers that has gone unused. How will you use it going forward?
For Erick Blasco, what will you do about your dire first base situation?
David Dahl is banged up. Will he play today?
You just signed a few people to extensions. Why did you extend Jon Gray and Tony Wolters?
LAD: Jacob Rhame (2-3, 6.02)
COL: Michael Fulmer (9-5, 3.85)
The Los Angeles Dodgers have had issues with several sub-standard players on their roster, particularly with their fifth starter. The Colorado Rockies now have issues with banged up players in their outfield and designated hitter.
While these teams have struggled with their weaknesses, the rest of the league is starting to pass them by.
In a huge game for each team, limited versions of the Dodgers and Rockies face off in the Game of the Week.
Jacob Rhame will get the start for the Dodgers, though he hasn't gone 5 innings in any of his five starts. Rhame has a 7.65 ERA as a starter as he's clearly a reliever being asked to do more than he can. Rhame's inclusion in the rotation is also damning as Rhame had been a serviceable relief option for the Dodgers. LA clearly has an excellent pen that can withstand his loss, but it's one of the ways the Dodgers are weakened. The team is still waiting the doctors to clear Kenta Maeda, whose mysterious Oblique injury has really held the team hostage.
As a result of the injury, the Dodgers went just 12-12 in July against a schedule that wasn't overwhelmingly difficult. However, they went 0-5 against Arizona in the month. They won the final game of a six-game set on Sunday, but they also lost the last two games against them in a June series. This means the team has gone 1-7 against the Diamondbacks in the last eight games between them. That has helped bring Arizona closer to them in the NL West, and also puts a ton of pressure on Colorado in a Wild Card hunt that's getting very tight.
Colorado lost three of four to the Mets over the weekend. Combined with Arizona's resurgence, the Rockies have dropped to the second Wild Card, are just three games over the Mets, and are just a half game ahead of the Diamondbacks. Colorado's series with the Dodgers is critical as Colorado can use the series to potential take control of the NL West, while also providing some separation from competitors in the Wild Card race.
However, their offense is struggling with injuries. David Dahl has had a history of injuries, and he's day-to-day with a bad knee. In the long term Carlos Santana has hurt his quad, which should keep him from running at full strength for up to two months. Colorado is loathe to rest him as their getting so little from Josh Ockimey.
Ockimey broke out in 2020 with 45 home runs, 118 RBIs, and a .271 average. This year he's hitting just .211 with 18 home runs and 39 RBIs. He has a -0.6 WAR and has been a thorough disappointment. Erick Blasco has hinted that he may want to sit Ockimey more down the stretch, but won't be as able if Santana is out of the picture. Colorado will need to get more production from their first baseman to overcome the Dodgers and make the postseason.
Questions for the GM's:
For Troy Allenbagh, Jacob Rhame doesn't have the arm strength to start. Are you going to stick with using him as an opener and riding your bullpen, or will you find someone who can give you more length?
You've given a lot of at bats to subpar hitters, but you also have the third-worst defense in baseball. Does your poor defense concern you?
You have a ton of money in your coffers that has gone unused. How will you use it going forward?
For Erick Blasco, what will you do about your dire first base situation?
David Dahl is banged up. Will he play today?
You just signed a few people to extensions. Why did you extend Jon Gray and Tony Wolters?