DODGERS NEWS/RUMORS thread

So when Kershaw throws a hanging curve ball, that's because Will Smith isn't familiar with the umpires?

 

I guess that's what Honeycutt told him to throw.

 

Uhhh...yeah...
That would be Smith, ok...?

 

good one. Idk, though.
haven' t the foggiest what they make. ..are they covered for eyeware + exam ?

 

Or how about the pitch call was fine but Clayton didn't execute it?

 

Lol. I was counting the minutes of how long it would take you.
And the whole Honeycutt calls all the pitches thing is a wee bit difficult to chew on.

 

Honeycut isn’t calling pitches. If you watch, Will / Russ arent looking to the dugout each pitch.

They meet and go over a gameplan for each hitter and how to attack them based on scouting reports etc. beforehand.

The catcher and pitcher both need to remember or look at notes in the dugout before the next half of the inning. Or even wrist band notes...then execute the plan accordingly. Of course in the box real time adjustments are going to happen as well. Like “ hes been late on the fastball “ or “he's up in the box”. Or catcher has been stealing strikes off the plate on the umpire early in the game. What feels good coming out of the hand... i could go on and on.

Bottom line is the catcher puts them down- the pitcher nods or shakes.

The best catchers do their homework on players and umpires- know their staff and how to get the best outta them to call a good game.

Kersh and Kenley are giving up homers because they are leaving bad pitches up in the zone with no velo or movement. Ryu is just gassed and walker is young.

 

Spoken like someone who's been behind the plate. Well said,

 

Whether he is calling the pitches or not, never once has Dave, Rick, the pitchers, or our analysts (like Orel) attributed the tanking SP staff to sequencing or lack of preparation.

Rather, like you suggested in your last paragraph, and I have been trying to say...it is poor execution by the pitchers.

We have older pitchers who are gassed and a few young guys who can only go 3-5 innings. Walker has always gotten hit hard regardless of who is catching. They are making bad pitches.

Why so passive aggressive, Zoo? You alright?
I Didn't even mention Honeycutt. You're reaching.
So fixated on Honeybutt (homo) that you're inserting him (homo) into every aspect of the discussion.
Bottom line, as you know, is after the pitch is agreed upon, it is up to the pitcher to execute.
It isn't Smith's fault that Kershaw balloons a curve ball at the letters.
The HRs are not as much a byproduct of pitch sequencing or preparation (the only way one could blame Smith)...they are just making lame pitches.

I'm not telling you anything you don't know. I guess I'm missing your point.

 

Yeah- its the big leagues. These dudes are getting knocked around because they’re predictable and cant dominate with velo. Kenly goes back to the well far to many times on his lifeless cutt piece and Kershaw cant throw harder than 92 anymore so dudes stay on the curve ball and slider. Dudes just take comfortable ABs against them now.

Kersh needs a change up

 

Clayton has been trying to develop a change up for years, and he has said that he just cannot get a feel for it.

I totally agree thst these guys do not have the velocity to overcome their mistakes. Especially Kershaw.

In the playoffs, teams will be beyond prepared to attack Kershaw, as we have seen in the past. Now, with diminished stuff, it will likely get worse.

To that point, perhaps there is a case to pair him with a more experienced catcher who can sense the turning tides in a game and adjust on the fly to get out of bad situations that will inevitably arise. Ultimately, though, there is only so much you can do if he shows up with an 89 fastball, an 89 slider, and a curve ball he can't throw for strikes. Scary.

 

What Kershaw needs is a manager that know when to pull him.

And one that will make hard decisions for a closer.

And that is why we fail.

 

Partly true. Also true that key every day contributors during the regular season have completely have fallen on their asses in the post season.

Darvish puked all over Game in 2017, but the lineup had numerous chances early that game to overcome what Darvish had done.

 

I’m getting worried about Verdugo. Muncy seems to be progressing really good.

 

what was Verdugo's injury anyway?

 

Back soreness?
So not a good injury