GAME THREAD DODGERS/BRAVES

I've been one that's all for using Bellinger's versatility and athleticism in the OF, too. But the numbers say what the numbers say. No use fighting it. Including last year, it's a solid sample size as far as offense goes when he plays in the OF.

I don't know what that means long term as far as eventually moving Seager or JT to 1B to make room for Machado. Does that make Seager or JT available in trade talks? They weren't willing to part with Bellinger to get Sale, so I doubt he's going anywhere..and he already rakes at 1B and is obviously pretty good there defensively. It's pretty interesting

 

Bellinger, with the disparity in 1b/OF offensive numbers, which is real, not imagined, is one of those times that the "it's a good problem to have" nugget is, well...not a good problem to have at all.
With a potential weapon like he can be, and his athleticism, and his no doubt about it glove ( wherever he plays), doesn't seem all that difficult to do the right thing.
I'm confident they won't.

 

From the game story in the LAT.......

Verdugo has performed well in this brief cameo in the majors. But he was informed after the game that he would be optioned back to triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday as Yasiel Puig returned from the disabled list. Verdugo hugged a few teammates and said goodbye after the game.

“He’s a major league player,” Roberts said. “Obviously, with our depth and how we’re playing, certain guys are the odd man out at that point in time. But I can’t say enough about him. Tonight, getting the score back to even, the homer off Foltynewicz, that was a big shot right there. And I think that gave Clayton some confidence to be back in the baseball game.”

 

I don't know if I'm ready to say the defensive position truly factors in to whether or not he hits well. I think that's more than likely just random sampling, but who knows. That's an interesting take though. I suppose it's very possible that a guy just may get more winded running down fly balls every inning versus sitting pretty stagnant at one position in the infield, which depletes your energy and focus in the box.

Also, I hope everyone knows I was joking about optioning him for Puig. The guy is bad right now, but a lot of guys go through some extended slumps like this. If this carries on for another few weeks or so, then I think the possibility of sending him down to re-work the swing a bit may not be a bad idea.

 

I never really considered the physical demand part of it all, the difference between the OF and 1B, that's definitely interesting. I was thinking more of the comfort level he must have at 1B, the routine. Routine being such a big part of baseball. How he gets ready to play the OF being different from how he gets ready to play 1B..and maybe the physical demand you talked about would tie into that as well?

Whatever it is, last year I was where you are now..not ready to buy into him not handling the bat well as an OF. But now that we're well into year 2, ever growing sample and no change, I'm worried. If there is something to it, I'd like to know if it's specifically the demands of playing CF that's the issue..

 

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/trade-talks-on-chris-archer-intensifying.html

Perhaps we could ship Alvarez and some ‘live arms’ along with rogaine forsythe back to where he belongs

 

Really love to see Verdugo stay up..!wish he was a catcher or a 2b type, so we could move choice between two others I can think of instead.

 

I definitely hadn't even thought about the routine/comfortability aspect of preparing to play a specific position. I wouldn't be surprised if both of those factors play a role in his slump right now. Combine that with his swing mechanics being off and the fact that he is probably beating himself up mentally after the year he had last year, and you do not have a recipe for success lol.

 

It doesn't matter one bit whether it's mental or physical.
What does matter, is the fact his performance is way better when he plays first.
If the FO, Dave feel they need him in CF, and the rest of the lineup can take up the slack for the decreased performance while playing there, that's what we'll get.
"The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one"
---------Mr. Spock

 

Pedro was a total hack at 3B and not a whole lot better in the OF. Wouldn't doubt that he hit better playing in the OF.

Not sure what the deal is with Bellinger, except that he's an asset defensively at both positions. I just think he's mind fucked at the plate and I don't think (my amateur opinion) that it doesn't have a thing to do with where he's playing in the field. He takes some of the worst bail out hacks I've ever seen, especially on outside pitches. Didn't see that a year ago.

 

I don't know what they'd do with Muncy if Bellinger is locked into 1B and Turner returns to take 3B.
I guess 2B..

 

I've been seeing a lot of Chipper Jones footage lately because he's going into the HOF this year. Bellinger was in that 90's Yankee clubhouse as a kid, but maybe he should be checking out those 90's Braves and studying some of Chipper Jones' mechanics. He was an upright guy from the left side as well

 

Bold predictions for tonight:

Taylor and Logan both K on pitches inside the strike zone
Bellinger Ks on a pitch outside the strike zone
Barnes hits a ground ball to the 5-6 hole
Wood walks at least 3 batters and gives up a HR
Joe Davis says a Dodger batter "rips one!" on a routine fly ball.
Nomar says "plays the game the right way" about a player