MLB Daily Thread: 7/6/2017: The Yankees suck again while the Dodgers soar

[Rock Strongo]

The Yankees lost to the Blue Jays, however, as Dellin Betances came on with the score tied in the eighth inning and promptly walked four of the five batters he faced. Betances made the All-Star team but didn't deserve the nod, as he's in a massive mechanical slump. He has now walked 26 batters in 27 1/3 innings and given up nine runs over his past 4 2/3 innings.

The eighth inning is suddenly a big problem for the Yankees, who haven't won two games in a row since June 12. The Yankees led the division by four games on that date. They've gone 6-16 since, and while they still lead the wild-card race, there is now a pack of teams right behind them. Given the mediocre state of their rotation, they need a lockdown bullpen and that hasn't been the case of late.

 

[Rock Strongo]

The Dodgers have now won 22 of their past 26 games, and Wood's emergence as a strong No. 2 behind Kershaw leads me to this question: Could this be the best team in Los Angeles Dodgers history? Their current run differential of plus-154 would be the second highest in National League history at the All-Star break, behind only the 1944 Cardinals, and they're on pace for 107 wins.

For context, here are the best seasons since the franchise moved from Brooklyn in 1958:

1. 2017 Dodgers: 57-29, .663
   
   
2. 1974 Dodgers: 102-60, .630
   
   
3. 1962 Dodgers: 102-63, .618
   
   
4. 1963 Dodgers: 99-63, .611
   
   
5. 1977 Dodgers: 98-64, .605
   

As much success as the Dodgers have had -- including the past four NL West titles -- it's surprising they haven't had more super teams. They haven't won more than 95 games since that '77 squad did it 40 years ago. I imagine most Dodgers experts would point to the 1963 team, led by Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, as the best since it swept the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The 1974 team that had the highest winning percentage led the NL in both runs scored (798) and fewest runs allowed (561). That team featured Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall, who pitched a remarkable 206 innings in relief, plus MVP Steve Garvey (although Jim Wynn easily led Garvey in WAR and 20-game winner Andy Messersmith topped Marshall). The Dodgers lost the World Series to the A's.

This team has a chance to top those two, especially given the weak slate of opponents on their schedule the rest of the way. Of their 76 remaining games, 47 are against teams currently with losing records, just 29 against winning teams. Of their first 36 games after the break, 30 are against losing teams. The Dodgers have the best rotation ERA in the majors. They lead the NL in bullpen ERA. They're second only to the Nationals in the NL in runs. They have the best closer. They have Cody Freakin' Bellinger.

It's not a question of winning 100 games, but how many wins above 100.

 

[Rock Strongo]

 

[soxfan1468927]

The Dodgers have now won 22 of their past 26 games, and Wood's emergence as a strong No. 2 behind Kershaw leads me to this question: Could this be the best team in Los Angeles Dodgers history? Their current run differential of plus-154 would be the second highest in National League history at the All-Star break, behind only the 1944 Cardinals, and they're on pace for 107 wins.

For context, here are the best seasons since the franchise moved from Brooklyn in 1958:

1. 2017 Dodgers: 57-29, .663
   
   
2. 1974 Dodgers: 102-60, .630
   
   
3. 1962 Dodgers: 102-63, .618
   
   
4. 1963 Dodgers: 99-63, .611
   
   
5. 1977 Dodgers: 98-64, .605

As much success as the Dodgers have had -- including the past four NL West titles -- it's surprising they haven't had more super teams. They haven't won more than 95 games since that '77 squad did it 40 years ago. I imagine most Dodgers experts would point to the 1963 team, led by Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, as the best since it swept the New York Yankees in the World Series.

The 1974 team that had the highest winning percentage led the NL in both runs scored (798) and fewest runs allowed (561). That team featured Cy Young Award winner Mike Marshall, who pitched a remarkable 206 innings in relief, plus MVP Steve Garvey (although Jim Wynn easily led Garvey in WAR and 20-game winner Andy Messersmith topped Marshall). The Dodgers lost the World Series to the A's.

This team has a chance to top those two, especially given the weak slate of opponents on their schedule the rest of the way. Of their 76 remaining games, 47 are against teams currently with losing records, just 29 against winning teams. Of their first 36 games after the break, 30 are against losing teams. The Dodgers have the best rotation ERA in the majors. They lead the NL in bullpen ERA. They're second only to the Nationals in the NL in runs. They have the best closer. They have Cody Freakin' Bellinger.

It's not a question of winning 100 games, but how many wins above 100.

Rock if you put these stats together, I applaud you.

 

[Rock Strongo]

Rock if you put these stats together, I applaud you.

ummm

no

i have a job lol

 

[soxfan1468927]

ummm

no

i have a job lol

Yeah, to keep us entertained

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

Ill punch Betances in the face if he throws a scoreless inning in the ASG

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Alex Wood was a long reliever coming out of ST. Amazing how a guy can just figure it out sometimes.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Alex Wood was a long reliever coming out of ST. Amazing how a guy can just figure it out sometimes.

Why is that? He had more recent success than Ryu and McCarthy. I understand wanting to get Urias into the rotation. But even going into the year, wouldn't Kershaw, Maeda, Hill, Urias, and Wood be the best bet?

 

[packerzrule]

eff the Yankees

Brewers going to curb stomp them this weekend

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

eff the Yankees

Brewers going to curb stomp them this weekend

 

[OutlawImmortal]

Why is that? He had more recent success than Ryu and McCarthy. I understand wanting to get Urias into the rotation. But even going into the year, wouldn't Kershaw, Maeda, Hill, Urias, and Wood be the best bet?

McCarthy had a great spring and was the Dodgers #2 best pitcher for a while after the season started. Wood was just more valuable as a long reliever at the time. It's not like his recent numbers indicated a season like the one he's having. His first couple of starts didn't indicate that to me either.

 

[packerzrule]

love that gif

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

McCarthy had a great spring and was the Dodgers #2 best pitcher for a while after the season started. Wood was just more valuable as a long reliever at the time. It's not like his recent numbers indicated a season like the one he's having. His first couple of starts didn't indicate that to me either.

Not completely out of nowhere though...Once considered a potential Ace in the Braves system...Just seems one of those late bloomers

 

[soxfan1468927]

McCarthy had a great spring and was the Dodgers #2 best pitcher for a while after the season started. Wood was just more valuable as a long reliever at the time. It's not like his recent numbers indicated a season like the one he's having. His first couple of starts didn't indicate that to me either.

McCarthy had a 5.63 ERA in the spring.

 

[black francis]

watch out for those motherfucking royals

 

[DirtDirtDirt]

watch out for those motherfucking royals

Stuck in a bit of a pickle hey BF?

Probably good enough to make a run at the division and/or WC

But also risk losing a lot of their core for nothing at seasons end, or they could re-stock with a lotta valuable trade pieces

Tough spot

 

[black francis]

Stuck in a bit of a pickle hey BF?

Probably good enough to make a run at the division and/or WC

But also risk losing a lot of their core for nothing at seasons end, or they could re-stock with a lotta valuable trade pieces

Tough spot

They'll sell if they think they are only competing for a WC

If they think they can win the Central, they will hold tight

I think they can re-sign Moose as a free agent.
I'm pulling for a 20 game losing streak.

 

[OutlawImmortal]

McCarthy had a 5.63 ERA in the spring.

Right, he was the one that always had horrible springs. Still fired on all cylinders when the season started. Urias is simply too young and it's not necessary to throw him out there with this many pitchers on the team. Even Kazmir is close to working his way back.

 

[soxfan1468927]

Right, he was the one that always had horrible springs. Still fired on all cylinders when the season started. Urias is simply too young and it's not necessary to throw him out there with this many pitchers on the team. Even Kazmir is close to working his way back.

I get that. I was just curious about the mindset of the team going into the season, and why they would put Wood in the bullpen. And trying not to look at it in a "hindsight" perspective, but more a "what information did they have available at the time" perspective. Just seems like the 5 guys that I mentioned, or replace Urias with McCarthy, was the better bet.