Sons of Steve Garvey

Game 66 Thread: June 7 vs. Angels, 1p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:29:20 +0000

Sheehan vs. Soriano.

Oh man, I am still giddy over last night's nine-run first inning (as well as Yoshinobu Yamamoto's excellent performance). Let's go!

Game 65 Thread: June 6 vs. Angels, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 23:06:21 +0000

Yamamoto vs. Kochamowicz

We can't expect Freddie Freeman to win every game for us with a walk-off HR, right?!

Game 64 Thread: May 5 vs. Angels, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 06 Jun 2026 00:49:19 +0000

Roki Sasaki (3-3, 4.59) vs. Reid Detmers (2-5, 4.63).

Roki Sasaki has to be excited to see the Angels again, given the success of his May 17 start (7.0 IP, 4 H, and 1 ER in his best start of the year). Let's hope they've brought their B-game, as usual.

Game 63 Thread: June 4 @ Diamondbacks, 6.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:11:56 +0000

Justin Wrobleski (7-2, 2.87) vs. Ryne Nelson (2-4, 4.82).

A win today would give us our sixth-straight series victory, so let's see if we can halve Nelson.

Game 62 Thread: June 3 @ Diamondbacks, 6.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Shohei Ohtani (5-2, 0.82) vs. Zac Gallen (3-4, 5.16).

Last night's win got close at the end, but the Dodgers have the momentum now in this series. Los Angeles now has a six-game lead on the Padres and a 6.5-game lead on the Snakes. I'm thinking we're not going to see much in Gallen tonight.

Game 61 Thread: June 2 @ Diamondbacks, 6.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Eric Lauer (2-5, 5.95) vs. Michael Soroka (7-2, 3.25).

The Diamondbacks squeezed the life out of the Dodgers last night, ceding an early run before slowly aspyxiating Emmet Sheehan, and eventually Jack Dreyer, to regain the lead and slither to a 4-1 victory.

But the Dodgers lost the first game against San Diego before taking the series; and they did the same with the Brewers recently. So maybe we'll shove back against the Snakes tonight?

Game 60 Thread: June 1 @ Diamondbacks, 6.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.70) vs. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 2.31).

Emmet's a force, he's ready
So this isn't a big mistake
There's a Arizona team back in third place
As the desert starts to bake
If I listen close I can hear ol' Charley, oh, oh, oh
Missing home run calls every time on the radio, oh, oh

Sheehan can keep us from a Union of the Snake tonight. Let's go!

Game 59 Thread: May 31 vs. Phillies, 1p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sun, 31 May 2026 17:43:59 +0000

Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs. Andrew Painter.

That starting matchup sounds like our Japanese ace does not support the arts. I don't think that's the case, but I hope Yoshi can paint corners himself today.

Game 58 Thread: May 30 vs. Phillies, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 30 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Roki Sasaki (3-3, 4.93) vs. Jesus Luzardo (4-4, 4.38).

Tonight's matchup faces two starting pitchers with balanced win-loss records; actually, the Phillies' overall record of 29-28 is pretty damn balanced as well. But Dodger fans know that for Roki Sasaki, there can be flashes of brilliance just as there can be complete meltdowns.

Given recent history of meltdowns in Dodger Stadium with this opposing team, we'll see which team flinches first tonight.

Post-Game 57 Thread: Dodgers Home Run Derby

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 30 May 2026 07:16:55 +0000

DODGERS 4, PHILLIES 2

It wasn't so much what the Dodgers did--stop the red-hot Phillies and give opposing starter Zack Wheeler his first loss of the year--but how they did it: four solo home runs from Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani, and Will Smith.

Oh, and Justin Wrobleski, who had struggled in his last start against Milwaukee, came back with a vengeance (7.0 IP, 1 ER, 9 Ks and 0 BB). Bryce Harper struck out three times and Kyle Schwarber struck out twice, contributing to 11 Ks overall for the Dodger pitchers (Wrobleski; the moderately effective Edgardo Henriquez; a clutch K for Alex Vesia (on his bobblehead night!); and a perfect ninth from Tanner Scott).

I couldn't watch this one as I don't have Apple TV, but that gave me the chance to hear Charley Steiner botch Freeman's HR call as well as call the Dodger right fielder "Kyle Turner." Hoo, boy.

Game 57 Thread: May 29 vs. Phillies, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Fri, 29 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

This manager looks vaguely familiar.

Justin Wrobleski (6-2, 3.07) vs. Zack Wheeler (4-0. 1.67).

Since taking over the manager's role in Philadelphia, former Dodger manager Don Mattingly has led the Phillies to a 20-8 record, basically the reciprocal of the 9-19 record he inherited. So while the Phillies currently appear to be a .500 team (at 29-27), looks are deceiving...which makes for a perfect test for the Dodgers this weekend.

Let's get this party started tonight.

Game 56 Thread: May 27 vs. Rockies, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Wed, 27 May 2026 16:58:58 +0000

Hopefully, Mookie's back.

Shohei Ohtani (4-2, 0.73) vs. Tomoyuki Sugano (4-3, 3.86).

After getting dropped from the two-hole where he was an unfortunate black hole in the lineup, Mookie Betts was moved to the cleanup spot and promptly produced two HR and five RBI in his new environs, winning Player of the Game in the Dodgers' 15-6 romp.. Every Dodgers starter reached base, with only leadoff hitter Shohei Ohtani not registering a hit; Ohtani was HBP in the fourth inning which gave him only two ABs for the evening. Hopefully, he'll be okay for tonight's start.

It should be noted that the Rockies also had all of its starters reach base safely last night, though they didn't have much to show for it, especially once one removes the five-run ninth inning in which position player Miguel Rojas threw batting practice pitches.

Let's see if this Mookie resurgence sticks!

Game 55 Thread: May 26 vs. Rockies, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Tue, 26 May 2026 19:57:15 +0000

Eric Lauer (1-5, 6.69) vs. Kyle Freeland (1-5, 7.04).

Eric Lauer last saw the Dodgers in 2025 World Series Game 3, when he threw over four scoreless innings late in the extra-innings contest. After flailing for the Blue Jays this year, Toronto let him go and the Dodgers snatched him up in exchange for some of the cash that they make hourly on Shohei Ohtani jersey sales to busloads of Japanese tourist visitors.

Tonight, Lauer makes his Dodgers debut. Here we go!

Game 54 Thread: May 25 vs. Rockies, 6p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Mon, 25 May 2026 15:39:42 +0000

Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.93) vs. Tanner Gordon (0-0, 6.59).

The Dodgers welcome the Rockies into town as well as the return of perennial postseason hero Enrique "Kiké" Hernandez to the lineup for the first time this season. This will trigger some sort of roster move, which as of press date has not been announced. But considering Hernandez' rehab starts in Oklahoma City (batting .216 over 12 games) were basically about as unproductive as his 2025 regular season statistics (.203 batting average in 92 games), it's safe to keep regular-season expectations low.

At least we face the Rockies, tied for the worst record in the majors (along with the Angels). Can't get much easier than this re-entry point.

Game 53 Thread: May 24 @ Brewers, 11a

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:40:09 +0000

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-4, 3.32) vs. Brandon Sproat (1-2, 5.75).

The last time Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched at American Family Field, he shut the Brewers down by pitching the first postseason complete game in eight years (a 5-1 NLCS Game 2 victory). That was a heck of a lot better than Yamamoto in his regular season start that season, when he lasted two thirds of an inning and gvae up five runs, three of them earned.

Brandon Sproat has never faced the Dodgers in his two years in the majors.

That's all I got. It's early, and I'm still hung over from last night's romp. I need coffee.

Game 52 Thread: May 23 @ Brewers, 4.15p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 23 May 2026 21:19:54 +0000

Roki Sasaki (2-3, 5.09) vs. Robert Gasser (0-0, 4.50).

If last night's 5-1 loss and injury to Max Muncy didn't give you the shits, tonight's opposing starter threatens to be at least quite a Gasser. Let's hope we don't shit our pants again against Milwaukee.

Game 51 Thread: May 22 @ Brewers, 4p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:00:00 +0000

Wrobleski vs. Henderson.

After an inspiring series victory against the Padres, the Dodgers sit 1.5 games up in the NL West. Milwaukee has thst exact same division lead over the Cubs in the NL Central. So this is not the time to sleep on Old Milwaukee.

The Brewers are always the little engine that could, confounding baseball pundits by achieving beyond their small-market roots. Wouls love to see the Dodgers not get rope-a-doped this weekend and come out ahead.

Game 50 Thread: May 20 @ Padres, 5.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Wed, 20 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Shohei Ohtani (3-2, 0.82) vs. Randy Vasquez (5-1, 2.68).

The Dodgers have a shot at maintaining their first-place division lead, if they could only win today's rubber match and take the series with the Padres. Shohei Ohtani will surely bring his stuff, but after experiencing a crushing 1-0 loss in the series opener, this game will come down to whether the Dodgers' bats will be feeling Randy (Vasquez, that is).

Vasquez has only given up 1 ER in his last two starts (11.0 IP, 10 H, 0 BBs and 9 Ks across those two outings), so this won't be easy. Let's see if these Dodgers can come of age.

Game 49 Thread: May 19 @ Padres, 6.30p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Tue, 19 May 2026 12:00:00 +0000

Sheehan vs. Canning.

Call this what you may: we're back in second place in the NL West. We were shut out last night. This is a disaster.

Game 48 Thread: May 18 @ Padres, 6.40p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Mon, 18 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Yoshinobu Yamamoto (3-3, 3.60) vs. Michael King (3-2, 2.63).

47 games into this season, and the Dodgers haven't yet faced the team that looks to be our prime division rival in 2026, the San Diego Padres. Heading into tonight's opener with Yoshinobu Yamamoto should give us some confidence, but Michael King isn't a pushover. And I'm sure the Petco Park faithful will be ready to cheer on their team. Let's see how this boss battle goes.

Game 47 Thread: May 17 @ Angels, 1p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sun, 17 May 2026 13:00:00 +0000

Ohtani, in Saturday's game.

Roki Sasaki (1-3, 5.88) vs. Grayson Rodriguez (0-0, -.--).

This is Grayson Rodriguez' debut as an Angel, after two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles (20-8, 4.11). Meanwhile, we're just looking to see if Roki Sasaki has what it takes to get a third time through a batting order.

Game 46 Thread: May 16 @ Angels, 6.30p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Sat, 16 May 2026 20:20:52 +0000

Justin Wrobleski (5-1, 2.42) vs. José Soriano (6-2, 1.66).

We've got a matchup of two breakout stars this year, but only Soriano has gotten the full press coverage, which probably also reflects the heavy star power of the Dodgers vs. the Anaheim team only known for Mike Trout.

But Justin Wrobleski has held his own in the 2026 Dodgers starting lineup, which is a lot more than I can say for the injury-prone Tyler Glasnow or the indifferent, ineffective, and injured Blake Snell. Let's go, Wrobocop!

Game 45 Thread: May 15 @ Angels, 6.30p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Fri, 15 May 2026 16:11:04 +0000

Actually, Snellzilla is more toothless than this.

Blake Snell (0-1, 12.00) vs. Jack Kochanowicz (2-2, 3.97).

Maybe forgoing that minor league rehab stint in Ontario, to instead face one of the best teams in the majors, was not a great idea for Blake Snell last outing. The Dodgers' PR department did its best to try and put lipstick on this baby dinosaur ("Snell averaged 95.9mph with his fastball, up from 95.1mph last year"), but the truth of the matter was, Blake Snell sucked against the Braves: 3.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB and 5 Ks.

That's not a "mixed bag". That's a steaming pile of shit from the 5-year, $182M man who has only given the Dodgers 12 regular season games, a quarter of the way through his excessive contract.

Tonight, Snell gets the punching bag that is the Angels, 16-28 and in last place in the AL West. If Snell can't succeed in these conditions, there's no place to hide.

UPDATE: What a surprise, Snell has been scratched.

Game 44 Thread: May 14 vs. Giants, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Thu, 14 May 2026 19:50:20 +0000

Emmet Sheehan (2-1, 4.79) vs. Landen Roupp (5-3, 3.09).

Thanks to Shohei Ohtani playing the stopper last night, the Dodgers ended their four-game losing streak and actually took only their second game from the Giants in six games this year. Tonight, we face a starter who pretty much owned us a couple of weeks ago: 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 7 Ks, in a Giants victory.

The Dodgers' four runs last night provided some hope but should not be cause for a big celebration: we still went a meager 2-for-10 with RISP and saw 0-fer nights from Will Smith (0-for-4) and Andy Pages (0-for-3). And that's without the stuggling Ohtani taking up another 0-fer slot in the lineup.

Dave Roberts is gonna have to keep shaking up this lineup if we are going to crack the code. A quarter of the way through this season, we still haven't figured it out.

Game 43 Thread: May 13 vs. Giants, 7p

noreply@blogger.com (Steve Sax) — Wed, 13 May 2026 18:03:00 +0000

Shohei Ohtani (2-2, 0.97) vs. Robbie Ray (3-4. 2.76).

The Dodgers' 2026 Opening Day hype video was set to the theme of "Bad Guys". It's unfortunately pretty fitting right now for other reasons, with the Dodgers having lost four in a row, including two games to the moribund Giants, thanks to crappy offense, shaky starting pitching, and pathetic bullpen appearances.

The Dodgers bats have been totally silent this entire homestand. Oh, we're bad, all right.