True Blue LA - July 27: Dodgers 4, Braves 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2018-07-27T20:11:44-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/173879932018-07-27T20:11:44-07:002018-07-27T20:11:44-07:00Clayton Kershaw does it all in Dodgers win
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Atlanta Braves" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UUCqdaY4QMvaKWMAjJ7ZOEEJU5E=/0x0:3889x2593/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60598137/usa_today_10989317.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p id="p9zsCU">Fighting through a back injury and a dip in velocity through a big portion of the season, <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> has been fighting to get back to his standard of pitching. Getting stronger with each start since returning from the DL June 23, Kershaw turned in one of his strongest starts of the year.</p>
<p id="tkJyzA">The lefty held the <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/">Braves</a> to just a run over 7 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> innings and drove in two runs as the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> beat the Braves by the score of 4-1.</p>
<p id="5tY4ef">Kershaw reached base all four times he came to the plate Friday, walking three times for the first time in his career. But the more important part of his night with a bat came in the fourth inning when he drilled a two-run double down the left field line.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pitchers Who Rake: Vol. 22. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> <a href="https://t.co/k13WtGLbXX">pic.twitter.com/k13WtGLbXX</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1023007580501602304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a>
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<p id="XfJUCV">Moments before the double, third base coach <span>Chris Woodward</span> elected not to send <span>Matt Kemp</span> from third on a fly ball to left field. The gamble paid off when Kershaw smacked a 96-mph fastball to bring Kemp and <span>Chris Taylor</span> home, giving the Dodgers the 4-1 lead that held up.</p>
<p id="mSx0Tf">As the game made it’s way to the bottom of the eighth, there was a real possibility that Kershaw would go the distance after only 81 pitches through seven.</p>
<p id="FBqpzU">A seven-pitch single for <span>Dansby Swanson</span> didn’t deter Kershaw from striking out the next two hitters to come within an out of eight innings, the deepest start all year. But four pitches later, an <span>Ozzie Albies</span> single brought manager <span>Dave Roberts</span> out with a hook to bring <span>Kenley Jansen</span> into the game to face <span>Freddie Freeman</span>, representing the tying run.</p>
<p id="giZuWl">It took Jansen one pitch to get Freeman to fly out to <span>Cody Bellinger</span> in center to send the game to the ninth. The big man cruised through the ninth, striking out two to nail down the win for Los Angeles.</p>
<p id="EDuDoh">Friday was only the eighth time in 37 games all year the Dodgers came away winners after the opponent scored first. The Braves opened the scoring in the second inning on <span>Ender Inciarte</span>’s run-scoring groundout.</p>
<p id="NINvyp">The Dodgers got the run right back in the third when <span>Alex Verdugo</span> led off the inning with a towering solo shot to straightaway center. It was the first homer of the year for Verdugo and just the second in his brief 29-game career.</p>
<p id="hulXbY">The runs would continue in the fourth as the Dodgers jumped on Braves’ starter <span>Mike Foltynewicz</span> for three. <span>Yasmani Grandal</span> continued his scorching hot July with his 17th homer to put the Dodgers on top. It would be five hitters later when Kershaw came up with his big hit.</p>
<h3 id="40axCh">History made</h3>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clayton Kershaw is doing it all tonight!<br><br>Players with 3+ BB & 1+ H as a batter and 8+ K as a pitcher in a game - live-ball era:<br><br>Robin Roberts (4/30/1950)<br>Whitey Ford (4/22/1959)<br>Clayton Kershaw (tonight) <a href="https://t.co/MkqjrnDoSe">pic.twitter.com/MkqjrnDoSe</a></p>— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) <a href="https://twitter.com/StatsBySTATS/status/1023028441287979009?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="zPlQrn">Back on track</h3>
<p id="JPN2di">Over his past six starts, Kershaw has struck out 34 batters and walked just five. Over that same time, Kershaw has been walked five times.</p>
<p id="E5r3GF">Kershaw ends his July — a month where he has thrived over his entire career — going 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA, striking out 28.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> Matt Kemp on Clayton Kershaw returning from DL: "He's getting better each time out. He had a nick and nack early in the year. But he's the best pitcher in baseball. He was going to get it back."</p>— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) <a href="https://twitter.com/billplunkettocr/status/1023041013466714113?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/alannarizzo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@alannarizzo</a> caught up with <a href="https://twitter.com/ClaytonKersh22?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ClaytonKersh22</a> to chat about his 7.2 innings of work and his approach at the plate in tonight's <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> win. <a href="https://t.co/ebBFs0BBhm">pic.twitter.com/ebBFs0BBhm</a></p>— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsNetLA/status/1023039653971034112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 28, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="pLWX7x">Up Next</h3>
<p id="P3qgny">The Dodgers and Braves continue into the weekend with <span>Alex Wood</span> (6-5, 3.87) facing off with <span>Max Fried</span> (1-3, 3.92).</p>
<h3 id="NLEoXB">Friday particulars</h3>
<p id="uu3Jli">Home runs: Verdugo (1), Grandal (17)</p>
<p id="MbRNmO"><strong>WP - Clayton Kershaw (4-5)</strong>: 7 <sup>2</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 6 hits, 1 run, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p id="SP9THX"><strong>LP - </strong><strong>Mike Foltynewicz</strong><strong> (7-7): </strong>5 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p id="YJdpDL"><strong>SV - Kenley Jansen (30):</strong> 1 <sup>1</sup>⁄<sub>3</sub> IP, 2 strikeouts</p>
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https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/27/17624282/dodgers-clayton-kershaw-strong-outing-walks-win-over-bravesRyan Walton2018-07-27T16:25:02-07:002018-07-27T16:25:02-07:00Dodgers vs Braves Game V Chat
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<img alt="MLB: Los Angeles Dodgers at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/QTXw6koEyaQv9FzHkRLc1uBnruo=/0x0:4126x2751/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60596693/usa_today_10816612.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tonight's Dodger lineup at Braves:<br>Pederson LF<br>Machado 3B <br>Muncy 2B<br>Grandal C<br>Kemp RF<br>Bellinger 1B<br>Taylor SS<br>Verdugo CF<br>Kershaw P<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/Biofreeze?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Biofreeze</a> <a href="https://t.co/dUloOc2kD8">pic.twitter.com/dUloOc2kD8</a></p>— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Dodgers/status/1022922548399538176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2018</a>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/Folty25?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Folty25</a> takes the mound tonight at SunTrust Park! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ChopOn?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ChopOn</a><br><br>Game Preview: <a href="https://t.co/NXHexlDV1e">https://t.co/NXHexlDV1e</a> <a href="https://t.co/5WzuLy7sXb">pic.twitter.com/5WzuLy7sXb</a></p>— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) <a href="https://twitter.com/Braves/status/1022920325372231680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2018</a>
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<h3 id="89uTWO">Game Info</h3>
<p id="mTULju">Time: 4:35 p.m. PT</p>
<p id="J1htu9">TV: SportsNet LA</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/27/17623964/dodgers-vs-braves-game-v-chatRyan Walton2018-07-27T13:45:10-07:002018-07-27T13:45:10-07:00Yasmani Grandal is on one of his hot streaks again
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<img alt="MLB: Pittsburgh Pirates at Los Angeles Dodgers" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ku4_9o8brw2XkLQULSq2hAMkvZM=/0x0:3171x2114/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60595125/usa_today_10923662.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Dodgers’ catcher leads baseball with a .524 OBP in July</p> <p id="bAFvGc"><span>Yasmani Grandal</span> has been a tough out recently. The Dodgers’ catcher continued his July slug fest on Thursday in Atlanta, going 2-for-4 with a pair of RBI. </p>
<p id="KjGg7P">On Tuesday, in Philadelphia, he hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the 16-inning marathon at Citizens Bank. It was the third time Grandal hit home runs as a left-handed batter and a right-handed batter in the same game for the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> (fourth time of his career), setting a new franchise record. Eddie Murray and <span>Milton Bradley</span> both did it twice. It was also his second multi-home run game this season and 10th of his career.</p>
<p id="C29gvV">Grandal also caught the entirety of the game, all 16 frames.</p>
<p id="qxqPXs">The backstop, who turns 30-years old this November, has been a notoriously streaky hitter over his career. He started off the season hitting .315 and OPSing .953 in the first month but cooled off in May and June, batting under .200 in both months. </p>
<p id="smrtm8">Grandal has been on a torrid run this July. He’s 22-for-54 (.407) with a .529 on-base percentage, .796 slugging percentage and 1.326 on-base plus slugging in July. He has four doubles, a triple, five home runs, 14 walks and 14 strikeouts in 68 plate appearances this month. He <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=y&type=8&season=2018&month=7&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=14,d">leads all of baseball in on-base percentage </a>for the month, and he’s even ahead of some guy named <span>Mike Trout</span>. </p>
<p id="MtxeRd">Considering that Grandal plays the most demanding position on the field, it’s impressive that he can still produce at the level he has after suffering multiple concussions and taking a beating over the course of each season. In fact, he’s used his experience behind the plate to help develop and improve catcher’s helmets and gear as part-owner of Force3 Pro Gear.</p>
<p id="vPrAkm">Last season with <span>Austin Barnes</span>’ emergence, Grandal took a step back as the primary catcher. He only played in four postseason games and went 0-for-8 with three walks and three strikeouts in eight at-bats in the three postseason series. Little did we know, he was dealing with a lot last season and was flying back to be with his wife during her high-risk pregnancy multiple times a week.</p>
<p id="UIG9Oh"><a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2018/04/19/dodgers-yasmani-grandal-puts-stressful-2017-behind-him-appears-locked-in/">Grandal explained to Bill Plunkett</a> of the OC Register how delicate the situation really was.</p>
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<p id="7xZcuc">“There’s a lot of things that happened last year, the whole year,” he said. “My wife was pregnant with a high-risk pregnancy. We didn’t know if it was going to happen or not.</p>
<p id="gylDrL">“So there was a lot of things going on on the outside that when I look back at last year I think I did a pretty good job just handling what was going on all around me, plus coming in every day and pretty much giving 100 percent. Like I said, there wasn’t much I could think about. I took it one day at a time and the No. 1 goal was to keep the baby alive for a day.”</p>
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<p id="mKH4Zm">Things are going well for the Grandals now. Grandal’s wife Heather and Yasmani Jr. are happy and healthy, and Grandal has reclaimed his starting catching job as well. While his impending free agency may be a motivator, there’s no doubt that Grandal is also motivated to help get his team back to the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a>.</p>
<p id="g2hnvW">Grandal is making $7.9 million this year. While most of the focus for the Dodgers has been on potential free agent targets like <span>Manny Machado</span> and <span>Bryce Harper</span> next offseason, Grandal should be a priority as well.</p>
<p id="RsPrrz">The Dodgers do have strong catching depth in their system thanks to a renewed focus on the position within the organization by management since they took over. They have several standout catching prospects in the system including Keibert Ruiz, Will Smith, Connor Wong and their new international acquisition Diego Cartaya. </p>
<p id="uwS9B5">The Dodgers may just make Grandal a qualifying offer this offseason and hope he accepts if they choose not to sign him to a multi-year deal. The Dodgers want to sign a big talent like <span>Machado</span> or <span>Harper</span> plus potentially shelling out more money to <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> should he opt-out. While <span>Machado</span> and <span>Harper</span> are certainly impact bats, there’s something to be valued in a frontline catcher like Grandal. Right now a <span>Barnes</span>/<span>Kyle Farmer</span> duo doesn’t look too appealing. Barnes has struggled at the plate this year, and his .585 OPS in 149 at-bats is less than ideal.</p>
<p id="WWvHMV">Grandal not only is one of the best hitters on the team right now, but his framing skills are <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?cid=1899550">some of the best in baseball</a> which equals more strikes for the pitching staff. It’s no coincidence that the Dodgers also have the best ERA in the NL (3.51). </p>
<p id="WZUx3l">If you’re looking for a weakness, he did lead the league in passed balls last season with 16. This season he has 5 passed balls in 81 games behind the plate.</p>
<p id="lw6NPQ">A three-year deal, possibly with a player opt-out option in the final year, could be a way to bridge the catching situation until Smith is ready. After all, Grandal has been one of the best offensive catchers in the majors, and his 81 home runs with the Dodgers the last four seasons is not something to scoff at. In fact, he’s already catching up to some all-time greats in Dodgers history.</p>
<p id="j76QOi">Grandal’s 81 home runs in four seasons with the Dodgers is fifth on the all-time list for LA Dodger catchers.</p>
<p id="FlUPPZ"> 1. <span>Mike Piazza</span> 177</p>
<p id="kJOUzA">2. Steve Yeager 100</p>
<p id="kE7LST">3. Joe Ferguson 91</p>
<p id="FrYcsA">4. Johnny Roseboro 90</p>
<p id="R7N0m9">5. Yasmani Grandal 81</p>
<p id="IO2pjD">6. Mike Scioscia 68</p>
<p id="L8XVwz">7. <span>Paul Lo Duca</span> 57</p>
<p id="gasJvt">8. <span>Russell Martin</span> 54</p>
<p id="666z3X">9. Todd Hundley 50</p>
<p id="IMRrGs">10. <span>A.J. Ellis</span> 36</p>
<p id="EMAhS2">Grandal is leading all catchers this season (tied with Salvador Perez) with 16 home runs on the year.</p>
<p id="JEp2RV">July has historically been a good month for Grandal whose career .980 OPS is the best month by far. He’s usually tailed off in the final two months of the season as evident from his career .720 and .747 OPS in August and September/October.</p>
<p id="K633Pb">Right now the Dodgers are definitely benefiting from Grandal’s hot hitting this month, but the real test is if he can sustain his offensive onslaught consistently down the stretch and into the postseason when they really will need him. </p>
<p id="NZd9nN">A strong finish to the season means more money to be had for him next season should he stay with the Dodgers or not. A catcher who can hit is hard to come by, and the Dodgers currently have one of the best in the game.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/27/17619662/dodgers-yasmani-grandal-hot-streak-julyStacie Wheeler2018-07-27T11:41:41-07:002018-07-27T11:41:41-07:00Trading for a catcher could make sense
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<img alt="MLB: Detroit Tigers at Toronto Blue Jays" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/7GpCiOoCJPEY5GIVnwMokMkwnK4=/0x0:2950x1967/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60593513/usa_today_10923003.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Austin Barnes has struggled mightily in 2018</p> <p id="CkrxTT">One of my first articles for True Blue LA was on <span>Austin Barnes</span> and, despite the fact he wasn’t hitting, he was <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/2018/5/25/17394386/austin-barnes-hitting-power-on-base-catcher-framing-value-dodgers">still providing value</a>.</p>
<p id="XojEDa">Fast forward two months and, well, <span>Barnes</span> still isn’t hitting. It’s really strange. His wRC+ is 69 and his power has all but disappeared (.047 ISO, .255 slugging). He’s still providing some value with his defense, but every time he steps to plate, there isn’t much excitement.</p>
<p id="0XmqKD">His soft-hit percentage has fallen since the May 25 article from 32.1 percent to 26.4 percent, but his current rate is <a href="https://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=170&type=2&season=2018&month=0&season1=2018&ind=0&team=0&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=17,d">seventh-worst in baseball</a> among players with at least 170 plate appearances (tied with <span>Yasiel Puig</span>, coincidentally). We’re this far into the season and Barnes isn’t improving at the plate. At this point, it might be time to consider a new backup catcher.</p>
<p id="WuWduq">No, that person won’t be Kyle Farmer. It seems the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> don’t want him to catch much at the MLB level. <span>Yasmani Grandal</span>’s potential backup will have to come from outside the organization.</p>
<p id="ZCVUgn">This is a tricky situation, though. There are a number of questions that need to be answered with a potential trade for a catcher:</p>
<ol>
<li id="Kft839">Can he hit left-handed pitching?</li>
<li id="kvUNZJ">Is he at least as good at framing as Barnes is?</li>
<li id="XGva3D">Grandal is a free agent after the season; could the new guy start in 2019?</li>
</ol>
<p id="9rHmSQ">When you have that criteria, the pool of catchers from which to choose is slim. Here are some of the catchers who have hit lefties well over the last two seasons (who could, realistically, be acquired):</p>
<ul>
<li id="sBD3b5">
<span>Ryan Hanigan</span>: 36 PA, 203 wRC+</li>
<li id="FdV7q2">
<span>Curt Casali</span>: 24 PA, 181 wRC+</li>
<li id="6VyoHD">
<span>Robinson Chirinos</span>: 149 PA, 150 wRC+</li>
<li id="I3qQla">
<span>Nick Hundley</span>: 173 wRC+, 142 wRC+</li>
<li id="kQvvfJ">
<span>Wilson Ramos</span>: 155 PA, 140 wRC+</li>
<li id="qsoF8t">
<span>Jett Bandy</span>: 45 PA, 126 wRC+</li>
<li id="KzkpCX">
<span>Devin Mesoraco</span>: 115 PA, 90 wRC+</li>
<li id="NK0dkx">
<span>Luke Maile</span>: 94 PA, 84 wRC+</li>
</ul>
<p id="4qpIYy">Just to name a few. <span>Ramos</span> is the best player on this list, but he’d probably want to start wherever he were traded, so we can cross him off. Hanigan and Casali (and <span>Bandy</span>) have nice numbers, but there’s obviously sample size issues here. Hundley is on the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> and, while he’d make sense offensively, he’s a terrible framer (97th out of 99 ranked catchers by adjusted framing runs above average, <a href="https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/sortable/index.php?cid=1899548">according to Baseball Prospectus</a>).</p>
<p id="0oEdAn"><span>Chirinos</span> is interesting, even if <span>Matt Kemp</span> might disagree. He hits lefties, but he’s like Hundley in the sense that he’s not a great framer (86th out of 99). <span>Mesoraco</span> isn’t hitting lefties particularly well and isn’t great at framing (92nd out of 99), so he’s probably out, too.</p>
<p id="oNTS1F">That leaves a guy like <span>Maile</span>. His numbers over the last two years against left-handed pitching aren’t great, but he’s been much better this season: .273/.353/.523 with a 136 wRC+. Not only that, he’s ranked as the sixth-best framer (8.0 FRAA_ADJ) in baseball this season — four spots behind Grandal and four spots ahead of Barnes (5.9 FRAA_ADJ). Is that a big enough upgrade to justify a trade for <span>Maile</span> and demoting Barnes to Triple-A? Maybe. Perhaps Barnes could benefit from some time at Oklahoma City to see if he can get right. Having Maile (under team control through the 2022 season) could make that a lot easier.</p>
<p id="PwMhnm">Maile was waived by the <a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a> back in April and he didn’t make it far through the process before the <a href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a> claimed him. They also have old friend <span>Russell Martin</span>, the fifth-best framer in baseball. They aren’t going anywhere this season, so acquiring Maile should come at a minimal cost.</p>
<p id="Y3vxjm">This might also be necessary because <span>Will Smith</span> probably won’t be ready for full-time action at the beginning of 2019, thanks to a broken hand suffered last season. The Dodgers might need coverage in case they don’t retain Grandal after the season. If Farmer isn’t in the plans (and he doesn’t appear to be), a combination of Barnes/Maile could be good enough — and elite, defensively — until Smith (and eventually Keibert Ruiz) is (are) ready.</p>
<p id="VUL3wR">———</p>
<p id="BFbEkJ">This exercise has shown just how thin quality catching is in baseball. The fact that the Dodgers have baseball’s deepest catching corps is highly underrated. When looking at potential trades ahead of Tuesday’s deadline, the Dodgers just aren’t going give away a guy like Smith, Ruiz or even Connor Wong.</p>
<p id="fnbTg3">Barnes is obviously fighting it this season. Going to a less stressful environment like Oklahoma City could have good long-term benefits, especially if the front office is expecting Barnes to take over the starting catcher’s spot next season.</p>
<p id="dvWa9m">At this rate, the Dodgers will give Grandal the qualifying offer (which was $17.4 million last season and should be upwards of $18 million for 2019) and maybe hope he accepts it. If not, having a rejuvinated/fixed Barnes paired with solid veteran in Maile could be OK for 2019. Having Maile for the rest of 2018 could also make some sense.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/27/17622372/dodgers-trade-backup-catcher-could-make-senseDustin Nosler2018-07-27T06:00:02-07:002018-07-27T06:00:02-07:00Puig’s rehab assignment is done, Gonsolin fans 11
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<img alt="Tony Gonsolin" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/qtF-tgBwtdjTuQJbSDl9J1HS43o=/0x0:2067x1378/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60557989/Gonsolin_9368x.0.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Tony Gonsolin | Steve Saenz ~ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes</figcaption>
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<p>Brock Stewart lasts 7 IP for OKC in his longest start of the season</p> <p id="hTystA"><span>Yasiel Puig</span> completed his minor league rehab assignment on Thursday night, going 1-for-4 and playing eight innings in right field for Oklahoma City. Puig, who has been out since July 8 with an oblique strain, played three games in Triple-A and will join the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in Atlanta for the weekend. Puig is <a href="https://twitter.com/alannarizzo/status/1022614578964975616">expected to start on Saturday against the Braves</a>.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">If the plan is still for Yasiel Puig to travel to Atlanta tomorrow, he finished his three-game rehab assignment 2-for-9 with a RBI and two runs scored. Played his usual excellent defense in RF. <br><br>Constantly brought a ton of energy to the dugout. Was quintessential Puig. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Dodgers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Dodgers</a></p>— Alex Freedman (@azfreedman) <a href="https://twitter.com/azfreedman/status/1022682673796575232?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2018</a>
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<p id="TfTsZd">Here is the rest of what happened on Thursday on the Dodgers’ farm:</p>
<h3 id="K0nIrl">Player of the day</h3>
<p id="bT5t7c"><strong>Tony Gonsolin</strong> matched his season high with 11 strikeout for Tulsa on Thursday night, allowing only a pair of runs in seven strong innings of work. The 24-year-old right-hander has won all three starts since getting promoted to Double-A, with 26 strikeouts and three walks to go with his 2.84 ERA.</p>
<p id="UXdXXA">Gonsolin has allowed more than three runs just twice in 20 starts in 2018, and the last time he gave up more than <em>two</em> runs was June 6. On the season Gonsolin has a 2.72 ERA across two levels with an organization-best 132 strikeouts (a 35.4% rate) and 29 walks in 102⅔ innings.</p>
<h3 id="vpx3zy">Triple-A Oklahoma City</h3>
<p id="V9RV4v">A three-run rally in the eighth gave Oklahoma City a 4-1 win over the Albuquerque Isotopes (<a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>). The standout performance came from <span>Brock Stewart</span>, who allowed just one run over seven innings in his longest outing of the season. He struck out seven and had a no-hitter through six innings. Since getting optioned to Triple-A for a sixth time this season Stewart has a 3.03 ERA with 26 strikeouts and eight walks.</p>
<h3 id="oC5QUE">Double-A Tulsa</h3>
<p id="CllVXq">A four-run fourth inning was enough for the Drillers to start their road trip with a 4-2 win over the Arkansas Travelers (<a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>). Will Smith played third base, singled, drove in a run, walked twice and stole a base in the win.</p>
<p id="jEvnq4">Keibert Ruiz was behind the plate, and at it he was 1-for-4 with a run scored.</p>
<h3 id="U2xrWC">Advanced Class-A Rancho Cucamonga</h3>
<p id="OIrgmc">The Quakes had their way with the San Jose <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> in a 10-0 win, with all Rancho Cucamonga starters reaching base by hit or walk, and eight of them either scoring or driving in a run, or both.</p>
<p id="Y6mKVE">Outfielder Cody Thomas homered and drove in four runs in Class-A Rancho Cucamonga’s rout of San Jose. The former two-sport athlete at Oklahoma has homered in four straight games for the Quakes, driving in 13 runs in those games. The 23-year-old also walked twice, scored three times and stole a base on Thursday, and is hitting .272/.343/.487 with 15 home runs on the season.</p>
<p id="WL3LOv">The beneficiary of all that offense was Leo Crawford, who pitched five scoreless innings and didn’t walk anybody while striking out four. The 21-year-old lefty has a 2.38 ERA in 34 innings in the Cal League this season and a 3.65 ERA overall.</p>
<h3 id="1AbJe5">Class-A Great Lakes</h3>
<p id="JNGNIl">The Loons lead 7-0 Thursday night but it wasn’t enough, falling 9-8 to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (<a href="https://www.draysbay.com/">Rays</a>). Great Lakes got a couple of standout performances from SEC infielders drafted by the Dodgers this year. Florida’s Deacon Liput (10th round) was 4-for-5 with a home run and a double, and Kentucky’s Luke Heyer (eighth round) had two doubles and a walk.</p>
<h3 id="nGoFso">Rookie-level Ogden</h3>
<p id="7ChLU1">The Raptors pummeled the Grand Junction Rockies 10-1, thanks in large part to a grand slam by shortstop Jacob Amaya. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Get out the rye bread and mustard, grandma, it's grand salami time<a href="https://twitter.com/JacobAmaya3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JacobAmaya3</a> with the blast. Raptors lead 8-1 <a href="https://t.co/bhiIdtDdM7">pic.twitter.com/bhiIdtDdM7</a></p>— StandardEx Raptors (@RaptorsSE) <a href="https://twitter.com/RaptorsSE/status/1022686471436754944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 27, 2018</a>
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<p id="fOZUIF">Dillon Paulson drove in three with his home run and single, and James Outman doubled, singled and stole three bases.</p>
<h3 id="rvMDiJ">Transactions</h3>
<p id="mco2GQ"><strong>Triple-A</strong>: <span>Adam Liberatore</span> was activated from the disabled list.</p>
<p id="WqHENI"><strong>Double-A</strong>: Pitcher Logan Bawcom was send from Oklahoma City to Tulsa. Madison Younginer was released.</p>
<h3 id="GIt7nM">Thursday scores</h3>
<p id="VfKvzH"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_albaaa_okcaaa_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Oklahoma City 4, Albuquerque 1</a></p>
<p id="zyZ75f"><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/drillers-vs-travelers/2018/07/26/546519#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=546519">Tulsa 4, Arkansas 2</a></p>
<p id="F5lz58"><a href="https://www.milb.com/gameday/quakes-vs-giants/2018/07/26/538185#game_state=final,lock_state=final,game_tab=box,game=538185">Rancho Cucamonga 10, San Jose 0</a></p>
<p id="PxXzHX"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_swmafx_bgrafx_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Bowling Green 9, Great Lakes 8</a></p>
<p id="jnoqzx"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_gjrrok_ogdrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">Ogden 10, Grand Juncton 1</a></p>
<p id="cJ4sbw"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_cltrok_dodrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">AZL Indians 5, AZL Dodgers 2</a></p>
<p id="o43lAq"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_ddorok_dmlrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">DSL Dodgers Robinson 4, DSL Marlins 3</a></p>
<p id="djbaoW"><a href="http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?gid=2018_07_26_drgrok_ddgrok_1&t=g_box&sid=milb">DSL Rangers 7, DSL Dodgers Guerrero 4</a></p>
<h3 id="UtiH1C">Friday schedule</h3>
<p id="6KRcGb">4:35 p.m. PT: Great Lakes (Jeronimo Castro) at Bowling Green (Resly Linares)</p>
<p id="FWoZPu">5:05 p.m.: Oklahoma City (<span>Zach Neal</span>) vs. El Paso [<a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a>] (Jerry Keel)</p>
<p id="yd1kaJ">5:05 p.m.: Tulsa (Mitchell White) at Arkansas (Ashton Goudeau)</p>
<p id="pKxptg">6 p.m.: Ogden (TBD) vs. Grand Junction (TBD)</p>
<p id="d5vdvl">7:05 p.m.: Rancho Cucamonga (Isaac Anderson) at Modesto [Mariners] (Austin Hutchison)</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2018/7/27/17619376/dodgers-minors-yasiel-puig-rehab-tony-gonsolin-strikeoutsEric Stephen