Dodgers Territory - Biggest Dodgers Concerns Heading into Second Half, Huge Injury News!

Episode Date: July 13, 2026

Alanna Rizzo, Katie Woo, and Clint Pasillas are BACK and discussing the sluggish end to the first half of the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. (1:50) Despite the sloppy finish, there's good news fo...r LA on the All-Star front as friend of the show Justin Wrobleski is joining his teammates in Philly. (5:03) And on the injury front, the Shohei Ohtani news can be a good excuse to use him cautiously in the second half. Plus, positive updates on Blake Snell, Edwin Diaz, Kiké Hernandez, and Tyler Glasnow! (12:37) In Bleedin' Blue, we get into our thoughts on the first half of the season, the good and the bad, and pick our under the radar Dodgers from the first 96 games. Spinning forward, we also share our biggest x-factors for LA heading into the second half of 2026. (30:57) Finally, some Home Run Derby thoughts and picks! 🌶️ Use code foul50off to get 50% off and free daily greens per box, with new subscription only, while supplies last at Factormeals.com/foul50off Subscribe to the podcast!https://www.youtube.com/@DodgersTerritory  Follow our social media channels for more content!https://x.com/LADTerritory https://www.instagram.com/ladterritory/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578546105253  Check out DT merch at https://dodgersterritoryshop.com Support Guidry's Guardian at https://guidrysguardian.org Find Clint on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@alldodgers Follow Katie's work at The Athletic https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/author/katie-woo/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Starting point is 00:01:37 And as Katie just went through, we're getting some really key pieces back at the right time. Welcome to a brand new live episode of Dodgers Territory. I am live from Philadelphia. Katie Wu is live from Philadelphia. And Clint is live in California doing all the things that he always does putting this great show together. It is All Star Break. That is why Katie and I are here. Happy that you guys are with us.
Starting point is 00:02:11 Get your thoughts in the chat. and we appreciate your conversations and your stuff. All right. First half of the season, it's a wrap, kids. Katie, what is your, I guess, your assessment of the first half of the Dodgers season as we head into this All-Star break? If we just forget about the last week, great. And that's going to happen, right?
Starting point is 00:02:32 That's going to happen. Every team has highs and lows. We know all the cliches. But I think for the Dodgers, I mean, they finished with the best record in baseball. They did so without essentially an entire first half of Blake Snell, Tyler. class now in Edwin Diaz. They got a chance to test out their depth. Turns out that's pretty good, too. Yeah, they had a couple of clunkers to end out the season you'd ever, you know, were set for the first time by the debacks to close out the first half. But all in all, it's not probably what we
Starting point is 00:02:57 expected, right? Yeah, this is what you expect out of the Dodgers, you know? And this is now three years running where they kind of limp into the All-Star game, into the All-Star break. They play like crap. I don't know. Where I'm sitting, that means that that bodes well for October. and for, you know, hoisting a trophy. But, listen, nobody wants to talk about how this, this, the, you know, first half of the season ended there, Alana. We want to talk about the good stuff. I think our powers made Justin Robleski an All-Star,
Starting point is 00:03:27 because that has happened between our shows. Al-A, what do you think about Robo, the Shark, friend of the show being added to the All-Star roster? I'm excited. I'm excited for him, and it was well-earned. I hate that it was kind of like via the back door, if you will. And obviously, if you talk to Zach Wheeler, he's a little irritated about,
Starting point is 00:03:43 about not being named to the All-Star game. But, you know, a couple of things had to happen for Justin Rebleski to be added. But you know what? All well that ends well, Robo is an all-star this season. What he's been able to do for this team, I also think it helps that Dave Roberts is the manager of the National League and knows what that guy can do. He sees him go out there every fifth, six day. So I'm happy for him.
Starting point is 00:04:04 I'm proud of him. Is well-earned. And the thing I want for Robo is to just kind of soak it all in, right? I mean, this is a guy that nobody even gave any sort of credit or credence to coming into the season. You know, it doesn't strike guys out, blah, blah, blah. We discussed it at length when he was on the show. We were like, is he a bullpen guy? Is he a starter?
Starting point is 00:04:24 What is this guy going to do for this club? And he's been one of the most consistent starters. You see the numbers there, guys. 10 and 2 on the year, a 269 ERA, and over 100 innings pitch. And that's what I love so much about him. He just goes out there and he shoves. He gives the team length. He gives them an opportunity to win.
Starting point is 00:04:40 And I hope that he enjoys this opportunity and kind of picks the brains of everybody in the National League that he wants to learn from. And it's awesome. And also, kudos and a hat tip as well to Christopher Sanchez, who gets the start for the National League. Dave Roberts given him that call, certainly well-deserved too. But yeah, Robo, he's an all-star. Hey, now, you're an all-star. Katie, what was your thoughts? I mean, you were there.
Starting point is 00:05:04 You were around him as he got the nod. I guess technically not. He was on the golf course as he got the phone call. But yeah, how is he, you know, in terms of his excitement and, you know, the honor for him? Yeah, I think he actually missed that first call because he was on the golf course. So we know it's right. You know, I get it. Priorities.
Starting point is 00:05:24 I think Robo did all the right things when the rosters were first released and then the initial subs were, the replacements were named where he said, hey, you know, like this would have been great, you know, would have been an honor, but I'm okay. And then we talked to him on Saturday. He goes, yeah, you know, I was upset. And we were like, you know what? Yeah, we know you're upset. You deserve to be an all-star. I mean, we saw the stats up there with a lot on just now, up in the top 10 in multiple categories for the National League. And it's well-deserved because sometimes I think the Dodgers get a little Dodger fatigued, right?
Starting point is 00:05:53 When you look at all 30 teams, I understand other fan bases might be like more Dodgers, seriously. But I don't think like Justin Rubleski should be punished for that because he put together an all-star caliber first half, as we've seen. As we think about his importance to the Dodgers club in the first half, you can argue outside of the big stars that we talk about every day, he's one of the more underrated and important guys on this roster just based on what he's done for this rotation. So to see him get rewarded, not just in that clubhouse, but from a national scale, he'll be here in Philadelphia
Starting point is 00:06:24 with the rest of the guys taking it all in. It's well, well deserved for Justin Rubleski, who's having a breakout season and continues to show why he's so important, not just for the future of the Dodgers, but right now too. You know, another thing, too, Katie, mentioning the fan base that there might be some Dodgers fatigue. I tell you what, the fan base, every fan base wanted to see Shohei Otani. And that really bums me out that he's not here. And he's not here because he was supposed to get his knee drained on Sunday.
Starting point is 00:06:49 Of course, he's still dealing with some inflammation in the knee. We knew he wasn't going to pitch, but he was going to serve as a DH for the National League. And he is so well-beloved around the world that I kind of feel like that's a reason that Murataki Murakama, I can't even say that name correctly, I apologize, got added so quickly to the home run derby, right? Because the Japanese contingent is so big, deservedly so, but Shohei was like leading the pack in terms of that. So he's not going to be here. He's not participating, which is a bummer, obviously. But I guess more of the question is Katie, is he going to be good to go? I mean, is this going to be enough of a rest for him to be ready for the second half of the
Starting point is 00:07:30 season when this All-Star break is over? They think so. He thinks so. So when I we just wait and see. He was supposed to get his knee drained after Sunday's game. A couple days of rest and recovery, possibly an injection that we haven't confirmed that. We'll just see because technically the Dodgers can restructure the rotation with four days off where Shohei can pitch at the end, right? He can be that sixth guy to go if he's going to be in the rotation. We have a couple of off days too in that 10 day, nine games, 10 day section that we have coming out of the break. So the Dodgers can be strategic with how they use Otani as a pitcher. They want to buy him more days.
Starting point is 00:08:06 Again, they can pitch him later in the series. They can move him back if they need to. But I think the big thing for Shohei is figuring out how to make sure this doesn't keep happening. And when we talked to him Saturday after the game, he said, you know, I feel the knee pain more when I pitch rather than I hit. And I asked him, is it because of how you're planting, how you're finishing pitches? And he said, it's hard to tell, but that might be it, probably. So he's going to have to make some mechanical changes to ensure that the impact on that knee is no longer going to be to the extent that it is. we talk about this all year long guys it's true the dodgers need show hey otani in october so if that means
Starting point is 00:08:42 he's resting in july as much as we want to see him in the all-star game it sucks i get it he's obviously the biggest face that you're going to see and you're going to want in events like this but the dodgers need him for october so this is the smart play yeah you need him for october i don't need to see him try to pursue a syyung award finish or whatever i mean at this point we're not going to get there that's a that's a that has sailed with how good Mizorowski has been and all that kind of stuff. But yeah, bubble wrap the dude. I don't care if you miss a couple of starts. Obviously, he remains in the lineup as a hitter. You need to have that slug in the lineup. But protect Shohei at all costs and have him ready to be one of the first three dudes to pick up a baseball in a starting
Starting point is 00:09:24 capacity for the Dodgers in October. You got to have him around. More good news on the injury front. We had some good Blake Snell progress. We had some great Edwin Diaz. progress who went out there and pitched a game for the Ontario Tower buzzers down the road for me. Kike Hernandez said, hey, boys, I'm going to be back. Like, after you guys are finished with your East Coast run, Katie, tell us a little bit more about the Blake Snell situation. It seems all signs are great. Yeah, let's just do an injury rundown. We'll start with Blake Snell, who will schedule to start a rehab assignment around this time next week, which is is all things considered a huge deal,
Starting point is 00:10:07 especially because we just didn't know what that recovery was going to look like. Yes, he had the same surgery by definition as Tarek School. And we said this, I think Scoobel said it. Blake has said it as well. You can't compare the two surgeries because two different people, two different recoveries.
Starting point is 00:10:23 So we knew he wasn't going to come back as early as Scoobel did. However, with Blake, I think this is such a benefit because when he first went down with this injury, we were like, is it going to be back by September? We just don't know what's already May. What's the recovery process look like? If you're going to lose his season. But now the Dodgers look like they're going to get him back right around August,
Starting point is 00:10:42 which lines up right with everyone's favorite phrase, just like making a trade at the deadline. It's not. But this is a huge first step. So Blake Snell scheduled to start a rehab shortly after the All-Star break. Edwin Diaz made his first rehab appearance, as you said, Clint, with Class A Ontario, 11 pitches, 8 for strikes, two punches, perfect. So he'll make a couple more.
Starting point is 00:11:04 Again, we talked about this because he's the closer. He doesn't need to make multiple innings. So it's all about one inning stints. Can he pitch well? Can he recover? That's the key thing. And hopefully the Dodgers get him back shortly after the All-Star break. Tyler Glass now threw a bullpen on Friday at Dodgers Stadium. It was around maybe 15 pitches, basketballs only, but an important first step.
Starting point is 00:11:24 That's the one to me where the Dodgers can't afford another setback with him. Because if he's shut down again, we look at the calendar. It's already mid-July that ramp-up period can take. weeks or so, so then you run out a runway. So for Tyler Glass now, it's important that he is just working consistently, not trying to rush back. So he might, he's going to be a little longer, maybe mid-August. And then Kike Hernandez got to be back for the homestand. So four key players making their returns for the Dodgers. It's huge. Right after his bobblehead day. It was so funny, too, because I was looking at Kike's Bobblehead Day with his family and obviously Penelope
Starting point is 00:12:00 throwing out the first pitch. And then I saw the baby. I saw Santee sitting on the ground, next to that bobblehead. I'm like, why is Santi the size of the body? I was so confused. I was like, is this a perspective thing? And then I realized the bobblehead was like gigantic. So anyway, it'll be good. It'll be good to get those guys back.
Starting point is 00:12:17 Obviously, Kike is such a huge, just a jolt of lightning into the, into the offense. And obviously, as the calendar turns closer to October, it's important to get him back as well. All right, guys, much more to come on this brand new episode of Dodgers territory, the All-Star Game Break Edition. But first a word from our friends. That's foul.
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Starting point is 00:14:34 but we know a bunch of you guys watch who aren't subscribed. It's free to subscribe. It helps us out. It helps everything out. Moving on, we have played, well, they've already played the first half of the season because 81 games is a long time ago. But now the unofficial, official first half of the season is over. The Dodgers have the best record in baseball.
Starting point is 00:14:55 Dodgers have scored a bunch of runs. I think they've allowed the fewest runs in baseball. They got an 11-half game lead in the NL West. Alana, what are your blanket thoughts on the first half of this season? Doesn't need to be grandiose. There's something simple. Yeah, I think the blanket thought is they're doing exactly what they need to do. I mean, they're doing exactly what the Dodgers need to do at this point.
Starting point is 00:15:16 You're checking off the boxes, right? It's already leading the division by a wide margin. I mean, you could just be leading the division by one game. That's all you want to do is win at the end of the season. And they're doing that with a pretty hefty, a pretty hefty lead in the NL West. So that's a check. The biggest thing is obviously making sure guys are healthy at the right time of year. And as Katie just went through, we're getting some really good.
Starting point is 00:15:39 key pieces back at the right time, obviously, to continue to push this forward. And the next goal is obviously to get a buy, right, to not have to go in as a wildcard. And they'll do that in home field advantage and all of the things throughout the postseason. So my blanket statement is good job. I mean, you're doing exactly what you're expected to do with the roster that you have and the experience that you have coming into this season to try to make it a three-pe. And, you know, my only concern is where are we going to be? And we can talk about that going into the second half in a little bit. But yeah, A minus just because, I mean, we can't give them, you know, it can't be A plus. That would just be too unrealistic and not objective at all.
Starting point is 00:16:17 Yeah, you survived the first half. I wouldn't say survived exceptionally healthy, but as we talked about, as you just mentioned. And as Katie mentioned before, like trending in the right direction with everybody on health. You'd probably like to see some better updates on the Will Smith factor, but we will hopefully eventually get there as the calendar gets into August. Katie, what about your thoughts first half of a season covering this team? What's the good? What's the bad, in your opinion, from the first half? So when I took this job, I was told, be prepared to be bored.
Starting point is 00:16:50 And I was like, what do you mean? This is like a team full of superstars. I'm not going to be bored. And I get what people are saying because they win so often. And then when you have what seems like a dire injury or a big, something that could be potentially disastrous for the season, they just have next man up mentality. and someone steps up and everything is fine, they continue to win. So yes, it's boring in a great way if you're covering the Dodgers,
Starting point is 00:17:12 because any time there's potentially a big story, they fix it. And that, to me, is the key to their first half was just your, you're as good as your depth is, right? And the Dodgers, unfortunately, had to rely on their depth a lot, especially on the pitching side, but it gave us a breakout star like Justin Robleski. Agardo Enriquez might be my underrated pick for the bullpen of the first half. That stuff has always been nasty, but the command is. there. He's become a true weapon on the right side for Dave Roberts and his staff. You look at guys and that was something that was important. He had to step up with Edwin Diaz
Starting point is 00:17:43 being injured so early in the season. Same with Tanner Scott. We're seeing the Tanner Scott that the Dodgers ideally would have had last year. So when there were key injuries to guys that the Dodgers thought they were really going to need to rely on, their depth stepped up. I know Dalton rushing has been a lot to talk about, but if you're looking just at his play and what he's been able to do as a backup catcher, yeah, the offense has tapered off a little bit, But overall, he's finishing the first half with 10 homers and OPS over 800. And he's learning to navigate and pitch call one of the most accomplished staffs in baseball. That's a lot to handle for someone in his first full year getting starting reps.
Starting point is 00:18:18 I think he's in a nice job with that. So that's my spin on the first half is how good was the depth. And we see it right now. Over 11 game leading the division. Best record in baseball, like you said, Clint. And they did this without several key players. So, yeah, things again remain good. Joshua Land. Yeah, absolutely. A lot of great things in there. And you mentioned, you're kind of an under the radar guy. I appreciated the narrative here of your column that you dropped, I believe, yesterday. You mentioned some of those names in there, Edgaro Henriquez. I figured we could have a little bit of fun each picking our own under the radar guy. I'll go first because, I mean, I was leaning Henriquez. And I don't know that an All-Star can be an under-the-rad guy. But I'm going to go Max Muncie, because,
Starting point is 00:19:05 Because we keep talking about Muncie and every offseason, I am somebody who's very guilty of always looking at grass being greener on the other side and wondering if at some point the Dodgers need to look to get younger or look to the future at third base. How can they do that? How can they address third base? But Muncie has gone out there and honestly quietly put together an All-Star first half. And we can forget about the last week defensively. You know, things have been a little wonky for months. but he's got the power. What, 17 Homer's second on the team?
Starting point is 00:19:38 He found the clutch with runners in scoring position. The OPS is solid around 850, and he has been, as we've seen over the last couple years, he has been the most vocal leader, at least media side, public-facing, most vocal leader in that clubhouse navigating a team through interesting sticky situations. I'll also add for fun, as Katie kind of noted there. I'm given the award to Dalton rushing for the most on the radar guy this year, our viral sensation. But hey,
Starting point is 00:20:16 Dalton, for all the reasons you said, Wu, like he has done great in his first half of essentially being a full-time player, you know, first half of the season, like, he's got a lot thrown on his plate. He's handled it okay enough and keeps getting better. But yeah, What's your name again? Alana, what, what are you thinking? Who's your under the radio? Listen, I'm trying here. It's early.
Starting point is 00:20:39 Wow. Who is your under the rating? The mighty have fallen so quickly has my career come to this demise. Am I under the radar? And kind of along the same lines of what you're saying, I'm not certain if it's fair to call somebody that's an all-star under the radar. But nobody outside of us knows Justin Robleski, guys. And I wish that people nationally could see what he's been able to do for this club.
Starting point is 00:21:02 on a team that has an unbelievable amount of quality starters and big name starters, right? You're in a rotation with Shohei Otani. You're in a rotation with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was the World Series MVP last year. You're in a rotation with the likes when he comes back of a two-time Syung Award winner in Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, obviously when he's healthy, we know what he can do. But Justin Rebleski has been every bit of this team's ace this season. And I'm not saying it by definition, but what I'm saying is he posts. We just talked about it.
Starting point is 00:21:30 He's 10 and 2. He goes out there and gives you a chance to win every single time. He has a sub three ERA. And this is a guy that was allowed to be himself and has worked very diligently with Mark Pryor, obviously, and Connor McGinnis and the entire pitching staff with the Dodgers to really involve into a pitcher that has been incredibly impressive. So if you can be an all-star and under the radar, I mean, he's my guy. And I think that, you know, the nation and the baseball world doesn't really quite know who
Starting point is 00:21:57 Justin Rebleski is yet, but he's been an under-the-radar superstar, if you will, on a team full of superstars. Absolutely. Katie, you got a quick one. Your definitive under-the-radar guy of the first half? I'm just saying, Dave, you got to throw Roblesky inning tomorrow. Put him on the stage. We saw him go toe-to-to-to-in the World Series last year, get Robleski at inning, and then we'll
Starting point is 00:22:22 all be happy here. But, no, I really think I'd like to span on Enriquez just a little bit, because when you look at his baseball savon page, he's a little bit. he jumps off. There is so much red there. And this is, you know, I cover the team mostly every day. So what you're watching Enrique is you're like, okay, you know, there's some potential there. Then you see him slowly climb up, Dave Roberts' trust tree, if you will, and he gets higher and higher leverage. And you're like, wait a second, he just, he keeps getting out of it. And then by the time, you know, a couple weeks ago, I was like, let's, let's really look at the changes that he's made.
Starting point is 00:22:49 And there haven't been a lot in terms of the numbers, but it's the stuff and the command that he's made because he's always had nasty, wipe out stuff, two fastballs over 100 miles per hour. He technically has five pitches, although his secondaries doesn't throw as much. But because he has such precise command of the fastball, he can go to the breaking pitches and get the, you know, he's not going to blow you away with strikeout stuff if you look at the Sivan page. But he's pretty good at inducing the chase because he's able to pitch out of the zone on purpose. That's key for Mr. Enriquez here, who was out of the zone a lot accidentally last season. So watching his progression, looking at what he's been able to do to solidify that right side with Diaz out. I think this is going to be a guy
Starting point is 00:23:30 that's going to be instrumental for the Dodgers in the setup role going forward. And I'm excited to see what he does to finish out of the year. Give the relievers some love, guys. I think that's so funny. That should go on the quote board. When he was out of the zone accidentally versus out of the zone on purpose. One really quick follow up on Rebliski, though. I had just said that, you know, nobody outside of us and those that cover the Dodgers really know him. But it's starting to get to the point where people are taking notice. Yes, the shark, right? So Pedro Martinez, when Pedro Martinez is starting to talk about you and then calling him the shark, do you know something good is about to happen to this kid, right?
Starting point is 00:24:04 When the national media, the likes of the Pedro Martinez's of the world are starting to pay attention. And again, the game was probably on TBS or whatever it was where Pedro was able to watch him start. But people take notice because I think this is going to be a name that we hear a lot more of in the future for sure. Yeah, and deservedly so. Again, he has been great. He has turned himself into. an innings eater for this team. He posts every six days in a role that he was not expecting to be in, but always hoping to be in. He's handled everything and still kind of, again, the,
Starting point is 00:24:38 what do we say, the weighted dog has been great as the season has gone on. It's not the same as we saw in the World Series last year. He's been a little bit calmer, a little bit more tame, but we know that animal is in there. So we are at that point, though, where we're trending towards the second half of the season, the official, unofficial second half. And of course, there are concerns with this team. We just talked earlier about all the injury updates. And so instead of diving into direct concerns, I think all of us would agree it is the state of the starting rotation because that is something that could be very, very strong or one of those setbacks happen all of a sudden, you're worried. If you get through the trade deadline, you haven't made a
Starting point is 00:25:20 move, you're going to get a little worried. So in the spirit, of this if there is an X factor to a good second half of the season. And you don't need to say in the starting rotation, I am. I think the biggest X factor is Tyler Glasnow, him returning because that's somebody you can start for game three. You can start for game four. You saw him pitch in relief last year for this team in October and be an important weapon. I feel confident Blake Snell is going to return. But an X factor for me is Tyler Glasnow's health and him being in the rotation by I don't know, mid to late August and continuing to post from there. Katie, do you have an X factor for the second half?
Starting point is 00:26:04 No, we're just so aligned because that was exactly what I was going to say. Everything about Tyler Glass, no, there is true. I'm also confident about Blake Snell coming back and you look at, the Dodgers at full strength and you run their postseason rotation of Otani Yavamoto Snell Glass now, you're like, oh, gosh, if you're an opponent, I don't want to do that. But without glass now, it's not that the Dodgers can't win without him, but they're just so much stronger with him. And he, to me, has the biggest question mark of his recovery. But Clinton, you were all on it about Tyler.
Starting point is 00:26:33 So I'll go, my secondary is Blake Snow. Even though I'm pretty confident that he's going to be fine and he's going to pitch well. You just never know. I think the Dodgers can be just fine without Eben Diaz. Certainly they'd like him, but they've proven that they can pitch without him. Starting pitching is the most pivotal thing for contending teams going into the postseason. So having a healthy Snell, healthy. Glass now is pivotal. And if you're the Dodgers, it's absolutely going to shape your trade
Starting point is 00:26:57 deadline thinking because you have to say, you know, do we have enough protection here to, in case something happens to one of these guys where they go down? Or are you banking on their health and say, no, there's other avenues that we can go and improve our roster for the future. That all depends on the next couple of weeks. As both pitchers, you know, Snell starting that rehab and Glassdown inching closer, how they look with their health journeys, it is always, it's going to be crunch time for Andrew Friedman and his staff come August 3rd. Yeah. And, you know, I'm going to go. I'll say, Riz, another sneaky under the radar guy, or not under the radar, but X Factor,
Starting point is 00:27:28 getting River Ryan healthy just to help fill out some meanings as they, maybe he doesn't end up being a part of the postseason roster, but they need, they need some innings out of somebody else. We saw the return of Land and Nack. Did not go great. Happy to have him back for sure, but need to get him back on track. But anyways, I just want to give a shout out. Hopefully you weren't going to say River Ryan. I don't think you are, but Alana, who is your self?
Starting point is 00:27:52 second half X factor. Yeah, no, River Ryan, definitely as a cushion for an innings eater at certain points throughout the regular season, second half and the postseason, we shall see. I'm going to go one pitcher and one position player. I think my position player, again, and this is not a knock on this person, I would just like to see more of what we're used to in 2024 in particular. Teasca Hernandez, the 243 average, you know, it's just, it's just not, the lack of power is kind of problematic for me too, just the eight home runs, 36 RBI. I'd like to just see a little bit more from Teo, just, you know, 243 average, 319 OBP, 706 OPS. I'd like to see more from him, you know, what we kind of got from him in 24, 25 a little bit, certainly 24 was impressive. So a little bit
Starting point is 00:28:37 more, Teo. I think my pitcher, I do need to see what Edwin Diaz can do. I think the closer you get to the postseason and more of the postseason games really relies heavily on a bonus. Closer. And I know that Dave Roberts has done a masterful job of having to, you know, work a bullpen in a postseason that has not been ideal for a lot of teams, but he was able to maneuver it and put that piece of the puzzles, the pieces of the puzzles together in the right way. But I would love to see the dominant closer return that we were so excited to get in the offseason. And you don't know what he's going to be like when he comes back. I mean, he hasn't pitched in months. So I'm hopeful that he can just be a really solid.
Starting point is 00:29:20 compliment, but also be that, like, put that fear of God in the opposition, like, oh, man, game over type of situation. Not to say it's like Eric Gagne, I know game over, but like to be like, man, they still, and they still have Edwin Diaz in their pen, that type of thing. Because the bullpen's done a really nice job this season. And to Katie's point, the Dodgers have pitched well without him. But I would think, like she was saying with Tyler Glasnow, they're stronger with Edwin Diaz than if he's not on the team.
Starting point is 00:29:46 So I guess those two are my ex-vexers. Yeah, I mean, that's great. talk about adding an all-star closer to the back end of your bullpen. All of a sudden, everybody moves down. You have a lot more optionality with Tander Scott and with all of the great stuff that Edgardo Henriquez has been able to do this year, getting Evan Phillips back. The pitching, again, that's what's so crazy about the team.
Starting point is 00:30:06 It could be so damn good in the second half and into the postseason with the pitching. I think while you were talking there is, and we'll move on to last looks after this. but I started worrying, like, are we going to look back at this particular conversation and be like, we probably should have had bigger concerns about the offense? Because there are a lot of guys that have struggled. Yeah, that's true, too. They've put a bunch of points on the board, but they tend to do it in bulk. Yeah.
Starting point is 00:30:35 So hopefully we don't, I'll speak for myself that I don't end up being a Nostra dumbass later in the season. But anyways, we got a little bit more. coming up from you, but first, Riz is going to tell you about our friends at Fanduel. This episode is brought to you by Fandual. Baseball fans, the MLB season is in full swing, and Fandual is giving you a chance to call your shot with daily dingers. Joining the action is easy.
Starting point is 00:31:02 Just make your free pick on who's hitting a home run in their game, and if you're right, you'll get a profit boost to use on your next bet for a chance at extra winnings. It's just another reason why Fandual is the home of home runs. So are you ready to play your game? head over to fendual.com slash podcast to get started. That's fenduel.com slash podcast to opt in for daily dingers and make your free pick on who's hitting a homer. Play ball and swing for the fences on Fanduel, an official partner of Major League Baseball.
Starting point is 00:31:33 No purchase necessary opt-in required bonus issued as non-withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply, including any token expiration and max wager amount. See terms at Sportsbook. Fanduel.com, gambling problem, call or text 1-800 gambler. Listen, and you're there for heart-wrenching knockouts. The world's biggest stage. And breathtaking triumph. In 2026, FIFA World Cup.
Starting point is 00:32:07 The knockout stage. Every match, every moment. Listen on TSN radio. Join the globe. On the road to the July 19th final. 26 FIFA World Cup. Stream it all live on TSN Radio. Available on I Heart Radio.
Starting point is 00:32:22 All right, guys, we're going to continue to promote Scotty, as he is still looking for a forever home. He had a little bit of a reprieve this weekend. He went to a different foster home that was able to get him the exercise and the long walks that he needs and deserves, and he absolutely flourished. Exercise is key for this guy. He's three years old.
Starting point is 00:32:46 He's healthy. He's phenomenal with other dogs and people. He's good with kids. I mean, he is a big boy, so I wouldn't have. him in a house with little kids that he could topple over just because he's excited, but he's not at all. He has a mean bone in his body. He's a pity mix and wonderful. If you are looking for a great active partner, Scotty is your boy. He is being fostered in Huntington Beach, California, but he is adoptable in anywhere in California, and we would help with the transport. So thanks for
Starting point is 00:33:12 letting me talk about Scotty. He is very deserving of a forever home. Home run derby is tonight. It is over on Netflix. Our girl, Lauren Shahati, will be hosting that on the field. I've heard of her, yes. Prior to that, we have the media day. And Katie and I will be headed that way momentarily. So home run derby, Clint, who are you taking to hit the most dingers? You just, you can't not pick Kyle Schwarber in Philly.
Starting point is 00:33:44 Dude has been an absolute powerhouse once again here in the first half. I think what, leading baseball with 36 homers or something like that. Schwabes is my guy. Yeah. Murakami, a little bit sneaky pick as well. Katie, who's your, who you pick? What do you think? I'm going junior.
Starting point is 00:34:02 I think Junior Caminoa is the AL MVP. Yeah, and I think he's so underrated because he plays in Tampa Bay, small market. But if this is a Dodgers show, I understand what the people want. We're going to be Team Dino. So Bryce Harper, take it away. Good call. That's a good call.
Starting point is 00:34:19 I would run through a wall for that guy for both of them. And by the way, congratulations to the evil family. Another kid headed to the Brewers. We're proud of you, Trey. Congratulations. Big Brewers family over there. Listen, Linda. Do you have a son that get drafted into Major League Baseball?
Starting point is 00:34:36 I don't think so. No, never have a son. That sounds awful. Children? In this economy? I'm going to, yeah. Yeah, really, no kidding. I'm going to pick also Kyle Schwerber.
Starting point is 00:34:50 I know it's not a sex. pick. Everyone's doing it. I'm not going out on a limb. 32 home runs, major league baseball leader in home runs. He had this is his, what, third major league baseball home run derby appearance. He did it in 18 and 22 as well. So Schwabes. Schwabes is my guy.
Starting point is 00:35:06 Good pick. It's a good pick. The reason everybody's picking him because dudes got pop. Watch us also sneaky. Wilson Contreras going to be sneaky. He is. Will he get ejected? He's going to get ejected. That is the better question.
Starting point is 00:35:21 Share your thoughts in the comedy. Can you get ejected from the All-Star game? I could see that. I got to do the Fandual odds on Wilson Contreras getting ejected three times in the last week and change. All right, guys, we appreciate you being here. Thanks so much. We will be back on Thursday for our regular scheduled programming. Go to the store, Dodgers Territory Shop.com.
Starting point is 00:35:43 You can also scan that QR code. We appreciate you guys very much. Enjoy the All-Star Week festivities, and we'll see you on Thursday. Bye. Bye. What's up, fam, it's sports journalist Ari Chambers. Hey, what's up, y'all? It's your girl, Sam J.
Starting point is 00:36:00 And we're the hosts of Everyone Watches Women's Sports, a new podcast from Together. We're breaking down the biggest headlines, the viral moments, and the stories everyone's talking about across women's sports. From game-changing performances to culture-shifting conversations, we'll give you our takes, our debates, and a few laughs along the way. Because everyone watches women's sports. Listen to Everyone Watches Women's Sports. It's on the IHeart Radio app.
Starting point is 00:36:23 Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcast. My first guest is Terrence Hilton, Shakira, Luke, and Yerrin. You have surprises? Many surprises. Welcome to the Sweet 305 podcast where the group check comes to life. What up? You're the only person I know that loves a yellow starburst. It's lemonade.
Starting point is 00:36:44 This is Sweet 305. Here, oversharing is encouraged. Listen to Sweet 305 with Lele Pons on the IHart Radio app, Apple Podcast. or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Jake Brennan, and on my podcast, Disgraceland, I tell the stories behind music's biggest names, like how the story of the foo fighters isn't just about music, it's about grief, shock,
Starting point is 00:37:07 in the moment everything changed. Imagine that. You're in the biggest band on the planet, as Dave Grohl was in 1994 in Nirvana, and the phone rings, and you learn that your singer, your friend, the reluctant voice of a generation, Kurt Cobain is dead.
Starting point is 00:37:25 Listen to Disgraceland on the IHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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