Dodgers Territory - NL West Slipping Away, HORRIBLE Ump Show, Missing a Tough Guy?

Episode Date: August 8, 2024

The ump show made its way to LA as the Dodgers lose the series to the Phillies in egregious fashion, thanks to a highly suspect obstruction call on the bases. (2:34)(7:34) Is the team missing that spark in the clubhouse? Could they be lacking a bit of that edge only a "jerk" can bring?(12:42) Mookie is set to return at shortstop, but Ohtani will remain in the leadoff spot. Alanna and Clint weigh in on the decision.(17:04) Updates on Yoshibobu Yamamoto’s rehab progress and the re-injured Brusdar Graterol.(26:55) Also, what’s up with the extended struggles of All-Star catcher Will Smith?It's a jam-packed show featuring plenty of Spicy Alanna! It's also Alanna's birthday so show her some love by rating this pod 5 stars!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm Nancy Glass, host of the Burden of Guilt Season 2 podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, Bobby Gumpright became the victim of a random crime. The perpetrator was sentenced to 99 years until a confession changed everything. I was a monster. Listen to Burden of Guilt Season 2 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Good people. What's up? What's up? It's Questlove. So recently I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with an actress and producer, Jamie Lee Curtis, from routines to recovery, true lies, and a certain Jermaine Jackson music video. Jamie's real and raw. And it's something I really admire about her. I am so happy that I'm the head bitch in charge at 67, that I have the perspective that I have at my age.

to really be able to put all of this into context. Listen to the Questlove show on the Iheart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ready for a different take on Formula One? Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the under-explored pockets of F1, including the story of the woman who last participated in a Formula One race weekend, the recent uptick in F1 romance novels, and plenty of mishap scandals and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful,

decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. The point is you need some assholes at the top step of the dugout, yelling, and get ejected. Like, get ejected. You need that fire. I want someone to be mad. Good afternoon, everybody, and welcome to another live edition of Dodgers Territory on the Fowell Territory platform.

We are your host. I am Alana Rizzo. That is Clint Paseas. Thank you so much for being here. Make sure you rate us. Give us five stars. Subscribe. We are over 2,000 subs on our YouTube channel.

So please tell your friend, tell your grandma, tell your grandfather, tell your neighbor, tell your garbage man. Let's double that amount. We appreciate it very much. Clint, how are you?

Like I told you just a couple minutes ago before going online, I'm happy there's not a Dodger game today because the last couple of nights have been a painful watch of this team. So we said on Monday, there's no juice. We are going to get into that and behind the seams right now. But first, hey, happy birthday, Alana. I said I was going to have my shot for you.

So happy birthday to Ms. Rizzo, guys, put a happy birthday in the chat to Alana. But guys, let's get into behind the seams. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Yes, let's do it with the shot. I appreciate you, Clint. All right, behind the seams, we're talking about the Phillies and the Dodgers. And you and I, Clint had said that. Really, there wasn't a ton of juice in this series.

Well, that being said, I think we were a little bit wrong because I do think that there was suddenly some juice, as you mentioned yesterday. And not in a good way. This is kind of like sour tasting juice, like juice that you don't want to mix in with your champagne. This is not good mimosa juice. Yeah, no, I think all the juice stems from that eighth inning. You got Nick Cassiano's getting hit by Michael Grove. and I'll say this. I'm going to channel, I'm already loaded. I had my first shot. I'm going to channel my inner Tommy Lassorda by saying, I guarantee you this.

Michael Grove was not trying to hit Nick Cassiano's there. And his first game back off of injury in two months, Cassiano, maybe I'm going to call him a big baby in that situation. And then Gavin Lux, my personal best friend, has to wear it in the back in the next inning. So all of a sudden, this is the final meeting between these two teams on less. somehow they meet in the postseason. So yeah, I think there is juice now suddenly injected in the series. Don't look at the records. Don't look at the fact that the Dodgers lost five of the six meetings between these two clubs.

I think right there, that's the first thing national media is bringing up. It's the last time these two teams met. This happened. And then the obstruction call. Got to talk about the obstruction call. That leads me to my next point here. And yes, it's a good segue brought up by you, of course, Hunter Wendlestead. I'm not saying what these guys do is an easy job.

But my point is how on earth you have Miguel Rojas at the shortstop position covering third base? Why is that an obstruction call? Alec Boem had plenty of room to slide. He had plenty of room to touch the base. He was out. And Hunter Wendlestead decided that he was going to call an obstruction call. This is the same umpire, Clint, that threw out Aaron Boone when a fan behind the Yankees' dugout was the one heckling. throws out Aaron Boone because he thought it was Aaron Boone.

Like, what are we doing? I cannot stand when the umps make themselves the story. And not for nothing, sir. If you make that type of call and Jeremy Meyer, our esteemed producer, brings us up in our production call today. If you made that type of bullshit call, man up and address the media. In a day and age when access is everything, don't send the crew chief to come and speak to a pool reporter.

Come and say, you know what? this is what I saw. This was my vantage point. This is why I had to make that call or or call me crazy here. I made a mistake. Yeah. Yeah. I would rather see an umpire own up to the situation. Dodgers not happy about that play. Dave Roberts, of course, I would like to see a little more out of Dave there, maybe kicking and screaming, kicking some dirt. We know that's not Doc style. He automatically gets tossed because of that situation. We got a clip of Dave here. Let's hear Dave about the call, the obstruction call,

and we'll kind of dive into it a little bit more afterwards. That play changed the complexion of the game, and he got it wrong. That's just the fact. Tonight, that play affected the game. When guys are on the move, guys are moving around, out of position, trying to make a tag play,

and to say that they have to have the ball. We're still playing baseball. And you have to let some of the greatest athletes in the world make plays. Now, when Dave says that guy got it wrong, he got it wrong. Dave does not throw anybody under the bus in any way, shape, or form. And I'll ask you this, a lot of people have asked this already on the internet machine and in real life. What the hell was Miguel Rojas supposed to do in that situation? He's coming from shortstop to cover the base.

What was he supposed to do? What is he supposed to do? Is he supposed to run around the base, go into the dugout, come out the other side? I mean, like, what are you supposed to do in that situation? Defensively, that was his only option. And it was not if he did not give Alec Boma Lane. He had plenty of room to slide. He got him out. What are you supposed to do?

And not to say, listen, I'm not saying the Dodgers would have won the game had that not happen. But it should never be a situation where the umpires call. And again, if you make a mistake, that's fine. They're human. I can deal with that, but come out and talk. Don't send your, again, don't send your crew chief to come out to the pool reporter and make up some bullshit excuse. Christopher, um, says accountability. Every player and coach is held accountable.

Why not the umpires? No shit. Face the media and don't take the coward's way out. I agree with it. The only thing that holds umpires accountable, in my opinion is the umpires report card that we see on the internet. Like, oh, how did the first play, you know, how did the first play, you know, the home played umpire do tonight? You know what I mean? Kenny Chen, regardless of that atrocious subscription.

call. Dodgers couldn't get anyone to cross. He's not wrong. Kenny's not wrong. My point is, again, the game was not won or lost, but at least give the guys an opportunity. And I would have said the same shit if it was the Phillies that had this crap call. Let the players on the field, two teams that could very well be in the postseason against one another. Let them decide the outcome. Don't make yourself the show. And that's what Hunter Wendellstead did in this instance. And again, if he made a mistake, own up to it. Or if he believed, believes and he stands behind his decision. Tell us why you made that call.

Yeah. I would say right now MLB has the opportunity to fix this. They can fix it now. I know this is something Jerry Harrison Jr. went off on the postgame last night as well. Fix the rule. Update it. Now you have time. You can do it. You are the league. You can do whatever the hell you want. I think everybody in baseball, every player in baseball wants to see an update to this rule, this stupid lane rule. You know, it's supposed to be about protecting people from getting hurt, but it should not affect the game. And it did in this situation. And yeah, that's one loss. But when you're stringing together as many losses and now all of a sudden, right on your tail, you got the

Padres, you got the Giants, the Diamondbacks, the walls are closing in on the Dodgers. Before we get into that, focusing more on this play. I'm somebody like a lot of people who likes to see every once in a while a player, a coach, just kind of go a little ape shit. Somebody lose their shit. Yeah. Yeah, should Mickey Roe have gone off? And this was a question I've seen thrown around on the internet a little bit over the last, you know, handful of hours. Is this team missing a leader? I'll ask you that, Alana. I have to say this. I'm not in the clubhouse on a day-to-day basis anymore. I was, though, when Justin Turner was there. And I know that I bring up Justin Turner a lot. I know that I'm constantly giving Justin Turner flowers, but

Justin Turner freaking deserves it. And the reason that I say that is because even though in baseball, with the exception of the New York Yankees, there is not a captain named. The daughters don't have a guy with a C on their jersey, but Justin Turner was that guy. And I don't know since Justin Turner is no longer there, if there is a guy that is that leader. Now, I do think that Miguel Rojas is a leader. I don't know to what extent. You know, but he was involved in that play. So that's a little bit more difficult, perhaps, because Dave's already getting ejected. You don't necessarily want Meggie Rowe to get ejected. You're already down, you know, infielders. You're already hurt on this roster. You're trying to win a freaking game. But somebody needs to be at the top step of that dugout.

And normally it would be Joe Kelly, right? Joe Kelly is the guy that does the pouty face and is like telling people, calling people a little bitch, calling people this, that, and the other thing. Well, he was on the map. Okay. So he's also involved in the play. My point is there needs to be somebody. Yes, the team is probably missing an asshole. Daniel's right. So I remember back in my gosh, I'm a thousand years old. When I was covering the Colorado Rockies toward the end of Jason Giambi's tenure with the Rockies before he finished his career with the then Indians now Guardians, Jason Giambi said this team has too many choir boys. Speaking of that year's Colorado Rockies team, because everybody was like very soft-spoken, very mellow. Nobody wanted to be a jury.

Nobody wanted to throw a temper tantrum. Everybody kind of kept within themselves. And Gianbi, you know, the person that brought up the golden thong to get out of slumps, was like there's too many choir boys. Sometimes you need a jerk, right? Sometimes you need a guy that's just an asshole. And I don't know that there is any, you know. And again, I think Clayton Kirshaw is a leader, but I've also, I also maintain sometimes

it's hard to be a leader if you're a starting pitcher and you're just kind of there every fifth day. Not that Clayton's not a part of this team and doesn't have a big voice. I'm not suggesting that. But the point is you need some assholes at the top step of the dugout, yelling and get ejected. Like get ejected. You know, maybe that guy's not Miguel Rojas, but maybe it's a guy that isn't going to play that day or whatever. That's the one I wanted. Look at that one. Yeah. The Dodgers the last three to four years have been very act professional and act like you've been there. They don't really play with a ton of fire and energy. It's very bland and boring. Well, here's the, here's my fear with this.

though. Okay. You can act very professional. You can be like, we're the Dodgers. And listen, I don't know how many times I've texted Andrew Friedman and Dave Roberts like, you've got to be proud. We're the fucking Dodgers. Like you walk into a stadium and we are the Dodgers. And I say we like I play, whatever. I feel like I'm part of this team. But the point is you continue to act like that. And the lead that's only three games right now might come up and kick you in the ass. And you may be a wild car team if you don't watch out what you're doing. You need that fire. I want some. want to be mad. Yeah, I would like to see that a little bit.

A little bit of a correction. I sent you on the wrong path. It wasn't Kelly on the mound. He's the one who gave up the Schwarber. It was Alex Vescia on the mound. The bunt gets down. But in that play, in that obstruction play, if it's not Miguel Rojas getting tossed out,

Kike Hernandez is the guy who made the play. Kike, you've been around this ball club for the better parts of nine or ten seasons. He can stand up in that situation to say, hey, Hunter, that is a bullshit ass call. You know it. Same with Austin. If anybody is wearing the sea on their jersey, they call him the captain, Danger Mouse. Austin Barnes is that guy. He should be somebody who's willing to get him his ass tossed in that play right. Because he has a right in front of him. So you're right. A veteran player.

Yeah. You're actually right, Clint. And back to the act professionally. The last two years, this team has acted professionally in the postseason in the National League Division series and they've gone away with their tail between their legs, winning one game, or was it, winning two games, and then getting swept by the Diamondbacks. So that professionally doesn't always work. When we see the Padres, give them their flowers, they're playing well, they've figured some things out in San Diego, finally. And they play with a lot of emotion, especially when they play against the Dodgers. And you look at standings now. Again, you already said it, Alana, they are right on the Dodgers ass right now. And that's a problem. And I think the Dodgers really need to be feeling those

walls coming in. Dave said after the game, you know, the guys, the best guys we have are going to be playing in there. Of course, the best guys they have remain injured. Why hasn't a woman formerly participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age. What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wag Ageddon change the paddock forever? That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman,

and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no grip, a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Good people.

What's up? What's up? It's Questlove. So recently, I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with actors and producer Jamie Lee Curtis ahead of the release of her new thriller series, Scarpetta. I can honestly say I've never done an interview like that before. At one point, I shut my laptop down. And we just started chatting as a little bit.

old friends, recent Oscar recipient. So we have some commonality there. I predicted that, by the way. And you said these words to me, dust off your mantle. Yes. And I looked at you and I said, what? And you said, dust off your mantle. And then I left and that was it. And then when all of that happened, I remember the next morning, I think I wanted to like write you and go, how did you know? Listen to the Questlove show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Clayton Eckerd, and in 2022, I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan. He became the first Bachelor to ever have his final rose rejected.

The internet turned on him. If I could press a button and rewind it all I would. But what happened to Clayton after the show made even bigger headlines. It began as a one-night stand and ended in a courtroom with Clayton at the center of a very strange paternity scandal. The media is here. This case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agree to date me, but I'm also suing you.

Please search for it. This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. This is love trapped. This season, an epic battle of He Said She Said, and the search for accountability in a season. of lies. Listen to Love Trapped on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. One guy we know is coming back. We can kind of start spinning it forward. Mookie Betz, the plan has been laid out there. Mookie Betz returns to this lineup next week. He's playing

shortstop and he's hitting in that two hole with Otani staying in the lead off spot. What do you like about the Mookie plan and will he stay at shortstop for the rest of the season? I love the fact that he is in the two hole. I love the fact that they are keeping Shohey in the lead-up spot. That I commend. I don't, again, I don't know. We've discussed this before. It's easy for me to plan out the defense, right, to write out the lineup card and plan the defense. I think Mookie should go back to the outfield. I think he's incredibly valuable there. I think there's enough middle infielers that can really play a good short stop, meaning Miguel Rojas, Gavin Lucks, keep him at second base, figure out what the hell you're doing at third.

And I think Mookie is really, really good in the outfield. I think you leave Taye Oskar to your point because you didn't think Tay Oscar was a center fielder, so I'll trust you, leave Tay Oscar and right, put Mokey in center because I do feel like Mokey is a good enough athlete to cover that much ground. Kevin Kiermeyer's and left. I know Kevin struggles with the bat recently, but I'll take Kevin's defense and left all day long. But that's what they're doing. Dave Roberts said when Mokey returned, so he'll play shortstop at second. I understand that. I just think that why? Why do that? They're struggling to get production from their outfield, with the exception of Teosker.

So put Mookie back. And until there's a necessity to put him back in the infield, why do you necessarily need to do that? Why do you think Dave wants him back at short? I think this is setting up for some potential versatility for Mookie when we get later into the season. Ultimately, when the season is over and we're getting into October, I'll have some fun and say, if the Dodgers make it,

sorry, spoiler, they're going to make it. I think he's going to be in right field. And I think center field was going to end up being Tommy Edmund. And then in left field, it will be Tay Oscar Hernandez, where left field is by far his worst defensive position. Well, you could argue center field. But the numbers say he's not great in left field, but he's still very serviceable in left field.

But the best version of Dave says the best version of this team, you know, having all the guys, sorry, having all the guys in the right spot to make the best version of this team, the best spot is going to be mooky bets. And he said recently, he'll play wherever is needed. So good stuff from... Well, I mean, that's what you want him to say. I mean, he's a two-time World Series champion. He's an MVP. Like, that's what he's going to... And I believe him. I believe truly

that Mookie feels that way wherever they need him, he's going to be, and he's going to give him their all. I mean, he's the best athlete in the game, not even just on the Dodgers. My point is that's a roster construction problem. If the best chance you have of winning is putting Mookie back at short, you don't have the pieces that you need to get where you want to be. I mean, Mookie should, he's not a natural second basement. I mean, like, I get it. Like he can do it. But anybody else in that position would,

he would really be exposed in that spot. Let me, let me tell you this. We want to also continue to welcome the Philly show to our Fowl Territory family. They do a great job. Jim Salisbury, Todd Zalecki, Ruben, Jr., do a great job covering the Phillies. Mookie and Rubin were together in their Boston days. And Mookie recently appeared on the Philly show.

Take a listen. So many times I felt like I could steal this face. I feel like I could steal this base. Like, I would look at him like with this concern. Like, I think I can go. And he would look at me and like, yeah, go. Steal the base. He would say it all the time.

And even if the first basement was right there, go. Steal the, you know. And it's like, so like just that instilled the confidence in me that really that I use today. Like I even do it now. Like, bro, just swing, just hit, just go. the guy slow to, I catch myself saying that to the young guys now. So keep an eye out Friday for Mookie's interview on the Philly show. They're part of the FTFT family here.

Ruben Amaro Jr. Todd Zillike, Jim Salisbury, host that show. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, wherever you get your podcast. We love having the foul territory. I can't speak. Fowel Territory family. I haven't even had a drink yet on my birthday. All right. Let's get to, let's get to blue balls.

This always makes me laugh, too. the position of the balls. I just can't, but we're also 12 years old. We're like 12 year old boys on this show. All right. So there's some influx of guys coming back, but I have to tell you, Clint, watching Bruisedar Gratterol come back. And I'm thinking, okay, this is good. Back into the bullpen. We're getting bazooka back. And then eight pitches into this. He's being basically helped off the field. I mean, this is, this was the last thing you wanted to see. Yeah, that was a, that was a tough sight. I'm hoping, you know, Dave kind of a back stepped. He was saying it was a great three strain. Turns out it's a grade one. Maybe he can come back this season. I'm hoping

the emotion is what led Bruzdar to act the way he was because he was eight pitches into his return. He's somebody we've kind of had circled on the phantom roster of like, hey, if this guy can come back and add another weapon where maybe Joe Kelly isn't on this roster, some people having some problems with Joe Kelly these days, you know, optimizing the best version of the roster. Bruisdar is one of those guys been there. done that, especially in big spots in the postseason. So to see that, it was absolutely heartbreaking, because the bazook has been, like, some people call him, you know, like my baby or whatever. He's been, like, one of our, one of the guys that has really found a way, people have leaned

into him. They, it's a very, I can't think of the word I'm trying to think of right now. But anyways, the people love on Bruisedar. So to see that situation, it's tough. And it, it continues a pattern of guys that are either coming back or just about to come back, pitching-wise, where something happens. There was Bruzdar, Dustin May with the esophagus, Kyle Hurt, where he was going to come back and then the elbow, just continued problems with this team in this roster, and we don't know how all the pieces eventually fall when October gets here.

The last thing you want to hear is forearm strain, because that generally means Tommy John, oblique hamstring growing and I don't think that he's going to be able to again if it's grade one perhaps but I'm certainly not holding out hope that we see him this year I just you can't count on it right at least a month right there so one name that a lot of fans that really know way too much about this team and the lower throws of the organization one name that is really rising amongst the prospect huggers that follow this team is a kid by the name of edgaro henriquez he's gotten some love on the internet as well he's a dude who throws

104 and if he knows where that baseball is going i say you got to bring him in you maybe he's somebody you bring into the mix for this bullpen there's been a lot of really good postseason teams that have had a kid pop up that you've never seen in there you know in your life i'll throw back you know krod Francisco Rodriguez coming up out of nowhere for them 2002 angels. But he was somebody, Henriquez was somebody that was spoke about on our, one of our, was I guess a sister show, the Hot Sheet, Baseball America. Check out this clip here, J.J. Cooper talking about Eduardo Henriquez. 103 mile an hour fastball, that's where he touches.

He's touch one that of 3.5, but he sits now like 100 miles an hour. And it's really the load, the load of mid-90s slider. that really is the pitch that just absolutely makes hitters kind of melt because you see it sometimes. It's fun when you watch him. If you have a fastball, he can front door a slider to right-handed hitters because it looks like the fastball coming out of the hand and it starts at your head and then it ducks into the zone for a called strike. It's kind of hard to really hit that. It's kind of hard to stay in on that. Jay J.J. Cooper is a plethora of information and encyclopedia, if you will. Hot Sheet airs Tuesdays at 3 p.m. Eastern, J.J. Cooper, Scott Braun,

and a rotating cast of Baseball America experts available on the Baseball America YouTube channel and wherever you get your podcast. I love listening to JJ. We tried to have him on Dodgers territory a while ago. We had some technical issues, but hopefully he'll join us soon. Yasunobu Yamamoto. Okay, I was going to say, Henrique is, though, again, one of those guys. How! Keep him in the back of your mind about this Henrique's good.

But, yeah, Yoshi. Yovoto on maybe on the way back. He's throwing the baseball. He's throwing bullpents at Dodger Stadium this week. And he's got more bullpins coming up. He says that he's feeling good. He's going to continue ramping up. He feels pretty strongly like he's coming back this season.

I've made, I've drawn my line in the sand. This is the Dodgers ace with all due respect to Tyler Glass now, with all due respect to somebody like Jack Flaherty, who this team acquired. Yamamoto is the guy who should be. and could be the ace of this club. And if you're able to throw him out and you have those other two guys, you know, behind him in a series, you're going to feel really, really good.

So he says, I think my shoulder is feeling pretty good and he's not concerned about that rotator cuff injury. But like Alana, you were just saying, amongst those injuries you don't like to hear, one of those is rotator cuff. Yes, forearm strain, rotator cuff. And you and I differ in opinion about wine versus beer. we also differ in opinion on ace being Glasnow versus Yamamoto.

I still think Tyler Glasnow is our ace. I definitely want Yamamoto back in the mix for game two. I like the experience of what Tyler Glassnow brings, but I am still incredibly concerned regardless of the addition of Jack Flaherty, which I love and he looks good so far. I'm still concerned about our starting rotation. I understand you only need three really good starters in a five game series. But remember, three-game lead, if you get a wild card, then you got to think about what you're doing in the NLDS after that.

You know, yes, I hope Yamamoto is healthy. I still hope he's going to pitch this season. I do believe that he will. But again, you never know what – look at Mueller. You never know what you're going to get from a guy coming off of any sort of I-Elstint. So – And I will add to the importance of Yamamoto because we kind of have to ask ourselves now for as high as I will. was on Gavin Stoner in the first half stone his way out of or off of the postseason roster because

we're looking at a I think it's a 691 ERA since that complete game shutout against the lowly white socks back at the end of June so is I don't know where are you out on stone where's the I told you that from the beginning though like I again I these guys I and I have the unbelievable I have an unbelievable amount of respect for the Gavin Stones the River Ryans, the Bobby Miller's, the all of the things. If those are your three guys for your future and you're the Cincinnati Reds, I'm on, I'm massively on board. But if you are the Los Angeles Dodgers, I just don't think that they're ready yet.

And that's okay. It's not their fault. I think the way that the game is now, you bring up guys that aren't ready. They don't have enough time to be seasoned in the minor leagues like they used to, whether that's because of contract situations or just the way that the game is or whether it's a salary situation. And you'd rather bring in these guys up faster so you don't have to pay veteran players or whatever the reason is. Hopefully we warmed up the Phillies so they can beat Arizona. Yeah, no kidding.

Alex. Thanks for being a part of Dodger territory. We appreciate you. You could start Kirsch and have River Ryan piggyback him would give the pen a little. Yeah, I mean, you could. But the point is, I just, again, Gavin Stone is who Gavin Stone is. Is he going to have a bright future in this league? I believe so.

But is Gavin Stone your number three for the postseason against whoever we're up against, whether it's the Phillies or the Brewers or whoever the seating works out? I don't know. I'm terrible at all that bracket shit. But the point is, I mean, I'm not surprised. They're young. They don't have the black type on baseball reference. They don't have the back side of the baseball card yet.

They just don't. And I think you're putting a lot of pressure on these young arms that are just not ready. But I mean, isn't the whole thing this organization does is get them ready at the minor league level? And obviously, I fully agree and understand that minor leagues is not the big leagues and minor league seasoning is not the same as big league season. But that's where they sprinkle these guys in there. When we're talking about Justin Robleski, talking about River Ryan, if there is a Henriquez siding at some point down the road, which I think the roster crunch makes that a lot more difficult. It could be a piggyback situation. It could be where maybe Stone goes out there and gives you three.

And then he's followed by Ryan. He's followed by Rebleski. Are you talking in a postseason game? We're piggybacking these fools. Are we talking about a random two fools? That's not fair. I apologize. Are we talking about a random Tuesday against, you know, the Reds that we're piggybacking

these guys? I think, I mean, I'm talking postseason. I'm not saying it's ideal. I'm just saying this team, unfortunately, now, you know, post are the trade deadline is moved it's beyond us. No, this is the team. This is our team. Yeah, this they need to work with what they have. And is Robleski stuff better than Gavin Stone's right now? Maybe. Is River Ryan stuff better than Gavin Stone? Maybe. Still, the team needs to put some points on the board before.

So another thing we wanted to talk about guys, obviously there's a lot to dive into with this team and the struggles. It's not just the pitching staff last night was not very pretty for this. pitching staff did not get a whole lot of help from the Ump show in L.A. But another piece that I mentioned on my show on Monday, not a lot of people. People are starting to talk about it more. We got to talk about the absence of William Dills Smith. I don't know. Is it the Dodgers Territory Curse?

But our friend Scott Gierman posting the numbers there, big Willie style, 190 since the start of June. And this is a guy who's hitting three, hitting four for this lineup. And sure, that's a symptom of still not having Mookie Betts, still not having Max Muncie. What the hell? What's wrong with Will? What's going on here, Alana?

He's not supposed to be hitting in the three hole. He's not supposed to be hitting cleanup. And this is what happens when this is what happens when I understand. I get it. Like, I mean, he's probably like, wait a minute. You know what? I get you have Shohei and Freddie and, you know, and Mookie. But here I am too.

Don't forget me. And Will would never say that because he's like the most humble human. But the point is like without Mookie. and without Max Muncie, everybody is out of position. We didn't have Freddie for eight games. So everyone's out of, I'm not worried about Will Smith, one iota at all, at all. Once Mookie comes back and he's in the two hole, it adjust the lineup the way that it's supposed to be.

And remember, as much as we are fortunate to have a really, really good hitting catcher, that's not his primary job. He's got enough to freaking deal with with managing a pitching staff of, oh, by the way, starting on Sunday in a day game is Clint Paceas. I know you don't know a lot about him. Not a major book, but this is who we're running out there right now because we are decimated by injury. I'm not worried about Will at all. I'll tell you, there's a lot of bold and italics on the back of my baseball card. I'm going to get better too when Conner gets me that clean flame. Yeah, the clean flage. That's on the way, by the way. Conor McGuinness, he is,

assistant pitching coach was with us on Monday and he is sending Clint Pesias a clean Fuego and he's extremely excited about that. I'm not worried about are you worried about will I'm not I'm not worried about will but this is two seasons in a row where he's kind of falling off of a cliff somebody put in the in the chat as well of THB THP knob or the knob whatever you want to call it will Smith also hit it 198 since May 1st so you can't even say this is a catcher wearing down to me and I said this on Monday the swing looks long it looks like he's either trying to sell out for power or maybe he needs to use a slightly lighter bat or something like that because Alana, you've been around this game a very long time.

You know catchers. Obviously, you know a catcher with somebody like Chris as well there in your house. Catchers, you work out in the offseason. You can't work out as much during the season. You lose some of that strength. And I wonder if that's a situation with Will, because we've seen it before. I could throw back and cite Russell Martin. I could throw back for Dodgers fans.

You could say, Yasmani Grandal. This is how it happens with catchers. And maybe they put a little too much importance on Will early in the season. But I think as good as Austin Barnes is, he's obviously not a one catcher. He's not a number one guy. But they're going to need to bring up somebody else. One of those guys might be Dalton rushing. Keep your eye on that name if people aren't watching him because Dalton is making waves.

And he's also playing some left field. What are you talking about? Will Smith isn't going anywhere. And Austin Barg, where are they going to put version? Where are they going to put him? It's a 1A, 1B situation where Will does not need to go out there and start five days, six days a week because it wears him down. So what are you doing with Austin? Oh, well, Austin, like, it's not going to change this season, but Austin, again.

I see what you're saying. I thought you were talking about now. I'm like, no. But if Dave is talking about having the best version of this roster, is Austin Barnes, that guy? Yes, in terms of what he brings to the table as a. captain as a leader as you know what pisses me off about that whole situation that it took sam basically 15 freaking years to get a bobblehead night and you got people coming we got climp pacius bobblehead night on a random tuesday uh i'm having a good way we got we got all i mean it took

austin barnes is the longest tenured dodger with the exception of clayton kershaw and it took him a goddamn decade to get a bobblehead the man does not get enough flowers if it's fair it's a really nice bobblehead. The mask comes off. It's a really nice bobblehead. That's not the point. It should not have taken him this long when everyone in their mother, who's been in the big leagues for seven minutes has gotten a bobblehead. I don't know. I'm not. I don't, I'm not worried about Will. I just, I'm not.

I think once, you know, once Mokey comes back, if Muncie comes back, he's going to be fine. If both those guys come back, Will is hitting down in the six or seven hole and we're feeling a lot better. He's maybe less exposed there. But for now, it's still at least worth pointing out. Will is part of the problem for the offense on this lineup right now.

He's not the problem. He's part of it. But we should probably move on. Why hasn't a woman formally participated in a Formula One race weekend in over a decade? Think about how many skills they have to develop at such a young age. What can we learn from all of the new F1 romance novels suddenly popping up every year? He still smelled of podium champagne and expensive friction. And how did a 2023 event called Wag Ageddon change the paddock forever?

That day is just seared into my memory. I'm culture writer and F1 expert Lily Herman, and these are just a few of the questions I'm tackling on no grip, a Formula One culture podcast that dives into the under-explored pockets of the sport. In each episode, a different guest and I will go deeper into the wacky mishaps, scandals and sagas, both on the track and far away from it, that have made F1 a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to no grip on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Good people, what's up, what's up? It's Questlove. So recently, I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with actors and producer, Jamie Lee Curtis, ahead of the release of her new thriller series, Scarpetta. I can honestly say I've never done an interview like that before. At one point, I shut my laptop down. And we just started chatting as old friends, recent Oscar recipient. So we have some commonality there. I predicted that, by the way.

And you said these words to me, dust off your mantle. Yes. And I looked at you and I said, what? And you said, dust off your mantle. And then I left and that was it. And then when all of that happened, I remember the next morning, I think I wanted to, like, write you and go, how did you know?

Listen to the Questlove show on the Iheart radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm Clayton Eckerd, and in 2022, I was the lead of ABC's The Bachelor. Unfortunately, it didn't go according to plan. He became the first Bachelor to ever have his final rose rejected. The internet turned on him. If I could press a button and rewind it all I would. But what happened to Clayton after the show made even bigger headlines. It began as a one-night stand and ended in a courtroom with Clayton at the center of a very strange paternity scandal.

The media is here. This case has gone viral. The dating contract. Agree to date me, but I'm also suing you. Please search warrant. This is unlike anything I've ever seen before. I'm Stephanie Young. This is Love Trapped. This season, an episode. battle of he said she said and the search for accountability in a sea of lies listen to love trapped

on the iHeart radio app apple podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts all right let's move on to last licks all right everybody uh this is gidre's guardian foundation pup of the week this is aspen two month old beautiful siberian husky um wonderful dog i mean huskies are active they need a lot of exercise They need a job. They need somebody that wants to go on hikes and long walks and all the things. Available for adoption, please contact me, giddreesgarden.org. Hit us up on social media to get you more information. Wonderful, beautiful dog.

Only two months old, very, very trainable. Siberian Husky is wonderful, wonderful dogs. All right. Last thought before we say goodbye today on this Thursday afternoon, what do you have coming up on all Dodgers? Well, coming up tonight, we're talking more about this Dodgers team. I'm also accepting calls on the voicemail hotline, getting other fans' perspectives.

So guys, check out my channel to find out how to call in. That's all Dodgers with Clint Paseas, but we will be live tonight. 6 p.m. Pacific time, myself and producer Kevin, it should be a good time. Before we get out of here, though, Alana, got to say, I think we have one more last lick lined up.

Guys, is that right? True. Oh, my God. I mean, that's obnoxious. That's not that obnoxious because that looks like my house on a daily basis. If I could have 98 dogs, I would. I appreciate that very much.

But seriously, before we say goodbye, how cool was it to see the baseball? I mean, it's easy for you and I to bitch about, oh, my God, the Dodgers are not 162 and O. But how cool is it, Clint, that the whole baseball world focused their attention and love and support for Maximus Freeman? That was, you know, that's one of those situations where you realize this is a kid's game. We're complaining about grown men trying to do their job, but to see Dodger Stadium. him rally around Freddie Freeman the way they did, the emotion of Freddie Freeman in that moment. I think the emotion of everybody there at the ballpark, him showing up to the Max Strong shirts. And then around the league, so much love and support that the Freeman family has got.

You know, shout out to Chelsea for letting everybody into a situation that has got to be awful. It is awful as a parent. I'm not a parent, but I can only imagine how awful, how terrible, how scary that is for that family. also need to update, you know, hundreds of thousands, millions of people, let them into your world. Well, ultimately, it, I will say it paid off. I don't want to say that. But still, it led to this moment where the community gets behind Freddie and the family. And it was, it was a, it was pretty damn beautiful site there at Dodger Stadium. Yeah, I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power

of people coming together for a common good and putting it out in the universe that we wanted Maximus Freeman to be good. And Chelsea and both Freddie said, you know what? I would, I would, I would, change positions and places with him in a million times over. I mean, Freddie even said, listen, bottom of the ninth, you know, two out, man, you know, bases loaded in a World Series. I gladly strike out to take his place in that hospital bed. So good for Bryce Harper for continuing to talk to Freddie Freeman during all of this. Good for Pat Murphy and the Brewers for sending their love and a video to Freddie and to Freddie and Chelsea and Brandon and Charlie and Maximus. we are thinking about you and good health the rest of the way as family first.

That's all that matters. All right. Good luck tonight on all Dodgers with Clint Pisces. I appreciate you as always. We will. Skeens and Mitch Keller and Paul Skeens. Does not get easier for the Dodgers. By the way, I'll also be at Dodgers Stadium on Sunday.

We're having a little bit of a Dodger. All Dodgers. up with some people. So come back me, left field pavilion with my people. Buy me a beer. I'd appreciate it. And guys, if you're in the invite, thanks for letting me know. I just found out about this right now. But that's cool. That's fine. You're going to fly in? Listen, I would have had I known less than 72 hours from your date. All right. Have a great weekend, everybody. We're so happy that you're here. Like us, subscribe. Give us five stars. Clint and I will be back on Monday at 12 noon on another edition of Dodgers territory. Have a great weekend.

Bye. I'm Nancy Glass, host of the Burden of Guilt Season 2 podcast. This is a story about a horrendous lie that destroyed two families. Late one night, Bobby Gumpright became the victim of a random crime. The perpetrator was sentenced to 99 years until a confession changed everything. I was a monster. Listen to Burden of Guilt Season 2 on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Good people. What's up? What's up? It's Questlove. So recently, I had the incredible opportunity to have a real conversation with an actress and producer, Jamie Lee Curtis, from routines to recovery, true lies, and a certain Jermaine Jackson music video. Jamie's real and raw. And it's something I really admire about her. I am so happy that I'm the head bitch in charge at 67, that I have the perspective. that I have at my age to really be able to put all of this into context. Listen to the Questlove show on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Ready for a different take on Formula One?

Look no further than No Grip, a new podcast tackling the culture of motor racing's most coveted series. Join me, Lily Herman, as we dive into the under-explored pockets of F1, including the story of the woman who last participated in a Formula One race weekend, the recent uptick in F1 romance novels and plenty of mishap scandals and sagas that have made Formula One a delightful, decadent dumpster fire for more than 75 years. Listen to No Grip on the IHeart Radio app,

Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.