Is there an anti-Dodger, pro SF Giant bias with the creators of the MLB schedules?

Is there an anti-Dodger, Pro SF Giant bias with the creators of the MLB scheduling?

The MLB baseball schedule for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been released for 2019. And the Dodgers once again will end their year playing away from home in San Francisco against if you didn’t know already their arch-enemy Giants.   Coincidence? Let’s take a look.

Pop Quiz.  When was the last time the Dodgers ended their regular scheduled playing season in their home-park?  Answer: Four years ago.  And when was the last time the Dodgers had home field advantage and ended their year in their own ballpark playing their arch rival the SF Giants?  Answer: Six years ago in 2012.  Six years ago?  Coincidence? I think not.

Once again in 2019 the Dodgers will end their year playing baseball away from home (without home-field advantage) in San Francisco as they will this year in 2018. The Dodgers will have spent three of the last four years playing the Giants in San Francisco and four of the last six years playing away from home.  Coincidence? They’re sure are many.

Clearly the creators of the MLB Schedule favor the Giants otherwise they would have seen the Dodgers end their regular playing schedule at home to play another team or play the Giants at home.  Of course the Dodgers begin the year as they have many years before playing the Giants at home when it doesn’t really count for either team.  Coincidence? Maybe just anti-Dodger bias from the creators of the MLB baseball schedule.  I’m sure Giants fans will be happy with it—until we beat them in their own ball-park again.

 

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Dodgers 2018 Schedule

Dodgers.com

FullyFreeFilms.com – See what hope looks like

 

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Dodger Magic Continues: 2017 Continues to Be Great Year to be a Dodger Fan

 

UPDATED 10/19/17

Dodgers win the National League Pennant

The Los Angeles Dodgers have just won the 2017 National League Pennant by beating the Chicago Cubs 11-1.  The rout was highlighted by three home runs, one of which was a grand slam, from Enrique Hernandez.  Get full details here.

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 9/10/17

As this post proves, human beings do not know the future.  The Dodgers have now lost the last 15 out of 16 games and 10 in a row.  I remember when we asked, will the winning ever end?  Now we ask, will the losing ever end?

 

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Dodgers Sweep the Giants with magic walk-off win in the 11th inning.  The walk-off win wasn’t your average amazing walk-off either.  The Dodgers debuted a rookie by the name of Kyle Farmer who doubles in the bottom of the 11th inning with two men on, to seal the win and sweep.

In the past I have been critical of the Dodgers management for not fixing the pitching staff (specifically the bullpen).

 

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Well, it might be an understatement now but 2017 is shaping up to be a great year to be a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  With the Dodgers who currently possess the best record in Major League Baseball, while they continue to break records within the organization for wins and team leaders, it might also be an understatement to mention the Dodgers are playing really well in 2017.

And for Dodgers fans everywhere, it gets better.  To be a fan of the Dodgers in 2017 is to watch their arch-rival SF Giants cling to dead last in the National League west division standings.  For us Dodger’s fans, it is a beautiful thing to watch as the Giants flounder day in a day out while the Dodgers win and break records.

And why are the Dodgers winning?  The Dodgers have an abundance of All-star players, Rookies and raw talent.  Take Rookie sensation Cody Bellinger and players Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig, Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill, Logan Forsythe, Yasmani Grandal, Joc Peterson, Enrique Hernandez, Austin Barnes,and Chase Utley for example.  What a year they all are having!  Okay, let’s take the entire team and watch as each game means a different hero to take center stage.   Recently, we’ve seen Justin Turner claim top spot for batting average while Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger (among others) provide that much needed hit when it counts in the bottom of the ninth.

So ask me if it’s exciting to be a Dodgers fan in 2017?  That would be an understatement

 

Go Dodgers!

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Dodgers Win Pennant

From MLB: How the 2017 Dodgers stack up against other MLB teams

From the LATimes – Kyle Farmer’s Walk-off Win

Dodgers Win 8th Straight with Rookie Farmer’s walk-off to sweep Giants

Walk-off Wonders

Dodgers Baseball

Dodgers keep rolling

Win Streak at 11

FullyFreeFilms

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MLB Blackouts Not a Friend to Baseball Fans (besides they don’t make sense)

MLB Exclusivities and Blackout Policy isn’t for the fans

My team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, is on the cusp of winning another National League West Division Title but despite being a MLB mobile app subcriber I won’t be able to watch the Dodger’s broadcast of it.

Due to what Major League Baseball calls MLB Exclusivities in their blackout policy,  baseball fans like myself are kept from sometimes watching the broadcast of their favorite teams.

For example, I happen live too close (400 miles away) to the other market (SF Giants) to watch the broadcast of my favorite team (the LA Dodgers).  This means I am not able to watch a blacked-out game from the MLB mobile app (At Bat), since the game is being broadcast on local television.  This may seem understandable until we look at the details.

Does MLB really care about the fan?

Here’s the reason why I don’t believe MLB cares much about the fan but more about television deals and company rights.  While it’s true there is a broadcast of the game which in my case is between the Dodgers and Giants,  the local broadcast is from the Giants (Bay Area) network.   (Keep in mind the Giants play over 350 miles away from me.)  As a Dodger fan I do not want to watch the Giant’s broadcast and have a MLB subscription specifically so I can watch the broadcast of my favorite team (the Dodgers).

Why I think MLB could fix this issue if they wanted to

On MLB’s mobile app, the subscriber has a choice of both team’s broadcast feeds.  If MLB really wanted to fix this issue of blackouts while being fair to their customers and baseball fans, I don’t see why they couldn’t blackout the home market broadcast (if it’s broadcast on a local channel in the market area), while still broadcasting the feed from the visiting team’s network. This would allow fans of both teams access to both of team’s broadcasts.  Despite what MLB or any television network might say, I think this is how it should be.  Changing this policy and allowing access to both broadcasts,  would show they do care about the fans who want to watch their favorite team’s broadcast.

What do you think?  Feel free to share in the comments below.

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MLB.tv

Dodgers.com

FullyFreeFilms.com – See what hope looks like

 

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image – personal photo

Dodgers bullpen still not ready for the World Series

1988 was the last time the Dodgers won a World Series crown and since that time the Dodgers have struggled to form a stable bullpen for late inning baseball.   Tonight was no exception as the Dodgers squandered multiple leads only to lose to the last place Phillies 7-5.   The Dodgers may well be on the cusp of clinching another division title but without stellar pitching from not only the starting pitching but the bullpen alike, the Dodgers won’t have a good chance at competing at a higher level of play.   I hope the team proves me wrong but this simply means no World Series trophies until management is serious about fixing the bullpen.

Now the issues with the bullpen have plagued the Dodgers for quite some time, which I have touched on in the past.  Of course the past 29 years have proven that the Dodgers have shown promising streaks such as earlier this year in 2017.  However, until the bullpen can be a reliable stopping force especially come the late innings, the Dodgers will continue to struggle in post-season play.

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Dodgers Pen Falters yet again

The Elephant in the 2015 Dodgers’ Clubhouse

If the Dodgers Don’t

FullyFreeFilms – See what hope looks like

 

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Dodger Magic Continues: 2017 Continues to Be Great Year to be a Dodger Fan

 

UPDATED 10/19/17

Dodgers win the National League Pennant

The Los Angeles Dodgers have just won the 2017 National League Pennant beating the Chicago Cubs 11-1.  The rout was highlighted by three home runs, one of which was a grand slam, from Enrique Hernandez.  Get full details here.

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 9/10/17

As this post proves, human beings do not know the future.  The Dodgers have now lost the last 15 out of 16 games and 10 in a row.  I remember when we asked, will the winning ever end?  Now we ask, will the losing ever end?

 

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Dodgers Sweep the Giants with magic walk-off win in the 11th inning.  The walk-off win wasn’t your average amazing walk-off either.  The Dodgers debuted a rookie by the name of Kyle Farmer who doubles in the bottom of the 11th inning with two men on, to seal the win and sweep.

In the past I have been critical of the Dodgers management for not fixing the pitching staff (specifically the bullpen).

 

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Well, it might be an understatement now but 2017 is shaping up to be a great year to be a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  With the Dodgers who currently possess the best record in Major League Baseball, while they continue to break records within the organization for wins and team leaders, it might also be an understatement to mention the Dodgers are playing really well in 2017.

And for Dodgers fans everywhere, it gets better.  To be a fan of the Dodgers in 2017 is to watch their arch-rival SF Giants cling to dead last in the National League west division standings.  For us Dodger’s fans, it is a beautiful thing to watch as the Giants flounder day in a day out while the Dodgers win and break records.

And why are the Dodgers winning?  The Dodgers have an abundance of All-star players, Rookies and raw talent.  Take Rookie sensation Cody Bellinger and players Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig, Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill, Logan Forsythe, Yasmani Grandal, Joc Peterson, Enrique Hernandez, Austin Barnes,and Chase Utley for example.  What a year they all are having!  Okay, let’s take the entire team and watch as each game means a different hero to take center stage.   Recently, we’ve seen Justin Turner claim top spot for batting average while Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger (among others) provide that much needed hit when it counts in the bottom of the ninth.

So ask me if it’s exciting to be a Dodgers fan in 2017?  That would be an understatement

 

Go Dodgers!

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From MLB: How the 2017 Dodgers stack up against other MLB teams

From the LATimes – Kyle Farmer’s Walk-off Win

Dodgers Win 8th Straight with Rookie Farmer’s walk-off to sweep Giants

Walk-off Wonders

Dodgers Baseball

Dodgers keep rolling

Win Streak at 11

FullyFreeFilms

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image source

 

2017: A Great Year to be a Dodger Fan

UPDATED    Dodgers Sweep the Giants with magic walk-off win in the 11th inning.  The walk-off win wasn’t your average amazing walk-off either.  The Dodgers debuted a rookie by the name of Kyle Farmer who doubles in the bottom of the 11th inning with two men on, to seal the win and sweep.

In the past I have been critical of the Dodgers management for not fixing the pitching staff (specifically the bullpen).

Well, it might be an understatement now but 2017 is shaping up to be a great year to be a fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  With the Dodgers who currently possess the best record in Major League Baseball, while they continue to break records within the organization for wins and team leaders, it might also be an understatement to mention the Dodgers are playing really well in 2017.

And for Dodgers fans everywhere, it gets better.  To be a fan of the Dodgers in 2017 is to watch their arch-rival SF Giants cling to dead last in the National League west division standings.  For us Dodger’s fans, it is a beautiful thing to watch as the Giants flounder day in a day out while the Dodgers win and break records.

And why are the Dodgers winning?  The Dodgers have an abundance of All-star players, Rookies and raw talent.  Take Rookie sensation Cody Bellinger and players Justin Turner, Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Alex Wood, Clayton Kershaw, Yasiel Puig, Kenley Jansen, Rich Hill, Logan Forsythe, Yasmani Grandal, Joc Peterson, Enrique Hernandez, Austin Barnes,and Chase Utley for example.  What a year they all are having!  Okay, let’s take the entire team and watch as each game means a different hero to take center stage.   Recently, we’ve seen Justin Turner claim top spot for batting average while Corey Seager, Chris Taylor, Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger (among others) provide that much needed hit when it counts in the bottom of the ninth.

So ask me if it’s exciting to be a Dodgers fan in 2017?  That would be an understatement

 

Go Dodgers!

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From the LATimes – Kyle Farmer’s Walk-off Win

Dodgers Win 8th Straight with Rookie Farmer’s walk-off to sweep Giants

Walk-off Wonders

Dodgers Baseball

Dodgers keep rolling

Win Streak at 11

FullyFreeFilms

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image source

 

Why do some baseball teams play, some do not: My MLB Scheduling Gripe

Why do some Major League Baseball teams get specific days off, while other teams do not?

For example, the Los Angeles Dodgers played the Chicago White Sox July 19, 2017 but then must fly home to LA to play the Braves at 7pm on July 20th.  Yet, the White Sox team gets Thurs July 20, 2017 off.  They then fly or drive a short distance to Kansas City to play Friday.

Now I can completely understand a day off for teams to fly and support it.  So to my point, why don’t the Dodgers get a day off to fly nearly 2000 miles home?  I can only think of one reason for this:  Money.  The Dodgers bring in more money than other teams so it’s probably in the best interest of MLB (and management) to keep them playing more often.   If anyone knows for sure, I would be delighted to know.

Meanwhile, Go Dodgers!

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Dodgers.com

 

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Vin Scully is Baseball and a Living Legend (who will be greatly missed)

Vin Scully

A Living Legend

Imagine for a moment if a person like Elvis Presley the music legend were still walking this earth?  Well, we have such a person right now on this earth and his name is Vin Scully.

Vin Scully the longtime announcer (67 years! most of any broadcaster) of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team is nearing the end of his announcing career.   As a lifelong Dodger fan and baseball fan, I think it is only fitting I pay a tribute to Vin Scully in a post!    

Vin Scully is a living legend who I know I will miss hearing on the radio, and who will be greatly missed by sports fans and friends alike all across the world.  Now there are only two Dodger home games left this weekend where Vin Scully will be announcing at Dodger Stadium so I wanted to share a few links commemorating Vin’s life as a sports broadcaster.    

Vin Scully’s 10 greatest calls

Dodgers honor Vin Scully at final homestand

Dodgers pay tribute to ‘national treasure’ Scully

Scully pens heartfelt letter to Dodgers fans

A fond farewell to Vin Scully

Interesting to Note:  the Dodgers are only 2 games away from becoming Western Division Champions in the National League.  There are also only two games left for Vin Scully to be the Dodger’s announcer and be at Dodger Stadium.   I think a nice parting gift to give to Vin might be for the Dodgers to clinch the division one last time for Vin Scully at home!

Related Interest

Dodgers

Hope

Audacity movie

 

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If the Dodgers Started the Baseball Season Today

If the Los Angeles Dodgers were to start the baseball season with the team we see today, I believe they would not even make it to the playoffs this time.   Right now I believe the team is mediocre at best–much like the past few years.

First, the team has lost their second best starting pitcher Zach Greinke and have not added any replacements worth mentioning.   The bullpen has not been fixed, which has been leaking for a few years now.  Adding two or three great pitchers to the bullpen would go a long way to helping the team stop those leaks when the game is on the line.   If they expect to have a chance at the World Series they must at least add two more strong starting pitchers and trade Alex Wood.  Brett Anderson should only be used in an emergency or a 10 plus inning game.

The offense hasn’t changed in terms of adding great hitters.  In my opinion re-signing Chase Utley was a wasted resigning which will only return similar mediocre results seen from the 2015 season.  Without great pitching, both starting and from the bullpen, and without great hitters throughout the lineup, the Dodgers can only expect the same sorry outcome we have seen from the last three years.

Come spring training and the start of the 2016 season, I do hope the front office cares about truly fixing the team to better than championship caliber.   The holes are real and the holes are big.  Time will tell if they fill the holes and build a better team or if their fat paychecks hinder them from caring about the fans.

Related interest:

Dodgers head home with roster questions

Greinke Traded to Arizona

Utley resigning with Dodgers

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Dodgers Fans Rejoice: Kansas City Royals Beat NY Mets to Win 2015 World Series

The 2015 Kansas City Royals baseball team proved that you don’t need a $300 million dollar plus payroll like the Los Angeles Dodgers to win a World Series.  What a team needs is a solidly deep pitching bullpen, reliable starting pitching and great hitters in the clutch.   The Dodgers and New York Mets both proved that a weaker bullpen loses games and inconsistent hitting will also lose games.

I hope the upper management for the Los Angeles Dodgers will take notice from this 2015 World Series that money doesn’t necessarily win games, but great players win games.  In addition, computer analytics can hinder winning a game when it’s great pitching, battering and old-fashioned baseball playing that it takes to win.   In 2014 and 2015 the Dodgers seemed to forget about playing old-time Dodger baseball with small ball and by adapting to each play as it unfolds.  The management of late has appeared to become more concerned about what a computer says about a situation, overall game statistics and pitching counts regardless of how the players are playing.   Of course without solid pitching from the bullpen and reliable clutch hitting,  no amount of flexibility is going to win a game.

It is my opinion that when good players are left alone to play baseball and the coaching and management knows the right times to step aside, great things will happen on the field for the team.  The 2015 Royals proved just that by not only winning the World Series but because they were able to come from behind to win three of the five games in the series.    The 2015 Kansas City Royals are a team all baseball clubs should be watching and be taking notes on how winning baseball is played.

 

Related interest:

Royals’ brand of baseball evident through the end

Royals Win Exciting, Lecture-Free Series

If the Dodgers Don’t

The Elephant in the 2015 Dodgers’ Clubhouse

 

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