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Hacksaw’s Monday Bonus PODCAST
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“DODGERS-JUST ASKING”
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They may be in first place, but they don’t look like they are anywhere near the World Series team we saw last year.

What is familiar is the lengthy list of names on the Disabled List.

What is unusual, all these blowout losses, especially at home at Dodgers Stadium.

So far this season, the Dodgers have had to put 18-different pitchers on the disabled list, and it is only early-July.

Freddie Freeman has been hurt twice.  Mookie Betts was sick and then banged up.  Max Muncy is out 6-weeks with what looked like a serious knee injury.

On Monday, the Dodgers were without 4-infielders as they got blitzed in Milwaukee.

Add on to things you don’t normally see at Chavez Ravine, Dodgers fans booing.

Friday’s 18-1 torch job by Houston, brought out boo-birds en-masse in the middle of a 10-run Astros inning.

This season alone, the Dodgers have been hammered at home by scores:
18-1…16-0..11-1…11-9…and then road losses by scores of 9-1…9-5…and 11-1.

No doubt they can score runs in bunches and put together big win streaks.  But this is the same team that has been smoked more often than not.

No doubt with the trade deadline coming up, LA has the resources, luxury tax be damned, to go get more help.

The injured pitchers are returning right now, but fatigue seems to be setting in on some of these arms too.

A very strange looking Dodgers team, and we are not even to the All Star break.

Just not the style of Dodgers baseball we usually see.

Can you believe it, LA fans booing the team they cheered winning the World Series ring last year?

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Hacksaw’s Monday Bonus Podcast..1:30pm
You Tube-Lee Hacksaw Hamilton
Hot Topics on the Table-Stay for Fans Forum
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“BASEBALL NOTEBOOK”
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While I was off last week, the baseball world kept churning.  Some topics, some opinions.

ALL STAR GAME..The votes are in and there will be 19-first time players in this summer’s game, and the country gets to see the vibrancy of Peter Crow-Armstrong of the Cubs and the velocity of Paul Skenes, and the power displays of Cal Raleigh and Aaron Judge.

GREAT STORIES..They should get a standing ovation for perseverance, Matt Boyd of the Cubs and Jacob deGrom of Texas.  They both spent more than two years getting off the operating table and the disabled list, and now both are all stars.  The Rangers don’t have a healthy team, but yet deGrom has been dominant when he starts.  Boyd, once seen in Detroit and Cleveland scuffling in his comeback, is one of the reasons the Cubs are where they are in the standings.  These guys deserve this.

WHY THEM..Fernando Tatis, an all star reserve, voted by the players, who obviously don’t read box scores or follow other games.  El Nino at the plate is hitting (.212) since early May and yet he gets players’ votes to show up?  And Julio Rodriguez, who has hit in the (.220s) two years in a row gets to play representing Seattle?  That is weak.

SALUTE THEM…Jason Adam gets the bid to go to the All Star game based on his 1-inning stints as a setup man.  He is on pace for 90-appearances this year.  Still think Nick Pivetta deserves accolades, and he might be an injury replacement.  Bit surprised Robert Suarez’s 34-saves did not get him a berth.

DODGERS…Are they running on fumes as we get to midseason?  Tanner Scott and Anthony Banda have had alot of bad innings over the last three weeks.  Add in the shortage of starting pitchers and the need for more bullpen days, and you get blowouts.  And the Dodgers have been booed really badly at home twice the last two weeks.  Getting beat (18-1) at home by hated Houston really enraged the fans.

ANGELS..You can say they are making progress, this nearly .500-season for the Halos.  Anything is better than last year’s 99-loss season.  But they are still short of big season batting stats from Mike Trout; still short of starting pitching;  And have a bullpen that has withered because of injuries.  Add to that the season ending loss of Manager Ron Washington with serious health problems.  The Angels just cannot overcome all their problems can they?

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“PADRES-MID SEASON REPORT CARD”
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A Mid-season look at the Padres…who still believe they are a pennant contender, but with the baseball standings showing them to be 7-games behind the lst place Dodgers.

PADRES:  Have gone from a half game back to seven games out with half a season to go.  The roster shortcomings they started with are still there, a left field by committee approach, struggling starters not getting to the 5th inning, a heavy workload on the bullpen, light hitting catchers, and a shortened bench.  Still no timeframe on Yu Darvish and Michael King.  Grade (B) at best.

SEIDLER OWNERSHIP:  Obviously they have made Padres baseball and Petco Park a destination point in the community.  The growth of Gallagher Square popularity, the Salute to Military-Sundays, and so much more are special.  It’s also obvious they have put a lid on AJ Preller’s spending spree.  Grade (A)

ERIC GREUPNER:  Unique job growing and marketing the product, and the upgrades at the Stadium.  But he has raised ticket prices 50% in four years. Love the ‘Slay the Dragon’ approach to marketing with the Dodgers.. Grade (B)

AJ PRELLER:  A fun run over a 4-year span of wheeling-dealing, trades, signings, but alas the window to get to the World Series seems growing smaller and smaller with a lid on spending.  The upper farm system is bare.  The extended contracts means he cannot deal away any of the marketable names he might use as trade bait.  Ethan Salas’ growth has stalled with the back fracture.  Leo DeVries looks exceptional, but a long way away.  There hasn’t been a World Series game at Petco Park under this regime.  Do you realize there is only 1-Padres home grown player contributing after nearly a decade of leadership…Of course a bunch of them are with the Washington Nationals…Love ‘Boots on Ground’ scouting philosophy-always searching for next find-steal-gem….Grade (B) but the window is closing

MIKE SHILDT:  A thinking man’s manager where old school baseball guys used to rule.  Protects his players to the hilt from criticism, can be a hot head in their defense, but has not been able to solve the mystery slumps some of his top stars struggle thru.  None-the-less, right guy, right situation.  Grade (A)

DYLAN CEASE..Unlock the mystery of his mechanics which has led to him becoming very inconsistent, rather than the ace of a large chunk of last season.  Soon to be a free agent, but hot and cold.  They need him to be vintage 2024, not what we see in 2025.  Woudl have thought he’d be established ace by this stage of solid career-not so…Grade (C)

NICK PIVETTA..A solid addition, pitching really well at home, a bit erratic on the road, but with 8-wins-he has saved the first half of the season.  Grade (A)

YU DARVISH..Alot of innings, alot of age, and you worry if this is the beginning of the end, with years still left on the contract.  Grade (C).

MICHAEL KING..An ace, headed to free agency, but battling the mystery of this shoulder impingement.  Need him, his toughness, grit, skill and trustworthiness.  But not ready to rejoin the rotation.  Grade (A) when healthy.

RANDY VASQUEZ..Has grown in his second year, but a bad inning every start means he is limited in length.  Still there is upside there.  Grade (C)

STEPHEN KOLEK..A real surprise in terms of growth and consistency and tenacity.  Grade (B)

RYAN BERGERT..Limited starts-impressive outings-nice composure..potential upside.  Grade (A)

KYLE HART..Not all the rentals from abroad work out.  Gives up way too many home runs, but a junk ball pitcher.  See if he grows this year.  Grade (D)

JASON ADAM…Workhorse reliever-a real warrior.  On pace for 90-appearances.  Grade (A)

ROBERT SUAREZ..Dominant, though he has staggered some since June 1st.  What a find from Japan.  Grade (A)

JEREMIAH  ESTRADA..Has grown as a setup man with velocity..some hot-some cold outings..A ceiling to get too also…..Grade (B)

ADRIAN MOREJON…Big time role guy as first key guy out of bullpen..has become better pitcher rather than thrower…Took awhile but has arrived in role..Grade (A)

YUKI MATSUI..Always takes ball but sometime erratic, but  trustworthy more than not…Grade (B)

WANDY PERALTA…Trusted veteran, used lots of different ways, but has been shelled in some bad innings…Piles up lots of appearances…Grade (C)

ALEC JACOB..Got here quick, gave ground this year-quicker..buried in El Paso getting bombed right now..Grade (D)

SEAN REYNOLDS..Still trying to find role as long reliever..there is potential..Grade (C)

DAVID MORGAN..You root for self-made guys..Fearless with his stuff..unique mindset..Grade (B) for his limited role

BRYAN HOEING…We saw last year what he could do after trade here-then sidetracked with shoulder…see if he can be it again…Grade (C)

MATT WALDREN..Saved them first half last year..faded after that..now back after missing months with oblique..Can he give them value second half this year..Grade (C)
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MANNY MACHADO…Big time star-big time payday…real baller-who never comes out…Body language sometimes weird…Grade (A)

FERNANDO TATIS…He must be hurt..from MVP numbers to start year-to getting beaned…to hitting (.188) and then (.202)…still plays hard..something really wrong that consistency is gone…Grade (B)

LUIS ARRAEZ…Wish there was more to his game, but he is wild swinging singles hitter..works hard to play defense..not great on base paths..but sprays ball foul line to foul line..headed to free agency…Grade (A)

XANDER BOGAERTS…Fear he has an Albert Pujols contract-long years-returns are dwindling…Plays hard..Solid defense..runs hard..but at bats are painful…need to be more than (.220-to-240) hitter..Good guy..Grade (C)

JACKSON MERRILL..Star in making..solid in every way just a year and a half into career..Tough year being banged up..Grade (A)

JAKE CRONEWORTH..has never returned to what he was early on..Guess you have to accept the Crone-Zone is in the (.240) batting range..A real pro..but..for this price?  Grade (B)

GAVIN SHEETS..This year’s Jurickson Profar without the glove..Good acquisition on one year rental..Grade (A)

JOSE IGLESIAS..Multi dimension with glove-arm-attitude..not hitting much..but good first guy off bench like last year’s Solano-Peralta…Grade (B)

ELIAS DIAZ..Grinder behind home plate..Solid but not All Star he was with Rockies..Grade (C)

MARTIN MALDONADO..Very good glove, intangibile helping pitching, not much offense..Grade (C)

TYLER WADE..Popular-everyone needs a 25th man on the roster..Grade (C)

BRANDON LOCKRIDGE..Read above…Glove-speed-base stealer..Grade (C)

TRENTON BROOKS…Latest version of ‘let’s take a look at him’..Grade (C)

JASON HEYWARD..Hoped it would workout-such a strong clubhouse leader but Father Time collected tolls on him quickly…Grade (D)

YULI GURRIEL..Take a gamble-some work-some don’t…Grade (F)

LUIS CAMPUSANO…Gone from Can’t Miss prospect to Can’t Make it..Probably trade bait..Have waited a long time-has not come together…Maybe a lifetime ‘4A’ player…Grade (C)

CONNOR JOE…Just like era with Rockies-Pirates..didn’t show much and moved out..Thought there was potential but did not get much of a chance…Grade (F)

BRYCE JOHNSON…Just a guy…Grade (D)

OSCAR GONZALEZ…PCL Player with 3rd different team..Grade (D)

TIRSO ORNELAS..Good spring training but that’s all..Grade (C)

MASON MC COY..Like many of utility man, up and down..nice glove..Grade (D)
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“CLEANING OUT MY NOTEBOOK”

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PADRES…The pennant race seems to be slipping away from the Friars…They head into Cincinnati-Phillies road trip now 6-games back of the Dodgers…GM AJ Preller appears cautious about making a deal with so few assets to deal with…Appears also he believes patience in getting Yu Darvish-Michael King back may be the best path to travel heading into July.

DODGERS…Extending their lead in NL West…Shohei Ohtani’s slow play return to the rotation is working…No one talking about Clayton Kershaw (4-0) start…and now Max Muncy heating up..with 6-and-7 RBI games this past week.

ANGELS..Ron Washington remains away from the team with health issues-after becoming ill with severe fatigue and breathing problems on last road trip…Hoping it is not heart related for the 73-year old manager.

CHARGERS..Quite the revelation owner Dean Spanos’ text to Arizona owner Michael Bidwell about how the Cardinals put a lid on guaranteed money given to their QB-Kyler Murray and Spanos indicating he would do the same for his QB-Justin Herbert.  The only problem, this comes as part of discovery, when an arbitrator ruled the Management Council was guilty of recommending ‘collusion’ to owners about fully guaranteed contracts…Next up look for the NFL Union to file for big money damages against the NFL for collusion.  Just ask MLB how the collusion case involving Jack Morris worked out decades ago.

LAKERS…Not sure what the path is to improve this team…Trade talks for Utah C-Walker Kessler seem stalled…LA does not have alot of assets to get Atlanta C-Clint Capela…They traded up to get defensive F-Adou Thiero-who has had knee problems at Arkansas…And added to that Charlotte C-Marcus Williams, whom they tried to trade for last season, just went to the Phoenix Suns in the division.

CLIPPERS..Surprisingly shutout in trade talks to Boston guard Drue Holiday, who went to Portland, they spent a 1st round pick on a little known C-from Penn State who is ‘really green’  and far away…A different type of backup to star Ivaka Zubac-but why him?

KINGS..Big weekend with NHL draft upon us, and rumors everywhere the Kings are in the bidding for Mitch Marner, the goal scorer from Toronto…There may also be a trade of one of their defenseman leading into Friday night’s first round.

DUCKS..Pat Verbeek is a busy man, the Chris Kreider acquisition..the controversial Trevor Zegras trade to the Flyers…and the fact he is shopping the 10th pick in the first round for another veteran player…Verbeek is under immense pressure to get this team into the playoffs after all this rebuilding..this might be his last draft if this does not workout under coach Joel Quenneville.

SDFC…Surely not your expansion team..huge win on the road in Vancouver…you never see an expansion team in first place, but SDFC is at the midseason mark of their maiden voyage MLS schedule

Enjoy your great sports weekend.

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Hacksaw’s Thursday Podcast…1-30pm
You Tube Channel-Lee Hacksaw Hamilton
Hot Topics on Table-Stay for Fans Forum
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“NBA DRAFT PICKS”
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Bad teams got really good players, but who knows if they can make their new teams instant winners.

DALLAS…The misery is over with the arrival of Cooper Flagg of Duke, who joins Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, and the big center Daniel Gafford.  How excited are Mavs fans, who were enraged in the spring with the trade of Luka Doncic, the club has sold 8M-dollars in tickets for the coming season since the Mavs won the lottery.

SAN ANTONIO..They keep building, and the next piece added is explosive scorer Dylan Harper of Rutgers.  Add him to Victor Wembanyama, Stephon Castle and De’Aaron Fox.  Here come the Spurs.

76ers…They need young legs and they need health.  There is so much upside to Baylor G-VJ Edgecomb.  Now they just need Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey to be 100% opening night.

CHARLOTTE..Been tough winters down South.  LaMelo Ball is so dynamic but has had so many injuries.  But they add a big time shooting guard-forward in Kon Knueppel-Duke, to take the scoring load off Ball and go with their young bigs.

UTAH…It has been a rough road in Salt Lake City.  Good big men, not enough firepower, little defense, and the surprise choice of Ace Bailey-Rutgers, a vibrant scorer, known for little defense and an immaturity level off the charts.  This will be a pick that could be boom-could be bust.

WASHINGTON…It has been a long haul back, lots of trades, lots of young players, but this is a really good player in Texas G-Tre Johnson, who seems to be as diverse a scorer as there is on the draft board.  He has arrived as a talent.

That’s where the stars went early on draft night, now we see what other gems are out there.

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