April 24th, 2017 at 6:00 am 
by Ron Cervenka Baseball can be a brutal game.
Take Friday night, for example. The Dodgers managed to pull to within a run of the NL West second place Arizona Diamondbacks only the see their up-to-that-point stellar bullpen completely implode when they collectively allowed 13 Dbacks hitters to come to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning, scoring eight runs … EIGHT RUNS to limp away with an embarrassing 13-5 loss to the snakes.
And then one night later, a completely ineffective Kenta Maeda gave up six runs – including four home runs and two doubles – on nine hits while walking one and striking out five in only five innings of work in the eventual 11-5 loss to those same Dbacks.
Fortunately, the Dodgers managed to salvage a 6-2 win in game-3 of the three-game series to avoid being swept, but they couldn’t get out of Chase Field fast enough and head to San Francisco to begin a four-game series against the Giants at AT&T Park.
Dodgers right-hander Brandon McCarthy was absolutely brilliant in Sunday’s 6-2 win over the Arizona Diamondback to avoid a three-game sweep. Mac allowed only two runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts in his seven innings of work. His 2.35 ERA is also the lowest among all Dodger starters – including that of Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw (2.54). (Photo credit – Ross D. Franklin)
Ah yes… the San Francisco Giants who, in addition to being swept by the NL West first place Colorado Rockies at Coors Field over the weekend, have lost six of their last seven games. Their current 6-13 record matches their worst in franchise history through their first 19 games. They also currently own the worst record in the National League and second worst in all of baseball behind only the Toronto Blue Jays (5-13).
But wait, there’s more!
On Friday afternoon, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner – perhaps the second best pitcher in the game today and hands down the best hitting pitcher in the game today – suffered bruised ribs and what is listed as a “Grade 1 or 2 left shoulder AC strain” after crashing on his dirt bike during the Giants off day prior to the weekend series with the Rockies. Although much has already been said, written and tweeted about this absolutely inexcusable incident – which is a slap in the face to MadBum’s teammates and to the entire Giants organization – it is impossible not to think of comedian Ron White’s famous line: “You can’t fix stupid.” Bumgarner is expected to be out for a reported six to eight weeks, although this probably doesn’t include any rehab time that the Giants ace will have to make before returning to MLB action.
But wait, there’s even more!
In addition to MadBum (who some are now calling “BadBum”), Giants outfielder Jarrett Parker was recently lost to the disabled list for a fractured clavicle he suffered after running into the wall while attempting a catch. Parker’s injury required surgery that will have him on the shelf until at least late June. Giants center fielder Denard Span is still listed as day-to-day for a right shoulder sprain. And while a recent knee bruise to Giants right fielder Hunter Pence caused him to miss Saturday’s game against the Rockies, he was back in the lineup on Sunday.
Although there are some who might say “Oh, those poor Giants,” I can absolutely, positively, 100 percent guarantee you that not one of the 9-10 / NL West third place Dodgers or any Dodger fan on the planet are among them … not one. Not only could the Dodgers care less about the the struggles that their most hated rivals are going through right now, they would be absolutely negligent if they do not stomp on the throats of the Giants while they are down. This is an opportunity to create some serious distance between them and The Hated Ones; an opportunity that they most likely will not get again this season.
No mention of ‘those poor Giants’ here.
Like I said, baseball can be a brutal game.
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How about “DumBum”? First report I heard was this happened in Colorado. There’s a reason these mountains are called the Rocky Mountains. We’ve got some really wicked dirt bike trails.
I don’t find this surprising. It’s typical of Bummer. Now the question is if he violated his contract and, if so, what the results of that will be. I would assume he could get stuck with his own medical bills and not get paid during his absence.
One thing I am sorry about. I was really looking forward to the new Yasiel Puig looking at Bummer from the batter’s box.
It did indeed happen in the Rockies.
From what I have been able to glean, Bumgarner does have a clause in his contract that prohibits various activities, including dirt biking.
I suspect that he will be penalized in some way by the team but there is no way on God’s green earth that they will void his contract and let him go (although they most certainly could).
If Puig and MadBum ever get into a fight, Yasiel now has a focal point for his first punch. lol!
I certainly agree they wouldn’t void his contract. That might be a good thing for him though, as my understanding is he is very poorly paid considering your description: “…perhaps the second best pitcher in the game today and hands down the best hitting pitcher in the game today…”.
I also doubt he’d get stuck with his own medical bills as the Giants would want some control over the quality of treatment he receives.
I’m thinking a significant reduction in pay for the duration of his absence, almost like those of us who work (or worked in my case) in the real world.
Re: Puig vs. Bummer. Have you noticed that Bummer is always the instigator and it’s always in a situation in which other players can get between them quickly? He’s not that big a DumBum.
Why did you delete my comment?
You have mail.
This looks like a good time for the Dodgers to be facing the Giants. Let’s hope they can take advantage of it.
Nope, no sympathy what so ever. Way too early in the season to make any conclusions. I’m not even 30, but I know the story of 1951…
Side note, to everybody who clamores for the Dodgers to ship off prospects for “proven vets” the Giants are a good case study on how that can backfire. They’d have Adam Duvall in left field and Biangini in the bullpen if they were more inclined to keep their own guys. Their aging roster is looking fragile and expensive without many up and comers to fill the holes. They had a great run, but it could be fading fast now that their even year magic spell was broken. Long story short, sustained excellence is created from within.
Great points BDN!
Within hours of Andrew Friedman and Farhan Zaidi taking over the Dodgers FO, they went on record to say that it was their goal to “get younger” and to rebuild what was once the greatest farm system in the game. They have done – and continue to do – both. (You will LOVE Jacob’s article tomorrow morning in that regard).
While I am all in favor of the “getting younger” thing, my greatest appreciation of F&Z is how they have wisely protected their top prospects. Yes, they have made some trades that I was not particularly fond of (i.e. Jose De Leon and Chase De Jong), but the return has been more positive than negative.
I am also absolutely overwhelmed with the remarkable talent that the Dodgers have drafted and acquired through incredibly well-thought-out free agent signings – both domestically and especially internationally. The Dodger scouts on this front and the Dodgers player development staff have been absolutely outstanding.
Man, it’s a great time to be a Dodger fan!
The Dodgers got aggressive last night on the bases, the last two innings, a neighborhood they haven’t been in lately and got burned. We need a little Kershaw magic tonight.