1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:03,520 Speaker 1: The quest for the free peat has begun. 2 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:07,560 Speaker 2: Only four teams in Major League Baseball history have won 3 00:00:07,640 --> 00:00:12,039 Speaker 2: three consecutive titles. The Dodgers are the favorites to become 4 00:00:12,400 --> 00:00:13,240 Speaker 2: the fifth. 5 00:00:13,240 --> 00:00:15,680 Speaker 1: This is world Champion Dodger Talk. 6 00:00:15,760 --> 00:00:17,720 Speaker 3: Here we go again. Rgera running back to. 7 00:00:17,720 --> 00:00:20,760 Speaker 4: Get in on the show called eight six six eighty seven, 8 00:00:20,880 --> 00:00:23,400 Speaker 4: two five seven days and be sure to follow Dodger 9 00:00:23,480 --> 00:00:28,120 Speaker 4: Talk wherever you get short podcasts. Here's your host, David 10 00:00:28,200 --> 00:00:29,320 Speaker 4: Vase Day. 11 00:00:31,000 --> 00:00:34,760 Speaker 2: We are live at Angels Stadium for our first postgame 12 00:00:34,920 --> 00:00:39,360 Speaker 2: Dodger Talk of twenty twenty six, after the Dodgers beat 13 00:00:39,400 --> 00:00:43,320 Speaker 2: the Angels tonight thirteen to five in the first of 14 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:48,600 Speaker 2: three Exhibition Freeway Series games, before we get set for 15 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:51,880 Speaker 2: Opening Day, which is just around the corner. It's coming 16 00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 2: up on Thursday at Dodgers Stadium. Yes, Opening Day is 17 00:00:57,000 --> 00:01:02,040 Speaker 2: this week five thirty. This this Thursday at Dodgers Stadium. 18 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:06,640 Speaker 2: Yama Moto will be the Dodgers Opening Day starter, the 19 00:01:06,680 --> 00:01:12,080 Speaker 2: World Series Hero, the World Series MVP, Yama Moto will 20 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:17,240 Speaker 2: be making that ceremonial start against the Arizona Diamondbacks and 21 00:01:17,440 --> 00:01:21,240 Speaker 2: Zach Gallon. It's a three game series, so the Dodgers 22 00:01:21,280 --> 00:01:25,200 Speaker 2: will have a rare Sunday day off, and then we'll 23 00:01:25,200 --> 00:01:29,840 Speaker 2: welcome in the Cleveland Guardians in their first opening homestand 24 00:01:30,000 --> 00:01:31,280 Speaker 2: at Dodgers Stadium. 25 00:01:31,400 --> 00:01:33,880 Speaker 3: So very excited to be back with you. 26 00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:37,520 Speaker 2: We have phone lines open at eight six six nine, 27 00:01:37,600 --> 00:01:42,200 Speaker 2: eight seven, two five seventy And speaking of the Dodgers 28 00:01:42,319 --> 00:01:47,280 Speaker 2: Opening days, starter Dave Roberts told the media after tonight's game, 29 00:01:47,440 --> 00:01:50,760 Speaker 2: the way it's gonna lay out as far as the 30 00:01:50,840 --> 00:01:56,800 Speaker 2: starting rotation u Yama, Moto, Tyler Glass Now, Roki Sasaki, 31 00:01:56,880 --> 00:02:01,720 Speaker 2: Emid Sheian and show hey Otani. Justin Robleski will be 32 00:02:02,000 --> 00:02:06,920 Speaker 2: in the bullpen as a long reliever. So that's the 33 00:02:06,920 --> 00:02:09,960 Speaker 2: way it lays out, at least for the first three 34 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:15,399 Speaker 2: games of the season, Yamamoto, Glass now and Roki Sasaki 35 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:21,000 Speaker 2: and then Amisian Otani and Robleski excuse me, Emi Sheian 36 00:02:21,120 --> 00:02:25,120 Speaker 2: Otani and then Yamamoto against the Guardians. So you'll see 37 00:02:25,200 --> 00:02:30,760 Speaker 2: Yamamoto twice on this opening homestand and Robleski, who was 38 00:02:30,880 --> 00:02:34,119 Speaker 2: phenomenal for the Dodgers out of the bullpen last year. 39 00:02:34,200 --> 00:02:38,760 Speaker 2: Piggybacking shortened Otani starts or whether it was coming out 40 00:02:38,800 --> 00:02:42,720 Speaker 2: of the bullpen in five World Series games. I really 41 00:02:42,720 --> 00:02:45,799 Speaker 2: believe that's his sweet spot, and he. 42 00:02:45,919 --> 00:02:48,920 Speaker 3: Certainly is up for that and wants. 43 00:02:48,680 --> 00:02:51,400 Speaker 2: To be part of this team. So I like the 44 00:02:51,440 --> 00:02:54,560 Speaker 2: way things are laying out. Eight six six nine, eight 45 00:02:54,639 --> 00:02:57,720 Speaker 2: seven two five seventy is the phone number, you know? 46 00:02:57,760 --> 00:03:01,000 Speaker 2: I asked Teoscar Hernandez because he seen a lot of 47 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:03,440 Speaker 2: baseball and he was a big part of that ten 48 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:07,519 Speaker 2: run third inning. Whether or not he's ever seen an 49 00:03:07,560 --> 00:03:12,840 Speaker 2: inning like that where a team issues seven walks and 50 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:17,040 Speaker 2: they walk in a run three different times and then 51 00:03:17,080 --> 00:03:19,720 Speaker 2: you pile on with a home run and a two 52 00:03:19,800 --> 00:03:22,800 Speaker 2: run single. And he actually said, yeah, I remember a 53 00:03:22,840 --> 00:03:25,480 Speaker 2: game when I was playing for the Blue Jays. We 54 00:03:25,480 --> 00:03:29,720 Speaker 2: were in Baltimore against the Orioles, and something very similar 55 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 2: happened like we saw tonight. So yeah, he said, I 56 00:03:33,600 --> 00:03:35,240 Speaker 2: was part of that when I was with the Blue 57 00:03:35,320 --> 00:03:36,760 Speaker 2: Jays and Baltimore. 58 00:03:36,800 --> 00:03:38,120 Speaker 3: But that's not something that. 59 00:03:38,600 --> 00:03:44,920 Speaker 2: You always see. It's it's an interesting it's an interesting 60 00:03:46,200 --> 00:03:52,640 Speaker 2: layout from what the Dodgers are are used to sing 61 00:03:52,680 --> 00:03:56,440 Speaker 2: from the Angels here. So that's the way it lays 62 00:03:56,440 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 2: out for the Dodgers tonight, as they scored ten runs 63 00:04:01,280 --> 00:04:04,680 Speaker 2: and certainly it's going to be interesting. 64 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:08,240 Speaker 3: The Dodgers are getting ready for opening day. 65 00:04:08,680 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 2: Eight six six nine eight seven two five seventy is 66 00:04:12,440 --> 00:04:16,840 Speaker 2: the phone number. The Dodgers are getting ready for opening Day. 67 00:04:17,400 --> 00:04:21,360 Speaker 2: And certainly, oh, here we go. We got some corrections 68 00:04:21,400 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 2: and retractions from Katie Wu from the Athletic This is 69 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:26,480 Speaker 2: not in order. 70 00:04:26,600 --> 00:04:29,360 Speaker 3: Oh, she kind of jumped the gun here, Katie Wu. 71 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:34,520 Speaker 2: Katie Wu was saying after tonight's game that Dave Roberts said, 72 00:04:34,680 --> 00:04:41,000 Speaker 2: Yamamoto glass now Sasaki. Well, oh, okay, it's just Yama 73 00:04:41,000 --> 00:04:46,480 Speaker 2: Moto starting opening day. Okay, corrections and retractions from Katie Wu. 74 00:04:46,600 --> 00:04:50,120 Speaker 2: So jumping the gun a little bit as far as 75 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:55,480 Speaker 2: what she's going for here. So anyway, let's just wait 76 00:04:55,560 --> 00:05:01,240 Speaker 2: till we hear from Dave Roberts directly. It doesn't seem 77 00:05:01,279 --> 00:05:05,000 Speaker 2: like we have a clarification exactly on how this is 78 00:05:05,040 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: gonna lay out. So I was reading off what Katie 79 00:05:08,560 --> 00:05:13,560 Speaker 2: Wu was tweeting from Dave Roberts office, which obviously she 80 00:05:13,680 --> 00:05:18,440 Speaker 2: is clarifying now, so scratch all of that. Yamamoto is 81 00:05:18,440 --> 00:05:21,480 Speaker 2: the opening day starter, and we'll see who else falls 82 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,960 Speaker 2: in line. Now, look, there there is a path here 83 00:05:25,040 --> 00:05:29,360 Speaker 2: where the Dodgers would obviously give Glass now an extra 84 00:05:29,480 --> 00:05:32,440 Speaker 2: day of rest. They don't necessarily have to rush them 85 00:05:32,440 --> 00:05:35,080 Speaker 2: out there for Game two, so it can go either way. 86 00:05:35,120 --> 00:05:38,520 Speaker 2: Glass now Game two, Glass now Game three. But one 87 00:05:38,560 --> 00:05:41,640 Speaker 2: thing's for certain Tomorrow night, Roki Sasaki is on the 88 00:05:41,680 --> 00:05:45,760 Speaker 2: mound for the Dodgers and show Hey Otani, we'll pitch 89 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:51,680 Speaker 2: the final game of the Freeways series at Dodgers Stadium. 90 00:05:52,160 --> 00:05:56,080 Speaker 2: Eight six seven two five seventy is the phone number. 91 00:05:56,120 --> 00:05:56,360 Speaker 3: Now. 92 00:05:56,480 --> 00:06:03,080 Speaker 2: Another big storyline today was over the twenty sixth. 93 00:06:03,080 --> 00:06:05,200 Speaker 3: Roster spot on the Dodgers. 94 00:06:06,520 --> 00:06:10,960 Speaker 2: Obviously, the only position battle in camp this year was 95 00:06:11,480 --> 00:06:15,120 Speaker 2: for second base and a left handed hitting second baseman, 96 00:06:15,279 --> 00:06:19,919 Speaker 2: with Tommy Edmond beginning the year on the injured list 97 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,760 Speaker 2: because he underwent right ankle surgery during the offseason, which 98 00:06:25,240 --> 00:06:31,279 Speaker 2: delayed his start in baseball activities. So Tommy Edmand on 99 00:06:31,360 --> 00:06:34,080 Speaker 2: the IL, and that opened up a spot Key Key 100 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:38,320 Speaker 2: Hernandez likely not going to play until June, opened up 101 00:06:38,400 --> 00:06:43,479 Speaker 2: a spot for either Alex Freeland or Hey Sun Kim, 102 00:06:44,040 --> 00:06:47,800 Speaker 2: and look, Kim's betting average was better, his ops was better, 103 00:06:48,279 --> 00:06:52,400 Speaker 2: but Alex Freeland showed a lot more maturity this spring 104 00:06:52,560 --> 00:06:56,719 Speaker 2: than what we saw a year ago, and he actually 105 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:00,720 Speaker 2: showed a lot more plate discipline than what we saw 106 00:07:00,839 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 2: in that small sample size a year ago. And there's 107 00:07:05,040 --> 00:07:08,080 Speaker 2: a couple of different layers to all this. Let's hear 108 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:12,040 Speaker 2: from Dave Roberts, who talked about this before the game, 109 00:07:12,120 --> 00:07:15,640 Speaker 2: and then we'll share with what Alex Friedland told us 110 00:07:15,680 --> 00:07:18,880 Speaker 2: before the game about his spring and how people are 111 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:24,880 Speaker 2: not judging exactly how good his spring training was. 112 00:07:25,960 --> 00:07:32,040 Speaker 5: Probably the toughest decision of the spring. There's no doubt 113 00:07:32,040 --> 00:07:34,040 Speaker 5: that Haysong at some point is going to come help 114 00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,960 Speaker 5: us out. I think the driver, as far as the outset, 115 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,880 Speaker 5: was given Haysong an opportunity to play every day, play 116 00:07:42,880 --> 00:07:46,560 Speaker 5: all over the diamond. He's gonna play some short, some center, 117 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:50,400 Speaker 5: some second base there whereas here he just wouldn't have 118 00:07:50,440 --> 00:07:55,680 Speaker 5: the runway to do that, to play more frequently. I 119 00:07:55,720 --> 00:07:58,480 Speaker 5: think with Alex it's just what he's done in Triple 120 00:07:58,560 --> 00:08:02,080 Speaker 5: A already. He's really played well there. There's really nothing 121 00:08:02,200 --> 00:08:04,280 Speaker 5: left for him to prove there, and so I think 122 00:08:04,320 --> 00:08:07,080 Speaker 5: for us to give him a little bit and runway 123 00:08:07,120 --> 00:08:09,520 Speaker 5: to see what we got him, give him an opportunity 124 00:08:10,480 --> 00:08:14,400 Speaker 5: to play here. For us, it gets right handed pitching, 125 00:08:15,040 --> 00:08:16,720 Speaker 5: and so just kind of see where it goes. But again, 126 00:08:16,760 --> 00:08:18,960 Speaker 5: it's really not an in diamond on Haysong at all. 127 00:08:19,000 --> 00:08:21,440 Speaker 5: And like I said, we think the world to him 128 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:24,120 Speaker 5: as a player, as a teammate and expect him to 129 00:08:24,120 --> 00:08:26,560 Speaker 5: help us at some point. I think for me with Alex, 130 00:08:26,600 --> 00:08:29,480 Speaker 5: I think I think the bad quality has been fine. 131 00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:33,400 Speaker 5: He just hasn't finished off. He hadn't hasn't finished off 132 00:08:33,480 --> 00:08:37,480 Speaker 5: the advats. So I think that for us, I've always 133 00:08:37,520 --> 00:08:42,520 Speaker 5: said I don't evaluate completely through spring with spring training, 134 00:08:43,320 --> 00:08:46,320 Speaker 5: but yeah, Haysong, you know it was abbreviated, but he 135 00:08:46,360 --> 00:08:50,400 Speaker 5: had a nice spring. But it's a small sample and 136 00:08:50,520 --> 00:08:53,720 Speaker 5: Alex played a lot, didn't have a great spring, but 137 00:08:53,920 --> 00:08:57,040 Speaker 5: played great defensively. And I still think that, you know, 138 00:08:57,080 --> 00:08:59,720 Speaker 5: in talking to the front office, we felt that with what 139 00:08:59,760 --> 00:09:02,760 Speaker 5: he's done before in the past at Triple A, giving 140 00:09:02,800 --> 00:09:05,160 Speaker 5: him this opportunity and see where it leaves. 141 00:09:05,520 --> 00:09:05,920 Speaker 3: All Right. 142 00:09:06,000 --> 00:09:09,280 Speaker 2: That was Dave Roberts explanation on why the Dodgers went 143 00:09:09,800 --> 00:09:14,120 Speaker 2: with Freeland over Kim. And let's hear from Alex Freeland, 144 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:19,160 Speaker 2: because he obviously knows the numbers don't reflect how good 145 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:22,720 Speaker 2: he believes his plate appearances were. Whatever he was trying 146 00:09:22,760 --> 00:09:25,240 Speaker 2: to accomplish. So here's what Alex Freeland had to say 147 00:09:25,280 --> 00:09:26,080 Speaker 2: earlier today. 148 00:09:26,559 --> 00:09:28,960 Speaker 6: Yeah, I mean you could definitely look at spring training 149 00:09:29,000 --> 00:09:31,839 Speaker 6: and look at the stats and say, yeah, he had 150 00:09:31,840 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 6: a terrible spring training. But in my eyes, I worked 151 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,080 Speaker 6: on certain things and I achieved certain goals. So I 152 00:09:38,080 --> 00:09:41,440 Speaker 6: mean I feel comfortable with how spring training went. Obviously 153 00:09:41,440 --> 00:09:44,880 Speaker 6: it wasn't my to my standards or anything like that, 154 00:09:45,000 --> 00:09:47,400 Speaker 6: but there's there's good in there. It's not just looking 155 00:09:47,440 --> 00:09:49,439 Speaker 6: at a batting average and saying, oh, it is a 156 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:50,359 Speaker 6: terrible screen. 157 00:09:51,120 --> 00:09:51,560 Speaker 3: All right. 158 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:55,760 Speaker 2: So there you have it from Dave Roberts and Alex Freeland. Obviously, 159 00:09:55,840 --> 00:09:59,280 Speaker 2: his son, Kim's got to be disappointed, but he went 160 00:09:59,320 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 2: to the World base Small Classic, and he was rolling 161 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:05,200 Speaker 2: in spring training before he decided to go play for 162 00:10:05,280 --> 00:10:09,120 Speaker 2: Team Korean the World Baseball Classic. And I remember being 163 00:10:09,600 --> 00:10:12,520 Speaker 2: at the game in Mesa when Kim returned from the 164 00:10:12,520 --> 00:10:16,800 Speaker 2: World Baseball Classic, and Dave Roberts said after that game 165 00:10:17,000 --> 00:10:19,880 Speaker 2: that his swing looks out of sync, and whatever he 166 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 2: was doing before he left for the World Baseball Classic 167 00:10:23,480 --> 00:10:27,000 Speaker 2: kind of got out of sink and it wasn't the 168 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 2: same mechanical swing that he had been working on with 169 00:10:30,080 --> 00:10:34,120 Speaker 2: the Dodgers' hitting coaches during the off season, so nobody 170 00:10:34,200 --> 00:10:38,520 Speaker 2: is saying that that's the reason why he lost this spot. 171 00:10:38,640 --> 00:10:44,240 Speaker 2: But offensively, he wasn't the same guy that he was 172 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,600 Speaker 2: before he left for the World Baseball Classic, and the 173 00:10:47,640 --> 00:10:50,599 Speaker 2: Dodgers want him to play every day. They want to 174 00:10:50,600 --> 00:10:53,280 Speaker 2: give Alex Freeland this opportunity to see what he can 175 00:10:53,320 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 2: do at this level because he's accomplished everything a player 176 00:10:56,760 --> 00:11:00,640 Speaker 2: can accomplish at TRIPLEA Oklahoma City as well, and Kim's 177 00:11:00,679 --> 00:11:02,400 Speaker 2: gonna get some time in center field. 178 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:03,680 Speaker 3: But also I want to. 179 00:11:03,679 --> 00:11:07,040 Speaker 2: Say that, you know, this outrage by certain fans is 180 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:11,440 Speaker 2: basically a blogger or social media outrage. I mean, you 181 00:11:11,440 --> 00:11:14,360 Speaker 2: look at the Dodgers' roster. I could understand if you're 182 00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:18,640 Speaker 2: the Angels, or you're the Pirates, or you're you know whoever, 183 00:11:19,080 --> 00:11:21,920 Speaker 2: that's not the Dodgers that are loaded top to bottom. 184 00:11:22,320 --> 00:11:24,839 Speaker 2: Are you really going to go up in arms over 185 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:29,320 Speaker 2: the twenty sixth spot on the roster, Hayesan Kim versus 186 00:11:29,360 --> 00:11:32,959 Speaker 2: Alex Freeland. Are you really gonna get that emotional over 187 00:11:33,160 --> 00:11:36,320 Speaker 2: that last spot. I'm certainly not going to get that 188 00:11:36,400 --> 00:11:40,680 Speaker 2: emotional over it. So I mean, you could have gone 189 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:44,360 Speaker 2: either way. Both guys bring different dimensions to the team. 190 00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,800 Speaker 2: Kim obviously brings the speed dimension off the bench, but 191 00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,400 Speaker 2: Freeland's going to play a lot against right handed pitching. 192 00:11:51,559 --> 00:11:54,240 Speaker 2: The Diamondbacks have a lot of right handers. The Guardians 193 00:11:54,240 --> 00:11:56,680 Speaker 2: have a lot of right handers. He's gonna get those 194 00:11:56,720 --> 00:11:59,560 Speaker 2: opportunities from the left side of the plate. He's a 195 00:11:59,600 --> 00:12:03,520 Speaker 2: switch but the Dodgers want him against right handed pitching, 196 00:12:03,640 --> 00:12:05,680 Speaker 2: and Rojas is going to be part of the mix 197 00:12:05,720 --> 00:12:10,640 Speaker 2: at second base. So there is certainly an opportunity to 198 00:12:10,679 --> 00:12:13,199 Speaker 2: seize for Alex Freeland. And I'm not going to say 199 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:15,280 Speaker 2: it's a make it or break it to begin this year, 200 00:12:15,320 --> 00:12:20,400 Speaker 2: but certainly this is an opportunity. Every young player really 201 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:24,160 Speaker 2: wants is to get this chance to play regularly at 202 00:12:24,200 --> 00:12:27,160 Speaker 2: the big league level as a young player. So this 203 00:12:27,400 --> 00:12:30,520 Speaker 2: is going to be a huge kind of fork in 204 00:12:30,559 --> 00:12:34,280 Speaker 2: the road of Alex Freeland's career. Eight six six nine, 205 00:12:34,320 --> 00:12:36,959 Speaker 2: eight seven two five seventy is the phone number David 206 00:12:37,040 --> 00:12:41,199 Speaker 2: Vassey live at Angels Stadium in Anaheim after the Dodgers 207 00:12:41,240 --> 00:12:45,680 Speaker 2: beat the Angels tonight thirteen to five. Now, as far 208 00:12:45,720 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 2: as the Dodgers' roster goes. Tommy Edmond, like I mentioned, 209 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:53,360 Speaker 2: is on the injured list, Alex Freeland on the roster, 210 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:58,480 Speaker 2: Kim begins the season at TRIPLEA Oklahoma City. But really, 211 00:12:58,559 --> 00:13:02,480 Speaker 2: this Dodger offense to me, I know it's the Angels, 212 00:13:02,480 --> 00:13:04,680 Speaker 2: and I know their pitchers couldn't throw strikes tonight, but 213 00:13:04,720 --> 00:13:08,880 Speaker 2: it's indicative of what we have seen all spring long, 214 00:13:08,920 --> 00:13:13,200 Speaker 2: where the Dodgers have been so disciplined in their played appearances. 215 00:13:14,080 --> 00:13:17,240 Speaker 2: From the guy that's been on the roster for back 216 00:13:17,280 --> 00:13:22,720 Speaker 2: to back championships compared to compared to you know, anybody 217 00:13:22,800 --> 00:13:26,840 Speaker 2: that is getting a first opportunity like a James Tibbs. 218 00:13:26,840 --> 00:13:32,520 Speaker 2: So luckily, the Dodgers have a culture that they have instilled. 219 00:13:32,559 --> 00:13:37,760 Speaker 2: They have a player kind of profile that they try 220 00:13:37,800 --> 00:13:40,160 Speaker 2: to bring into the organization, and you're seeing that with 221 00:13:40,280 --> 00:13:44,120 Speaker 2: James Tibbs, who had an incredible spring training. He hit 222 00:13:44,160 --> 00:13:46,880 Speaker 2: his fourth home run of the season. But I'm predicting 223 00:13:46,920 --> 00:13:51,120 Speaker 2: a big bounce back year for Taoscar Hernandez, who is 224 00:13:51,160 --> 00:13:53,800 Speaker 2: hitting close to five hundred this spring with a thirteen 225 00:13:53,880 --> 00:13:58,600 Speaker 2: hundred OPS. So to me, you know, last year, I 226 00:13:58,640 --> 00:14:02,400 Speaker 2: feel like I guilted you in to apologizing to Max Munsey, 227 00:14:02,840 --> 00:14:05,120 Speaker 2: I feel like this year, I'm going to guilt you 228 00:14:05,240 --> 00:14:09,000 Speaker 2: in to apologizing to Taoscar Hernandez. 229 00:14:09,040 --> 00:14:10,160 Speaker 3: This guy is healthier. 230 00:14:10,440 --> 00:14:13,079 Speaker 2: He's come into camp in the best shape he has 231 00:14:13,200 --> 00:14:16,360 Speaker 2: been in as a Dodger. He's close to eighteen pounds 232 00:14:16,400 --> 00:14:18,960 Speaker 2: lighter than he was a year ago, to give him 233 00:14:19,000 --> 00:14:23,320 Speaker 2: more agility, to make him more mobile in the outfield, 234 00:14:23,560 --> 00:14:26,480 Speaker 2: and it hasn't taken away his power. We saw that 235 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:29,560 Speaker 2: tonight opposite field over the big wall and right field. 236 00:14:30,280 --> 00:14:32,760 Speaker 3: That certainly was a monster shot. 237 00:14:33,800 --> 00:14:37,120 Speaker 2: And I'm expecting a big year for Taoscar Hernandez, who 238 00:14:37,160 --> 00:14:40,080 Speaker 2: hit thirty three home runs in left field for the 239 00:14:40,120 --> 00:14:44,000 Speaker 2: Dodgers in twenty twenty four and drove in ninety nine runs. 240 00:14:43,760 --> 00:14:45,320 Speaker 3: And played pretty good left field. 241 00:14:45,400 --> 00:14:50,480 Speaker 2: So last year the Dodger outfield offensive production wasn't great. 242 00:14:51,000 --> 00:14:55,280 Speaker 2: They add Kyle Tucker, Andy pa has is coming off 243 00:14:55,480 --> 00:14:59,920 Speaker 2: a really good rookie season despite you know, his his 244 00:15:00,160 --> 00:15:03,720 Speaker 2: learning curve in the postseason, and Taoscar Hernandez is back 245 00:15:03,760 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: in left field. So not only are the Dodgers going 246 00:15:07,280 --> 00:15:10,360 Speaker 2: to be better offensively in the outfield, they're going to 247 00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:15,120 Speaker 2: be better defensively, which is going to save their pitchers pitches, 248 00:15:15,800 --> 00:15:20,200 Speaker 2: and you know, limit extra outs for the opposing team. 249 00:15:20,600 --> 00:15:24,120 Speaker 2: There's no hiding the fact that they got zero offensive 250 00:15:24,120 --> 00:15:27,600 Speaker 2: production out of left field last year and their outfield 251 00:15:27,600 --> 00:15:31,200 Speaker 2: defense was shaky at best at times last year. All 252 00:15:31,240 --> 00:15:34,400 Speaker 2: of those things have been corrected by bringing in Kyle Tucker. 253 00:15:34,960 --> 00:15:37,600 Speaker 2: Eight six six nine eight seven two five seventy is 254 00:15:37,640 --> 00:15:41,400 Speaker 2: the phone number when we continue from Anaheim. Appreciate all 255 00:15:41,440 --> 00:15:45,440 Speaker 2: of you listening. Uh And when we continue, Jose Mota 256 00:15:45,560 --> 00:15:47,480 Speaker 2: we'll check in. We'll get his thoughts on what he's 257 00:15:47,520 --> 00:15:50,280 Speaker 2: seen from the Dodgers this spring training. As we get 258 00:15:50,280 --> 00:15:54,200 Speaker 2: closer to opening day this Thursday, only one starter has 259 00:15:54,240 --> 00:15:58,880 Speaker 2: been announced. It's Yamamoto Opening Day on Thursday. Don't believe 260 00:15:58,920 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 2: the tweets. Only believe what you hear right here on 261 00:16:02,280 --> 00:16:17,680 Speaker 2: Dodgers Radio and five to seventy LA Sports. 262 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,040 Speaker 4: On air at AM five to seventy, online at AM 263 00:16:14,160 --> 00:16:18,480 Speaker 4: five seventy LA sports dot com, and available by podcast 264 00:16:18,520 --> 00:16:19,960 Speaker 4: on the iHeartRadio app. 265 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:23,040 Speaker 1: This is Dodger Talk with David mass In. 266 00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,240 Speaker 7: Several years ago, they moved the home run line down 267 00:16:27,320 --> 00:16:31,800 Speaker 7: below the halfwaymark of that wall, and the ball hit 268 00:16:31,880 --> 00:16:33,720 Speaker 7: the scoreboard for a home run and it's headed in 269 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:34,680 Speaker 7: that direction again. 270 00:16:35,080 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 3: This time it's going to be over the scoreboard and gone. 271 00:16:37,560 --> 00:16:42,080 Speaker 7: An opposite field home run tay Oscar Hernandez, and it's 272 00:16:42,120 --> 00:16:43,040 Speaker 7: won the one. 273 00:16:44,400 --> 00:16:47,160 Speaker 1: Fourth home run of the spring. Pey Oscar. 274 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:54,240 Speaker 2: Ti Oscar Hernandez loading up for a big comeback season tonight. 275 00:16:54,320 --> 00:16:57,160 Speaker 2: He had two at bats in the same third inning. 276 00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,400 Speaker 2: That one led off the third inning with a solo 277 00:17:00,440 --> 00:17:02,840 Speaker 2: home run, is fourth of the spring, and then he 278 00:17:02,920 --> 00:17:05,880 Speaker 2: came up later in the inning and drove in two 279 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:09,080 Speaker 2: more with an RBI single. All in all, the Dodgers 280 00:17:09,080 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 2: scored ten runs in that third inning. They drew three 281 00:17:13,760 --> 00:17:17,399 Speaker 2: bases loaded walks, They had seven walks in total in 282 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,200 Speaker 2: the third inning, and they had four hits. And in 283 00:17:20,240 --> 00:17:22,760 Speaker 2: that same third inning, show Heyo tani came up with 284 00:17:22,800 --> 00:17:25,639 Speaker 2: the bases loaded and cleared them with a double the 285 00:17:25,680 --> 00:17:29,159 Speaker 2: straightaway center over the head of Mike Trout. So that 286 00:17:29,280 --> 00:17:31,720 Speaker 2: was a fun third inning for the Dodgers offense, not 287 00:17:31,920 --> 00:17:36,120 Speaker 2: so fun for the Angels pitching staff. Daniels Jewelers presents 288 00:17:36,119 --> 00:17:38,959 Speaker 2: the home run Forecast for your chance to win a 289 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:42,440 Speaker 2: fifty dollars Daniels Jeweler's gift card. Visit am five to 290 00:17:42,480 --> 00:17:47,040 Speaker 2: seventy lasports dot Com. Use the keyword home run, enter 291 00:17:47,119 --> 00:17:50,639 Speaker 2: your name and you can win. Daniels Jewelers own the Dream. 292 00:17:50,800 --> 00:17:54,000 Speaker 2: Eight six six, nine eighty seven two five seventy is 293 00:17:54,040 --> 00:17:58,600 Speaker 2: the phone number. Jose Moda joins us again this season. Jose, 294 00:17:58,800 --> 00:18:02,160 Speaker 2: thanks a lot for checking in, and certainly that third 295 00:18:02,160 --> 00:18:06,040 Speaker 2: inning was maybe a preview of things to come for 296 00:18:06,119 --> 00:18:07,200 Speaker 2: this Dodger offense. 297 00:18:08,560 --> 00:18:11,000 Speaker 8: David Assay is so great to hear from you and 298 00:18:11,040 --> 00:18:13,840 Speaker 8: my friends, who is so great to be back. Obviously 299 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:17,320 Speaker 8: fun to watch his offense rolling once again a little 300 00:18:17,359 --> 00:18:20,840 Speaker 8: bit deeper. That third inning is just an indication of 301 00:18:20,960 --> 00:18:24,840 Speaker 8: how guys have a prepare plan that's number one, and 302 00:18:25,480 --> 00:18:28,240 Speaker 8: being this deep as they are right now, and hopefully 303 00:18:28,280 --> 00:18:30,840 Speaker 8: they'll be healthy throughout the whole season and into the postseason. 304 00:18:31,760 --> 00:18:33,440 Speaker 8: There's some fun things that we should be able to 305 00:18:33,440 --> 00:18:35,639 Speaker 8: see because not one guy's going to try to carry 306 00:18:35,640 --> 00:18:38,199 Speaker 8: this club as they have done in the past, the 307 00:18:38,280 --> 00:18:42,280 Speaker 8: loaders off of certain guys, and also the maturity and 308 00:18:42,400 --> 00:18:44,640 Speaker 8: the hunger that they've shown throughout the first aid Spring 309 00:18:44,640 --> 00:18:47,080 Speaker 8: twenty shows up. I mean the Dollar Show hitting two 310 00:18:47,080 --> 00:18:49,040 Speaker 8: IDEs a team coming out of the Cactus League, but 311 00:18:49,119 --> 00:18:51,080 Speaker 8: the most important thing to me is as a team 312 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:54,240 Speaker 8: three seventy on base percentage day. It's more in vindication 313 00:18:54,280 --> 00:18:56,120 Speaker 8: of what they're trying to do and why a guy 314 00:18:56,160 --> 00:18:57,919 Speaker 8: like Alex Frielan is on the team. 315 00:18:58,359 --> 00:19:01,240 Speaker 2: Yeah, what do you make about this whole debate Freeland 316 00:19:01,400 --> 00:19:05,760 Speaker 2: versus Kim. It's the twenty sixth spot on the roster, Jose, 317 00:19:06,480 --> 00:19:09,240 Speaker 2: can you see why there's an argument to be made 318 00:19:09,240 --> 00:19:12,080 Speaker 2: for both players to make the team on the roster. 319 00:19:13,240 --> 00:19:16,760 Speaker 8: Of course, if I'm his on Kim, I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed. 320 00:19:16,800 --> 00:19:20,720 Speaker 8: I mean I don't think the WBC had anything to 321 00:19:20,760 --> 00:19:22,439 Speaker 8: do with him not making the team. I mean, he 322 00:19:22,480 --> 00:19:25,280 Speaker 8: was looking good before that on WBC. I think he 323 00:19:25,359 --> 00:19:26,919 Speaker 8: was one for twelve, but he still has them good 324 00:19:26,920 --> 00:19:30,280 Speaker 8: at bats. I saw it over in Tokyo. But I 325 00:19:30,280 --> 00:19:32,320 Speaker 8: think it really comes down to, as you were saying, 326 00:19:32,480 --> 00:19:35,360 Speaker 8: and it was well explained, the Dodgers want to see 327 00:19:35,640 --> 00:19:38,239 Speaker 8: out of somebody the farm system what they have, and 328 00:19:38,280 --> 00:19:40,080 Speaker 8: I think the time has come now for Alex Freeland. 329 00:19:40,480 --> 00:19:44,600 Speaker 8: Alex Freeland helps himself by using all spring and the 330 00:19:44,640 --> 00:19:48,399 Speaker 8: opportunities to play his game and not to look for 331 00:19:48,480 --> 00:19:51,840 Speaker 8: results results you want. But I think by the Watts 332 00:19:51,920 --> 00:19:55,000 Speaker 8: that he took, the defense that he took, the versatility 333 00:19:55,080 --> 00:19:57,119 Speaker 8: that he took, he put himself in a position now 334 00:19:57,119 --> 00:19:59,160 Speaker 8: with the team senter, Okay, we have this product out 335 00:19:59,160 --> 00:20:01,480 Speaker 8: of our farm system. Let's find out what we have. 336 00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,960 Speaker 8: And at the same time, having hiss On Kim more 337 00:20:05,000 --> 00:20:07,880 Speaker 8: prepared as he was last year to play a lot 338 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:10,119 Speaker 8: and get the reps back. I think it's important. So 339 00:20:10,960 --> 00:20:14,439 Speaker 8: either way, it's good. It's the twenty six guy yet. 340 00:20:14,560 --> 00:20:15,920 Speaker 8: But I think at the same time, if I'm hitting 341 00:20:15,920 --> 00:20:18,200 Speaker 8: four hundred and next time is not, I'm going to 342 00:20:18,359 --> 00:20:19,639 Speaker 8: be saying, well, I think I have the edge, But 343 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:21,679 Speaker 8: I'll think the Dodgers have a plan is worked in 344 00:20:21,720 --> 00:20:24,080 Speaker 8: the past. But I think I'm not taking anything away 345 00:20:24,080 --> 00:20:26,280 Speaker 8: from Alvic Fulma has done because once IgA he should 346 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:29,040 Speaker 8: why he's a big part when he plays with the 347 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:30,280 Speaker 8: offense and the versatility. 348 00:20:31,359 --> 00:20:34,280 Speaker 2: No doubt, it's the twenty sixth the man on the rosters. 349 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:36,280 Speaker 2: So I'm not going to freak out like so many 350 00:20:36,280 --> 00:20:40,080 Speaker 2: bloggers and tweeters are freaking out tonight. Here ose you 351 00:20:40,119 --> 00:20:43,200 Speaker 2: saw the Dodgers in spring training. What do you see 352 00:20:43,240 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 2: from this team? I mean, how impressed are you by 353 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:48,679 Speaker 2: the fact that this team is coming off back to 354 00:20:48,760 --> 00:20:52,440 Speaker 2: back championships and they're acting like they haven't won one 355 00:20:52,840 --> 00:20:55,560 Speaker 2: in their entire careers. I mean, these guys came ready 356 00:20:55,560 --> 00:20:58,080 Speaker 2: to play day one of spring training. 357 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:01,880 Speaker 8: I think it just goes down with the culture and personality, 358 00:21:01,960 --> 00:21:05,240 Speaker 8: the identity of this team they have acquired and what 359 00:21:05,440 --> 00:21:07,720 Speaker 8: they have brought it to the field. It reflects on 360 00:21:07,880 --> 00:21:11,479 Speaker 8: how good they are in communication and they're planning and 361 00:21:11,560 --> 00:21:13,679 Speaker 8: understanding each other, and also coming from the top, the 362 00:21:13,720 --> 00:21:16,160 Speaker 8: communication between Dave Robers and his players. But also they've 363 00:21:17,000 --> 00:21:20,679 Speaker 8: they're having no mention, no mention whatsoever about this club 364 00:21:21,080 --> 00:21:24,840 Speaker 8: about a short offseason at all. Why Because they know 365 00:21:24,880 --> 00:21:28,080 Speaker 8: what's at stake, They know everybody's pointing for them, and 366 00:21:28,160 --> 00:21:30,479 Speaker 8: they understand that the quality of players that they have 367 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:32,399 Speaker 8: and tell them they have, it's only gotten better with 368 00:21:32,400 --> 00:21:35,720 Speaker 8: the addition of the obviously and more mature young players 369 00:21:35,760 --> 00:21:38,080 Speaker 8: and a guy like Kyle Tuker. But what I see 370 00:21:38,160 --> 00:21:42,600 Speaker 8: is a resilient team, a focused team. They're not thinking 371 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,080 Speaker 8: about anything else about twenty twenty six, which is the 372 00:21:45,119 --> 00:21:47,760 Speaker 8: same intelli they brought in twenty twenty five, and you've 373 00:21:47,760 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 8: got to respect that. And a Mara that just not 374 00:21:49,760 --> 00:21:51,919 Speaker 8: sitting and saying, well, we can do it because we 375 00:21:51,960 --> 00:21:55,040 Speaker 8: all no, it's not. It's like this is a different year. 376 00:21:55,080 --> 00:21:57,160 Speaker 8: Turn the page. This is what we have. And when 377 00:21:57,200 --> 00:21:59,320 Speaker 8: they see that rosters themselves and I'll talk to a 378 00:21:59,320 --> 00:22:02,000 Speaker 8: few players about it's like, you see the roster, you 379 00:22:02,040 --> 00:22:03,520 Speaker 8: feed off of that and you don't want to be 380 00:22:03,840 --> 00:22:05,880 Speaker 8: a weak link in anything of this. And I think 381 00:22:05,880 --> 00:22:09,119 Speaker 8: that drives everybody from the rotation to the outfield to 382 00:22:09,160 --> 00:22:11,600 Speaker 8: the infield. God like to also coming in great shape. 383 00:22:11,600 --> 00:22:14,320 Speaker 8: Max Lom's he coming in great shape, and nobody even 384 00:22:14,880 --> 00:22:16,800 Speaker 8: using spring trainers a way to get back in shape. 385 00:22:16,800 --> 00:22:20,760 Speaker 8: Those days don't exist anymore. But being hungary, taking their 386 00:22:20,800 --> 00:22:23,640 Speaker 8: time got like Molkie Betz, just understanding what they need 387 00:22:23,640 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 8: to do to get ready and going out there making 388 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,800 Speaker 8: an adjustments on the fly to be better and not changing 389 00:22:29,800 --> 00:22:32,480 Speaker 8: who they are as a team or as a player individually. 390 00:22:33,240 --> 00:22:35,600 Speaker 2: All right, Jose, Last year, we all know it was 391 00:22:35,640 --> 00:22:38,840 Speaker 2: a struggle at times and stretches of the season last 392 00:22:38,880 --> 00:22:40,280 Speaker 2: year for the Dodger bullpen. 393 00:22:41,359 --> 00:22:42,639 Speaker 3: They blew a lot of leads. 394 00:22:42,720 --> 00:22:42,960 Speaker 8: Late. 395 00:22:43,240 --> 00:22:46,119 Speaker 2: They rectified that in some ways by signing one of 396 00:22:46,119 --> 00:22:50,119 Speaker 2: the best closers in baseball and Edwin Dias, no doubt 397 00:22:50,160 --> 00:22:52,560 Speaker 2: he's going to deliver, But how do they get the 398 00:22:52,600 --> 00:22:56,159 Speaker 2: ball to him? Are we convinced that Tanner Scott is 399 00:22:56,560 --> 00:22:59,240 Speaker 2: back to being Tanner Scott from a couple of years ago, 400 00:22:59,520 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 2: in that role where he can pitch in the a 401 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:05,359 Speaker 2: seventh or six then not be the closer? How do 402 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:08,480 Speaker 2: you see? How do you envision after his starting pitcher 403 00:23:08,560 --> 00:23:12,040 Speaker 2: goes six innings the Dodgers getting the ball to Edwin Diaz. 404 00:23:12,920 --> 00:23:15,080 Speaker 8: You have to give it Tanner Scott and give him 405 00:23:15,119 --> 00:23:18,119 Speaker 8: every chance. I think Tanner Scott, from away from what 406 00:23:18,240 --> 00:23:20,760 Speaker 8: we saw today maybe the last couple of outings is 407 00:23:20,800 --> 00:23:22,680 Speaker 8: a guy that I'm going to believe about the agyptsis 408 00:23:22,720 --> 00:23:25,720 Speaker 8: he has made on the mechanics side and also on 409 00:23:25,760 --> 00:23:28,280 Speaker 8: the mentality side. And also, Dave, if something with you 410 00:23:28,320 --> 00:23:29,840 Speaker 8: and I talked about a lot last year here on 411 00:23:29,880 --> 00:23:34,360 Speaker 8: this show, is that you are the closer. Every responsibility 412 00:23:34,440 --> 00:23:36,080 Speaker 8: is on you. I think this offer of them right now. 413 00:23:36,480 --> 00:23:38,120 Speaker 8: And even though he had made it in spring twenty 414 00:23:38,200 --> 00:23:40,680 Speaker 8: yeah it was it was like, oh it's me now. 415 00:23:41,480 --> 00:23:44,840 Speaker 8: It didn't go well. His stuff plays as good as anybody's. 416 00:23:45,119 --> 00:23:47,239 Speaker 8: His mentality is the one that needs to change and 417 00:23:47,320 --> 00:23:49,439 Speaker 8: he wants to be that guy. I mean, there's going 418 00:23:49,520 --> 00:23:51,960 Speaker 8: to be times when Edwin Diaz is not going to 419 00:23:52,000 --> 00:23:53,480 Speaker 8: be available. Who do you go to? You've got to 420 00:23:53,520 --> 00:23:56,720 Speaker 8: go to Tanner Scott. Hopefully he'll convince you by doing well. 421 00:23:57,000 --> 00:23:59,480 Speaker 8: But also I'm not going to forget about Alec Davesia 422 00:24:00,359 --> 00:24:02,480 Speaker 8: and what he John's and what he brings it and 423 00:24:02,560 --> 00:24:04,400 Speaker 8: the option that he has against Regis and Left. He's 424 00:24:04,400 --> 00:24:06,760 Speaker 8: a great option himself too, So I think it's going 425 00:24:06,840 --> 00:24:09,480 Speaker 8: to have the competition to me between Vesia and Tanner Scott. 426 00:24:09,520 --> 00:24:11,240 Speaker 8: I think TWNA. Scott is a guy that I want 427 00:24:11,240 --> 00:24:13,280 Speaker 8: to see the hungers because of the stuff and how 428 00:24:13,359 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 8: to neutralize some hitters. But he still has to prove 429 00:24:15,800 --> 00:24:18,840 Speaker 8: in a regular season that he's a different player, considering 430 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:20,840 Speaker 8: that he's done so well in spring. Treading up to 431 00:24:21,040 --> 00:24:23,400 Speaker 8: last couple of addings I mentioned that you mentioned too, 432 00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:25,760 Speaker 8: but he needs to be the guy to really raise 433 00:24:25,840 --> 00:24:28,320 Speaker 8: that gap and know that when divi' is not available, 434 00:24:28,480 --> 00:24:30,359 Speaker 8: he wants to be the baseball because that's what he's 435 00:24:30,359 --> 00:24:31,040 Speaker 8: sign him for too. 436 00:24:31,920 --> 00:24:34,560 Speaker 2: All right, Jose should be a fun year. The Dodgers 437 00:24:34,600 --> 00:24:36,520 Speaker 2: are a better team than they were a year ago, 438 00:24:36,600 --> 00:24:39,359 Speaker 2: which is scary for everybody else, So look forward to 439 00:24:39,400 --> 00:24:41,840 Speaker 2: a great season. We'll check in with you tomorrow night 440 00:24:42,240 --> 00:24:45,240 Speaker 2: after the Freeway Series shifts to Dodger Stadium. 441 00:24:46,880 --> 00:24:48,040 Speaker 8: Thank you, all right? 442 00:24:48,080 --> 00:24:51,080 Speaker 2: There he goes Jose Mota, part of the Dodgers Spanish 443 00:24:51,160 --> 00:24:55,400 Speaker 2: radio broadcast with Luis Cruz, and he'll join us after 444 00:24:55,520 --> 00:24:59,119 Speaker 2: every Dodger game here on Dodger Talk to give his 445 00:24:59,480 --> 00:25:04,360 Speaker 2: observation of every Dodger game this year. Eight six, six, 446 00:25:04,480 --> 00:25:07,200 Speaker 2: nine eighty seven, two five seventy is the phone number. 447 00:25:07,520 --> 00:25:07,720 Speaker 3: You know. 448 00:25:07,800 --> 00:25:10,159 Speaker 2: One player that you may not know about, but you 449 00:25:10,240 --> 00:25:13,879 Speaker 2: will is the player that came into camp on a 450 00:25:13,920 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 2: minor league contract and earned a spot on the opening 451 00:25:18,160 --> 00:25:22,159 Speaker 2: day roster with the injuries to Keik Hernandez and Tommy Edmond. 452 00:25:22,440 --> 00:25:26,840 Speaker 2: And that was our pregame guest, Santiago Espinal, who was 453 00:25:26,880 --> 00:25:29,280 Speaker 2: an All Star with the Blue Jays. He and Taoscar 454 00:25:29,359 --> 00:25:32,720 Speaker 2: Hernandez were teammates. Espinal was an All Star a couple 455 00:25:32,720 --> 00:25:35,520 Speaker 2: of years ago, and he's going to be part of 456 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:38,359 Speaker 2: the infield mix for the Dodgers. You know, he's a 457 00:25:38,400 --> 00:25:41,840 Speaker 2: pretty he's a very good defensive third baseman, can play 458 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,800 Speaker 2: very good defense at second base as well. But the 459 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:48,800 Speaker 2: reason why he's on this team is to be insurance 460 00:25:49,000 --> 00:25:52,600 Speaker 2: in case anything happens with Muncie injury wise to begin 461 00:25:52,680 --> 00:25:57,200 Speaker 2: the year, but specifically in a positive way. He's there 462 00:25:57,280 --> 00:26:00,280 Speaker 2: to face any tough lefty or if there's a day 463 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 2: off that Dave Roberts wants to give Max Munsey. Santiago 464 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:07,520 Speaker 2: Espinal is part of that mix. And you need guys 465 00:26:07,560 --> 00:26:10,639 Speaker 2: like Espinal. You need guys like that on your bench 466 00:26:10,760 --> 00:26:15,080 Speaker 2: that can be productive when guys like Muncie need a 467 00:26:15,160 --> 00:26:18,359 Speaker 2: day off. And certainly the Dodger bench at the end 468 00:26:18,359 --> 00:26:21,520 Speaker 2: of last year was not what you would imagine it 469 00:26:21,560 --> 00:26:24,880 Speaker 2: to be. So they've made a concerted effort to try 470 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,600 Speaker 2: to upgrade that area. And I believe they have with 471 00:26:27,680 --> 00:26:31,399 Speaker 2: a guy like Santiago Espinal to start the year until 472 00:26:31,520 --> 00:26:32,800 Speaker 2: Edmund and Keik return. 473 00:26:32,920 --> 00:26:35,760 Speaker 3: But this guy. 474 00:26:35,000 --> 00:26:38,000 Speaker 2: Has a presence about him, a confidence and a hunger 475 00:26:38,440 --> 00:26:40,359 Speaker 2: and had a chance to catch up with him. And 476 00:26:40,560 --> 00:26:43,119 Speaker 2: here's part of our conversation from earlier today. 477 00:26:43,800 --> 00:26:46,399 Speaker 9: And that's what I've been doing. How can I do 478 00:26:46,480 --> 00:26:50,600 Speaker 9: it offensively defensively? You know, I play multiple position. I 479 00:26:50,640 --> 00:26:52,040 Speaker 9: can do a lot of things with the bat too 480 00:26:52,080 --> 00:26:53,720 Speaker 9: as well. So that's what we're here for. 481 00:26:54,080 --> 00:26:56,960 Speaker 2: That's another part of this equation. It's not like you're 482 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:01,159 Speaker 2: joining a team that finished fourth place. You're joining the 483 00:27:01,160 --> 00:27:04,760 Speaker 2: team that's went back to back championships. Obviously they believe 484 00:27:04,760 --> 00:27:06,240 Speaker 2: you're a championship player too. 485 00:27:06,760 --> 00:27:09,080 Speaker 9: Yeah, you know, and I appreciate that too as well. 486 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:11,439 Speaker 9: You know, but you know, job is not done. You know, 487 00:27:11,520 --> 00:27:14,000 Speaker 9: Spring training just in the past. 488 00:27:14,040 --> 00:27:14,240 Speaker 4: You know. 489 00:27:15,160 --> 00:27:16,960 Speaker 9: Now, I just got to keep doing my thing, being 490 00:27:17,000 --> 00:27:21,520 Speaker 9: consistent everything that I do, you know, defensively and offensively, 491 00:27:21,560 --> 00:27:22,439 Speaker 9: so we're ready for it. 492 00:27:22,800 --> 00:27:25,440 Speaker 2: You obviously are aware of the situation. You're not going 493 00:27:25,480 --> 00:27:27,960 Speaker 2: to play every day. How do you stay ready now 494 00:27:28,000 --> 00:27:29,399 Speaker 2: to be able to contribute? 495 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:33,760 Speaker 9: You know, I've been five almost six years in the 496 00:27:33,800 --> 00:27:36,159 Speaker 9: Big League. You know, I've been doing it for a 497 00:27:36,200 --> 00:27:38,520 Speaker 9: long time, I feel, and you know, all I can 498 00:27:38,640 --> 00:27:42,240 Speaker 9: do is control whatever I can control. Make sure that 499 00:27:42,280 --> 00:27:46,040 Speaker 9: I'm prepared whenever my name is called, make sure my 500 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:48,840 Speaker 9: name is called when my name is called. Being prepared, 501 00:27:48,920 --> 00:27:50,879 Speaker 9: and that's all it is, just being prepared. 502 00:27:51,359 --> 00:27:53,600 Speaker 3: The big guy just ran by show Hal Tani. 503 00:27:54,040 --> 00:27:56,520 Speaker 2: What's it been like to get to experience being on 504 00:27:56,560 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 2: the same side as him. 505 00:27:58,480 --> 00:28:01,040 Speaker 9: It's been cool, you know, I face the my lob. 506 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:02,920 Speaker 9: I play against him a laws, so you know, being 507 00:28:02,960 --> 00:28:06,560 Speaker 9: on the same team, I'll be able to watch the Homers, 508 00:28:06,600 --> 00:28:08,800 Speaker 9: you know, all the loud noises and stuff like that. 509 00:28:08,840 --> 00:28:09,600 Speaker 3: So it's been cool. 510 00:28:09,920 --> 00:28:12,920 Speaker 2: Is it something different to see what his personality is 511 00:28:13,040 --> 00:28:15,480 Speaker 2: like because he has a good sense of humor. 512 00:28:15,960 --> 00:28:19,040 Speaker 9: Oh yeah, oh yeah, I mean it's different. Also, it's 513 00:28:19,160 --> 00:28:21,840 Speaker 9: different the way he prepares. He barely have time for himself, 514 00:28:21,880 --> 00:28:26,040 Speaker 9: you know, so there's something something that you can pick up. 515 00:28:26,119 --> 00:28:28,119 Speaker 9: So you know, from one of the best players in 516 00:28:28,160 --> 00:28:30,080 Speaker 9: the game, maybe the best players in the game. You know, 517 00:28:30,160 --> 00:28:31,240 Speaker 9: he's the best player in the game. 518 00:28:31,320 --> 00:28:34,960 Speaker 2: So yeah, no doubt he is the best player in 519 00:28:34,960 --> 00:28:37,360 Speaker 2: the game. And it's so cool to hear from players 520 00:28:37,400 --> 00:28:40,120 Speaker 2: that were on the other side that are now part 521 00:28:40,160 --> 00:28:43,400 Speaker 2: of the Dodgers and get to see not only Otani's 522 00:28:43,440 --> 00:28:46,959 Speaker 2: work ethic, but also the rest of the players work ethic. 523 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 3: And there is a certain. 524 00:28:48,280 --> 00:28:52,440 Speaker 2: Level of accountability in that clubhouse that if you're not 525 00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:55,400 Speaker 2: ready to go and you're not putting in the work, 526 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:58,760 Speaker 2: somebody's gonna say something to you or you're going to 527 00:28:58,880 --> 00:29:03,320 Speaker 2: feel the the peer pressure in that clubhouse that if 528 00:29:03,320 --> 00:29:06,200 Speaker 2: you're not keeping up with everybody else with the work 529 00:29:06,240 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 2: ethic and the preparation and the process, you're not going 530 00:29:09,680 --> 00:29:13,360 Speaker 2: to be part of this team because it's an established culture. 531 00:29:13,920 --> 00:29:16,160 Speaker 2: And if you're coming into a team that's went back 532 00:29:16,160 --> 00:29:18,600 Speaker 2: to back championships and you're not gonna work and you're 533 00:29:18,600 --> 00:29:20,920 Speaker 2: not gonna be ready, you're not gonna be part of 534 00:29:20,920 --> 00:29:24,840 Speaker 2: this team very long. And even Alex Friedland experienced that 535 00:29:25,040 --> 00:29:28,880 Speaker 2: last year, and he's come back to camp a big leaguer. 536 00:29:29,120 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 2: Last year, he didn't really act like a big leaguer 537 00:29:32,200 --> 00:29:35,040 Speaker 2: in camp already to begin, you know, the first day 538 00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:38,880 Speaker 2: he kept his head down, was very quiet, and even 539 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:41,880 Speaker 2: his at bats were more mature than what we saw 540 00:29:41,920 --> 00:29:45,240 Speaker 2: a year ago. So that's the culture the Dodgers have created, 541 00:29:45,280 --> 00:29:49,320 Speaker 2: and Santiago Espinal certainly fits in. And you know, it's 542 00:29:49,320 --> 00:29:52,200 Speaker 2: funny how Otani walked by us and gave us, you know, 543 00:29:52,280 --> 00:29:57,640 Speaker 2: one of his humorous kind of body language jokes when 544 00:29:57,680 --> 00:30:01,000 Speaker 2: I was walking into or tor It's the clubhouse today 545 00:30:01,000 --> 00:30:01,880 Speaker 2: at Angel Stadium. 546 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:04,600 Speaker 3: Who do you see working? First show? 547 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:07,960 Speaker 2: Heyo Tani's throwing the medicine ball against the wall, getting 548 00:30:08,000 --> 00:30:11,920 Speaker 2: ready for you know, his game tonight, getting ready for 549 00:30:12,320 --> 00:30:16,280 Speaker 2: his last exhibition start on Tuesday night. And now that 550 00:30:16,360 --> 00:30:19,560 Speaker 2: he's pitching again and going to be a full fledged 551 00:30:19,560 --> 00:30:22,800 Speaker 2: pitcher from day one, there's not a lot of extra 552 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:26,560 Speaker 2: spare time social hours in the day for show hey Otani, 553 00:30:26,720 --> 00:30:29,480 Speaker 2: considering how much he has to put in to get 554 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:31,640 Speaker 2: ready to pitch, how much he has to put in 555 00:30:31,680 --> 00:30:34,360 Speaker 2: to get ready to hit. And that's what makes him 556 00:30:34,360 --> 00:30:39,360 Speaker 2: so special is the preparation started in November. The preparation 557 00:30:39,520 --> 00:30:42,640 Speaker 2: for Taoscar Hernandez started in November. I talked to people 558 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:45,360 Speaker 2: close to ta Oscar that was telling me he was 559 00:30:45,360 --> 00:30:48,720 Speaker 2: in the lab, you know, getting ready, and there's a 560 00:30:48,800 --> 00:30:52,080 Speaker 2: video now on social media him working out with Vladimir 561 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:56,040 Speaker 2: Guerrero Junior to lose you know, close to eighteen pounds 562 00:30:56,400 --> 00:30:59,560 Speaker 2: coming into this season. Max Munsey told me that he's 563 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:01,680 Speaker 2: lighter than and he's been since twenty eighteen. 564 00:31:01,800 --> 00:31:03,320 Speaker 3: Is first camp with the Dodgers. 565 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:06,760 Speaker 2: So all these guys came into camp ready day one, 566 00:31:07,040 --> 00:31:11,400 Speaker 2: and they had something that they haven't had the last 567 00:31:11,480 --> 00:31:16,520 Speaker 2: two spring trainings. And that's the luxury of pacing themselves 568 00:31:16,840 --> 00:31:19,920 Speaker 2: to be ready for the season, because as you know, 569 00:31:20,040 --> 00:31:22,240 Speaker 2: the last couple of years, the Dodgers had a rush 570 00:31:22,280 --> 00:31:25,720 Speaker 2: spring training to start the season in South Korea and 571 00:31:25,800 --> 00:31:29,640 Speaker 2: also in Tokyo. And look, there's plus and minuses to that, 572 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:34,840 Speaker 2: but certainly it was a longer offseason for some of 573 00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:37,360 Speaker 2: these guys because not only did they not have to 574 00:31:37,400 --> 00:31:41,160 Speaker 2: report earlier than everybody else, but they also didn't start 575 00:31:41,200 --> 00:31:44,800 Speaker 2: playing games right away. Dave Roberts slow played guys like 576 00:31:44,920 --> 00:31:50,080 Speaker 2: Freddie Mookie Munsey because he's understood that these guys are 577 00:31:50,440 --> 00:31:54,120 Speaker 2: thirty something now. They've played more games and longer than 578 00:31:54,160 --> 00:31:58,240 Speaker 2: any other group of players in baseball the last two seasons, 579 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:01,640 Speaker 2: winning back to back championships, starting the year sooner than 580 00:32:01,680 --> 00:32:04,840 Speaker 2: everybody else. So all of those things have played into 581 00:32:05,320 --> 00:32:08,440 Speaker 2: these guys being ready to go day one in a 582 00:32:08,480 --> 00:32:12,600 Speaker 2: different way than in years past. So, like I said, 583 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:15,640 Speaker 2: and I'll say it a few times before now and Thursday, 584 00:32:16,360 --> 00:32:17,200 Speaker 2: bad news for the. 585 00:32:17,120 --> 00:32:18,520 Speaker 3: Rest of Major League Baseball. 586 00:32:18,680 --> 00:32:20,680 Speaker 2: The Dodgers are a better team than what they were 587 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:23,400 Speaker 2: a year ago when they won ninety three games and 588 00:32:24,440 --> 00:32:28,440 Speaker 2: won a seven game World Series. So I look forward 589 00:32:28,520 --> 00:32:31,680 Speaker 2: to what this offense can do. And certainly I'm really 590 00:32:31,760 --> 00:32:35,560 Speaker 2: excited about the season for Tyler Glass now because he's 591 00:32:35,600 --> 00:32:40,760 Speaker 2: come into camp a different guy mentally, physically, well not physically, 592 00:32:40,800 --> 00:32:43,720 Speaker 2: He's always ready physically, but mentally he just seems to 593 00:32:43,760 --> 00:32:46,720 Speaker 2: have a clear mind and looking forward to that as well. 594 00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:48,560 Speaker 3: All Right, that'll do it for us. 595 00:32:48,680 --> 00:32:51,480 Speaker 2: On Dodger Talk tonight, the Dodgers have set just their 596 00:32:51,600 --> 00:32:55,960 Speaker 2: opening day roster. Despite tweets that are circulating right now, 597 00:32:56,280 --> 00:33:01,040 Speaker 2: Yamamoto is the only Dodger pitcher we know dardening the 598 00:33:01,080 --> 00:33:04,800 Speaker 2: regular season, Dave Roberts has not, I repeat, has not 599 00:33:05,640 --> 00:33:10,520 Speaker 2: laid out the rotation after Yamamoto on Thursday, despite tweet 600 00:33:10,520 --> 00:33:15,160 Speaker 2: out there that's been circulated. It's Yamamoto on Thursday, and 601 00:33:15,200 --> 00:33:17,880 Speaker 2: we'll find out how it lays out the rest of 602 00:33:18,000 --> 00:33:23,160 Speaker 2: the homestand but certainly I'm very excited that Yamamoto is 603 00:33:23,200 --> 00:33:25,960 Speaker 2: going to be starting Opening Day. Thanks to Colin you 604 00:33:26,120 --> 00:33:28,960 Speaker 2: back at our Burbank studios, Thanks to Dwayne McDonald out 605 00:33:28,960 --> 00:33:31,600 Speaker 2: here at Angels Stadium, and thanks to you for listening 606 00:33:31,640 --> 00:33:33,400 Speaker 2: our first postgame Dodger Talk. 607 00:33:33,960 --> 00:33:35,280 Speaker 3: A lot of ears out there. 608 00:33:35,600 --> 00:33:38,520 Speaker 2: I'm honored and humbled, can't wait to do this all 609 00:33:38,560 --> 00:33:42,480 Speaker 2: the way to another World Series championship. We'll be back 610 00:33:42,520 --> 00:33:46,040 Speaker 2: with you tomorrow night at Dodger Stadium. Our coverage begins 611 00:33:46,080 --> 00:33:49,600 Speaker 2: at five o'clock or with first pitch at six ten 612 00:33:49,720 --> 00:33:53,760 Speaker 2: five o'clock pregame six' ten first pitch At Dodger. Stadium 613 00:33:53,800 --> 00:33:57,320 Speaker 2: we'll talk you tomorrow, Night Ben maller On Fox Sports radios. 614 00:33:57,360 --> 00:33:59,440 Speaker 3: NEXT i haven't said that in a. While see you 615 00:34:00,600 --> 00:34:00,920 Speaker 3: wait 616 00:34:02,560 --> 00:34:03,760 Speaker 8: The time sa