Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Hill, Offense, Rios, Machado

The Dodgers faced the Mets on Sunday, June 24, in the third of three games in New York. After winning the first two contests, the Dodgers slammed their way through the Mets in game three with a historic day on offense. They swept the series. And, as usual, there was plenty more news from the day.

Rich Hill made his second start since coming off the disabled list except in this one, unlike the first, was not a spectacular outing. Hill lasted just five innings on Sunday, striking out five batters and surrendering five hits, a walk, a home run, and four earned runs. Hill also hit three batters on record and hit a fourth batter but that was ultimately called back as the batter, Brandon Nimmo, made no attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. Hill’s inconsistencies have shown in his last two outings. The first was a spectacular showing and the most recent was a lackluster performance in which the Mets quickly took the wind out of the sails. The 38-year old’s season ERA sits at an unimpressive 5.30 and his WHIP is just as bad at 1.51. While it is doubtful a change will occur during the regular season, Hill could join the bullpen should the Dodgers make a postseason run.

Other notes…

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• The Dodgers had one of their most impressive days in years on Sunday against the Mets. The team hit a total of seven solo home runs, a total that accounted for all but one run in the game. The seven total homers tied the National League record for solo shots in a game and are the most home runs hit by any opponent against the Mets. The impressive offensive showing brings the monthly home run total to 46 in June, just seven short of the all-time team record for home runs in a month. The current record sits at 53 and was set by the 2017 Dodgers, also in the month of June. The record was set in 28 games and this year’s team has six more games in the month to top last year’s showing.

• The Dodgers 11th overall prospect, Edwin Rios, has completed his first full month of playing since his injury and has not disappointed in that time. The 24-year old Puerto Rico native has slashed .353/.395/.618 with 16 RBI’s and 14 runs scored in his last 19 games. The powerful infielder has also hit four home runs this year. Rios has been fantastic but scouting reports show that his defense may prohibit him from a major league call-up, especially in the National League. That being said, after such a great start to the year, the left-handed swinging Rios could be an enticing trade chip as we approach the deadline.

Next: Dodgers: What Should be the Dodgers Trade Deadline Priority?

• Speaking of trades, it was made clear that the Dodgers are still very much keeping tabs on Orioles super-star slugger, Manny Machado. After Corey Seager went down for the year with a torn UCL, the Dodgers had their eyes on Machado but as their slow start got even worse, the team’s interest in the 25-year old slugger plummeted as fast as their standings did in the division. But, now that the team has picked up the pace, the interest in Machado is very much there and a trade would make perfect sense for the Dodgers.