Its the off season and the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are still kicking the Los Angeles Dodgers asses. The Angels have created a tidal wave at the Winter Meetings whereas the Dodgers have dropped a pebble in Old Man Kelsey's Pond (an Andy Griffith Show reference).
The Angels snuck in the back door and signed future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. The Dodgers signed utility man Adam Kennedy. The Angels signed left handed pitcher C.J. Wilson, the premier left handed starting pitcher in this years free agent crop. The Dodgers signed left hander Chris Capuano, who missed 2 1/2 years with arm trouble not too long ago, and right hander Aaron Harang to round out the starting rotation. My prediction is both will be on the Disabled List by June.
The Dodgers did make news on the trade front. They traded left hander Dana Eveland, who at least has major league experience, to the Baltimore Orioles for two minor leaguers who will probably never make it to the majors. They should have made Frank McCourt auction off Ned Colletti as part of the Dodgers bankruptcy proceedings before he left town.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Friday, November 18, 2011
2011 Los Angeles Dodgers Review- The Rookies Part I
The Hitters
The 2011 Los Angeles Dodgers rookies were not expected to produce much going into the season as the Dodgers had veterans penciled in at every position and a veteran bench as well. It was obvious by the beginning of May that the Dodgers three-headed monster in leftfield (Gwynn, Thames,and Gibbons) were not going to produce offensively so Jerry Sands was the first of the rookies to get the call. Rafael Furcal's oft-injured Dodger career was winding down and the free agent to-be was eventually traded in part due to the potential of the next rookie call up, Shortstop Dee Gordon. Gordon and Sands had the largest impacts among the Dodger rookies with others making guest appearances from time to time throughout the season.
Jerry Sands, Outfield- He came into 2011 as the Dodgers #6 ranked prospect according to Baseball America and a hot start at AAA Albuquerque earned him an early May call up. He has the most power potential of any Dodgers prospect but that power did not transfer to the major leagues in 2011. A .200 batting average and only two homeruns in a little over a month's worth of action earned him more playing time in Albuquerque. He got a September callup which produced better results and two more homeruns. He ended his rookie season with a .253 Batting Average, 4 Homeruns, and 26 Runs Batted In in 198 At-Bats. His 2012 outlook may see him back in AAA to start the season as the Dodgers outfield is a little bit crowded for 2012, unless the Dodgers make some moves over the winter. I would rather see him getting at-bats in Albuquerque than I would making spot appearances for the Dodgers.
The 2011 Los Angeles Dodgers rookies were not expected to produce much going into the season as the Dodgers had veterans penciled in at every position and a veteran bench as well. It was obvious by the beginning of May that the Dodgers three-headed monster in leftfield (Gwynn, Thames,and Gibbons) were not going to produce offensively so Jerry Sands was the first of the rookies to get the call. Rafael Furcal's oft-injured Dodger career was winding down and the free agent to-be was eventually traded in part due to the potential of the next rookie call up, Shortstop Dee Gordon. Gordon and Sands had the largest impacts among the Dodger rookies with others making guest appearances from time to time throughout the season.
Jerry Sands, Outfield- He came into 2011 as the Dodgers #6 ranked prospect according to Baseball America and a hot start at AAA Albuquerque earned him an early May call up. He has the most power potential of any Dodgers prospect but that power did not transfer to the major leagues in 2011. A .200 batting average and only two homeruns in a little over a month's worth of action earned him more playing time in Albuquerque. He got a September callup which produced better results and two more homeruns. He ended his rookie season with a .253 Batting Average, 4 Homeruns, and 26 Runs Batted In in 198 At-Bats. His 2012 outlook may see him back in AAA to start the season as the Dodgers outfield is a little bit crowded for 2012, unless the Dodgers make some moves over the winter. I would rather see him getting at-bats in Albuquerque than I would making spot appearances for the Dodgers.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
Clayton Kershaw
Major League Baseball announced today that Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw has won the 2011 Cy Young Award. The numbers speak for themselves. A 21-5 won-loss record, a 2.28 Earned Run Average, and a 0.98 WHIP. He also led the league in Strikeouts with 248 in 233 1/3 Innings Pitched. Some baseball writers are calling it the pitching Triple Crown and all at 23 years old.
I had been saying that he should win the Cy Young Award since the beginning of September and he was very deserving. Several writers and reporters were quoted as saying they would not vote for him because the Dodgers didn't win the division and were only a barely above .500 team. A starting pitcher only pitches every 5th day and he cannot control what happens the other four days. He posted these numbers with an offense that ranked near the bottom in runs scored in the National League. oh, yeah, he deserved it.
I had been saying that he should win the Cy Young Award since the beginning of September and he was very deserving. Several writers and reporters were quoted as saying they would not vote for him because the Dodgers didn't win the division and were only a barely above .500 team. A starting pitcher only pitches every 5th day and he cannot control what happens the other four days. He posted these numbers with an offense that ranked near the bottom in runs scored in the National League. oh, yeah, he deserved it.
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Clayton Kershaw's Ejection
When I read about Clayton Kershaw's ejection against the Arizona Diamondbacks and later saw it on ESPN, my initial reaction was "You have got to be kidding me...."
First of all, he hit him on the arm. He was pitching inside. If you take the inside part of the plate away from any pitcher, you might as well turn it into batting practice. He had piched him on the outside in his last at bat and he doubled.
The umpires needed to have a better grasp of the situation. Its the top of the 6th inning in a close ball game, why would Kershaw want to put a runner on base in a game he was winning just to make a statement. He was going after his 19th win which luckily he had stayed around long enough to get. Its not like he threw at his head or behind his head, he pitched him inside and he hit him on the arm.
The Diamondbacks wanted Kershaw out of the game any way they could. Their reaction was predictable. What I am curious about is the reaction or lack of reaction from Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson. He was a hardnosed player back in his playing days and he brought a football mentality to the diamond every game. He really had nothing to say about it because it should have been a non-issue. It was baseball.
What Parra did against a struggling Kuo was about as bush league as it gets. Go ahead and admire your homerun but expect to get it stuck in your ear your next at bat against the Dodgers. Don Drysdale wouldn't have hesitated.
First of all, he hit him on the arm. He was pitching inside. If you take the inside part of the plate away from any pitcher, you might as well turn it into batting practice. He had piched him on the outside in his last at bat and he doubled.
The umpires needed to have a better grasp of the situation. Its the top of the 6th inning in a close ball game, why would Kershaw want to put a runner on base in a game he was winning just to make a statement. He was going after his 19th win which luckily he had stayed around long enough to get. Its not like he threw at his head or behind his head, he pitched him inside and he hit him on the arm.
The Diamondbacks wanted Kershaw out of the game any way they could. Their reaction was predictable. What I am curious about is the reaction or lack of reaction from Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson. He was a hardnosed player back in his playing days and he brought a football mentality to the diamond every game. He really had nothing to say about it because it should have been a non-issue. It was baseball.
What Parra did against a struggling Kuo was about as bush league as it gets. Go ahead and admire your homerun but expect to get it stuck in your ear your next at bat against the Dodgers. Don Drysdale wouldn't have hesitated.
Clayton Kershaw vs. Ian Kennedy
The two front runners for the Cy Young award are Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The stats comparison would tip the scales in favor of Clayton Kershaw.
The records of the two are almost identical. Kershaw at 19-5 vs. Kennedy's 19-4 but the ERA is very much in the favor of Kershaw, 2.30 vs. 2.99. Kershaw has 5 complete games vs. 1 for Kennedy, more innings pitched, and more strikeouts.
The difference is going to come down to team records. The Diamondbacks are more than likely going to win the division whereas the Dodgers had to go on a hot streak just to reach .500. That is where Kennedy will probably win it.
What Kershaw has done on a team that has struggled to score runs is amazing. Outside of his ejection the other night against Arizona, Kershaw has learned to pitch deep into games this year and he hasn't had to turn many games over to a shaky bullpen.
The records of the two are almost identical. Kershaw at 19-5 vs. Kennedy's 19-4 but the ERA is very much in the favor of Kershaw, 2.30 vs. 2.99. Kershaw has 5 complete games vs. 1 for Kennedy, more innings pitched, and more strikeouts.
The difference is going to come down to team records. The Diamondbacks are more than likely going to win the division whereas the Dodgers had to go on a hot streak just to reach .500. That is where Kennedy will probably win it.
What Kershaw has done on a team that has struggled to score runs is amazing. Outside of his ejection the other night against Arizona, Kershaw has learned to pitch deep into games this year and he hasn't had to turn many games over to a shaky bullpen.
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Javy Guerra
Javy Guerra, the 25-year-old 2004 4th Round Draft Pick, has essentially come from out of nowhere to emerge as the Dodgers closer this season. I would have to say he was originally placed into that position by default thru injuries and blown saves but he has taken it and ran with it. Thru last nights game, he has converted 15 out of 16 save opportunities with an ERA in the lower 2.00 range.
Before the 2011 season, Guerra had pitched no higher than AA, and only 51 games of AA ball in 7 seasons in the minors. He only served as the closer for one of those seasons, at Great Lakes of the Midwest League in 2009 where he had 16. From all I have read, he had mechanical flaws that had to be corrected and then he had to fight thru some minor injuries. Whatever the problems were it seems that he got them worked out and he has helped spur the Dodgers late season run. He has also worked himself into a position to be considered as the closer for next season.
Before the 2011 season, Guerra had pitched no higher than AA, and only 51 games of AA ball in 7 seasons in the minors. He only served as the closer for one of those seasons, at Great Lakes of the Midwest League in 2009 where he had 16. From all I have read, he had mechanical flaws that had to be corrected and then he had to fight thru some minor injuries. Whatever the problems were it seems that he got them worked out and he has helped spur the Dodgers late season run. He has also worked himself into a position to be considered as the closer for next season.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Matt Kemp And Clayton Kershaw
I am biased but I am going to go ahead and say it. Matt Kemp of the Los Angeles Dodgers deserves to be the MVP of the National League. Clayton Kershaw deserves to win the Cy Young Award. Will they win? I doubt either one will finish in the top three for their respective awards. There has always been a voter bias against players whose teams have losing records.
Matt Kemp not winning I would probably be able to understand more. The voters believe that the most valuable player should be the main contributor to his team winning. I don't believe the Dodgers have even been over .500 since the middle of April. I would really hate to see the Dodgers record without Matt Kemp's .300+ batting average, 31 Homeruns, 100 RBI's, and 33 stolen bases.
Clayton Kershaw is another story. Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners defied the odds and won the American League Cy Young award in spite of the Mariners record. I was reading an article a couple of weeks ago and some writer was quoted as saying that he would not vote for Clayton Kershaw because of the Dodgers record. Clayton Kershaw (to this point in the season) is the best pitcher in the National League. Period. 16-5, 2.50+ ERA. I would love to see him get to 20 wins and not give the voters a choice in the matter.
Matt Kemp not winning I would probably be able to understand more. The voters believe that the most valuable player should be the main contributor to his team winning. I don't believe the Dodgers have even been over .500 since the middle of April. I would really hate to see the Dodgers record without Matt Kemp's .300+ batting average, 31 Homeruns, 100 RBI's, and 33 stolen bases.
Clayton Kershaw is another story. Felix Hernandez of the Seattle Mariners defied the odds and won the American League Cy Young award in spite of the Mariners record. I was reading an article a couple of weeks ago and some writer was quoted as saying that he would not vote for Clayton Kershaw because of the Dodgers record. Clayton Kershaw (to this point in the season) is the best pitcher in the National League. Period. 16-5, 2.50+ ERA. I would love to see him get to 20 wins and not give the voters a choice in the matter.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Hitting Is Contagious
Chad Billingsley got more run support last night against the Minnesota Twins than he has had all season and I hope the Dodgers didn't pack it all into one game. Billingsley (7-6) and three other relievers combined for the shutout in the 15-0 win.
I believe hitting is contagious and the Dodgers had a Major League Baseball high 25 hits. They were led by Matt Kemp's 4 for 5 with his team leading 22nd Homerun and a pair of RBI's (team leading 62-nobody else is even close) and all of the starter had at least two hits in the game.
Tony Gwynn Jr. had 4 hits from the leadoff position and Dee Gordon had a pair of hits from the "second leadoff" position (9th in the batting order) and Andre Ethier was the Designated Hitter since the game was played in an American League park.
Ted Lilly goes tonight for the Dodgers and the main thing he has going for him is his previous American League experience. It would be really nice to have that kind of run support again and I hope the contagion wasn't just a 24 hour hitting virus.
I believe hitting is contagious and the Dodgers had a Major League Baseball high 25 hits. They were led by Matt Kemp's 4 for 5 with his team leading 22nd Homerun and a pair of RBI's (team leading 62-nobody else is even close) and all of the starter had at least two hits in the game.
Tony Gwynn Jr. had 4 hits from the leadoff position and Dee Gordon had a pair of hits from the "second leadoff" position (9th in the batting order) and Andre Ethier was the Designated Hitter since the game was played in an American League park.
Ted Lilly goes tonight for the Dodgers and the main thing he has going for him is his previous American League experience. It would be really nice to have that kind of run support again and I hope the contagion wasn't just a 24 hour hitting virus.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Clayton Kershaw The Finisher
Clayton Kershaw pitched his second straight complete game yesterday that allowed the Dodgers to salvage the final game of a three-game series against the Angels or whatever they happened to be called this week. He struck out eleven and only threw 114 pitches. That is a very economical outing for a power pitcher. He took over the league lead in strikeouts with 128 and improved his record to 8-3. With any run support they would be talking potential Cy Young right about now. He also extended his hitting streak to four games and scored the first run in the 3-2 Dodgers victory.
Dee Gordon stole the show for the Dodgers last night as a pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth inning, stealing a base and scoring the tieing run on an Aaron Miles sacrifice fly to short center. Both calls could have gone either way and if I was to rule on either play I would have to say he was more out on the steal than he was on the slide into home. I am not sure Angels Catcher Jeff Mathis ever tagged him with the ball on the slide home.
If you play the "what if" game, I wonder if Angels catcher Jeff Mathis would have been blocking home plate in that manner if it was Matt Kemp coming home compared to 150 pound Dee Gordon? Jeff Mathis was asking to be tattooed on that throw home, and the play was completely legal according to the rules, and I wonder if there would have been any out cry if Gordon would have gone head hunting? What if....
Dee Gordon stole the show for the Dodgers last night as a pinch runner in the bottom of the ninth inning, stealing a base and scoring the tieing run on an Aaron Miles sacrifice fly to short center. Both calls could have gone either way and if I was to rule on either play I would have to say he was more out on the steal than he was on the slide into home. I am not sure Angels Catcher Jeff Mathis ever tagged him with the ball on the slide home.
If you play the "what if" game, I wonder if Angels catcher Jeff Mathis would have been blocking home plate in that manner if it was Matt Kemp coming home compared to 150 pound Dee Gordon? Jeff Mathis was asking to be tattooed on that throw home, and the play was completely legal according to the rules, and I wonder if there would have been any out cry if Gordon would have gone head hunting? What if....
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Two Out Of Three From The Tigers
The Dodgers took a badly needed two out of three from the Detroit Tigers, only giving up one run in the first two games but Ted Lilly got smacked around a little bit in the third game. He gave up three home runs in 4 2/3 innings and his ERA rose to 4.63. His record fell to 5-7 and he is not having an $11 million season.
The Dodgers still had a chance in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but failed to deliver in the clutch and left the bases loaded.
Kenley Jansen is off the Disabled List and he pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out 4 and walking 2. I would like to see him work his way back into the fold because the Dodgers need to find a dependable closer. This bullpen by committee really isn't working for me.
The Dodgers still had a chance in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases with one out, but failed to deliver in the clutch and left the bases loaded.
Kenley Jansen is off the Disabled List and he pitched 1 2/3 innings, striking out 4 and walking 2. I would like to see him work his way back into the fold because the Dodgers need to find a dependable closer. This bullpen by committee really isn't working for me.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
The Shutout Magic Is Working
Clayton Kershaw pitched a two-hit shutout last night and drove in a pair in a 4-0 Interleague victory over the Detroit Tigers. He struckout 11, including striking out the side in the ninth inning to finish the game off, and walked only one. He was still throwing in the mid-90s in the ninth inning.
My advice to the Dodgers is to lock Kershaw up to a long term contract now and avoid the possibility of losing him later. Unfortunately until the United States Judicial System sorts out the divorce and the ownership situation of the Dodgers, and the finances are solidified, that may not be possible.
I think changes are in store for the Dodgers. I think the McCourts will be removed in one way or another by major league baseball, I think Ned Colletti needs to be canned, and I am really not a big fan of Don Mattingly as Manager. I think Tim Wallach should have gotten the job to begin with and I hope they don't lose him to another team before they decide to give him a chance.
As far as player personnel goes, I believe that James Loney and Andre Ethier are gone either during this season or sometime in the off season. They are both fairly young players but they are just not producing. Furcal is history but he spends so much time on the Disabled List I really don't think I would notice the difference.
The Dodgers need so many positions filled after the season- Catcher, Third Base, Left Field, a quality closer- and that is without making any trades. Building the team back up thru free agency is the best option and we need a new ownership group with deep pockets.
My advice to the Dodgers is to lock Kershaw up to a long term contract now and avoid the possibility of losing him later. Unfortunately until the United States Judicial System sorts out the divorce and the ownership situation of the Dodgers, and the finances are solidified, that may not be possible.
I think changes are in store for the Dodgers. I think the McCourts will be removed in one way or another by major league baseball, I think Ned Colletti needs to be canned, and I am really not a big fan of Don Mattingly as Manager. I think Tim Wallach should have gotten the job to begin with and I hope they don't lose him to another team before they decide to give him a chance.
As far as player personnel goes, I believe that James Loney and Andre Ethier are gone either during this season or sometime in the off season. They are both fairly young players but they are just not producing. Furcal is history but he spends so much time on the Disabled List I really don't think I would notice the difference.
The Dodgers need so many positions filled after the season- Catcher, Third Base, Left Field, a quality closer- and that is without making any trades. Building the team back up thru free agency is the best option and we need a new ownership group with deep pockets.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Where Are The Bats?
The Dodgers broke a five game losing streak against the Houston Astros, giving them a good sound thrashing by the score of 1-0. I hope the sarcasm was noted.
Huroki Kuroda had another solid outing (he has had 3 or 4 in a row) only to have nothing to show for it with a no decision. Matt Guerrier go the win in relief and Javy Guerra racked up his second save. I would say it is bullpen by committee but the Dodgers have not had the lead enough in the last inning to even worry about it. Guerra hasn't been knocked around here lately so they gave him the opportunity.
The Dodgers banged out three hits, two of which were by Catcher Dioner Navarro including a solo homerun (his second) that provided all of the scoring. A couple of weeks ago Manager Don Mattingly said that he wanted to get Dioner Navarro more at bats and when that statement was made he was batting in the .220's. With the increased at bats his average has fallen to .175 making the Mendoza Line look like Hall Of Fame caliber numbers.
This has not been the homestand I had in mind after pulling off a .500 road trip. More Interleague play is up next with the Detroit Tigers coming to town. Interleague play may be the worst thing major league baseball has ever done to the Dodgers, outside of approving Frank McCourt to buy the team.
Huroki Kuroda had another solid outing (he has had 3 or 4 in a row) only to have nothing to show for it with a no decision. Matt Guerrier go the win in relief and Javy Guerra racked up his second save. I would say it is bullpen by committee but the Dodgers have not had the lead enough in the last inning to even worry about it. Guerra hasn't been knocked around here lately so they gave him the opportunity.
The Dodgers banged out three hits, two of which were by Catcher Dioner Navarro including a solo homerun (his second) that provided all of the scoring. A couple of weeks ago Manager Don Mattingly said that he wanted to get Dioner Navarro more at bats and when that statement was made he was batting in the .220's. With the increased at bats his average has fallen to .175 making the Mendoza Line look like Hall Of Fame caliber numbers.
This has not been the homestand I had in mind after pulling off a .500 road trip. More Interleague play is up next with the Detroit Tigers coming to town. Interleague play may be the worst thing major league baseball has ever done to the Dodgers, outside of approving Frank McCourt to buy the team.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A .500 Road Trip
When you are several games back in the National League West standings like the Dodgers are a .500 road trip is really not acceptable. If they were leading by 5 games, I could live with it. They had to win the final two games against the Colorado Rockies just to pull even on the road trip. They needed to make a statement with this road trip and unfortunately, I think they did.
James Loney came alive yesterday as he usually does when he enters the Denver City Limits with three hits topped off by a Grand Slam and Juan Uribe and Rod Barajas also had three hits. Rubby De La Rosa got the win (3-0) going 5 innings giving up 3 runs but leaving after the 5th with what was described as a forearm cramp. I don't think I have ever heard of a pitcher leaving with that one before.
The bullpen tried giving it away as Ramon Troncoso got mauled but lefty Scott Elbert came in and got the final out for his first save on the season and I believe the 8th Dodger to record a save this year.
They need a very solid homestand starting with the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The Dodgers are sending out Hiroki Kuroda against Brandon Arroyo. Arroyo always gives the Dodgers fits for some reason.
James Loney came alive yesterday as he usually does when he enters the Denver City Limits with three hits topped off by a Grand Slam and Juan Uribe and Rod Barajas also had three hits. Rubby De La Rosa got the win (3-0) going 5 innings giving up 3 runs but leaving after the 5th with what was described as a forearm cramp. I don't think I have ever heard of a pitcher leaving with that one before.
The bullpen tried giving it away as Ramon Troncoso got mauled but lefty Scott Elbert came in and got the final out for his first save on the season and I believe the 8th Dodger to record a save this year.
They need a very solid homestand starting with the Cincinnati Reds tonight. The Dodgers are sending out Hiroki Kuroda against Brandon Arroyo. Arroyo always gives the Dodgers fits for some reason.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Another Solid Pitching Effort Wasted
The Dodgers wasted another solid pitching effort by their pitching staff last night as they were shutout by left-hander Cole Hamels and the Philadelphia Phillies 2-0. Ted Lilly and Hiroshi kuroda seemed to be earmarked this year to get no run support from the Dodger bats. Kuroda went 5 1/3 innings and gave up a solo homerun to Ryan Howard.
The Dodgers sent rookie outfielder Jerry Sands down to AAA Albuquerque today in a move that came a day later than most thought it would. He has been slumping very badly of late and his average fell to .200 and his power never materialized against major league pitching. He had only hit two homeruns in over 100 at bats. His playing time was becoming more sporadic. He didn't even get in the game against lefty Hamels last night. The Dodgers called up left-handed hitting Trent Oeltjen to replace Sands on the roster. He has logged some major league service time with the Milwaukee Brewers and with the LA Dodgers last year.
I look for Sands to go down to the minors, get his stroke back (I am still not a big fan of his swing), and be one of the September call ups by the Dodgers.
The Dodgers sent rookie outfielder Jerry Sands down to AAA Albuquerque today in a move that came a day later than most thought it would. He has been slumping very badly of late and his average fell to .200 and his power never materialized against major league pitching. He had only hit two homeruns in over 100 at bats. His playing time was becoming more sporadic. He didn't even get in the game against lefty Hamels last night. The Dodgers called up left-handed hitting Trent Oeltjen to replace Sands on the roster. He has logged some major league service time with the Milwaukee Brewers and with the LA Dodgers last year.
I look for Sands to go down to the minors, get his stroke back (I am still not a big fan of his swing), and be one of the September call ups by the Dodgers.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
And The Rookies Shall Lead Them
Both Rubby De La Rosa and Dee Gordon got their first major league starts last night in a 6-2 Dodgers win over the Phillies.
De La Rosa had a shaky but effective outing. His stat line read 5 IP, 4 K's, 5 BB's, and only 1 Earned Run. I am hoping the uncustomary wildness can be attributed to nerves. He got the win and and it was his second in the majors. He threw 96 pitches, topping out at 98 MPH. He also walked and scored a run.
Dee Gordon singled in his first three at-bats (finishing 3 for 5), stole his first major league base, and scored a run. They batted him in the lead off position and he had the reputation of being a burner in the minors so I say let's turn him loose and see what he can do. He was batting over .300 at AAA Albuquerque with 20 Stolen Bases so he has the skills.
De La Rosa had a shaky but effective outing. His stat line read 5 IP, 4 K's, 5 BB's, and only 1 Earned Run. I am hoping the uncustomary wildness can be attributed to nerves. He got the win and and it was his second in the majors. He threw 96 pitches, topping out at 98 MPH. He also walked and scored a run.
Dee Gordon singled in his first three at-bats (finishing 3 for 5), stole his first major league base, and scored a run. They batted him in the lead off position and he had the reputation of being a burner in the minors so I say let's turn him loose and see what he can do. He was batting over .300 at AAA Albuquerque with 20 Stolen Bases so he has the skills.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Dee Gordon Gets The Call
The Los Angeles Dodgers #1 Prospect, Shortstop Dee Gordon, got the call to the major leagues yesterday in a move that kind of surprised me. It was one of several moves made by the Dodgers yesterday. Juan Uribe, Marcus Thames, and pitcher Blake Hawksworth were all activated from the Disabled List yesterday. The Dodgers basically cut infielder Juan Castro and outfielder Jay Gibbons loose and optioned out infielder Ivan DeJesus and pitcher John Ely. Castro and Gibbons could still possible end up in Albuquerque if they clear waivers. By cutting Gibbons loose that means that the Dodgers have decided to keep Jerry Sands on the major league roster. Sands has also played some First Base this season.
Gordon got into his first game last night, a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, as a pinch runner and scored the Dodgers lone run. I believed that Gordon would be a September call up but I guess the Dodgers brass believed the future is now especially with Rafael Furcal ending up on the Disabled List every other week.
Gordon got into his first game last night, a 3-1 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies, as a pinch runner and scored the Dodgers lone run. I believed that Gordon would be a September call up but I guess the Dodgers brass believed the future is now especially with Rafael Furcal ending up on the Disabled List every other week.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Billingsley Taking Matters Into His Own Hands
Chad Billingsley's pitching stat line Yesterday against the Cincinnati Reds (5 IP, 4 ER) would have ordinarily gotten him an ugly looking "L" beside his name but his stat line at the plate made up for it (2 for 3 with a homerun, a double, and a bases loaded walk and 3 RBI's).
He pitched long enough to qualify for the win and John Ely came in and didn't exactly shut the door but he didn't open the floodgates either (3 IP, 2 ER). Josh Lindblom came in and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Matt Kemp hit his 16th Homerun and I bet he really hates to leave Cincinnati with 3 HR's and 8 RBI's in the three games. Rod Barajas drove in a couple and Jerry Sands drove in one as well.
Taking two out of three in Cincinnati is a nice way to start the road trip. They travel to Philadelphia next and the Dodgers will not be sending out their top three starters as Kuroda, Kershaw, and Billingsley all faced the Reds. I am hoping that with John Ely pitching long relief last night it means that they are going to let Rubby De La Rosa take Garland's spot in the rotation and possibly get his first major league start against the Phillies.
He pitched long enough to qualify for the win and John Ely came in and didn't exactly shut the door but he didn't open the floodgates either (3 IP, 2 ER). Josh Lindblom came in and pitched a scoreless ninth inning.
Matt Kemp hit his 16th Homerun and I bet he really hates to leave Cincinnati with 3 HR's and 8 RBI's in the three games. Rod Barajas drove in a couple and Jerry Sands drove in one as well.
Taking two out of three in Cincinnati is a nice way to start the road trip. They travel to Philadelphia next and the Dodgers will not be sending out their top three starters as Kuroda, Kershaw, and Billingsley all faced the Reds. I am hoping that with John Ely pitching long relief last night it means that they are going to let Rubby De La Rosa take Garland's spot in the rotation and possibly get his first major league start against the Phillies.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
A Comeback Win For The Ages
The Dodgers came from five runs down in the 8th inning yesterday to tie the game against the Cincinnati Reds and nailed down the win with a four run 11th inning. The final score was 11-8. That was the first time since 1994 that the Dodgers had come back from being down five runs or more after the 7th inning and win the game.
Matt Kemp was the star as he hit his 14th and 15th homeruns of the season, his last one being a grand slam that tied it up in the top of the 8th inning, 7-7. He had six RBI's for the game on three hits. Matt Kemp has so much athletic ability but he is not a natural baseball player. His best sport in high school was basketball. I hope he is still playing with the Dodgers when he puts the athletic ability together with a natural feel for the game.
One account I read of the game made the statement that in the 11th inning the Dodgers "singles" hitters went to work and drove in the clinching runs. For the Dodgers offense to start clicking the "singles" hitters need to do this on a more consistent basis. The only player on the team that has shown any consistent power is Matt Kemp. Barajas has 7 homeruns, Ethier has 5, Loney has 3, Blake has spent almost the majority of the season on the DL, and highly touted rookie Jerry Sands power has disappeared against major league pitching.
The stat line on starter Clayton Kershaw for this game looks pretty rough (6 2/3 IP, 6 runs) but it is very misleading. The Dodgers bullpen came in and held down the fort for 4 + innings, only giving up one run in the bottom of the 11th by eventual winning pitcher Javy Guerra. That was Guerra's first major league win.
There are more Dodgers injuries to report. It might be bigger news if there were no injuries to report. Jon Garland and Rafael Furcal are headed back to the Disabled list and John Ely and Ivan DeJesus were brought back up to replace them on the roster. I don't know why the Dodgers just don't pencil Furcal on to the DL about once a month whether he's hurt or not. It would save themselves some time and aggravation. I would rather see the Dodgers start Rubby De La Rosa now and bring Ely in in middle relief out of the pen.
Matt Kemp was the star as he hit his 14th and 15th homeruns of the season, his last one being a grand slam that tied it up in the top of the 8th inning, 7-7. He had six RBI's for the game on three hits. Matt Kemp has so much athletic ability but he is not a natural baseball player. His best sport in high school was basketball. I hope he is still playing with the Dodgers when he puts the athletic ability together with a natural feel for the game.
One account I read of the game made the statement that in the 11th inning the Dodgers "singles" hitters went to work and drove in the clinching runs. For the Dodgers offense to start clicking the "singles" hitters need to do this on a more consistent basis. The only player on the team that has shown any consistent power is Matt Kemp. Barajas has 7 homeruns, Ethier has 5, Loney has 3, Blake has spent almost the majority of the season on the DL, and highly touted rookie Jerry Sands power has disappeared against major league pitching.
The stat line on starter Clayton Kershaw for this game looks pretty rough (6 2/3 IP, 6 runs) but it is very misleading. The Dodgers bullpen came in and held down the fort for 4 + innings, only giving up one run in the bottom of the 11th by eventual winning pitcher Javy Guerra. That was Guerra's first major league win.
There are more Dodgers injuries to report. It might be bigger news if there were no injuries to report. Jon Garland and Rafael Furcal are headed back to the Disabled list and John Ely and Ivan DeJesus were brought back up to replace them on the roster. I don't know why the Dodgers just don't pencil Furcal on to the DL about once a month whether he's hurt or not. It would save themselves some time and aggravation. I would rather see the Dodgers start Rubby De La Rosa now and bring Ely in in middle relief out of the pen.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
So Much For The Offensive Explosion
The offensive explosion only lasted for three games as Ubaldo Gimenez of the Colorado Rockies pitched a four-hit shutout against the Dodgers last night. Jon Garland took another loss (1-5) for the Dodgers. I do not think Garland has been pitching badly but he can't seem to catch a break. The Dodgers now embark on a ten game road trip. You hate to say this road trip only a third of the way thru their season might make or break their season but if they do poorly, it will have a huge impact.
The only news of note that came out of last nights game was the major league debut of Josh Lindblom, a right-handed reliever out of Purdue. He almost made the Dodgers coming out of spring training in 2009 and 2010 but was sent down and did very poorly in AAA last season and started out the year in AA Chattanooga this year. He gave up two hits in his inning pitched but didn't allow a run.
Vicente Padilla is due to come back Friday night and it has been widely speculated that he will be inserted back into the closer's role for the Dodgers. That might mean Lindblom will be sent back down but at least he got his debut out of the way.
The only news of note that came out of last nights game was the major league debut of Josh Lindblom, a right-handed reliever out of Purdue. He almost made the Dodgers coming out of spring training in 2009 and 2010 but was sent down and did very poorly in AAA last season and started out the year in AA Chattanooga this year. He gave up two hits in his inning pitched but didn't allow a run.
Vicente Padilla is due to come back Friday night and it has been widely speculated that he will be inserted back into the closer's role for the Dodgers. That might mean Lindblom will be sent back down but at least he got his debut out of the way.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
An Offensive Explosion
The Dodgers are finally putting some runs up on the board (23 in their past three games) and have a three-game winning streak to show for it. Matt Kemp (4 RBI's) and Casey Blake (3 RBI's) were the offensive stars last night in their 8-2 win over the Colorado Rockies. As badly as they have played this year and as many players that have been on the Disabled List, they are still only 4 1/2 games out of first place.
Ted Lilly was the winning pitcher last night and I have never been completely sold on him as a major league starting pitcher (especially one worth $11 million a year) because of his style of pitching. He is a great change of pace pitcher to throw in the middle of Kershaw and Billingsley because of their power, but for Lilly to be successful in any game, alot of factors have to come together. His location has to be on, his mechanics have to be almost perfect, and he has to be able to effectively change speeds. If one thing is off, the chances of balls sailing out of the park are pretty good. His stats are never going to be sexy with alot of strikeouts or shutouts, or even a very low ERA but the Dodgers need him to eat up alot innings this year, maybe be a few games over .500, and it will be a successful season for him.
Rubby De La Rosa pitched a couple of more shutout innings last night, dropping his ERA to 1.80 (he has only pitched 5 innings). He has looked impressive so far and I would love to see the Dodgers send a spot start his way.
Ted Lilly was the winning pitcher last night and I have never been completely sold on him as a major league starting pitcher (especially one worth $11 million a year) because of his style of pitching. He is a great change of pace pitcher to throw in the middle of Kershaw and Billingsley because of their power, but for Lilly to be successful in any game, alot of factors have to come together. His location has to be on, his mechanics have to be almost perfect, and he has to be able to effectively change speeds. If one thing is off, the chances of balls sailing out of the park are pretty good. His stats are never going to be sexy with alot of strikeouts or shutouts, or even a very low ERA but the Dodgers need him to eat up alot innings this year, maybe be a few games over .500, and it will be a successful season for him.
Rubby De La Rosa pitched a couple of more shutout innings last night, dropping his ERA to 1.80 (he has only pitched 5 innings). He has looked impressive so far and I would love to see the Dodgers send a spot start his way.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Kershaw To The Rescue
Clayton Kershaw came to the rescue again as he pitched the best game of his young career, a two-hit shutout of the Florida Marlins. The Dodgers offense actually put eight runs on the board so Kershaw actually got to focus on pitching. He even got in on the 17 hit Dodgers action, going 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Alot of the Dodger roster that has been on the Disabled List this year led the Dodgers attack. Names like Rafael Furcal (a Homer and two RBI's), Casey Blake (two RBI's), Dioner Navarro (a couple of hits and an RBI), and Jay Gibbons (three hits) finally appeared in the boxscore in a positive fashion rather than on the Disabled list.
The Dodgers got some further good news when it was announced that Marcus Thames, Vicente Padilla, and Hong Chih-Kuo were ready to start rehab assignments. The bullpen did take another hit when Kenley Jansen was placed on the Disabled List.
Manager Don Mattingly and Matt Kemp were not around to see the end of the game as they got tossed for arguing balls and strikes. I am happy to see that kind of fire and passion from both of them and I loved the way Mattingly stood up for his player. Now I am hoping some pieces will start clicking and they can get a good winning streak going.
Alot of the Dodger roster that has been on the Disabled List this year led the Dodgers attack. Names like Rafael Furcal (a Homer and two RBI's), Casey Blake (two RBI's), Dioner Navarro (a couple of hits and an RBI), and Jay Gibbons (three hits) finally appeared in the boxscore in a positive fashion rather than on the Disabled list.
The Dodgers got some further good news when it was announced that Marcus Thames, Vicente Padilla, and Hong Chih-Kuo were ready to start rehab assignments. The bullpen did take another hit when Kenley Jansen was placed on the Disabled List.
Manager Don Mattingly and Matt Kemp were not around to see the end of the game as they got tossed for arguing balls and strikes. I am happy to see that kind of fire and passion from both of them and I loved the way Mattingly stood up for his player. Now I am hoping some pieces will start clicking and they can get a good winning streak going.
Saturday, May 28, 2011
Walk-Off Magic Of Their Own
The Dodgers had a little bit of walk-off magic on their own last night and its about time. They beat the Florida Marlins 3-2 on Dioner Navarro's pinch-hit single up the middle in the bottom of the ninth that plated the winning run. The Florida Marlins had added an extra infielder to try to keep anything from going through.
This is Dioner Navarro's second go around with the Dodgers and the value of a solid back up catcher cannot be underestimated through the long major league season. Navarro is a decent defensive catcher and being a switch-hitter is an added bonus. Some catchers have made nice long careers out of being a backup. Funny man and journeyman catcher Bob Uecker comes to mind.
Rubby De La Rosa blew his first save opportunity but did pick up the win last night so I'll take the win. One of his pitches hit 99 MPH on the radar gun. James Loney hit his second homerun of the season and Andre Ethier hit his fifth. They were both solo homeruns and God knows we wouldn't want anybody on the team to hit a three-run homer or get a key hit with some runners in scoring position.
This is Dioner Navarro's second go around with the Dodgers and the value of a solid back up catcher cannot be underestimated through the long major league season. Navarro is a decent defensive catcher and being a switch-hitter is an added bonus. Some catchers have made nice long careers out of being a backup. Funny man and journeyman catcher Bob Uecker comes to mind.
Rubby De La Rosa blew his first save opportunity but did pick up the win last night so I'll take the win. One of his pitches hit 99 MPH on the radar gun. James Loney hit his second homerun of the season and Andre Ethier hit his fifth. They were both solo homeruns and God knows we wouldn't want anybody on the team to hit a three-run homer or get a key hit with some runners in scoring position.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
The Beginning Of The Rubby De La Rosa Era
The Rubby De La Rosa Era has begun for the Los Angeles Dodgers as he pitched an inning in the 5-4 victory over the Houston Astros last night. He struck out two and walked none.
I did not believe he would be called up until September but the cast of rag arms the Dodgers call a bullpen necessitated the move. I was able to see him pitch in a couple of games in Spring Training this year and what I saw I was very impressed with. Several writers have made the comparison to a young Pedro Martinez when he started out with the Dodgers and I just hope Ned Colletti doesn't trade him for a has been who will only be with the Dodgers for a season or less.
Another rookie, longtime Dodger farmhand Javy Guerra, got the save in last nights game. He is the seventh different Dodger to get a save this year and I don't know if that is a record or not but it is bound to be getting close.
De La Rosa has been projected as a starter and I believe that is where he will end up but right now, none of the Dodgers starters are pitching bad enough to be benched. However, three of the five starting pitchers are in their mid-30's, and this could be an audition for next season.
I did not believe he would be called up until September but the cast of rag arms the Dodgers call a bullpen necessitated the move. I was able to see him pitch in a couple of games in Spring Training this year and what I saw I was very impressed with. Several writers have made the comparison to a young Pedro Martinez when he started out with the Dodgers and I just hope Ned Colletti doesn't trade him for a has been who will only be with the Dodgers for a season or less.
Another rookie, longtime Dodger farmhand Javy Guerra, got the save in last nights game. He is the seventh different Dodger to get a save this year and I don't know if that is a record or not but it is bound to be getting close.
De La Rosa has been projected as a starter and I believe that is where he will end up but right now, none of the Dodgers starters are pitching bad enough to be benched. However, three of the five starting pitchers are in their mid-30's, and this could be an audition for next season.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Losing A One-Hitter
In spite of all of the offensive talent that the Dodgers have, the Dodgers are only going to go as far as the starting pitching takes them. Chad Billingsley threw a one-hitter last night and lost 1-0. The Dodgers only mustered 4 hits against a pitcher and relievers I have barely heard of.
I honestly believe they have some offensive talent. Ethier, Kemp, and Loney all qualify as offensive talent although I will readily admit that Loney's hitting as been downright offensive to this point in the season. In his defense, he did hit his second double of the season last night.
Although the Dodgers teams of the early and mid-1960's are a little bit before my time, I heard my father talk about them enough to where I feel like I watched them. Those teams were pretty much pitching, defense, and alot of low scoring, one run games.
I believe this Dodger team will be comparable to those teams. I don't believe Kershaw and Billingsley will ever be compared to Koufax and Drysdale but the tough, one run games will make the comparisons valid. For that matter, Ted Lilly is no Claude Osteen either.
I honestly believe they have some offensive talent. Ethier, Kemp, and Loney all qualify as offensive talent although I will readily admit that Loney's hitting as been downright offensive to this point in the season. In his defense, he did hit his second double of the season last night.
Although the Dodgers teams of the early and mid-1960's are a little bit before my time, I heard my father talk about them enough to where I feel like I watched them. Those teams were pretty much pitching, defense, and alot of low scoring, one run games.
I believe this Dodger team will be comparable to those teams. I don't believe Kershaw and Billingsley will ever be compared to Koufax and Drysdale but the tough, one run games will make the comparisons valid. For that matter, Ted Lilly is no Claude Osteen either.
Juan Castro
Juan Castro has more Dodger lives than a cat. They brought him up from AAA Albuquerque on Friday and sent rookie infielder Ivan DeJesus Jr. down so he could play everyday. DeJesus only played in 16 games, going 6 for 31 with one RBI.
This makes the fourth time that Castro has joined the Dodgers and I wonder what the all-time record is? He is a solid, if not spectacular defensive player, and I can see him being a late inning defensive replacement and getting a few spot starts. He is not going to knock the cover off the ball so this move made sense a long time ago.
Jerry Sands is still hanging with the Dodgers and getting alot of starts but he is barely hitting above the Mendoza line, has only shown warning track power, and he may be the next in line to get sent back down for more seasoning. I have only got to see him play a few times this year but from what I have seen, everything he hits goes to right field. I am not a big fan of is bat position when he is at the plate so they may need to tinker with his swing over the course of the next off-season.
I am pulling for DeJesus and Sands to make it more than anyone because I long for the days when the Rookie of the Year Award was almost synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers minor league system has slipped several notches but I believe the talent level has increased over the past couple of years. Now if we can only get GM Ned Colletti to keep from trading them away.
This makes the fourth time that Castro has joined the Dodgers and I wonder what the all-time record is? He is a solid, if not spectacular defensive player, and I can see him being a late inning defensive replacement and getting a few spot starts. He is not going to knock the cover off the ball so this move made sense a long time ago.
Jerry Sands is still hanging with the Dodgers and getting alot of starts but he is barely hitting above the Mendoza line, has only shown warning track power, and he may be the next in line to get sent back down for more seasoning. I have only got to see him play a few times this year but from what I have seen, everything he hits goes to right field. I am not a big fan of is bat position when he is at the plate so they may need to tinker with his swing over the course of the next off-season.
I am pulling for DeJesus and Sands to make it more than anyone because I long for the days when the Rookie of the Year Award was almost synonymous with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers minor league system has slipped several notches but I believe the talent level has increased over the past couple of years. Now if we can only get GM Ned Colletti to keep from trading them away.
Friday, April 29, 2011
On The Field
With all of the issues the Dodgers are facing off the field, it is hard to believe the Dodgers are playing .500 baseball. They are coming off a 3-3 road trip to Chicago and Florida, but they essentially gave two of those games away, one to Chicago when the relief pitching imploded and one to Florida when the defense booted the game. A 5-1 road trip really would have been sweet.
Jonathan Broxton has already lost his closers job twenty games into the season (which really came as no surprise) but a combination of Vicente Padilla and Hong-Chih Kuo as the closers? Padilla can't stay off the Disabled List, Kuo has about as brittle an arm as I have ever seen and I hope the Dodgers have a Plan C they can fall back on. Padilla did get his first save against the Marlins the other night and Kuo had a rocky rehab outing in Class A the other night that has most everyone questioning whether he is anywhere close to being ready to come back.
Casey Blake joined Rafael Furcal on the Disabled List (not really a surprise either) and it is believed that he will be out for probably about a month. The Dodgers called up Russ Mitchell to replace him on the roster with Aaron Miles probably getting the majority of the starts at Third Base.
My player Xavier Paul got claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates (I think they just wait around for the Dodgers to release players) and I hope he gets some playing time in the Pirates outfield. Paul's "replacement" Jerry Sands is off to a so-so start to his major league career but he has not provided the power so far that the Dodgers really need. I am hoping it will come later.
Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are both rolling and it is good to see. Now if we can get a couple of more hitters to join them (James Loney please stand up- he has made it above the Mendoza line) maybe the Dodgers can have a kick-ass homestand.
Jonathan Broxton has already lost his closers job twenty games into the season (which really came as no surprise) but a combination of Vicente Padilla and Hong-Chih Kuo as the closers? Padilla can't stay off the Disabled List, Kuo has about as brittle an arm as I have ever seen and I hope the Dodgers have a Plan C they can fall back on. Padilla did get his first save against the Marlins the other night and Kuo had a rocky rehab outing in Class A the other night that has most everyone questioning whether he is anywhere close to being ready to come back.
Casey Blake joined Rafael Furcal on the Disabled List (not really a surprise either) and it is believed that he will be out for probably about a month. The Dodgers called up Russ Mitchell to replace him on the roster with Aaron Miles probably getting the majority of the starts at Third Base.
My player Xavier Paul got claimed off waivers by the Pittsburgh Pirates (I think they just wait around for the Dodgers to release players) and I hope he gets some playing time in the Pirates outfield. Paul's "replacement" Jerry Sands is off to a so-so start to his major league career but he has not provided the power so far that the Dodgers really need. I am hoping it will come later.
Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp are both rolling and it is good to see. Now if we can get a couple of more hitters to join them (James Loney please stand up- he has made it above the Mendoza line) maybe the Dodgers can have a kick-ass homestand.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
What A Mess
Alot has happened in Dodger world since my last post and not much of it has been focused on the field. Major League Baseball taking over the day-to-day operations of the Dodgers would have to top the list. Commissioner Bud Selig's concern was whether the Dodgers could function on a daily basis with Frank McCourt in charge. This almost immediately followed an announcement that Frank McCourt had been given a $30 million loan just to make payroll for the month.
It looks like the divorce between Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball is going to end up in court as well and it may even be uglier than his matrimonial divorce. It seems that a closed door meeting was held between Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball and Frank McCourt decided to take his cause up with the members of the press which has always been a baseball no-no.
From the reports I have read, it seems that former Dodger great Steve Garvey is trying to put together a group to buy the team and that has to be better than it is now. What is going on now is bad for baseball and bad for the Dodgers.
It looks like the divorce between Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball is going to end up in court as well and it may even be uglier than his matrimonial divorce. It seems that a closed door meeting was held between Frank McCourt and Major League Baseball and Frank McCourt decided to take his cause up with the members of the press which has always been a baseball no-no.
From the reports I have read, it seems that former Dodger great Steve Garvey is trying to put together a group to buy the team and that has to be better than it is now. What is going on now is bad for baseball and bad for the Dodgers.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Introducing Jerry Sands, Leftfield, #47
The Dodgers recalled Outfielder/First Baseman Jerry Sands yesterday and he was in the starting lineup against the Atlanta Braves last night. He was only ten games into his inaugural AAA season but he was still wearing pitchers out. The Dodgers brass thought it was time and they really had nothing to lose. The offense is going nowhere, they need some kind of spark, and it will generate some excitement among the fans.
The Dodgers threw him in there against a tough right-hander, Tim Hudson. He more than held his own, doubling in his first at-bat, a sacrifice fly in his second, and this illicited a brushback pitch from Hudson in his third. Yeah, there was some intent behind that. I am glad that veteran Ted Lilly was pitching because he returned the brushback favor against Nate McClouth. If Kershaw or Billingsley had been on the mound, I don't know if Sands would have received that sort of protection. He did strike out his last two at-bats but I would deem his debut a success. It also helped that the Dodgers won, 4-2.
Jerry Sands is also a marketing man's dream. The most obvious is to cue up "Enter Sandman" by Metallica everytime he comes to the plate, get commmercial spots out of that, and develop a whole marketing campaign from that. The Dodgers could use that kind of excitement. Alot of that is based on the fact that Sands will be successful and not turn into the next Greg Brock or Billy Ashley but based on his success and work habits at the lower levels of the minor leagues, he won't have a problem with that.
The Dodgers threw him in there against a tough right-hander, Tim Hudson. He more than held his own, doubling in his first at-bat, a sacrifice fly in his second, and this illicited a brushback pitch from Hudson in his third. Yeah, there was some intent behind that. I am glad that veteran Ted Lilly was pitching because he returned the brushback favor against Nate McClouth. If Kershaw or Billingsley had been on the mound, I don't know if Sands would have received that sort of protection. He did strike out his last two at-bats but I would deem his debut a success. It also helped that the Dodgers won, 4-2.
Jerry Sands is also a marketing man's dream. The most obvious is to cue up "Enter Sandman" by Metallica everytime he comes to the plate, get commmercial spots out of that, and develop a whole marketing campaign from that. The Dodgers could use that kind of excitement. Alot of that is based on the fact that Sands will be successful and not turn into the next Greg Brock or Billy Ashley but based on his success and work habits at the lower levels of the minor leagues, he won't have a problem with that.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Matt Kemp
Matt Kemp personally broke the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-game losing streak yesterday with a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth against the St. Louis Cardinals. Jonathan Broxton should cut him a check for saving his ass from a loss. Kemp has been on a tear since the beginning of the season and he has never started out a season this hot.
Andre Ethier and he are carrying the Dodgers offense. James Loney is a non-factor but with his .150 average but to take a positivist view of the situation, he is outhitting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda and their .125 averages. Blake DeWitt is not looking so bad now after the start Juan Uribe has had. Jamey Carroll is off to a career best start at age 37. Casey Blake needs to invest in the Bengay company. The three-headed monster in left has turned into a tri-headed statue, and the catchers are not hitting their weight.
I don't even want to talk about the pitching. Outside of Clayton Kershaw (he did have the bad start against the Cardinals), the pitching has been almost non-existent. Hong-Chih Kuo went on the Disabled List and now they do not even have a left-hander in their bullpen. They brought up Ramon Troncoso to replace him rather than Scott Elbert or one of the left-handed veterans they have in Albuquerque.
No one else may be hitting the panic button but I am perilously close. They are 7-9 heading into a series with the Atlanta Braves and they always seem to kick the Dodgers ass, at least for the last several years.
Andre Ethier and he are carrying the Dodgers offense. James Loney is a non-factor but with his .150 average but to take a positivist view of the situation, he is outhitting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Hiroki Kuroda and their .125 averages. Blake DeWitt is not looking so bad now after the start Juan Uribe has had. Jamey Carroll is off to a career best start at age 37. Casey Blake needs to invest in the Bengay company. The three-headed monster in left has turned into a tri-headed statue, and the catchers are not hitting their weight.
I don't even want to talk about the pitching. Outside of Clayton Kershaw (he did have the bad start against the Cardinals), the pitching has been almost non-existent. Hong-Chih Kuo went on the Disabled List and now they do not even have a left-hander in their bullpen. They brought up Ramon Troncoso to replace him rather than Scott Elbert or one of the left-handed veterans they have in Albuquerque.
No one else may be hitting the panic button but I am perilously close. They are 7-9 heading into a series with the Atlanta Braves and they always seem to kick the Dodgers ass, at least for the last several years.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Kershaw The Giant Killer
Clayton Kershaw pitched 6 2/3 scoreless innings against the San Francisco Giants last night in the Dodgers 6-1 victory. That runs his string against the Giants to 23 2/3 innings without giving up a run. Its about time the Dodgers had a Giants killer.
The victory came at a price as Rafael Furcal broke his thumb sliding into third base on a steal and is lost for 4 to 6 weeks probably longer. Every Dodger fan had to know this was going to happen sooner or later this season. In the six seasons Furcal has been with the Dodgers, he has only played two that have been injury free.
The two most logical choices to replace Furcal are Rookie Ivan DeJesus Jr or veteran Juan Castro. If its DeJesus, Jamey Carroll will probably slide over to play shortstop and if its Castro, he will probably take over at short. Only 10 games in and the Dodgers are already playing with a makeshift infield. Casey Blake has missed the last couple of games because of a thigh bruise suffered against the Padres.
They lose alot on offense with Furcal being out and I don't believe that Castro or Carroll are the long term answers, even for a couple of months. Carroll is better offensively and Castro is the better defensive shortstop. This is why I am hoping that DeJesus can step in and take over.
The victory came at a price as Rafael Furcal broke his thumb sliding into third base on a steal and is lost for 4 to 6 weeks probably longer. Every Dodger fan had to know this was going to happen sooner or later this season. In the six seasons Furcal has been with the Dodgers, he has only played two that have been injury free.
The two most logical choices to replace Furcal are Rookie Ivan DeJesus Jr or veteran Juan Castro. If its DeJesus, Jamey Carroll will probably slide over to play shortstop and if its Castro, he will probably take over at short. Only 10 games in and the Dodgers are already playing with a makeshift infield. Casey Blake has missed the last couple of games because of a thigh bruise suffered against the Padres.
They lose alot on offense with Furcal being out and I don't believe that Castro or Carroll are the long term answers, even for a couple of months. Carroll is better offensively and Castro is the better defensive shortstop. This is why I am hoping that DeJesus can step in and take over.
Monday, April 11, 2011
The Panic Button
I have seen several different articles on the internet saying that it is not time to hit the panic button yet when it comes to the Dodgers offense. It is still early in the season and the Dodgers are 5-4 but my hand is poised right over the panic button.
This is a different Dodgers team. They are more aggressive on the basepaths (Kemp is 6-6 in stolen bases) but they are still not hitting with runners in scoring position and they are still not hitting for power. Maybe Don Mattingly hasn't put his stamp on the team yet but this is the same pattern they followed last season. That is why I am near the panic button.
I do not think a trade of any of the Dodgers core players (Kemp, Ethier, or Loney) would help the situation any. What worries me is what Gm Ned Colletti would trade them for. They are not exactly running over with talent at the minor league level, either.
This is a different Dodgers team. They are more aggressive on the basepaths (Kemp is 6-6 in stolen bases) but they are still not hitting with runners in scoring position and they are still not hitting for power. Maybe Don Mattingly hasn't put his stamp on the team yet but this is the same pattern they followed last season. That is why I am near the panic button.
I do not think a trade of any of the Dodgers core players (Kemp, Ethier, or Loney) would help the situation any. What worries me is what Gm Ned Colletti would trade them for. They are not exactly running over with talent at the minor league level, either.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Where is the Offense?
The Los Angeles Dodgers got shutout last night for the second time this season. This time to the Colorado Rockies 3-0 in the first game of a short two game series. It was the Dodgers first road game of the year.
Clayton Kershaw took his first loss of the season. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings pitched including 2 long homeruns. Jhoulys Chacin, a former Asheville Tourist and current Dodger killer, pitched 7 innings of shutout baseball.
Where is the offense? After 6 games, the leading hitter on the Dodgers is centerfielder Matt Kemp with a .313 average. This early in the season someone should have an astronomically high average and they still only have one homerun. Casey Blake coming off the Disabled List in a day or two will not make that big of a difference.
Rookie Manager Don Mattingly needs to figure out how to manufacture a few runs until some bats warm up. Joe Torre never could figure out how but maybe "Donnie Baseball" can. Hit-and-Runs, stolen bases, taking the extra base, anything is bound to be better than averaging 2.6 runs per game.
The Dodgers do not have much speed in the lineup. The only base stealing threats the Dodgers have are Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp although Tony Gwynn Jr. did go 6-6 in the Cactus League. They need to figure out something.
Clayton Kershaw took his first loss of the season. He gave up 3 runs in 6 innings pitched including 2 long homeruns. Jhoulys Chacin, a former Asheville Tourist and current Dodger killer, pitched 7 innings of shutout baseball.
Where is the offense? After 6 games, the leading hitter on the Dodgers is centerfielder Matt Kemp with a .313 average. This early in the season someone should have an astronomically high average and they still only have one homerun. Casey Blake coming off the Disabled List in a day or two will not make that big of a difference.
Rookie Manager Don Mattingly needs to figure out how to manufacture a few runs until some bats warm up. Joe Torre never could figure out how but maybe "Donnie Baseball" can. Hit-and-Runs, stolen bases, taking the extra base, anything is bound to be better than averaging 2.6 runs per game.
The Dodgers do not have much speed in the lineup. The only base stealing threats the Dodgers have are Rafael Furcal and Matt Kemp although Tony Gwynn Jr. did go 6-6 in the Cactus League. They need to figure out something.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Taking It To The Giants
It was a great opening weekend for the 2011 Major League Baseball season. Homeruns were flying out of ballparks left and right (the Texas Rangers hit 11 homeruns in 3 games and the New York Yankees hit 9 in 3 games) and then there is the Los Angeles Dodgers. One Homerun by Matt Kemp in 4 games They are still 3-1 but I would like to see a few more longballs from them. How fast can Jerry Sands be called up?
The Dodgers won last nights game in large part to some "creative" outfield play by Aubrey Huff. His Giants teammates thought so much of his play, they fashioned a "chalk" outline of his prone body on the outfield grass in warmups before the game. This was based on his play from the night before when he actually managed to catch two balls hit to him. After last night's game, I bet the team will murder his glove and the police will find its lifeless, leather body in a dumpster near Chavez Ravine with the fingers cut out.
The Dodgers did come out of the series with the Giants at 3-1 (I'll take that any day) but they only scored 13 runs in those 4 games (7 of those last night). They had some timely hits in the 7th inning when they scored 4 runs. Matt Kemp is still swinging a hot bat and Rafael Furcal had a couple of more hits.
The relief pitching is turning into a bit of a sore spot. Kuo seems to be having a hard time finding the strike zone, Matt Guerrier didn't fare much better (2 BB in 2/3 of an inning and one of those walks was with the bases loaded) and evidently the Dodgers have to have at least a 2 run lead before they can bring Jonathan Broxton into the game although he did pick up his third save last night.
The Dodgers won last nights game in large part to some "creative" outfield play by Aubrey Huff. His Giants teammates thought so much of his play, they fashioned a "chalk" outline of his prone body on the outfield grass in warmups before the game. This was based on his play from the night before when he actually managed to catch two balls hit to him. After last night's game, I bet the team will murder his glove and the police will find its lifeless, leather body in a dumpster near Chavez Ravine with the fingers cut out.
The Dodgers did come out of the series with the Giants at 3-1 (I'll take that any day) but they only scored 13 runs in those 4 games (7 of those last night). They had some timely hits in the 7th inning when they scored 4 runs. Matt Kemp is still swinging a hot bat and Rafael Furcal had a couple of more hits.
The relief pitching is turning into a bit of a sore spot. Kuo seems to be having a hard time finding the strike zone, Matt Guerrier didn't fare much better (2 BB in 2/3 of an inning and one of those walks was with the bases loaded) and evidently the Dodgers have to have at least a 2 run lead before they can bring Jonathan Broxton into the game although he did pick up his third save last night.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Pedestrian Lineup
New Manager Don Mattingly decided to rest as many regulars as he could last night and the result was a 10-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants. The loss drops them to 2-1 on the season and they go after the series win tonight on ESPN2.
When you get shutout there can't be too many offensive stars but Andre Ethier did go 3-4 and Jamey Carroll went 2-4. My man Xavier Paul went 1-3 and Hector Gimenez did get his first major league hit. Ivan DeJesus Jr. is off to a rough start in his career as he went 0-3 last night with 2 more strikeouts (0-7 with 5 strikeouts in his two starts- Jamey Carroll is back starting tonight at Second Base) and he made a throwing error. It should be a fairly short trip back to Albuquerque.
The pitching was just as bad. Ted Lilly didn't make it through the 5th inning and Kenley Jansen gave up more runs last night (1 IP, 4 ER) than he did his whole rookie season. Reliever Lance Cormier did get in some work (3 IP, 1 ER) and he had the best showing of all of them.
When you get shutout there can't be too many offensive stars but Andre Ethier did go 3-4 and Jamey Carroll went 2-4. My man Xavier Paul went 1-3 and Hector Gimenez did get his first major league hit. Ivan DeJesus Jr. is off to a rough start in his career as he went 0-3 last night with 2 more strikeouts (0-7 with 5 strikeouts in his two starts- Jamey Carroll is back starting tonight at Second Base) and he made a throwing error. It should be a fairly short trip back to Albuquerque.
The pitching was just as bad. Ted Lilly didn't make it through the 5th inning and Kenley Jansen gave up more runs last night (1 IP, 4 ER) than he did his whole rookie season. Reliever Lance Cormier did get in some work (3 IP, 1 ER) and he had the best showing of all of them.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Off To A Good Start
The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a 2-0 start after a 4-3 win over the San Francisco Giants last night. The Dodgers capitalized on a couple of errors by the defending World Series Champions.
The offensive stars for the Dodgers were Rafael Furcal who went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Matt Kemp who was also 2 for 4 with an RBI on a ground-rule double in the third inning. Rookie Ivan DeJesus got the start at second base but he had a rough major league debut as he went 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts and a walk. Also making their Dodger debuts were Aaron Miles (1-4 with a run scored) and Hector Gimenez got an appearance as a pinch-hitter. He grounded to Giants pitcher Sanchez who promptly booted the ball and allowed Aaron Miles to score. The Dodgers were 2-7 with RISP.
First Base Coach and former Dodger great Dave Lopes has tried to instill some aggressiveness in the Dodgers on the basepaths working with the team daily during Spring Training. It was a point of emphasis and Matt Kemp became his special project. It seems to be paying off so far. Matt Kemp went from first to third last night on a groundout to third basemen Pablo Sandoval and has shown much better awareness in the first two games. Rafael Furcal had a little rougher day on the bases as he was picked off first and was caught stealing.
The Dodgers' pitching was solid if not spectacular. Chad Billingsley only made one bad pitch but it resulted in the first major league homerun by rookie First baseman Brandon Belt and drove in three. Billingsley left the game behind 3-1 but he eventually did get credit for his first win of the season. Blake Hawksworth vame in and quickly loaded the bases on 2 hits and a walk but struck out Buster Posey to put them away. Matt Guerrier also got in his first appearance as a Dodger giving up one hit in his inning of work. Jonathan Broxton came in to shut the Giants down and get his second save in as many games. This is a vast improvement for Broxton over last year. In appearances covering 2 2/3 innings against the Giants last year, Broxton gave up 6 runs, had an 0-3 record with 2 blown saves. He made last nights appearance with the Giants short and sweet, only needing 9 pitches to finish them off.
The offensive stars for the Dodgers were Rafael Furcal who went 2 for 4 with an RBI and Matt Kemp who was also 2 for 4 with an RBI on a ground-rule double in the third inning. Rookie Ivan DeJesus got the start at second base but he had a rough major league debut as he went 0 for 3 with 3 strikeouts and a walk. Also making their Dodger debuts were Aaron Miles (1-4 with a run scored) and Hector Gimenez got an appearance as a pinch-hitter. He grounded to Giants pitcher Sanchez who promptly booted the ball and allowed Aaron Miles to score. The Dodgers were 2-7 with RISP.
First Base Coach and former Dodger great Dave Lopes has tried to instill some aggressiveness in the Dodgers on the basepaths working with the team daily during Spring Training. It was a point of emphasis and Matt Kemp became his special project. It seems to be paying off so far. Matt Kemp went from first to third last night on a groundout to third basemen Pablo Sandoval and has shown much better awareness in the first two games. Rafael Furcal had a little rougher day on the bases as he was picked off first and was caught stealing.
The Dodgers' pitching was solid if not spectacular. Chad Billingsley only made one bad pitch but it resulted in the first major league homerun by rookie First baseman Brandon Belt and drove in three. Billingsley left the game behind 3-1 but he eventually did get credit for his first win of the season. Blake Hawksworth vame in and quickly loaded the bases on 2 hits and a walk but struck out Buster Posey to put them away. Matt Guerrier also got in his first appearance as a Dodger giving up one hit in his inning of work. Jonathan Broxton came in to shut the Giants down and get his second save in as many games. This is a vast improvement for Broxton over last year. In appearances covering 2 2/3 innings against the Giants last year, Broxton gave up 6 runs, had an 0-3 record with 2 blown saves. He made last nights appearance with the Giants short and sweet, only needing 9 pitches to finish them off.
Friday, April 1, 2011
The Home Opener
The home opener for the Dodgers went about like I expected it to. Great pitching from Clayton Kershaw, not much offense from the Dodger bats despite putting several men on base (1 for 11 with Runners In Scoring Position), and a shaky 9th inning from closer Jonathan Broxton but he still got the save. All of this added up to a win over the devending World Series Champion San Francisco Giants so I shouldn't complain.
Clayton Kershaw pitched an outstanding game. 7 Innings pitched, 4 weak hits allowed, 9 strikeouts, 1 base on balls, and 0 runs. He left with a 1-0 lead. He had a serious slider working, his fastball hit 95 mph on ESPN's radar gun, and he almost didn't need his change or his curve but they were effective as well.
Hong-Chih Kuo came on to pitch the eighth inning and he had some control issues when he first came into the game but came out of it unscathed. Broxton came in to close it out and he really looked shaky. He hit 97 mph on the radar gun but after he gave up the line drive homer to Pat Burrell with one out, it appeared like he lost confidence in his fastball. He threw slider and after slider to rookie Brandon Belt before he finally got him on a weak lineout to end the game.
Matt Kemp impressed me in this game. He singled, drew three walks, exhibited great patience in the process, stole a base, and scored both Dodger runs. Buster Posey of the Giants thought he could catch Matt Kemp napping on third base and tried picking him off and promptly threw the ball down the left field line, allowing him to score the first run. Maybe he has turned the corner, amped up his awareness, and has his head in the game to match his raw skills.
Clayton Kershaw pitched an outstanding game. 7 Innings pitched, 4 weak hits allowed, 9 strikeouts, 1 base on balls, and 0 runs. He left with a 1-0 lead. He had a serious slider working, his fastball hit 95 mph on ESPN's radar gun, and he almost didn't need his change or his curve but they were effective as well.
Hong-Chih Kuo came on to pitch the eighth inning and he had some control issues when he first came into the game but came out of it unscathed. Broxton came in to close it out and he really looked shaky. He hit 97 mph on the radar gun but after he gave up the line drive homer to Pat Burrell with one out, it appeared like he lost confidence in his fastball. He threw slider and after slider to rookie Brandon Belt before he finally got him on a weak lineout to end the game.
Matt Kemp impressed me in this game. He singled, drew three walks, exhibited great patience in the process, stole a base, and scored both Dodger runs. Buster Posey of the Giants thought he could catch Matt Kemp napping on third base and tried picking him off and promptly threw the ball down the left field line, allowing him to score the first run. Maybe he has turned the corner, amped up his awareness, and has his head in the game to match his raw skills.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
The Opening Day Roster 2011
The Los Angeles Dodgers announced their opening day roster for 2011 after their final exhibition game last night against the Seattle Mariners. Injuries helped to dictate at least 5 positions on the roster as Jay Gibbons, Casey Blake, Dioner Navarro, Vicente Padilla, and Jon Garland are all starting the season on the Disabled List.
With Casey Blake being on the Disabled List, that allowed Ivan DeJesus Jr. an opportunity to make the team although Jamey Carroll will get the start at second base against the San Francisco Giants tonight. Non-Roster Invitee Aaron Miles also made the team as a backup infielder.
I do not know why I am so enamored with Outfielder Xavier Paul making the team but he did make it as a backup outfielder. He was a 4th round draft choice in 2003 and has slowly worked his way through the Dodgers minor league system. He has never really hit for a high average, only has below average power, and he does not have game changing speed. He also struck out too much this spring. He has had injury problems the past couple of years but he has logged 135 at-bats in the major leagues with a lone Homerun to his credit. For whatever reason, I wanted him to make this roster.
The pitching staff was pretty well set after Padilla and Garland hit the Disabled list. Right-handers Lance Cormier and Mike MacDougal made the team. I would have preferred the Dodgers take another left-hander in Scott Elbert but Cormier kind of forced their hand not to mention the fact that Elbert had some serious control problems this spring. He is another player I have been campaigning for to make the roster (maybe it was because I saw him pitch for the Savannah Sand Gnats a couple of times) but this one was not meant to be.
The Dodgers decided to carry three Catchers coming out of Spring Training- Rod Barajas, the more defensive minded A.J. Ellis, and the one that was swinging a hot bat this spring, Switch-hitter Hector Gimenez. Gimenez has more pop in his bat and can also occasionally play First Base.
The "real" roster will be set when everyone starts coming off the Disabled List. Casey Blake is due to come off April 8th (my guess would be back up Catcher A.J. Ellis will be sent down at that time) and Pitcher Tim Redding is due to start on April 10th, the first time the Dodgers will require a 5th starter. I believe DeJesus will be the first to be sent down of the infielders.
That is the great thing about the first game of the season. The possibilities are endless and the Dodgers stand as good a chance as anybody to win the World Series.
With Casey Blake being on the Disabled List, that allowed Ivan DeJesus Jr. an opportunity to make the team although Jamey Carroll will get the start at second base against the San Francisco Giants tonight. Non-Roster Invitee Aaron Miles also made the team as a backup infielder.
I do not know why I am so enamored with Outfielder Xavier Paul making the team but he did make it as a backup outfielder. He was a 4th round draft choice in 2003 and has slowly worked his way through the Dodgers minor league system. He has never really hit for a high average, only has below average power, and he does not have game changing speed. He also struck out too much this spring. He has had injury problems the past couple of years but he has logged 135 at-bats in the major leagues with a lone Homerun to his credit. For whatever reason, I wanted him to make this roster.
The pitching staff was pretty well set after Padilla and Garland hit the Disabled list. Right-handers Lance Cormier and Mike MacDougal made the team. I would have preferred the Dodgers take another left-hander in Scott Elbert but Cormier kind of forced their hand not to mention the fact that Elbert had some serious control problems this spring. He is another player I have been campaigning for to make the roster (maybe it was because I saw him pitch for the Savannah Sand Gnats a couple of times) but this one was not meant to be.
The Dodgers decided to carry three Catchers coming out of Spring Training- Rod Barajas, the more defensive minded A.J. Ellis, and the one that was swinging a hot bat this spring, Switch-hitter Hector Gimenez. Gimenez has more pop in his bat and can also occasionally play First Base.
The "real" roster will be set when everyone starts coming off the Disabled List. Casey Blake is due to come off April 8th (my guess would be back up Catcher A.J. Ellis will be sent down at that time) and Pitcher Tim Redding is due to start on April 10th, the first time the Dodgers will require a 5th starter. I believe DeJesus will be the first to be sent down of the infielders.
That is the great thing about the first game of the season. The possibilities are endless and the Dodgers stand as good a chance as anybody to win the World Series.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Pitching Staff
As Spring Training nears its end and the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to begin the season there are a few questions that remain as far as the pitching staff goes. There are 10 pitchers that are a lock to make the staff.
Starters:
Chad Billingsley
Clayton Kershaw*
Hiroki Kuroda
Ted Lilly*
Jon Garland
Relievers:
Jonathan Broxton
Matt Guerrier
Blake Hawksworth
Hong Chih-Kuo*
Vicente Padilla
Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla are probably going to start the season on the Disabled List and if that is the case that means 2 to 4 pitchers a from the current group they have in camp will make the team. The Dodgers most likely will not need a fifth starter until April 12th so they will all be used in a relief role until then.
On the Bubble:
Scott Elbert*
John Ely
Kenley Jansen
Ramon Troncoso
Mike MacDougal
Ron Mahay*
Tim Redding
Scott Elbert and Ron Mahay- Since Kuo is the only left-handed lock on the team, all Elbert had to do was show that he could get the ball over the plate. At the beginning of the camp, he couldn't do that. His first couple of outings, I don't know if he got anybody out while issuing free pass after free pass. He has put in the extra work every day and his last several outings have been fairly impressive while not walking anyone. Ron Mahay has the Major League experience (500+ games) over Elbert but he has been inconsistent and has been hit pretty hard this spring (3 HR's allowed in 7+ innings). I would give the edge to Elbert.
John Ely and Tim Redding- The only two pitchers penciled in as starters in this group have both had pretty good camps. Ely has 0 BB's in 15 innings and Tim Redding has 144 big league starts under his belt and is a former 10 game winner with Houston and Washington. I would give the nod to Ely.
Mike MacDougal, Kenley Jansen, and Ramon Troncoso- MacDougal has the experience over the other two with three 20+ save seasons in the majors and has had a good camp, Jansen has shown some serious promise but he is still learning the art of pitching (not even 100 innings in the minors or majors), and Troncoso is very inconsistent. I would give the edge to MacDougal in this group with Jansen a close second.
I look for the Dodgers to break camp with 11 pitchers and for Garland and Padilla to start the season on the Disabled List. Ely and Redding will start the season in AAA until one of them is recalled on April 12th. I look for the three that start the season with the Dodgers will be Scott Elbert, Mike MacDougal, and Kenley Jansen.
*denotes left-handed
Starters:
Chad Billingsley
Clayton Kershaw*
Hiroki Kuroda
Ted Lilly*
Jon Garland
Relievers:
Jonathan Broxton
Matt Guerrier
Blake Hawksworth
Hong Chih-Kuo*
Vicente Padilla
Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla are probably going to start the season on the Disabled List and if that is the case that means 2 to 4 pitchers a from the current group they have in camp will make the team. The Dodgers most likely will not need a fifth starter until April 12th so they will all be used in a relief role until then.
On the Bubble:
Scott Elbert*
John Ely
Kenley Jansen
Ramon Troncoso
Mike MacDougal
Ron Mahay*
Tim Redding
Scott Elbert and Ron Mahay- Since Kuo is the only left-handed lock on the team, all Elbert had to do was show that he could get the ball over the plate. At the beginning of the camp, he couldn't do that. His first couple of outings, I don't know if he got anybody out while issuing free pass after free pass. He has put in the extra work every day and his last several outings have been fairly impressive while not walking anyone. Ron Mahay has the Major League experience (500+ games) over Elbert but he has been inconsistent and has been hit pretty hard this spring (3 HR's allowed in 7+ innings). I would give the edge to Elbert.
John Ely and Tim Redding- The only two pitchers penciled in as starters in this group have both had pretty good camps. Ely has 0 BB's in 15 innings and Tim Redding has 144 big league starts under his belt and is a former 10 game winner with Houston and Washington. I would give the nod to Ely.
Mike MacDougal, Kenley Jansen, and Ramon Troncoso- MacDougal has the experience over the other two with three 20+ save seasons in the majors and has had a good camp, Jansen has shown some serious promise but he is still learning the art of pitching (not even 100 innings in the minors or majors), and Troncoso is very inconsistent. I would give the edge to MacDougal in this group with Jansen a close second.
I look for the Dodgers to break camp with 11 pitchers and for Garland and Padilla to start the season on the Disabled List. Ely and Redding will start the season in AAA until one of them is recalled on April 12th. I look for the three that start the season with the Dodgers will be Scott Elbert, Mike MacDougal, and Kenley Jansen.
*denotes left-handed
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Cuts Are Rolling In
The Los Angeles Dodgers 2011 Opening Day Roster is starting to take shape. Several cuts have been made the past couple of days. Dee Gordon being cut did not come as a surprise but I am curious to see whether he will end up in Albuquerque or Chattanooga. He spent all of last season in AA Chattanooga.
Russ Mitchell, John Lindsey, and Jon Link joined the cut list. Mitchell had a horrible camp, batting .083 at last look, and I honestly never was that impressed with him. He has a hint of power which the Dodgers desperately need. I was really pulling for career minor leaguer John Lindsey to make it on to the Opening Day Roster but it wasn't meant to be. He is not versatile defensively and he probably needs to play for a team in the American League where they have the designated hitter. Jon Link is going to be converted from reliever to starter and will make the conversion in Albuquerque.
Russ Mitchell, John Lindsey, and Jon Link joined the cut list. Mitchell had a horrible camp, batting .083 at last look, and I honestly never was that impressed with him. He has a hint of power which the Dodgers desperately need. I was really pulling for career minor leaguer John Lindsey to make it on to the Opening Day Roster but it wasn't meant to be. He is not versatile defensively and he probably needs to play for a team in the American League where they have the designated hitter. Jon Link is going to be converted from reliever to starter and will make the conversion in Albuquerque.
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Work in Progress
I got to see the spring training game versus the Chicago Cubs on Sunday March 13th on WGN. The first inning was some ugly offensive baseball. Rafael Furcal led off with a single up the middle, Xavier Paul couldn't get a bunt down, Furcal got picked off, and James Loney singled but got thrown out trying to take the extra base. I admire the effort but the play was right in front of him. I was hoping Matt Kemp could make any kind of contact with two strikes. He might as well have gone back to the dugout and got a boat oar the way he was swinging.
Rubby De La Rosa got the start and pitched two solid innings. He was hitting the high 90's with his fastball and he displayed a good breaking pitch. Carlos Monasterios followed him and pitched two solid innings as well. It was probably his best effort of the Spring but he got sent to the minors today probably because he has still got options left. That will allow the Dodgers to go with a veteran arm such as Mike MacDougal who has had a good camp and has three 20 plus save seasons in the majors. It also gives the Dodgers a veteran closer in case Jonathan Broxton blows up again.
As far as the bench goes, Trent Oeltjen got a bunt down and Jerry Sands ripped an opposite field single on a pitch outside (I like the way he went with the pitch rather than try to pull it and ground out to short) but he also got thrown out at home with the play right in front of him. The coach may have sent him but I couldn't tell.
Wilkin De La Rosa, a left-handed reliever, looked pretty decent (he also got reassigned today but he was a non-roster invitee) and last years camp story and AAA flameout, Josh Lindblom displayed some decent stuff and worked his way out of a little bit of a jam.
Xavier Paul did not help himself with his performance yesterday. On the bunt attempt, you could see him drop the head of the bat below the ball and even watching it on TV, you could tell the ball was going to go straight up in the air. He did run out that bunt attempt because Zambrano let the ball hit the ground and avoided the double play. He overran second base on a hit-and-run and was tagged out although you have to give him the benefit of the doubt on that because it was hit to the shortstop and he may have been breaking up a potential double play. He looked bad striking out but he did end up with a bloop single.
Rubby De La Rosa got the start and pitched two solid innings. He was hitting the high 90's with his fastball and he displayed a good breaking pitch. Carlos Monasterios followed him and pitched two solid innings as well. It was probably his best effort of the Spring but he got sent to the minors today probably because he has still got options left. That will allow the Dodgers to go with a veteran arm such as Mike MacDougal who has had a good camp and has three 20 plus save seasons in the majors. It also gives the Dodgers a veteran closer in case Jonathan Broxton blows up again.
As far as the bench goes, Trent Oeltjen got a bunt down and Jerry Sands ripped an opposite field single on a pitch outside (I like the way he went with the pitch rather than try to pull it and ground out to short) but he also got thrown out at home with the play right in front of him. The coach may have sent him but I couldn't tell.
Wilkin De La Rosa, a left-handed reliever, looked pretty decent (he also got reassigned today but he was a non-roster invitee) and last years camp story and AAA flameout, Josh Lindblom displayed some decent stuff and worked his way out of a little bit of a jam.
Xavier Paul did not help himself with his performance yesterday. On the bunt attempt, you could see him drop the head of the bat below the ball and even watching it on TV, you could tell the ball was going to go straight up in the air. He did run out that bunt attempt because Zambrano let the ball hit the ground and avoided the double play. He overran second base on a hit-and-run and was tagged out although you have to give him the benefit of the doubt on that because it was hit to the shortstop and he may have been breaking up a potential double play. He looked bad striking out but he did end up with a bloop single.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
The 5th Starter
The Dodgers started Spring Training with six starting pitchers but Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla have already gone down with injuries. Padilla will not back for two or three more weeks and Garland probably will not back until at least the middle of April and will start the season on the Disabled List.
The Dodgers probably will not need a fifth starter until the middle of April and if Padilla and Garland are not ready there are probably three likely canidates to choose from, all three of them right-handers. John Ely, who got work last year as both a starter and long reliever and sported a 4-10 record and a high ERA after looking good early, Tim Redding, owner of a career record of 37-57 and 144 career starts in the majors, and Carlos Monasterios, who also got some work in last year both starting and relieving.
Both Ely and Redding have had good camps and Monasterios has taken himself out of the running by getting lit up this Spring. I would like to see them give the spot to Ely for the simple reason that he brings a younger arm and more options to the table than does Redding. If it doesn't work out, he also has options.
The Dodgers probably will not need a fifth starter until the middle of April and if Padilla and Garland are not ready there are probably three likely canidates to choose from, all three of them right-handers. John Ely, who got work last year as both a starter and long reliever and sported a 4-10 record and a high ERA after looking good early, Tim Redding, owner of a career record of 37-57 and 144 career starts in the majors, and Carlos Monasterios, who also got some work in last year both starting and relieving.
Both Ely and Redding have had good camps and Monasterios has taken himself out of the running by getting lit up this Spring. I would like to see them give the spot to Ely for the simple reason that he brings a younger arm and more options to the table than does Redding. If it doesn't work out, he also has options.
Fighting It Out for the Last Roster Spots
Its coming down to the last two or three weeks of the preseason and some decisions have to be made by Don Mattingly and his staff. An interesting battle is developing for the utility infielder position between Aaron Miles and Juan Castro. Miles has had a good spring with the bat and Castro's value will always be in his glove. They can both play multiple positions so they cancel each other out there.
With Furcal's ever present health issues and Blake's age and the fact the Dodgers want to rest him more, I would like to see Miles get that roster spot. I believe he has more pop in his bat (he is also a switch-hitter) and it is not a secret that the Dodgers cannot seem to put runs on the board.
It seems that longtime prospect Xavier Paul is going to be the odd man out in the fight for the last outfield spot. He is out of options and I would be willing to bet that some team will be glad to claim him off the waiver wire. The Outfield seems to be set with a Thames/Gibbons platoon in Left (which I am really not a big fan of), Kemp in Center, and Ethier in Right with Tony Gwynn, Jr. as the occasional fill in and left-handed bat off the bench.
With Furcal's ever present health issues and Blake's age and the fact the Dodgers want to rest him more, I would like to see Miles get that roster spot. I believe he has more pop in his bat (he is also a switch-hitter) and it is not a secret that the Dodgers cannot seem to put runs on the board.
It seems that longtime prospect Xavier Paul is going to be the odd man out in the fight for the last outfield spot. He is out of options and I would be willing to bet that some team will be glad to claim him off the waiver wire. The Outfield seems to be set with a Thames/Gibbons platoon in Left (which I am really not a big fan of), Kemp in Center, and Ethier in Right with Tony Gwynn, Jr. as the occasional fill in and left-handed bat off the bench.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
The Games Have Begun
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their spring training season yesterday with split squad games versus the Angels and the Giants. Both of the Dodgers squads lost, 4-1 to the Angels and 8-3 to the Giants.
In the game with the Angels, the only Dodgers regulars to see action were outfielders Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and catcher Dioner Navarro. I see Navarro as more the back up to Rod Barajas, maybe even in a platoon type situation due to the fact that he is a switch hitter, more so than I see AJ Ellis winning the back up job. Navarro also has a little more pop in his bat than does Ellis.
Dodgers prospects Jerry Sands and Jake Lemmerman got some at bats against the Angels but the only run driven in was a sacrifice fly by Russ Mitchell. I really don't see him making the team out of spring training either.
On the mound, 2010 organization pitcher of the year Rubby De La Rosa got roughed up a little bit and Scott Elbert also got in a couple of innings of work. Elbert has a chance to make the team out of spring training as a left-handed reliever but he has always had control issues and that may be his downfall. I had a chance to see Elbert pitch about a year or two after the Dodgers drafted him when the Savannah Sand Gnats were the Dodgers low Class A farm team and they played the Asheville Tourists. He was a starter at that time, threw in the low 90's, and worked quickly and effectively. His ticket to the majors seems to be as a reliever.
Most of the Dodgers regulars faced the Giants and prospects Trayvon Robinson, Dee Gordon, and Ivan DeJesus Jr. got in some work against the Giants. I think that DeJesus's window of opportunity closed when he broke his leg a couple of spring trainings ago and his best bet to get to the majors is as a trade throw in at the trade deadline at the end of July. Pitcher Carlos Monasterios got lit up in this game and the Dodgers will probably send him down for more work because they do not have to keep him on the major league roster this season.
In the game with the Angels, the only Dodgers regulars to see action were outfielders Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and catcher Dioner Navarro. I see Navarro as more the back up to Rod Barajas, maybe even in a platoon type situation due to the fact that he is a switch hitter, more so than I see AJ Ellis winning the back up job. Navarro also has a little more pop in his bat than does Ellis.
Dodgers prospects Jerry Sands and Jake Lemmerman got some at bats against the Angels but the only run driven in was a sacrifice fly by Russ Mitchell. I really don't see him making the team out of spring training either.
On the mound, 2010 organization pitcher of the year Rubby De La Rosa got roughed up a little bit and Scott Elbert also got in a couple of innings of work. Elbert has a chance to make the team out of spring training as a left-handed reliever but he has always had control issues and that may be his downfall. I had a chance to see Elbert pitch about a year or two after the Dodgers drafted him when the Savannah Sand Gnats were the Dodgers low Class A farm team and they played the Asheville Tourists. He was a starter at that time, threw in the low 90's, and worked quickly and effectively. His ticket to the majors seems to be as a reliever.
Most of the Dodgers regulars faced the Giants and prospects Trayvon Robinson, Dee Gordon, and Ivan DeJesus Jr. got in some work against the Giants. I think that DeJesus's window of opportunity closed when he broke his leg a couple of spring trainings ago and his best bet to get to the majors is as a trade throw in at the trade deadline at the end of July. Pitcher Carlos Monasterios got lit up in this game and the Dodgers will probably send him down for more work because they do not have to keep him on the major league roster this season.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Spring Training
I love Spring Training. Even the worst teams in baseball have hope as some young phenom tears up Spring Training pitching with Hall of Fame like averages or some young arm posts Cy Young like ERA's.
The Dodgers seem to be flying a little bit under the radar this Spring Training. With defending World Series champion and pitching rich San Francisco Giants and a talented Colorado Rockies team in the National League West, not much attention is being paid to the Dodgers.
New manager Don Mattingly seems to be trying to set a new tone for the Dodgers this spring training. Dodgers.com has reported that he has even stepped into the batter's box during bullpen sessions to give the pitcher's a batter to face, something I have never heard of any manager or coach doing.
First base coach Dave Lopes was brought in to emphasize base running basics and I am impressed by the reports I am reading off the internet about the work he is doing. Too many times last year the Dodgers ran themselves out of innings and games by making bad decisions or got careless on the base paths. I hope he turns Matt Kemp into a special project because he has the potential to steal 40 to 50 bases a year. Young minor leaguer Dee Gordon is also in camp and he could use some work to hone his baserunning skills.
I have to be honest, I did not think much of the Dodgers choice of Don Mattingly as manager when it was announced. It seems like he is making all of the right moves and doing things a little differently. That is a departure from the old regime of Joe Torre. It will be interesting to see what happens once the games begin.
The Dodgers seem to be flying a little bit under the radar this Spring Training. With defending World Series champion and pitching rich San Francisco Giants and a talented Colorado Rockies team in the National League West, not much attention is being paid to the Dodgers.
New manager Don Mattingly seems to be trying to set a new tone for the Dodgers this spring training. Dodgers.com has reported that he has even stepped into the batter's box during bullpen sessions to give the pitcher's a batter to face, something I have never heard of any manager or coach doing.
First base coach Dave Lopes was brought in to emphasize base running basics and I am impressed by the reports I am reading off the internet about the work he is doing. Too many times last year the Dodgers ran themselves out of innings and games by making bad decisions or got careless on the base paths. I hope he turns Matt Kemp into a special project because he has the potential to steal 40 to 50 bases a year. Young minor leaguer Dee Gordon is also in camp and he could use some work to hone his baserunning skills.
I have to be honest, I did not think much of the Dodgers choice of Don Mattingly as manager when it was announced. It seems like he is making all of the right moves and doing things a little differently. That is a departure from the old regime of Joe Torre. It will be interesting to see what happens once the games begin.
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