Back for the first time in a while. Had a move, a writing job, an illness in the family, but I've been there in spirit. Watched the Dodgers go from the so-called best team in baseball to the 5th best team in the NL. Not record wise, of course, but on paper. It is this blogger's opinion that after watching the Blue lose 2 of 3 at home to the mediocre Fish and, 3 out of 4 to their Midwest nemeses, the Red Birds, and, for the first time this season losing 3 games in a row (they actually dropped 4) watching their offense sag and dump like Charlie Brown's sparse, little Christmas tree after trying to put an ornament on it, watchng Manny stop being Manny (who really cares about the '03 list? We all knew he was juicing then. Everyone was, practically) watching Billingsley's free fall continue, watching the Schmidt Experiment fail, as predicted, watching their bullpen spring even more leaks (2 huge holes may have been puddied rather effectively with the return of Kuo and the recent acquisition of George Sherrill from Baltimore) I have come to the conclusion that the Dodgers are inferior to the Phillies, who have acquired Cliff Lee, the number 2 prize of the free agent market, the Cardinals, who have far superior starting pitching and a better offense with the resurgence of Ludwick, the acquisition of Holliday and, of course, Pujols, the Cubs who are now finally firing on all cylinders, and the Rockies who have 5 quality starting pitchers in Cook, Jiminez, Marquis, De la Rosa and Hammel. The Dodgers are not a very good team right now. Loney is Jekyl and Hyde and powerless and Ethier is too inconsistent, going from NL Player of the Week for a 2nd time this campaign, to goat of the week. Hudson also lacks consistency and Blake has only recently returned to an upswing in his offensive production but hasn't homered since what seems like early June. Kemp should have more doubles and homers - he does have 3 grand slams - but only 13 HRs on the year and he's becoming a singles hitter. Torre's moves have made my ears stand up and my head tilt like a dog who's just heard a new sound. He's got a base open and he pitches to Albert Pujols, the best hitter in the history of baseball? The team grounds into too many DPs because Torre allows them to, rather than utilize the hit and run more. His overuse of Belisario and Troncoso have put the bullpen in jeopardy but I can't say I blame him. They've really had no one else. So, the Blue holds on to a 7 game lead over the Giants who have yet to acquire a big hitter - Freddie Sanchez is a nice hitter, but doesn't provide the powet the G'nts need - and the bottom line is, if, by 1 PM PDT, the Dodgers do not acquire Roy Halladay from Toronto, the Dodgers have little or no chance to advance beyond the first round of the Playoffs in '09.
Look. it comes down to this: The Dodgers signed Manny to a 2 year deal and paid millions for the privilege. So, doesn't that mean the McCourts want to win now?? Dodger fans have showed up at the Ravine better than 3 million strong for 20 years without another WS appearance. These aren't the Padres. These are the Dodgers. So, wasn't the Manny signing the McCourts message to the fans that we're gonna try to do this now, this year? Or was it the McCourts just finding a way to fill their pockets with the revenue Manny and his personality can generate? We'll find out in less than 3 hours.
Friday, July 31, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
S.O.S.!!!
Why do Dodger beat writers and radio guys appear to be soft peddling the Dodgers' weaknesses? I know I've been Mr. Doom & Gloom over a team with the best record in baseball, but quietly, the wheels are coming off the cart and no one seems to notice. After last night's ugly loss to Houston at home, the clever and likeable Josh Suchon and Ken Levine conducted Dodger Talk from what sounded like a racuous party on the club level at the Ravine. Fans were hootin' and hollerin' and havin' a good ol' time, as they should. (However, it was odd to see Kemp yukking it up with Manny in the dugout in the bottom of the 9th, down 3 runs and being shut out) But when I called the show and I heard the hosts take comments from the glass is half full crowd and everyone laughing and enjoying themselves, I couldn't help thinking of 1974's The Poseidon Adventure with Gene Hackman, Shelly WInters, Ernest Borgnine, et al, where everyone's on board the cruise ship, having a great time at a New Years Eve party just before a tidal wave capsizes the boat. The Dodger Fun Cruise is heading for extremely rough waters, people, and the crew needs to start getting the life boats ready.
Dodger beat writers and fans should be MUCH more worried about their starting pitching. I just don't feel Randy Wolf is a playoff pitcher and I don't believe Kershaw, in spite of his talent, can be trusted to perform well at a high level under an October spotlight. Kuroda could very well be done (HE STINKS!) and I look for them to perhaps send him to Triple A for awhile until he can smooth out his mechanics and his effectiveness or drop him from the rotation altogether. Billingsley has looked sharp in only one of his last 5 outings. (6, if you count his All Star appearance. We'll see how he looks tonight against a difficult Stros lineup) Therefore, the Blue are really in need of not one, but TWO starting pitchers if they're to get to the World Series. Halladay is out of the question unless they're willing to part with Matt Kemp or Kershaw, (or both) Lambo and more. I would hate to part ways with Kemp, as Kemp can certainly contribute to a playoff birth. However, Halladay can all but guarantee them a trip to the World Series. Also, if they allow the Giants or Phils to acquire Halladay, it's pretty much over.
Last year's AL Cy Young winner, Cliff Lee has had only had a handful of good outings this year and may not be the answer, but he could help. What about a deal that would send Russell Martin, James McDonald and some big prospects for Lee and catcher, Victor Martinez, who's been rumored to be on the move before the deadline? Lee pitched well last night. It's something to consider. I seriously doubt KC would be willing to part ways with Zack Greinke. Washburn would help, but the Mariners are still very much alive in the AL West race and he's not a top tier arm anyway. Gil Meche is a possibility, but doubtful. But don't forget about the injured Jake Peavy who has expressed more than veiled interest in becoming a Dodger. He'll be back in August and by that time the Dads may be willing to take a little less to unburden themselves of his salary.
Why do Dylan Hernandez and other Dodger writers laud Guillermo Mota?? Mota's awful. He may have an ERA under 4.00 but he gives up everyone else's runs. Leach, also, is not ready. As the sore and overworked Belisario could be done and Broxton's performance of late having become worrisome, along with his sore toe excuse, they desperately need a reliable arm like a Chad Qualls or a Huston Street in the pen.
In spite of their 7 game lead and they're being 23 games over .500 with the best record in MLB, I think, if left as is, this team will be lucky to even win the West. Lincecum and Cain are co-Cy Young winners if the season ends today and their interest in Halladay scares the daylights out of me. Also, if they can add a Derek Lee or Nick Johnson to Pablo Sandoval in the lineup, they can pick up some games in a hurry. And don't count out the Rockies. Both the Giants and the Rockies will be much better equipped to prevail in any short series.
How can the Blue win this thing? Furcal's resurgence must continue so that Ethier can bat 3rd and Manny cleanup. Also, Ethier and Loney will have to be more consistent. Ethier has become an all or nothing hitter of late and a double paly waiting to happen. He leads the entire MLB in grounding into DP's. And is it me, or does James Loney appear to not really run or play that hard? And, yes, Martin's bat has improved slightly, but has anyone noticed how poor he is behind the plate these days? A young catcher's game is supposed to get better as he matures, not worse. But in the end, pitching help is a must or THIS TEAM WILL LOSE.
As far as continuing to have the best record in the MLB, Boston will likely have the best record in baseball in 2 week's time if the Dodgers pitching doesn't improve.
The All Star game was quick and painless, but the fact that a pitcher for the San Diego Daddies - Heath Bell - who have no chance whatsoever of making it to the post season this year or any year for quite some time, can have a bad inning and actually determine which league gets home field advantage in the World Series is the dumbest thing on earth.
Dodger beat writers and fans should be MUCH more worried about their starting pitching. I just don't feel Randy Wolf is a playoff pitcher and I don't believe Kershaw, in spite of his talent, can be trusted to perform well at a high level under an October spotlight. Kuroda could very well be done (HE STINKS!) and I look for them to perhaps send him to Triple A for awhile until he can smooth out his mechanics and his effectiveness or drop him from the rotation altogether. Billingsley has looked sharp in only one of his last 5 outings. (6, if you count his All Star appearance. We'll see how he looks tonight against a difficult Stros lineup) Therefore, the Blue are really in need of not one, but TWO starting pitchers if they're to get to the World Series. Halladay is out of the question unless they're willing to part with Matt Kemp or Kershaw, (or both) Lambo and more. I would hate to part ways with Kemp, as Kemp can certainly contribute to a playoff birth. However, Halladay can all but guarantee them a trip to the World Series. Also, if they allow the Giants or Phils to acquire Halladay, it's pretty much over.
Last year's AL Cy Young winner, Cliff Lee has had only had a handful of good outings this year and may not be the answer, but he could help. What about a deal that would send Russell Martin, James McDonald and some big prospects for Lee and catcher, Victor Martinez, who's been rumored to be on the move before the deadline? Lee pitched well last night. It's something to consider. I seriously doubt KC would be willing to part ways with Zack Greinke. Washburn would help, but the Mariners are still very much alive in the AL West race and he's not a top tier arm anyway. Gil Meche is a possibility, but doubtful. But don't forget about the injured Jake Peavy who has expressed more than veiled interest in becoming a Dodger. He'll be back in August and by that time the Dads may be willing to take a little less to unburden themselves of his salary.
Why do Dylan Hernandez and other Dodger writers laud Guillermo Mota?? Mota's awful. He may have an ERA under 4.00 but he gives up everyone else's runs. Leach, also, is not ready. As the sore and overworked Belisario could be done and Broxton's performance of late having become worrisome, along with his sore toe excuse, they desperately need a reliable arm like a Chad Qualls or a Huston Street in the pen.
In spite of their 7 game lead and they're being 23 games over .500 with the best record in MLB, I think, if left as is, this team will be lucky to even win the West. Lincecum and Cain are co-Cy Young winners if the season ends today and their interest in Halladay scares the daylights out of me. Also, if they can add a Derek Lee or Nick Johnson to Pablo Sandoval in the lineup, they can pick up some games in a hurry. And don't count out the Rockies. Both the Giants and the Rockies will be much better equipped to prevail in any short series.
How can the Blue win this thing? Furcal's resurgence must continue so that Ethier can bat 3rd and Manny cleanup. Also, Ethier and Loney will have to be more consistent. Ethier has become an all or nothing hitter of late and a double paly waiting to happen. He leads the entire MLB in grounding into DP's. And is it me, or does James Loney appear to not really run or play that hard? And, yes, Martin's bat has improved slightly, but has anyone noticed how poor he is behind the plate these days? A young catcher's game is supposed to get better as he matures, not worse. But in the end, pitching help is a must or THIS TEAM WILL LOSE.
As far as continuing to have the best record in the MLB, Boston will likely have the best record in baseball in 2 week's time if the Dodgers pitching doesn't improve.
The All Star game was quick and painless, but the fact that a pitcher for the San Diego Daddies - Heath Bell - who have no chance whatsoever of making it to the post season this year or any year for quite some time, can have a bad inning and actually determine which league gets home field advantage in the World Series is the dumbest thing on earth.
Monday, July 13, 2009
24
Well, the All Star Game is manana and the Dodgers find themselves in 1st place, 7 games ahead of the Giants and 24 games over .500. I'm greatly pleased about this. But ... and there's always a but, isn't there? And there's an enormous "but" regarding this Dodger team and their shot at a World Series.
To put it simply, if the Dodgers don't acquire Roy Halladay (as Bill Shaikin brilliantly pled for in yesterday's LA Times) or someone as impacting as a Halladay - perhaps a resurgent Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, a healthy Peavy or Eric Bedard - they have no chance of advancing to the Fall Classic. According to MLB.com and their network, the Giants and Phillies are extremely interested in Halladay and are frontrunners to procure his services. This would be death for the Blue, 7 game lead or no. Frankly, I don't think the Dodgers have the prospects the Jays would demand in return for the great Doc Halladay. Also, the Giants are rumored to be pursuing the heavy hitting Nick Johnson from the lowly Nats. This bat will greatly improve their lineup.
Other contending teams seem to recognize the urgency for help. The question is, do Ned Colletti and Frank McCourt? Billingsley has been awful in 4 out of his last 5 starts. Wolf has been Wolf. Solid, but not great. Kershaw has been outstanding - thank God for that - but he still can't pitch them into the 7th inning. Kuroda is terrible. Like, the "done" kind of terrible. He may be knocked out of the rotation. They have no 5th starter. THEY NEED STARTING PITCHING NOW! And they need bullpen guys. Broxton's toe thing? Not sure I buy it. Troncoso's been tough, but Mota stinks. Leach isn't ready. Belisario's been hurting.
The All Star Game was fun until they started this whole winning league getting home field advantage in the World Series thing. I absolutely hate it.
Tried listening to Charlie Steiner call the game on the radio the other day. I'd have a better idea of what was going on in the game if there was no announcer at all. He's such a nice guy and he's so damn awful.
I wish Eric Collins - their new TV guy in games east of the Rockies - actually knew something about baseball.
Pitching. Still and all, they're 24 over 500 at the break.
To put it simply, if the Dodgers don't acquire Roy Halladay (as Bill Shaikin brilliantly pled for in yesterday's LA Times) or someone as impacting as a Halladay - perhaps a resurgent Cliff Lee or Roy Oswalt, a healthy Peavy or Eric Bedard - they have no chance of advancing to the Fall Classic. According to MLB.com and their network, the Giants and Phillies are extremely interested in Halladay and are frontrunners to procure his services. This would be death for the Blue, 7 game lead or no. Frankly, I don't think the Dodgers have the prospects the Jays would demand in return for the great Doc Halladay. Also, the Giants are rumored to be pursuing the heavy hitting Nick Johnson from the lowly Nats. This bat will greatly improve their lineup.
Other contending teams seem to recognize the urgency for help. The question is, do Ned Colletti and Frank McCourt? Billingsley has been awful in 4 out of his last 5 starts. Wolf has been Wolf. Solid, but not great. Kershaw has been outstanding - thank God for that - but he still can't pitch them into the 7th inning. Kuroda is terrible. Like, the "done" kind of terrible. He may be knocked out of the rotation. They have no 5th starter. THEY NEED STARTING PITCHING NOW! And they need bullpen guys. Broxton's toe thing? Not sure I buy it. Troncoso's been tough, but Mota stinks. Leach isn't ready. Belisario's been hurting.
The All Star Game was fun until they started this whole winning league getting home field advantage in the World Series thing. I absolutely hate it.
Tried listening to Charlie Steiner call the game on the radio the other day. I'd have a better idea of what was going on in the game if there was no announcer at all. He's such a nice guy and he's so damn awful.
I wish Eric Collins - their new TV guy in games east of the Rockies - actually knew something about baseball.
Pitching. Still and all, they're 24 over 500 at the break.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Half Empty?
The Smoke & Mirrors Brigade hits The Big Apple today.
Okay, readers, so you think I'm a negative guy. Think I'm also crazy because I'm complaining about the team that's held the best record in the Bigs since early May? Think what you want, and perhaps you're right, but I consider myself a realist. I know baseball and I know the Dodgers and as of today, with their MLB best 52-30 record, 7 games ahead of the Giants, I still believe the Giants will ovetake the Blue and win the West unless major changes take place. Why? 2 BIG REASONS: Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Good pitching beats good hitting almost all the time and decent pitching beats the Dodgers every time. They're the closest thing the West Coast has seen to Koufax and Drysdale since Koufax and Drysdale. One can argue Hershiser and Valenzuela, but in no one year were both of those Dodgers as effective as Lincecum and Cain appear to be now. Season ends today, who gets the NL Cy Young? It's a tie between Cain and Lincecum with honorable mention going to Jason Marquis and Chad Billingsley. Josh Johnson, Happ and Carpenter would also need to be mentioned. Then you take their #'s 3 and 4 starters in Barry Zito and the Big Unit and you have an absolutely formidable starting staff with a solid bullpen and closer in Brian Wilson. The bats? Outside of Pablo Sandoval, they're not as strong as the Blue's (which is saying a lot because the Dodgers have some pretty weak bats) but it's pitching that tends to win in the NL. Again, that's why the season is 162 games instead of 82 games. Beyond Billinsgley, you have the extremely talented, but erratic and young Kershaw, the consistently inconsistent Wolf, the uncertain Kuroda and no 5th starter. In the pen, you have Ronald Beli-sorry-o (He's not that good, folks, as evidenced recently) and Ramon Troncos-oh no! who's pitched rather well. Neither of those guys have enough experience to handle the pressure of a stretch run and both have thrown way too many innings, a Joe Torre signature flaw. Wade is in the minors for stinking too much and Broxton's recent implosion doesn't bode well. Ned Colletti needs to find a way to bring Roy Halladay overe here fast and there's absolutely no way that's gonna happen. Cliff Lee? He's been pretty inconsistent thus far with Cleveland? Jake Peavy? Injured. Out until mid August. The Dodgers blew Billingsley's 10th win AGAIN the other day, but at least they ended up with the win. League low ERA or not, if they don't acquire another top of the line starter and reliever, they're in some deep doo-doo. SF'll catch 'em and pass 'em. 'Specially if they go out and get a bat or two. And go tell it on the mountain, the Rockies could be right there as well. Pitching, pitching, pitching. Don't let the numbers fool ya. The Dodgers don't have it.
Their hitting? This just in. For quite a while, now, they've stunk. When Torre decides to stop giving up precious outs with the game on the line with that stupid ass sac bunt (I HATE the sacrifice bunt - more later) they may actually have a chance to get more wins, but in case you haevn't noticed, only Juan Pierre, who's now relgated back to the bench, and the unproductive, free swinging Matt Kemp - if he's an All Star over Sandoval, it's a crime - are hitting at or over the .300 mark. Everyone else is in a prolonged slump. Blake is bouncing back and he's clearly the best hitter on that team whose name isn't Manny. Ethier is hitting .250. A productive .250, but .250 nonetheless. Perhaps Manny's presence can make him or everyone a more consistent hitter but it better happen quickly. Loney had a big homer the other day. He has over 50 RBI's as well. But he's not very good, really. He's getting stupider at the plate and having some extremely poor AB's. The O Dog's bat has parvo. He could be done. He hasn't been the same hitter since early June. Furcal and Martin are terrible. (Must be Raffy never really recovered from that back injury he suffered last year) This team is in trouble. Bats are going to have to wake up quickly and consistently and the Manny is going to have to be injected into the veins of that lineup like a potent dose of ECG.
As I've said many times before, I love the Dodgers and I desperately want them to win. But, I feel huge alterations need to be made to make them a true contender. Other NL teams besisdes the Giants and Rockies - the Cards, Cubs, Brew Crew, 'Stros, Mets and Phils - will improve greatly in the second half. The Blue better not sit on their laurels. They need to take action. It's a work in progress.
Most Valuable Dodger for the first half? My vote goes to Casey Blake. He's been a stud.
Tonight they go up against the underachieving Metropolitans and I like Pelfrey's chances against Kershaw. Especially after the nearly demoralizing loss they almost suffered at the hands of the deadbeat Dads. It's crucial they take 2 out of 3 in both series leading up to the break.
I HATE the sacrifice bunt in most situations and Torre loves it. He loves giving up those outs with no one out and runners on with a team that doesn't hit too well. The other day he had Juan Pierre sacrifice with no outs and runners on first and second on the road! Let me ask you this? Why didn't Juan just bunt for a base hit. That way he at least has a chance of beating it out and loading the bases. What about a hit and run? The Dodgers didn't score that inning. Why do ya have to purposely give up that out? It's one thing if you have Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay coming up, or Mark Teixeira and A rod, but not with Loney and Kemp. They just make too many weak outs. Also, no one knows how to freaking bunt anymore. Furcal, Martin, Hudson and every pitcher on the club seem to think you bunt the ball in the air. NO! You catch the ball with the bat. It's the easiest thing to do in baseball and the Dodgers can't do it. Only your pitcher or your number 8 hitter in certain situations should be sacrifice bunting.
Pierre should be an All Star, not Matt Kemp.
Okay, readers, so you think I'm a negative guy. Think I'm also crazy because I'm complaining about the team that's held the best record in the Bigs since early May? Think what you want, and perhaps you're right, but I consider myself a realist. I know baseball and I know the Dodgers and as of today, with their MLB best 52-30 record, 7 games ahead of the Giants, I still believe the Giants will ovetake the Blue and win the West unless major changes take place. Why? 2 BIG REASONS: Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain. Good pitching beats good hitting almost all the time and decent pitching beats the Dodgers every time. They're the closest thing the West Coast has seen to Koufax and Drysdale since Koufax and Drysdale. One can argue Hershiser and Valenzuela, but in no one year were both of those Dodgers as effective as Lincecum and Cain appear to be now. Season ends today, who gets the NL Cy Young? It's a tie between Cain and Lincecum with honorable mention going to Jason Marquis and Chad Billingsley. Josh Johnson, Happ and Carpenter would also need to be mentioned. Then you take their #'s 3 and 4 starters in Barry Zito and the Big Unit and you have an absolutely formidable starting staff with a solid bullpen and closer in Brian Wilson. The bats? Outside of Pablo Sandoval, they're not as strong as the Blue's (which is saying a lot because the Dodgers have some pretty weak bats) but it's pitching that tends to win in the NL. Again, that's why the season is 162 games instead of 82 games. Beyond Billinsgley, you have the extremely talented, but erratic and young Kershaw, the consistently inconsistent Wolf, the uncertain Kuroda and no 5th starter. In the pen, you have Ronald Beli-sorry-o (He's not that good, folks, as evidenced recently) and Ramon Troncos-oh no! who's pitched rather well. Neither of those guys have enough experience to handle the pressure of a stretch run and both have thrown way too many innings, a Joe Torre signature flaw. Wade is in the minors for stinking too much and Broxton's recent implosion doesn't bode well. Ned Colletti needs to find a way to bring Roy Halladay overe here fast and there's absolutely no way that's gonna happen. Cliff Lee? He's been pretty inconsistent thus far with Cleveland? Jake Peavy? Injured. Out until mid August. The Dodgers blew Billingsley's 10th win AGAIN the other day, but at least they ended up with the win. League low ERA or not, if they don't acquire another top of the line starter and reliever, they're in some deep doo-doo. SF'll catch 'em and pass 'em. 'Specially if they go out and get a bat or two. And go tell it on the mountain, the Rockies could be right there as well. Pitching, pitching, pitching. Don't let the numbers fool ya. The Dodgers don't have it.
Their hitting? This just in. For quite a while, now, they've stunk. When Torre decides to stop giving up precious outs with the game on the line with that stupid ass sac bunt (I HATE the sacrifice bunt - more later) they may actually have a chance to get more wins, but in case you haevn't noticed, only Juan Pierre, who's now relgated back to the bench, and the unproductive, free swinging Matt Kemp - if he's an All Star over Sandoval, it's a crime - are hitting at or over the .300 mark. Everyone else is in a prolonged slump. Blake is bouncing back and he's clearly the best hitter on that team whose name isn't Manny. Ethier is hitting .250. A productive .250, but .250 nonetheless. Perhaps Manny's presence can make him or everyone a more consistent hitter but it better happen quickly. Loney had a big homer the other day. He has over 50 RBI's as well. But he's not very good, really. He's getting stupider at the plate and having some extremely poor AB's. The O Dog's bat has parvo. He could be done. He hasn't been the same hitter since early June. Furcal and Martin are terrible. (Must be Raffy never really recovered from that back injury he suffered last year) This team is in trouble. Bats are going to have to wake up quickly and consistently and the Manny is going to have to be injected into the veins of that lineup like a potent dose of ECG.
As I've said many times before, I love the Dodgers and I desperately want them to win. But, I feel huge alterations need to be made to make them a true contender. Other NL teams besisdes the Giants and Rockies - the Cards, Cubs, Brew Crew, 'Stros, Mets and Phils - will improve greatly in the second half. The Blue better not sit on their laurels. They need to take action. It's a work in progress.
Most Valuable Dodger for the first half? My vote goes to Casey Blake. He's been a stud.
Tonight they go up against the underachieving Metropolitans and I like Pelfrey's chances against Kershaw. Especially after the nearly demoralizing loss they almost suffered at the hands of the deadbeat Dads. It's crucial they take 2 out of 3 in both series leading up to the break.
I HATE the sacrifice bunt in most situations and Torre loves it. He loves giving up those outs with no one out and runners on with a team that doesn't hit too well. The other day he had Juan Pierre sacrifice with no outs and runners on first and second on the road! Let me ask you this? Why didn't Juan just bunt for a base hit. That way he at least has a chance of beating it out and loading the bases. What about a hit and run? The Dodgers didn't score that inning. Why do ya have to purposely give up that out? It's one thing if you have Kevin Youkilis and Jason Bay coming up, or Mark Teixeira and A rod, but not with Loney and Kemp. They just make too many weak outs. Also, no one knows how to freaking bunt anymore. Furcal, Martin, Hudson and every pitcher on the club seem to think you bunt the ball in the air. NO! You catch the ball with the bat. It's the easiest thing to do in baseball and the Dodgers can't do it. Only your pitcher or your number 8 hitter in certain situations should be sacrifice bunting.
Pierre should be an All Star, not Matt Kemp.
Friday, July 3, 2009
He's Back, But ...
With all the falderol and fiddle dee dee, all the hooplah surrounding Manny's triumphant return to the cleanup spot in the Dodgers lineup tonight in San Diego, no one's talking about the giant white elephant in the room: This team really isn't very good anymore. Take their last series against the Rockies where they won 4-2 in the bottom of the 13th in Game 1 thanks to HR heroics by Andre , who's hitting around .260. Then they made Jason Marquis look like Bob Feller and got shut down in a little over 2 hours. No runs. Then, they barely beat the Rockies 1-0 on Wednesday night. Manny had better come back like he hasn't missed a beat because this team can't hit. No one. Not anymore. Even Casey Blake, the O Dog and the great Juan Pierre are stone cold. They can't score runs, they have no power, they strike out with runners on and they stink. Russell Martin sucks. Rafael Furcal, in spite of his game winning hit the other night, is terrible. Loney stinks. Kemp is patently unreliable. Blake looks weak. Ethier is streaky, but most of the time, is not so good. Even their once touted bench, Loretta, Castro and Ausmus have left their bats at home. Pound for pound, right now, anyway, the Rockies are the better team. Helton is better than Loney, O Dog is a little better than Barmes, Tulo is better than Raffy, Blake is better than Stewart & Atkins, but not by much. Ian Stewart just hit his 15th dong and he is definitely a 3rd baseman on the rise. Look for the Mountains to try to deal Atkins before the break. As he starts heating up, he could really help out a contender. Their outfield of Spillborghs/Smith, Fowler and Hawpe is every bit as good, if not better than the Dodgers outfield, even with Ramirez back. Ianetta catches circles around Martin and is a better hitter. As far as starting pitching, right now I'd have to say the first four of the starting rotation of the Rockies - Marquis, Jiminez, Cook and Hammels are better than Billingsley, Wolf, Kuroda and Kershaw. The Rockies are a better team than the Dodgers right now. Their bullpen matches the Blue's except for the closer role, but Street is no slouch. They've picked up 8 games in the standings since the end of May and they're just a better team right now. Unless they fade, they can catch the Dodgers by early August. And the Giants? If the Giants add a bat to Sandoval's and Cain, Lincecum, Zito and Johnson keep dealing, unless the Blue can get back on track soon, they actually SHOULD catch the Dodgers. The recent trends do not look good.
That's why they play 162 games, people. The Dodgers being 21 games over .500 and temporarily having the best record in baseball is great, but they're getting weaker and I'm not sure getting Manny back will be enough to guarantee them the division or even a playoff spot. He's going to have to make Ethier, Loney and Kemp better in a big hurry. Let's face it. The National League just sucks. There simply aren't any great teams. Every team - the Phillies, the Mets, the Braves, the Cards, the Cubs, the Brewers, the 'Stros, they all have flaws. I think, ultimately, when the Cubs get healthy, they could have a great 2nd half. So can the Mets. If the Phils can add an arm and get Ibanez back, they could be tough again as well.
And forget about the American League. The Red Sox, Yankees, Rays and Angels are all better than the Blue pound for pound. The Orioles, the Jays, the Tigers, the Twins and the Rangers all feature a better offense. I'm just sayin', when you have great pitching stats but you're not sure why, and you're winning games but you're not sure why, eventually, the smoke and mirrors are going to fade.
Somehow, the Dodgers are going to need to start hitting. Like I said, maybe Manny can be that catalyst, but it's doubtful he can have that profound an effect follwoing a 50 day layoff and no more juice in his system. Russell Martin needs to play better and Raffy needs to hit. Loney and Kemp need to smarten up. Excuse the negativity but I have my doubts. In the meantime ....
Uh ... go, Manny.
That's why they play 162 games, people. The Dodgers being 21 games over .500 and temporarily having the best record in baseball is great, but they're getting weaker and I'm not sure getting Manny back will be enough to guarantee them the division or even a playoff spot. He's going to have to make Ethier, Loney and Kemp better in a big hurry. Let's face it. The National League just sucks. There simply aren't any great teams. Every team - the Phillies, the Mets, the Braves, the Cards, the Cubs, the Brewers, the 'Stros, they all have flaws. I think, ultimately, when the Cubs get healthy, they could have a great 2nd half. So can the Mets. If the Phils can add an arm and get Ibanez back, they could be tough again as well.
And forget about the American League. The Red Sox, Yankees, Rays and Angels are all better than the Blue pound for pound. The Orioles, the Jays, the Tigers, the Twins and the Rangers all feature a better offense. I'm just sayin', when you have great pitching stats but you're not sure why, and you're winning games but you're not sure why, eventually, the smoke and mirrors are going to fade.
Somehow, the Dodgers are going to need to start hitting. Like I said, maybe Manny can be that catalyst, but it's doubtful he can have that profound an effect follwoing a 50 day layoff and no more juice in his system. Russell Martin needs to play better and Raffy needs to hit. Loney and Kemp need to smarten up. Excuse the negativity but I have my doubts. In the meantime ....
Uh ... go, Manny.
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