Dodgers Current Problem: Lack of Beast Mode
Halfway into the season and all the baseball experts opinions about the Dodgers are starting to come to fruition. The Dodgers have lost their big lead in the National League West. They have 9 out of their last 12 games and have scored a combined total of 26 runs in those 12 games (2.17 runs per game). They said the Dodgers couldn’t score runs, which they aren’t. This sounds like the team that the guys from Baseball Tonight expected to see and I’m sure all the media-types who are so anti-Dodgers are chomping at the bit to say “I told you so”.
I don’t think they’re opinions are 100% accurate, because there are factors that clash with their ideas. For example, they expected the Dodgers to be mediocre even with Matt Kemp in the line up every day. With Matt Kemp in the lineup every day the Dodgers were on a roll because he changes the dynamic of the lineup. With Kemp in the lineup the guys in front see decent pitches because they don’t want him to come to bat with runners on base. Guys like Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera love hitting behind Kemp because Kemp’s speed makes the pitchers throw more fastballs, which any 4 or 5 place hitter loves to see. When Kemp is out Ethier becomes “the man” in the lineup with pretty much no protection. If he does get on base he doesn’t have the speed that Kemp has which allows pitchers to keep the ball down against guys like Juan Rivera and James Loney which more times than not results in a double play.
It’s a travesty because the pitching for the most part has kept the game within reach only for the offense to fail miserably to manufacture a few runs. It is starting to get frustrating for Dodger fans who were finally excited to see the Blue Crew play well after the evil reign of Frank McCourt. However, today starts a weekend home stand. If the dodgers can play decent this week and next week it will take them to the all-star break, and Matt Kemp will be back following the all star break. There is no need to panic because Superman in Dodger Blue is coming back in Beast Mode status ready to unleash is wrath on NL pitching. Plus, don’t forget the trade deadline is about a month and with general manager Ned Colletti having the ability to spend money look for the Dodgers to make a splash by the trade deadline.
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Needs |
Targets |
|
1B |
Justin Morneau, Carlos Lee, David Ortiz, Carlos Pena, Brian LaHair, 1 of the 2 Angel disposable first baseman or anybody but James Loney |
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3B |
David Wright, Edwin Encarnacion, Chase Headley, Hanley Ramirez, David Murphy |
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OF* |
Ichiro, Shane Victorino, Carlos Quentin, Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Carlos Gonzalez (if you are willing to give up anyone not name Kershaw, Kemp or Ethier. The Rockies are willing to listen to offers.) |
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P |
Cole Hamels, Matt Garza, Ryan Dempster, Zack Greinke, Wandy Rodriguez, John Lannan |
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