Watching the Dodgers systematically dismantle the Cubs tonight was something that can not be taken lightly. After the Dodgers sputtered along for 4 listless innings, Ryan Dempster gave them the pick me up they needed by loading the bases and serving a fastball to which James Loney promptly banged over the Left/Center field Ivy covered wall for a grand slam. Derek Lowe looked like the same Derek Lowe that helped carry the 2004 Red Sox to a championship, throwing 6 strong ininngs of 2 run ball.
Even Broxton looked good tonight which is surprising since recently he's been hit harder than Sarah Palin on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Manny also added a golf shot, as did Russel Martin in the ninth. Let's not get carried away though, while this is the first series lead the Dodgers have had since 1988, it's still only one game. The good thing is now they have the home field advantage. They looked flat the first 41/2 but really started to knock around the beleagured Chicago pitching staff after that.
Carlos Zambrano goes up against Chad Billingsley tomorrow in the late game and it should be great. I will say this, though, Rafael Furcal looked off, like he wasn't ready to play. Perhaps, he shoud be relegated to bench duty with Jeff Kent and let Angel Berroa play SS. Just a thought. Other than that the lineup was great, the pitching was phenomenal, Lowe, Wade, Broxton & Maddux (Mad Dog closed...weird). Let's hope the Dodgers keep this barrage of hitting up & sweep the Cubs out of the playoffs.
Showing posts with label James Loney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label James Loney. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Friday, December 21, 2007
Last Day of Business
Today is the last day of business before the New Year for MLB clubs. Barry M. (moron?) Bloom writes this for MLB.com:
As for Bloom's contention that the Dodgers don't have any other power hitters, I beg to differ. Matt Kemp hit 10 homers in 292 AB, had an OPS of .849 & is still only 23. What about James Loney? He hit 15 dingers & had an OPS of .919. He too is only 23. What about Russell Martin? Well Mr. Martin knocked out 19 last season while playing the most physically demanding position in baseball. His OPS? .843. He'll be 25 when the season starts. This is a young team with the makings of a nucleus that could be together for a number of years. Remember those years of Sax, Garvey, Cey, Russell & Lopes? They all came up right around the same time & the Dodgers were a force to reckoned with.
Barry Bloom is a nationally read journalist a little fact checking and common sense should come into the equation. Scott Rolen is a liability the Cards can't wait to get rid of, he's been a cancer in nearly every clubhouse he's been and burned so many bridges that Tony La Russa publicly ridicules him. I do concede that there is one way this could happen & that is if the Dodgers move Pierre for Rolen straight up then move either LaRoche or Ethier to left and trade the odd man out for relief pitching. The salaries match up pretty closely & even Rolen is better than Pierre. Colletti has had a good spring thus far. I can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop.
What the fuck? Please Ned Colletti keep this off the front burner, in fact keep it in the fridge. We already have one hobbled 3b in Garciahamm. Andy LaRoche at least deserves a shot if we can't acquire a solid 3b. Solid meaning someone who doesn't need crutches while taking his position. Crede would be a nice addition.
Heading into their 50th anniversary season in Los Angeles, the Dodgers made a big splash this month by signing free agents Andruw Jones and Hiroki Kuroda. This coming after Torre left the Yankees and replaced Grady Little as manager.Though Jones will displace Juan Pierre in center field, perhaps moving Pierre to left, the Blue Crew still could use another power bat in the middle of the lineup behind Jones and Jeff Kent. If not, they're eyeing another season using the oft-injured Nomar Garciaparra at third base.
While Scott Rolen would fit nicely into this picture, GM Ned Colletti may be more likely to pit Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche against each other this spring. An outfield surplus of Pierre and Andre Ethier gives Colletti some trading chips. And it's hard to believe, because of the current falling out between Rolen and manager Tony La Russa in St. Louis, that Rolen will remain with the Cardinals.
Keep this one on the front burner.
As for Bloom's contention that the Dodgers don't have any other power hitters, I beg to differ. Matt Kemp hit 10 homers in 292 AB, had an OPS of .849 & is still only 23. What about James Loney? He hit 15 dingers & had an OPS of .919. He too is only 23. What about Russell Martin? Well Mr. Martin knocked out 19 last season while playing the most physically demanding position in baseball. His OPS? .843. He'll be 25 when the season starts. This is a young team with the makings of a nucleus that could be together for a number of years. Remember those years of Sax, Garvey, Cey, Russell & Lopes? They all came up right around the same time & the Dodgers were a force to reckoned with.
Barry Bloom is a nationally read journalist a little fact checking and common sense should come into the equation. Scott Rolen is a liability the Cards can't wait to get rid of, he's been a cancer in nearly every clubhouse he's been and burned so many bridges that Tony La Russa publicly ridicules him. I do concede that there is one way this could happen & that is if the Dodgers move Pierre for Rolen straight up then move either LaRoche or Ethier to left and trade the odd man out for relief pitching. The salaries match up pretty closely & even Rolen is better than Pierre. Colletti has had a good spring thus far. I can't help but wait for the other shoe to drop.
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