Things to consider before tonight's game

"NOTHING ILL ABOUT THIS APRIL: Despite being two games behind last year’s March/April pace, the Dodgers have more runs scored, a higher average and a higher home run total.  The ERA, however, is 0.23 higher than last year at this time.  A breakdown of the last two season-opening months."

                                                2008                       2007

Record                                      13-13                       15-11

Runs Scored                              124                          121

Runs per game                          4.8                           4.7

Batting average                  .277 (245 for 886)  .259 (232 for 895)

Average with RISP              .286 (71 for 248)    .278 (65 for 234)

Home runs                              16                            14

Team ERA                             3.66 (94 ER/231.0 IP) 3.43 (91 ER/239.0 IP)"

I have to admit, I was surprised by the scoring numbers -- not that the '07 Dodgers were an offensive juggernaut -- and went back and took a look at last April:

In 26 games, the Dodgers were never shut out and were held to one run twice.  Five times they were limited to two runs, but they managed to win two of those games (and would win an additional two 2-1 games on May 1 and 2).  This season, the Blue have had six games where they've been either shut out or held to a single tally.  They haven't had a two-run game this year.  The two 2-1 games the Dodgers managed to steal last year stick out in a big way.  This season, it doesn't seem like the Blue have been able to win anything low scoring and close.  A function, I would think, of starting pitching that hasn't been as good.   Which dovetails nicely into ...

Next nugget:

"THE PEN IS MIGHTIER: The Dodgers rank fourth in the National League, and sixth in the Majors, with a 3.18 bullpen ERA (32 ER/90.2 IP).  Beginning Thursday vs. Arizona, the Dodgers bullpen has allowed only one earned run -- and three runs overall -– in 21.0 innings to lower its ERA from 4.00.

• Dodgers starters, meanwhile, have registered a 3.98 ERA (62 ER/140.1 IP) to rank eighth in the National League and 12th in the majors.  The starters’ 140.1 innings of work is the fourth-lowest total in the majors, ahead of only Florida (136.1), Atlanta (137.0) and Pittsburgh (138.1)."

I fully admit to spending about 15 minutes looking over the numbers, but at a glance they seem to confirm some of L.A.'s problems.  Feel free to call BS or point out what I'm overlooking.  It's obviously too small a statistical sample to draw any major conclusions, and there are only two games between this year's squad and the '07 version, at least as far as wins and losses go.  The Dodgers haven't put the pitching and hitting together often enough when they've needed it.

But it's fun with numbers, and right now we only have an April's worth to work with.  By the way, the Dodgers need to win tonight to avoid their second losing March/April in the last 14 years.  That's actually pretty impressive (and lets you know that things generally turn sour from May onward).

BK