Angels not on their shoulders, but definitely on their backs
Safe to say, the Dodgers are happy this "Freeway Series" attraction will be tabled until late June. Perhaps by then we'll see the Blue figure out the formula for winning two or three against their (waaaaay) crosstown rivalry, because as evidenced by yesterday afternoon's 10-2 fall, which clinched a series loss. If nothing else, the Dodgers definitely won't mind not seeing Mike Napoli for a while. To be blunt, dude beat the snot out of them on Sunday, homering twice and racking a grand total of five ribbies on the day. Not bad for a part-time dish minder (and certainly better when compared to backup Gary Bennett, particularly when you take into account the defensive side of things). Even taking into account that one long ball came against Scott Proctor in relief, Napoli still got his share of licks against starter Derek Lowe, doing more than his share to tag an "L" in the box score next to Sir Sinker Ball's name. Of course, some infield communication lapses didn't help Lowe's cause, but the bottom line is that he (along with ace-ish counterpart Brad Penny) aren't providing stability at the top of the Joe Torre's rotation. Skip digs the way Chan Ho Park and Hong-Chih Kuo are teaming up to make some noise, but without a strong presence from the bread and butter hurlers, more results like the one on Sunday are likely in the works.
But hope, she springs eternal with a brand new day and a brand new series. This one is against the Reds of Cincinnati, taking place in the Dodgers' backyard with Brad Penny taking on Bronson Arroyo, who thankfully has 86'ed the braids.
Baseball players are about to become very nervous whenever a man carrying an envelope approaches in their direction.
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Need to take all three from the Redlegs!! It can be done. Step up the D and the pitching and the Dodgers will win all three. Also, stay away from Big Boy AJ and go with Ethier, Pierre and Kemp.
Package
Posted by: Package | May 19, 2008 at 11:42 AM
Inconsistency has plagued this Dodger team for the last couple of seasons now. I said this before, but I know that all teams struggle during the season but this team seems to struggle more than most team. It's becoming normal and expected. More and more I'm thinking these young players need another year together to really make some noise because at this point it looks like it's just another wasted year.
Posted by: dcerros | May 19, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Now I suppose Lowe will have to go on the DL, if for no other reason than to save face at this point.
It looks like the starting pitching is in big trouble.
Jason Schmidt, come save us, haha!
Posted by: Andy B | May 19, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Yes, let's renew the drumbeat to sit Jones. (When I saw the name Jones in a tease of a story about Jacques Jones going to the Marlins, my heart skipped a beat.) So much for "coming out of his slump" in previous games with a 9th inning walk and an actual home run. What's his RISP line again?
Posted by: Mountaineer | May 19, 2008 at 12:38 PM
Still wondering if Kershaw will ever be brought up before the incline becomes too steep. Schmidt's rehab numbers (88mph fast ball) don't sound all that encouraging, especially when compared to Kershaw's 97mph gas. Maza over Hu every time. Furcal/Maza (as backup). Young backing up Kent. DeWitt at third, permanently. Pierre, Kemp and Ethier in the outfield. Forget Jones, he's done. No way Jones puts up even 20 homers this year (maybe 5-10 is realistic for 18 million), which both Kemp and Ethier will do if played regularly. So again the question becomes one of whether trying to save face is more important to Dodgers' management than winning games. That said, if the pitching staff continues to fall apart none of it will matter anyway!
Posted by: LossLeader | May 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Lowe pitched ok in that game, he was hurt by some questionable "D". I do not think you can pin all of that loss on his strong sturdy shoulders.
I am not yet ready to sound the pitching alarm. As much as I'd like to see Kershaw tear it up, waiting is more prudent and will allow him to be more effective in the post-season.
Penny on the otherhand is having a little bit of Jones-itis. While not as noticable, I'd guess that his mechanics are screwy because he can't get away with what he could when he was younger. Fish boy is a little chunky too.
We woulda won yesterday if we had the live blog.
Posted by: benzo jones | May 19, 2008 at 01:57 PM
Schmidt is progressing... 88 mph to 90 mph. hopefully he can hit 92, but i dont put too much emphasis on mph of a fastball. Maddux does well with a 88 mph fastball with loads of control. Maybe Schmidt will learn to pitch rather than gas everything and at least be a good 3rd starter. I am sure the velocity will increase... but will his command return?
Posted by: poppinfresh | May 19, 2008 at 01:59 PM
Best comment in this string so far is Maza over Hu as the utility infielder. Hu may have a future, but he is struggling on both sides of the game and obviously needs some time in Vegas. I was a real supporter of Hu until the last couple of weeks exposed holes in both offense and defense.
Kershaw is a given and now we need to start thinking about MacDonald and Meloan. Derek Lowe is just plain lost. Park pitched well, but he's not the answer and Kuo has made himself extremely valuable in relief. It's the end of the road for Proctor too. Loaiza's return will probably spell his release.
Posted by: dalegribel | May 19, 2008 at 02:08 PM
I am sure STINGY McCourt is goin' nuts by now with the unsatisfactory record so far and HONESTLY, I don't feel pitty for the dude......He should FIRE his buddy Ned and do it the right way.........Let's think logically here: He signs Torre for 30+ (So far so good) I think that Torre is capable of doing the job.....However, he is persuaded by Ned that a ridiculous investment of 38 mill for Fatso is the best Dodger move available in the offseason, Totally #$!$#$ Move, I've said it since the beginning, this is turning out to be one of the worst DODGER free agent signing ever.....right up there with K. Brown's deal.
Cut your losses now and play the youth talent. We shouldn't expect much from inconsistent line ups, COULD we?
Posted by: JC Blue | May 19, 2008 at 02:10 PM
What's the deal with Gary Bennett throwing the ball back to the pitcher? HAs he got Mackey Sasser's disease? And how many times does he have to screw up the throw to first base on a dropped third strike for the Dodgers to realize there are other backup catchers out there? This has already bitten them on the behind once; why are they waiting for it to happen a second time?
Meanwhile Andruw Jones just gets worse. The booing wasn't so strong at Sunday's games, but I think that's simply because fans were too hot and exhausted to work up any hatred. He's just awful at the plate--no idea what he's doing, no approach, no thought whatsoever, just take three giant hacks and live to take a fourth if he happens to foul one off.
How much longer must the Dodgers continue to play him before he is relegated to the bench for good? I know there are $36 million reasons to play him, but I can name 44 reasons not to play him--three more Ks added to his total yesterday.
Meanwhile, check the stats and you'll see Blake Dewitt among the top three in average, slugging, and OBP (he trails only Russell Martin and Furcal. When nomar comes back, he can take Andruw Jones' place--on the bench that is. AJ should already be sitting by then, and so should Nomar.
Then again, maybe FAJ can pitch. FYB (Fat Yhency Brazoban, that is) showed us that you can eat all you want at Marie Callender's and still fit into Tommy LaSorda's uniform before going to the mound and throwing gasoline on a fire.
Between all the fat guys and all the twinged backs, you have to wonder what the strength and conditioning coaches are up to.
Hey Frank McCourt: I do half an hour of stretching every day to keep my back in top shape, and I eat fruits and vegetables every day to keep my weight down. Can I play for the Dodgers?
Posted by: SaMo | May 19, 2008 at 03:05 PM
JC Blue,
"However, he is persuaded by Ned that a ridiculous investment of 38 mill for Fatso is the best Dodger move available in the offseason, Totally #$!$#$ Move, I've said it since the beginning, this is turning out to be one of the worst DODGER free agent signing ever"
_______________________________
Here's your comment from December 6, 2007 at 10:41am:
"...the outfileld is shaping out nicely. Move Pierre COMPLETELY out of the starting line up, let Kemp, Jones and Ethier patrol the outfield and I think that there is a legitimate shot for success in both areas, FIELDING AND HITTING. Perhaps allow Pierre to give a breather to Kemp or Ethier every now and then......NEVER AGAIN!!! in centerfield.....Although the signing makes Jones the highest paid player in our roster, the fact that is a short term deal, I believe that it will push Drew to get back to his old self and hit the expected 40+ homers. Sure the guy maybe an OLD 30 YR OLD, but dude, I 'll take him over JUANITO any day!!!!!"
_____________________________
Doesn't quite sound like you've been calling the Jones signing a "Totally #$!$#$ Move" since the beginning to me.
Posted by: DodgerBlueBalls | May 19, 2008 at 03:22 PM
DBB -
Next thing we know you'll be pulling out Benjamin Franklin quotes.
What is it with all the Fat guys on our team; FAJ, Brazobuns, Brad Nickle, Hos... does this team HAVE a conditioning coach?
Posted by: benzo jones | May 19, 2008 at 04:14 PM
The reason that the Dodger free agents haven't panned out lately is because they have not made enough effort to sign top tier FAs. Signing a bust for 55m and then replacing him with a very fat guy who bats .220, is crazy. Also, tell me what you want to but somebody knew that Schmidt was potentially a bust for injuries. Ned and his San Francisco Trainer had to know. Don't you think? Ned is not looking very good.
Futhermore, when you are winning, you don't stop doing what your doing, like having a live blog!!!
Let's have a poll!
Package
Posted by: Package | May 19, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Dodgers stink!!!!!! FAJ is a dissapointment!!! I'm a die hard dodger fan and I want to throw my cat into the TV because they frustrate me!!!!!
Posted by: espie | May 19, 2008 at 06:39 PM
espie-
While we at Blue Notes certainly understand your frustration, we cannot advocate the throwing of any pets at the TV, or anywhere else for that matter. Might I recommend a Koosh ball?
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 19, 2008 at 06:55 PM
BK
Too late.
My cat is already in the kitty hospital, lol...
Posted by: Andy B | May 19, 2008 at 07:17 PM
the Broken Live Blog streak is doing us in...
Hey let's have a poll to see if we should have a poll
By the way did you see those throws by Kemp to 3rd...I thought he had the runner both times except just the first time
I can't see them holding on to Raffy for an extra 2 days when we need him back in the lineup....If he's ok then he's ok what an extra day and a half going to due but maybe lose an extra game...
Why can't Kent hit with runners in scoring position lately...he's trying to pull everything lately.
What's with all the big boys out there lately...it's starting to remind me of the local softball beer league
Wow DBB....remind me never to get on your badside...
Hey BK....on another note...can we delete all the archived blogs? I'd hate to have something thrown in my face...HEHEHE
Posted by: K T USN (feeling retired) | May 20, 2008 at 12:28 AM