Ever get the feeling your team is struggling?
Then you apparently think Blue as a practice, because them Dodgers are having a rough go as we speak. Last night's 5-4 loss to the Nationals rounded out their sixth straight defeat and continued to highlight issues largely responsible for coming up continually short. For example, it's all fine and dandy to launch three solo shots (belonging to James Loney, Andre Ethier and Casey Blake, who's slowly on the rebound), but that's no substitute for taking care of bidness with teammates on base. Along those lines (last night was a 1-11 with RISP showing), the Dodgers continued their stranding ways.
They've also grown increasingly less reliable defensively, the disease even extending to 17-time gold glover Greg Maddux, whose throwing error led to a run and helped prevent him from picking up a Dodger win. In other words, despite Matt Kemp's willingness to throw himself on the sword after an 0-5/failed steal attempt leadoff performance, fault for the insufficient box score is easily spread about. Thankfully, the D-Backs have also turned inept, allowing the Blue to hang around in the NL West race.
Blake BeWitt was told upon his AAA demotion that he'd eventually be back again this season. "Eventually" stretched out to August 27th. The rookie infielder was recalled to help provide occasional rest for Casey Blake and Jeff Kent (requiring a plane ride that likely left the kid ironically tired). Unfortunately, for Pablo Ozuna, a roster spot was needed, which led the oft-pinch running speedster being designated for assignment. Along those lines, Tanyon Sturtze took a brief ride on the DFA roller coaster. He didn't much care for it.
Yesterday's trip to Walter Reed Hospital guarantees that even if they exit the Capital winless, something positive came from the visit.
Is a "Lima Time" statue in order right about now.
Sweep staved? For the Dodgers to avoid a fate both inconvenient and embarrassing, it'll start with the pitching of Clayton Kershaw, who's tangling with John Lannan.
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KT said it a couple posts back. We need a live blog marathon. And prayer, lots of prayer. Somebody call the pope...
The key to Broxton's success yesterday was simple. He threw 3 breaking balls out of 13 pitches, he didn't throw a first pitch breaking ball once. Power-pitching types who are relievers have to learn to live on their fastball and only use the breaking ball to get people to chase. He's been using more of a starter mentality the last couple weeks. Throwing breaking balls early, trying to put the hitters off balance - then they time his breaking ball. Plus, he's been trying to overthrow his fastball. If his fastball lives between 94-99 and he throws that 90 mph slider (backdoor to lefties, down and out to righties) of his in 0-1 or 0-2 counts occasionally, he's going to be successful. Closers can't try to conserve pitches and be successful. For them, it's a sprint, not a marathon.
Posted by: Nils | August 28, 2008 at 09:48 AM
I am so glad that the Dodgers traded Jon Meloan, who could conceivably close games now instead of Broxton, for Casey Blake. We now have the worst fielding team in baseball and no closer. Brilliant, just brilliant.
Posted by: Brian Beelner | August 28, 2008 at 09:53 AM
Contrast Kemp's acceptance of accountability with Kent's insistance last year on throwing the young players under the bus. Kemps willingness to accept the blame is a sign of maturity and, dare I say, leadership, which is a non-existent thing among the veterans of our ballclub.
Posted by: twerp1 | August 28, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Jeff Kent, Hall of Famer?
It has long been speculated that Jeff Kent is a sure Hall of Famer, the latest example being last week when he, Maddux, and Manny all appeared in the same game, bringing the total number of Cooperstown-bound men to three.
The primary reason cited for Kent’s enshrinement is that his career numbers are so good for a second baseman. His 560 doubles, 376 homers, and career .290 average place among the top 5 second basemen of all time, alongside Joe Morgan, Rogers Hornsby, and Ryne Sandberg. There are precious few second basemen in the Hall of Fame, which is how Bill Mazeroski got there.
But the thing about all the aforementioned Cooperstown denizens is that they were good second basemen. Kent is not. He is an average fielder at best, with limited range. Were he a first baseman (a position he played a bit while with the Giants), his numbers would pale beside those of Gehrig, Greenberg, Foxx, and Killebrew. The player whose stats Kent’s most closely resemble is Orlando Cepeda, who hit 379 homers during the dead ball era. Kent hit his 376 in the steroid era, when dollhouse ballparks, crappy pitching, and a lower mound allowed homers to leave the park in record numbers.
So is Kent a Hall of Famer or not?
Posted by: SaMo | August 28, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Damn! Ned is asleep at the switch, again. I see the Braves just added Elmer Dessens for their stretch run! And we thought the Dodger middle relief was an issue.
Posted by: Chunkdog | August 28, 2008 at 11:15 AM
The D'backs don't need to worry. Phoenix will have a Mardi Gras after they put the division out of reach this weekend. Arizona is going to step on our necks and slap us around like little girls.
And the whole country will see it twice on ESPN national TV in glorious high definition.
Unless by some miracle the Doggers sweep.
Posted by: Andy B | August 28, 2008 at 11:31 AM
I'm a huge baseball and Dodger fan. But, honestly, having been to Cooperstown and the HOF, it is greatly overrated.
Perhaps I was expecting more, but it was pretty ordinary to me, about on a par with the Museum of the West (the Autry). Just nothing special.
Posted by: Chunkdog | August 28, 2008 at 11:36 AM
Cheer up dodger fans. If history is any guide, a World Series appearance is just around the corner. Teams that get rid of Jeff Kent win instant gratification: a trip to the World Series!
Don't believe it? Kent was traded away from Toronto in 1992; the Blue Jays went on to win the World Series that year and the next.
Cleveland picked him up in 1996, then shipped him off to the Giants in the off-season. The Indians went to the World Series the following year, and came within outs of winning.
Houston played Kent for two years, then let him go as a free agent after the 2004 season. In 2005, the Astros won the NL pennant.
I see a World Series appearance in the Dodgers future. Could it be in 2008? Only if they waive Kent.
Posted by: SaMo | August 28, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I have a Cubs fan in my office and he just will not get out of my ear first thing in the morning, "What's up with your boys?" So today he wants to start throwing dirt on them after the latest embarrassing loss to the Nats. He tells me they are done. He tells me they will not make any kind of postseason. He may be right, but screw him. I tell him it ain't over until it is over. He doesn't back down so I call him Bartman and tell him that his beloved Cubs will once again choke hard in the postseason leaving him and Cubs fans everywhere bitter and wanting. It was like I punched his Mom in the face.
Anyway, this losing is making me mean. Please win Dodgers...if not for you, do it for me. I can't afford a trip to Human Resources for verbal abuse of a dumb Cubs fan. Thanks.
Posted by: gus2327 | August 28, 2008 at 12:25 PM
BK,
Do you know if any team put a claim on Fuentes? I hope the Dodgers did and hopefully he is acquired.
Posted by: Ozy | August 28, 2008 at 12:34 PM
I like Jeff Kent, but he needs a day off. Or two. If DeWitt plays, I hope he can somehow wake up the Dodgers offense.
Also, contrary to what most people on this blog might think, Kent definitely has a shot at the Hall Of Fame based on his offensive numbers. His defensive numbers are not the best, but they're ok. I'm sure you can find players in there who are worse than Kent.
Posted by: 6thchair | August 28, 2008 at 01:34 PM
Ozy he was on the bereavement list and had to be taken off waivers till sunday. If the dodgers put a claim they have like 12 hours to negotiate a trade or he has to be pulled.
Posted by: poppinfresh | August 28, 2008 at 02:01 PM
If Manny resigns with the Dodgers next season look for him to have the worst year of his career.
I tell you, I don't know why any free agent would want to come here (unless it was only for money).
This team is a cemetery filled with bad season headstones.
A graveyard of potential.
Posted by: Andy B | August 28, 2008 at 02:10 PM
Kbros,
Do you mean "struggling" as in a drunkin' Joe Namath 'struggling", or do you mean "struggling" like my tenuous hold on Gwenyth Paltrow's heart?
Just need a little clarification.
Posted by: benzojones | August 28, 2008 at 02:29 PM
Don't look now but while we and the D-backs lose the Rocks are coming up. It could be last year all again three way tie for first and a playoff?
Posted by: pk-mesa | August 28, 2008 at 02:30 PM
btw, I dig the videos of the kbros... very "behind the music"-ish.
Posted by: benzojones | August 28, 2008 at 03:11 PM
Skippy
Don't they teach you A holes how to spell in New York.
Put down the crack pipe you sound a little jumpy.
Posted by: dodgerdog | August 28, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Post from a previous thread (it needs to be acted upon) :
Rob,
I've been pushing for the Live Blog for both Home and Away but the boys who run this blog keep balking....I say we need a Live Blog Marathon to get back into the race and finally pull away....We should try it against the reptiles
Posted by: K T | August 28, 2008 at 03:58 PM
KT,
The live blog concept doesn't really work unless BK or I is at the game. It's always been about "live from the game."
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 28, 2008 at 04:04 PM
Nils,
Thanks for the support...at least the 2 of us are on board
Gus2327,
Funny stuff....Keep it up he'll melt under pressure
Posted by: K T | August 28, 2008 at 04:06 PM
I don't mean to sound "negative," but this five earned run first inning is not off to a fantastic beginning.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | August 28, 2008 at 04:36 PM
AK,
Torre told the boys to spot them 5. His Strategizing Plan is that the only way you can get the offense on track is to have something to strive for.
AT least he has a plan.
BTW - looks like the CLAW has picked up a new pitch... the "Home Run Ball" - Good work Honeycutt!
Posted by: benzojones | August 28, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Anyone else think they brought up Kershaw too soon?
Posted by: Artful Dodger | August 28, 2008 at 04:47 PM
Broxton worried.
Broxton no like what he see.
Broxton might have to put pillow over face of Dodgers.
Apologies to Ken Kesey.
Posted by: SaMo | August 28, 2008 at 04:51 PM
this is not looking good. At least ManRam hit one out... but i think that is all we are going to get tonight. Sad we are going to be sweeped by the Gnats...
Posted by: poppinfresh | August 28, 2008 at 04:51 PM