A quick note before the notes
I'll have some stuff up from today's practice in a little while, but wanted to address a topic that has been asked by a few people. Joe Torre said that he hasn't made up his mind yet about using a three or four man rotation for the Philly series, in part because Hong-Chih Kuo's health is still a question mark. If possible, Torre wouldn't mind a four man rotation, especially the Lowe-Bills-Kuorda addition happened to be lefty Clayton Kershaw, who could perhaps take advantage of Ryan Howard and Chase Utley's dipped percentages against southpaws. But without Kuo available, he can't move Kershaw without leaving Joe Beimel as the pen's sole left-hander, which he's understandably not comfortable doing. Thus, it's on Torre's mind, but his mind hasn't been made up yet.
As for Kuo, he said that his most recent throwing session (at the hardest speed yet) left him pain-free, which is obviously a promising development. He'll throw another pen session tomorrow and will be receive another eval. For what it's worth, Kuo told me he feels ready to go right now. Hopefully, he'll say the same in about 24 hours.
More to come later.
AK
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AK/BK,
I had a question, is DeWitt going to remain the starter at second? I know he's been playing well, but it seems like it would nice to have Kent hitting clean-up to take pressure off Ethier. And DeWitt can come in at 2nd or 3rd. I imagine Kent is at or near 100% and there weren't any plays against the Cubs that made me say 'wow, Kent wouldn't have made that play.'
Thanks!
Posted by: dominic | October 06, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Dominic,
I'd be very surprised if DeWitt didn't remain the starter for the rest of the postseason, save a brutal slump or an injury. He has much more defensive range than Kent and, just as importantly, seems to have Torre's vote of confidence.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | October 06, 2008 at 06:51 PM
Let the Kids play!
Posted by: Benzo Jones | October 06, 2008 at 07:10 PM
Dewitt is better defensively, and about the same offensively as Kent. And he isn't a sourpuss. Play Dewitt. Sit Kent.
Posted by: SaMo | October 06, 2008 at 07:36 PM
I'd be damn near stunned if DeWitt wasn't in the starting lineup Thursday. Stunned, I tells ya.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | October 06, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I agree 100% on the play dewitt issue
Posted by: K T | October 06, 2008 at 07:58 PM
Dominic, what information do you have that tells you Kent is near 100%? He came back suprisingly fast from comparable injuries and much sooner than team doctors had originally believed. And even then Torre has been reluctant to play him in anything more than a pinch hitting role. If Kent was anywhere near 100% my guess is he would have started the playoffs in the lineup at 2B.
As it stands now i believe the importance of defense being magnified the way it is in postseason play more than offsets any offense we are losing with DeWitt in the lineup (not that he's dragging the team by any means.) And with the way the offense has performed, I don't necessarily know if changing the lineup at this point wouldn't be messing with a good thing. It seems Torre has found the right place for everyone in this lineup. It's clicking too well. Kent has much more value as a pinch hitter at this stage of the playoffs....speaking of, what other team can roll out 2 pinch hitters with the credentials of Kent and Nomar??
IF we make the world series, then i think it would be appropriate to consider Kent as a DH for the road games. But for now, everyone is in their right place. I think it speaks to the team's depth that we are even having this debate.
GO BLUE!!
Posted by: Mike G | October 06, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Agree with everyone on DeWitt. Been very happy with his play at 2B and his improved patience at the plate.
But getting back to the pitching issue, I think it's worth noting that Southpaws aren't exactly kryponite to Utley and Howard. I do think there is somewhat of an advantage in throwing a lefty against Howard (much less so Utley), but if it comes down to, say, righty Broxton vs. lefty Kuo against Howard in a tight spot late in the game, well, I'd rather throw the guy that I know is 100%. And who has thrown in the postseason already.
I just think that against premier hitters like Utley and Howard, it's possible to care too much about the righty-lefty thing. And I'd rather go with the hot hand than the injured hand, if it comes down to that.
Posted by: VA Blueblood | October 06, 2008 at 09:18 PM
Joe should definitely stick with the 3 man rotation. If he goes to a 4 man rotation then Kuroda would be throwing in game 7, should it go that far, on the road. That's not exactly an ideal situation. If he goes to a 3 man rotation Kuroda and Bills can throw twice in the series on normal rest and Lowe can throw games 1, 4 and 7, only throwing on short rest in game 4. Also, while theoretically throwing the lefty Kershaw makes sense, keep in mind that the kid gave up 9 runs in 10 innings versus Philly this year.
Posted by: Ryan | October 07, 2008 at 12:04 AM
Kemp = 100% Grumpy, 75% healthy
Posted by: Benzo Jones | October 07, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Benzo,
I think you meant KENT and not Kemp right? Anyway on the DeWitt issue.... I CAN'T BELIEVE IT'S AN ISSUE!!
The kid has played great. I can honestly say w/o him, this team does not reach the playoffs. DeWitt and Berroa have won at least 4 games in the final 3 weeks of the season ALL BY THEMSELVES! PERIOD!!
DeWitt has been as STEADY as anyone on the club. He makes a lot of veterans look like rookies. The kid has Mattingly's philosophy and eye down at the plate... I see a lot of Donny baseball in him... GREAT EYE for the Strkie Zone!
DeWitt has also played solid secondbase. I haven't seen that position played that way since Lopes...where I have complete confidence in the fielder. He gets to balls that Kent can't get in his dreams. I don't think DeWitt gets enough credit... we should be excited about this kid... he is going to be a good one for many years to come.
Finally look what a weak fielding secondbaseman have done for the Angels. Kendrick is a bust... no composure. DeWitt has ice veins!! ... the kid is simply special... he'll stick for sure.... he gets IT!
So please let's drop the KENT thing. We've done all good things since KENT has been off the starting lineup. Let's not try to fine tune anything... it's working, don't fix it! Some people just don't get it!!!???
Posted by: Rob | October 07, 2008 at 06:57 PM