Games 1-16: Studs and duds round-up
I decided to do the round-ups in circa 15 game spans. Mostly, due to two facts:
a) ca fifteen games will mean three times through the rotation (disregarding for the sake of this summary ocassional days off and/or pitchers being moved a day forward, for instance). Hence, the starting pitchers will have almost equal chance in comparison to one another. Barring injuries and substitutions, but that's a factor I cannot account for in my simple observation.
b) ca fifteen games will very often mean four or five series in a row, hence tracing patterns against same teams' pitchers and hitters. From time to time I will prolong the assessment period to get the final game of a given series in.
Now, how will we evaluate players? There are several Dodger blogs out there that use the regular stats such as ERA/BB-to-K/.OBA and .BA/.SLG/.OPS to do the biz. Some are so good at this (just check out the guys at www.truebluela.com are doing with their Nickels), that there's no point to double the effort.
Based on my game reports I will use my subjective judgment (open for questioning) and hand out the prizes as I deem deservable. Let's see if you agree with game 1-15 winners in each category (if you don't, make sure you let me know :)) :
Starting pitcher stud:
Brad Penny (2-0 in four starts) - did not have a single bad game. Just unlucky to get three Ws of out three.
Starting pitcher dud:
Brett Tomko (1-1 in three starts) - taken deep six times in 17.0 IP, immediately bringing back the recollections of "Bombko".
Relief pitcher stud:
Takeshi Saito - untochable in seven appearances, easing himself into the set-up role with full confidence.
Relief pitcher dud:
None. Nobody blew it repeatedly.
Hitter stud:
Bill Mueller - unbelievably versatile, getting on himself, driving in guys (highest OBP for regulars), second best in RBI. Several key game-changing hits.
Photo on the right: former Red Sox Bill Mueller has had his hands full offensively and defensively. He's been the best overall Dodger in games 1-16.
Hitter dud:
Dioner Navarro - too many GIDPs and weak force-outs with two outs with men on. Rafael Furcal was not very convincing either, but he's explained due to playing hurt (jammed finger).
Fielder stud:
James Loney / Bill Mueller - dependable beyond age (the former) and beyond inexperience (the latter).
Fielder dud:
There were some unforced errors (Jason Repko, Dannys Baez, Furcal) but none of the responsible fielders stood out in a particularly bad way.
Managerial staff blooper:
Designating Cody Ross for assignment while bringing up Oscar Robles, for basically one game, that Jeff Kent was out. At the same time, the Dodgers had a little-used nominal 2b-3b Ramon Martinez on the bench. This blooper can only be taken back (in a next round-up) if Ross somehow clear waivers.
Series won: @ PHI,
Series lost: vs ATL, vs SF, vs CHC
Series tied: @PIT
Overall record after 16 games: 7-9 (3 rd NL West, 2.5 GB [Colorado]) .
a) ca fifteen games will mean three times through the rotation (disregarding for the sake of this summary ocassional days off and/or pitchers being moved a day forward, for instance). Hence, the starting pitchers will have almost equal chance in comparison to one another. Barring injuries and substitutions, but that's a factor I cannot account for in my simple observation.
b) ca fifteen games will very often mean four or five series in a row, hence tracing patterns against same teams' pitchers and hitters. From time to time I will prolong the assessment period to get the final game of a given series in.
Now, how will we evaluate players? There are several Dodger blogs out there that use the regular stats such as ERA/BB-to-K/.OBA and .BA/.SLG/.OPS to do the biz. Some are so good at this (just check out the guys at www.truebluela.com are doing with their Nickels), that there's no point to double the effort.
Based on my game reports I will use my subjective judgment (open for questioning) and hand out the prizes as I deem deservable. Let's see if you agree with game 1-15 winners in each category (if you don't, make sure you let me know :)) :
Starting pitcher stud:
Brad Penny (2-0 in four starts) - did not have a single bad game. Just unlucky to get three Ws of out three.
Starting pitcher dud:
Brett Tomko (1-1 in three starts) - taken deep six times in 17.0 IP, immediately bringing back the recollections of "Bombko".
Relief pitcher stud:
Takeshi Saito - untochable in seven appearances, easing himself into the set-up role with full confidence.
Relief pitcher dud:
None. Nobody blew it repeatedly.
Hitter stud:
Bill Mueller - unbelievably versatile, getting on himself, driving in guys (highest OBP for regulars), second best in RBI. Several key game-changing hits.
Photo on the right: former Red Sox Bill Mueller has had his hands full offensively and defensively. He's been the best overall Dodger in games 1-16.
Hitter dud:
Dioner Navarro - too many GIDPs and weak force-outs with two outs with men on. Rafael Furcal was not very convincing either, but he's explained due to playing hurt (jammed finger).
Fielder stud:
James Loney / Bill Mueller - dependable beyond age (the former) and beyond inexperience (the latter).
Fielder dud:
There were some unforced errors (Jason Repko, Dannys Baez, Furcal) but none of the responsible fielders stood out in a particularly bad way.
Managerial staff blooper:
Designating Cody Ross for assignment while bringing up Oscar Robles, for basically one game, that Jeff Kent was out. At the same time, the Dodgers had a little-used nominal 2b-3b Ramon Martinez on the bench. This blooper can only be taken back (in a next round-up) if Ross somehow clear waivers.
Series won: @ PHI,
Series lost: vs ATL, vs SF, vs CHC
Series tied: @PIT
Overall record after 16 games: 7-9 (3 rd NL West, 2.5 GB [Colorado]) .
posted by Harry | 4:24 AM
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