Games 64-65: Dodgers @ San Diego Padres 1:9, 3:5
Hmm, how to put it right? The Dodgers have too many mediocre not-young pitchers and too many good young fielders ;). The first group of "stars" recently includes struggling Brett Tomko (starring in "Brett and butter"), Odalis Perez ("From here to bullpenity"), Jae Seo ("The fogged binoculars") and Hong-Chi Kuo ("Left behind"). The second group will be taken care of in No 1.
Our problem, or seo (sic!) it seems, is that the former group outperforms (in negative sense) whatever the latter can do with the bat and in the field. I don't think this situation can be alleviated without a trade for a fifth starter. Can we work something out with the Pirates, or will Jim Tracy stand in a way? ;)
(1) How would you rate our young-guns at the moment in best-to-worst order? Alphabetically here's the list: Aybar, Broxton, Ethier, Kemp, Kuo and Martin? I'm leaving out recuperating Navarro (too few games played), DLed Repko, Billingsley (pitching later today) and Guzman (optioned to LV). My order of merit would be: Martin, Kemp, Broxton, Ethier, Aybar, Kuo. Yours?
(2) I'm inclined to start taking votes "for" and "against" the Dodgers eating the contract of Odalis Perez, in similar fashion as 'D-backs did with historically much better Russ Ortiz. Since Perez is not tradeable (not even for the Orioles' Javy Lopez!) and out of minor league options, it's an either-or decision. Either we marginalize him to blowout games and keep one roster spot virtually ineffective for as long as Odalis needs to find his groove, or...
(3) I agree that Aaron Sele's been robbed of a good outing by the unearned runs suffered by Rafael Furcal's errors. I vaguely remember Grady Little saying something about Cesar Izturis being a perfect defensive replacement for the SS/2B positions in the final innings of games, after Izturis is back with the big club on next Tuesday. While Sele was not excellent (5 walks, only 4 IP), his pitching did keep us in the first game against the Padres, which would have been much closer had it not been for Furcal's defense.
(4) What do the Dodgers need to avoid to keep Matt Kemp from hitting the wall offensively? I know he's been hitting out of his mind since his call-up, but then again I would not expect a rookie like him to avoid the every-day wear and tear. What do you do to him out of falling into slump? Rest him some, give him occassional PH appearances (like last night - to good result)? What else?
(5) I will watch Chad Billingsley closely later today as he makes his season debut with the Dodgers. In order to keep our collective heads above the water, we need to take the finale from the Friars in a convincing fashion. Keep your fingers crossed (even at work, Kristen)!
Our problem, or seo (sic!) it seems, is that the former group outperforms (in negative sense) whatever the latter can do with the bat and in the field. I don't think this situation can be alleviated without a trade for a fifth starter. Can we work something out with the Pirates, or will Jim Tracy stand in a way? ;)
(1) How would you rate our young-guns at the moment in best-to-worst order? Alphabetically here's the list: Aybar, Broxton, Ethier, Kemp, Kuo and Martin? I'm leaving out recuperating Navarro (too few games played), DLed Repko, Billingsley (pitching later today) and Guzman (optioned to LV). My order of merit would be: Martin, Kemp, Broxton, Ethier, Aybar, Kuo. Yours?
(2) I'm inclined to start taking votes "for" and "against" the Dodgers eating the contract of Odalis Perez, in similar fashion as 'D-backs did with historically much better Russ Ortiz. Since Perez is not tradeable (not even for the Orioles' Javy Lopez!) and out of minor league options, it's an either-or decision. Either we marginalize him to blowout games and keep one roster spot virtually ineffective for as long as Odalis needs to find his groove, or...
(3) I agree that Aaron Sele's been robbed of a good outing by the unearned runs suffered by Rafael Furcal's errors. I vaguely remember Grady Little saying something about Cesar Izturis being a perfect defensive replacement for the SS/2B positions in the final innings of games, after Izturis is back with the big club on next Tuesday. While Sele was not excellent (5 walks, only 4 IP), his pitching did keep us in the first game against the Padres, which would have been much closer had it not been for Furcal's defense.
(4) What do the Dodgers need to avoid to keep Matt Kemp from hitting the wall offensively? I know he's been hitting out of his mind since his call-up, but then again I would not expect a rookie like him to avoid the every-day wear and tear. What do you do to him out of falling into slump? Rest him some, give him occassional PH appearances (like last night - to good result)? What else?
(5) I will watch Chad Billingsley closely later today as he makes his season debut with the Dodgers. In order to keep our collective heads above the water, we need to take the finale from the Friars in a convincing fashion. Keep your fingers crossed (even at work, Kristen)!
posted by Harry | 9:04 AM
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