Thursday, May 11, 2006
Dodgers and Nationals - The Inexcuseable and the Unstoppable
There is no joy in Los Angeles, because the left side of the infield went down the toilet. Bill Mueller made two errors, including screwing up on a rundown. The rundown play got so bad Derek Lowe even came over. Lowe was once again victim of awful defense, as after that play, Rafael Furcal threw away the ball, when he was supposed to throw to Nomar, and gave up 2 runs. Derek Lowe has an Earned Run Average of 2.98, but an Earned Run Average of 3.85. The Dodgers are playing terrible defense for everyone else too; in 35 games, they have given up 29 errors.
The 2004 Dodgers team, if you would remember, had the best defense in the National League, committing only 73 errors for a .988 team fielding percentage. It took more than good hitting from the likes of Beltre and Izturis (hit .290 that year). As it stands now, only the Brewers, Marlins, and Reds are fielding the ball worse than the Dodgers, who have a .979 team fielding percentage. Today's game demonstrated that all the dinners and pep talks that Colletti and Little wanted won't make up for playing ability. The Blue Team needs to take infield practice, as the number of errors is just unacceptable, especially behind Derek Lowe. If you can't play defense behind Lowe, he's useless. This is also why Cesar Izturis needs to see a lot of time at shortstop. Those two errors in that inning and Jeff Kent's booted ball in the opener are two games that the Dodgers lost to defense, and 2 losses Derek Lowe did not deserve.
Is fielding the only problem? Well, consider the following Dodger team batting averages
2004 ______ .262
2005 ______ .253
2006 (so far)_.264
And the team ERA's
2004 ______ 4.01
2005 ______ 4.38
2006 (so far)_ 4.20
Not that drastic a difference. But if you compare unearned runs
2004 ______ 37
2005 ______ 60
2006 (so far)_ 14
then it becomes apparent that after 35 games, the Dodgers are certainly not on course to have a good year. But just as the Rockies are not likely to keep up their season, the Dodgers have a few good things going for them later in the season:
1) Eric Gagne is feeling better. There is no update as to whether or not he is back at 97mph, but he is pain-free and scheduled for a rehab apperance on May 25. His return means that the 9th inning is safe, and that Baez has the 8th. Broxton, Beimel, and Saito are making a good case to keep their job, and it is a duel between Hamulack and Osoria to see who will stay with the big club. The Dodgers would be smart to give Odalis Perez an inning to prove he has fixed his mechanics tomorrow, and then if he looks good let him start. Jae Seo would be a much more likely candidate to become a long reliever, with Sele earning a spot in the rotation if he can repeat himself in San Francisco.
2) Cesar Izturis is scheduled to begin rehabbing on the same day, starting at class A to DH, then going to AAA to try 2nd base, and then test his arm out at 2nd base. His major league callup is scheduled to coincide with the "boo Beltre" series against the Mariners. The Dodgers would be smart to start experimenting with Furcal in left field, especially with only 4 outfielders.
3) The Dodgers from AAA that have come up have not disappointed. Aybar may see a start Friday in place of Bill Mueller. Ethier has thus far played reasonably well. Russell Martin has been outstanding. Chad Billingsley still has yet to see time with the big club, and everyone wants to see him come up.
4) The Dodgers own Brad Lidge. Every time they have faced him, he has faltered. It's not game over until we say so.
#######################
Nationals
The Nats managed a nice 9th inning comeback to keep the game going, but their pitching gave out in the 11th. Starter Zach Day did well, although he intentionally walked David Ross to get to Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo struck out every time he batted, and struck out 8 Nationals. Frank Robinson was too impatient with Rauch, and pulled him after allowing a single run, only to be replaced by two of the weaker relievers on the team. Felix Rodriguez got nobody out, nor did Joey Eischen, who had a 9.58 ERA before facing Ken Griffey Jr. Memo to Frank: don't bring in a left-handed specialist against Griffey. He's GRIFFEY! Had Robinson been more patient with Rauch, the Nationals could have still won the game, but Robinson clearly has no patience left, which will probably lead to his retirement.
The 2004 Dodgers team, if you would remember, had the best defense in the National League, committing only 73 errors for a .988 team fielding percentage. It took more than good hitting from the likes of Beltre and Izturis (hit .290 that year). As it stands now, only the Brewers, Marlins, and Reds are fielding the ball worse than the Dodgers, who have a .979 team fielding percentage. Today's game demonstrated that all the dinners and pep talks that Colletti and Little wanted won't make up for playing ability. The Blue Team needs to take infield practice, as the number of errors is just unacceptable, especially behind Derek Lowe. If you can't play defense behind Lowe, he's useless. This is also why Cesar Izturis needs to see a lot of time at shortstop. Those two errors in that inning and Jeff Kent's booted ball in the opener are two games that the Dodgers lost to defense, and 2 losses Derek Lowe did not deserve.
Is fielding the only problem? Well, consider the following Dodger team batting averages
2004 ______ .262
2005 ______ .253
2006 (so far)_.264
And the team ERA's
2004 ______ 4.01
2005 ______ 4.38
2006 (so far)_ 4.20
Not that drastic a difference. But if you compare unearned runs
2004 ______ 37
2005 ______ 60
2006 (so far)_ 14
then it becomes apparent that after 35 games, the Dodgers are certainly not on course to have a good year. But just as the Rockies are not likely to keep up their season, the Dodgers have a few good things going for them later in the season:
1) Eric Gagne is feeling better. There is no update as to whether or not he is back at 97mph, but he is pain-free and scheduled for a rehab apperance on May 25. His return means that the 9th inning is safe, and that Baez has the 8th. Broxton, Beimel, and Saito are making a good case to keep their job, and it is a duel between Hamulack and Osoria to see who will stay with the big club. The Dodgers would be smart to give Odalis Perez an inning to prove he has fixed his mechanics tomorrow, and then if he looks good let him start. Jae Seo would be a much more likely candidate to become a long reliever, with Sele earning a spot in the rotation if he can repeat himself in San Francisco.
2) Cesar Izturis is scheduled to begin rehabbing on the same day, starting at class A to DH, then going to AAA to try 2nd base, and then test his arm out at 2nd base. His major league callup is scheduled to coincide with the "boo Beltre" series against the Mariners. The Dodgers would be smart to start experimenting with Furcal in left field, especially with only 4 outfielders.
3) The Dodgers from AAA that have come up have not disappointed. Aybar may see a start Friday in place of Bill Mueller. Ethier has thus far played reasonably well. Russell Martin has been outstanding. Chad Billingsley still has yet to see time with the big club, and everyone wants to see him come up.
4) The Dodgers own Brad Lidge. Every time they have faced him, he has faltered. It's not game over until we say so.
#######################
Nationals
The Nats managed a nice 9th inning comeback to keep the game going, but their pitching gave out in the 11th. Starter Zach Day did well, although he intentionally walked David Ross to get to Bronson Arroyo. Arroyo struck out every time he batted, and struck out 8 Nationals. Frank Robinson was too impatient with Rauch, and pulled him after allowing a single run, only to be replaced by two of the weaker relievers on the team. Felix Rodriguez got nobody out, nor did Joey Eischen, who had a 9.58 ERA before facing Ken Griffey Jr. Memo to Frank: don't bring in a left-handed specialist against Griffey. He's GRIFFEY! Had Robinson been more patient with Rauch, the Nationals could have still won the game, but Robinson clearly has no patience left, which will probably lead to his retirement.
# posted by StolenMonkey86 @ 11:54 PM 
