Not Billingsley Fault Tonight- Dodgers Offense MIA
[picappgallerysingle id="9251545"]Chad Billingsley has been up and down (IMO) and you have no idea which one you’ll get on any given night. Tonight- he was outstanding. He had everything going, was locating, his fastball was sizzling, his breaking ball as good as it’s been all year- and the Dodgers STILL lost.
Another upsetting loss, as this team has seemingly packed it in. They have no energy, they look like they don’t care if they’re playing baseball in a pennant race, or at the salon getting a pedicure. Either way- It has to be upsetting to Dodgers’ fans who should be able to see a team have some sort of fire to play every day. What can you do? I don’t know- bench guys…yell at guys…but what does that solve? There is some talent on this team- but there’s a ton missing at the same time. Who do you trade? Who do you keep? We’ll continue to evaluate that as we go on into the winter.
Tonight’s game- tough. You take a 3-1 lead in the 9th with a supposed to be real good closer in Broxton. Well he’s been anything but good lately and maybe Joe is sending a message, by flipping him and Kuo. Well- that would be great except Kuo and Dotel gave up 3 runs to lose. You CANNOT walk people in the 9th inning. Period. It kills you more often than not and it’s just…BAH. It’s frustrating to watch. All you can do is hope some of these guys can be moved before 9/1- or in the off season and a new dynamic can be brought to Dodger baseball. As we see it now- I don’t think anything will be changing this year.
Zach Lee Signed!
Zach Lee accepted the Dodgers offer this year. The Right handed pitcher with full scholarship to LSU to play football and baseball has seemingly passed on LSU and took the Dodgers deal. This is HUGE for the system as Lee was a top 10 talent who fell to the Dodgers because no one thought he would sign. It was imperative to get this kid in the system, and they did. Really nice job by the department and Ned Colletti to get this done.
Oswalt Shuts the Dodger’s Door
[picappgallerysingle id="9458654"]Roy Oswalt was absolutely filthy tonight. He went 7 strong, not allowing a run, striking out 5 and allowing only 5 hits and 2 walks. Chad Billingsley wasn’t bad, but he wasn’t dominant, and he was a hard luck loser.
There wasn’t to cheer about tonight as there just wasn’t much going on offensively. Sometimes you just gotta tip your cap to the opposing pitcher.
With the Padres leading late, and the Giants beating the Cubs 2 minutes ago- the Dodgers will fall another game behind both teams in the standings. It’s just another tough one for the Dodgers to swallow, as they just looked a little lifeless tonight.
Scott Podsednik had 3 hits which led the way for the Dodgers, but they couldn’t find the big hit tonight to even the score.
Anyone think the Dodgers still in this thing? Or should they make some moves?
Dee Gordon Still Waiting for the Dodgers Phone Call
[picappgallerysingle id="9338955"]I was one disappointed Los Angeles Dodgers writer when I found out the Dodgers are not calling up super prospect Dee Gordon to replace the injured Rafael Furcal. Most say Gordan is a year or so away, and maybe I’m inpatient, but I think it was a good time to call him up and see what he can do. Gordon would bring an instant excitement to this team with his legs, and you know what- what do you have to lose? The kid would be playing under no pressure as i don’t think anyone on the planet expects the Dodgers to over take the Rockies, Giants, AND Padres to win the division.
Gordon came into the year as the Dodgers number 1 prospect, and even though he’s still a little green with the glove, he has the range to be a VERY good shortstop at the major league level. He stole 70 plus bags in A ball so you know he can run, and he’s got lightning quick hands to cover the inner half of the plate with surprising gap to gap power. He’ll have to work on his jumps as he’s been caught 17 times which actually hurts the team more than helps it- but learning how to be a base stealer is a skill- and you need more than flat foot speed.
When you look at his numbers- they aren’t going to blow you out of the water- but giving him a taste at the big league level surely won’t hurt his development. He’ll get to be around an experienced coaching staff, experienced veterans that could show the younger the way so if anything- it’ll help him improve as his character and work ethic are said to be real real strong. I believe this kid can hack it at this level…
Unfortunately, it looks like we’re still going to have to wait for Dee.
15-9 Win. Furcal to the DL Gives Dodgers Another Reason to Sell
[picappgallerysingle id="9405308"]The Dodgers smoked the Phillies 15-9 last night. That was the good news. The bad news is that Rafael Furcal will land on the DL with a “stiff/sore” back. The injury isn’t deemed serious, but still Furcal had to go on the DL.
Well- I mean what can you say? Sure it was nice to see the Doders swing the bats last night. We didn’t pitch all that well- but that’s gonna happen from time to time. Losing Furcal is going to hurt becasue now the Dodgers don’t have a true lead off guy. If anyone says Ryan Theriot- I might scream. Ryan Theriot is as far away from a GOOD lead off hitter as you get if you look at the stat that means the most in that spot. On base percentage. Ryan Theriot sports an OBP of under .330 and that’s…well…a joke. I’m a firm believer in waving the white flag when you need too because this is a team that has a bad farm system, and not taking complete advantage of restocking it is tough to watch. I want to win as much as the next guy- but sometimes you just have to say…it’s not my year.
I’m happy to see Andre Ethier go 4-4 last night. He’s one of the most under rated bats in all of baseball. How do you pitch to him? He can beat you going to every field- with power. Then to make matters worse for pitchers- he can solidly connect with pitchers’ pitches. Whew- He’s one guy I’m excited to see the Dodgers build the team around. Him and Matt Kemp are going to be fun to watch.
