Will Manny’s Return Make a Difference?
Manny Ramirez has spent a good chunk of this season on the DL with a variety of leg injuries (or “injuries” if that’s what you believe). He’s been sidelined for several weeks with what’s being terms as a strained calf muscle that seemingly won’t heal. He had an MRI, or might have had an MRI in an open machine as he’s a little claustrophobic, so I mean- who really knows. I guess Boston had a legit beef about this guy huh Ned? The Fact remains, the Los Angeles Dodgers are 7 games out of first place, and a real tough series coming up against the surging Phillies. Will a healthy Manny propel this team?
I actually do believe a healthy Manny could really jumpstart this offense. No matter what anyone says, the guy can still hit. He might be a huge headache, and his outfield play is always comical, but his bat in the lineup will automatically make the Dodgers offense better. However, I don’t know if your gonna see this guy healthy this year, and since the Dodgers won’t trade him- you have to play him and hope for the best.
If the Dodgers could consistently get people on base in front of the big boys, (Manny, Ethier, Kemp) that’s going to allow these guys to drive them in. Manny is an RBI machine. He’s always been one. If you could somehow motivate this guy to play- he could definitely carry the offense for 2 weeks, and hopefully cut into the lead by September 1st. I’m still believing that it would be best to try and trade some of the teams assets- but since I’m not in charge- all I can do is state my case, and see if the Dodgers start playing some good baseball.
Ted Lilly Makes His Debut: A Must Win Game
It’s hard to put a “must win” in front of a game in early August. Unfortunately, this is as big as it gets. You’re playing the division leader, and after losing game 1 at home- you HAVE to come back in game 2 and get it done. Another loss is another missed opportunity from getting back into it. Ted Lilly makes his Los Angeles Dodgers debut tonight and hopefully he’ll continue to pitch at a high level. After coming over from the Chicago Cubs, Lilly is going to be counted on to be that grizzly veteran and help right the sinking ship. That’s a lot to ask of anyone, but luckily Lilly has the heart of a lion and can go out and get it done.
The offense is going to need to pick it up. They’re not scoring enough runs to do any damage and the rotation isn’t going to go out and shut everyone down. Andre Ethier returns tonight after his wife gave birth, and Manny might not be far behind if he’s not traded. Rafael Furcal has been a blessing this season and has played like he’s 5 years younger. It’s nice to see him healthy. Outside of that, the offense has been kind of blah. Russell Martin needs to start hitting. Matt Kemp needs to continue to hit. James Loney needs to find more gaps and do more damange with runners on base, but most importantly? This team needs to get back to playing mistake free baseball. Too many mental errors are leading to runs given up, and preventing runs from scoring. The fundamentals are key, and if you fail to execute against a fundamental team like the Padres- things aren’t going to go well.
So here’s to Lilly’s debut- hopefully it’s a good one.
Dodgers Drop Series, Shutout by Cubs
The Dodgers struggled to get any offense without Andre Ethier and Manny in the line-up, and the Blue Crew got shut-out for the second time in the series against the Chicago Cubs, 1-0.
John Ely (3-2), who grew up in suburban Homewood, Ill., held the Cubs to only four hits in 7 1-3 innings in his return home, but a late-inning mishap by right-fielder Xavier Paul, filling in for an injured Ethier, may have cost L.A. the game, as the Cubs won 8 of the last 11.
The score was 0-0 in the bottom of the eighth when Cubs utility player Mike Fontenot (filling in for Jeff Baker, who left with an apparent vision problem) led off the inning with a triple down the right-field line, which was misplayed by Paul. Fontenot scored two batters later on a one-out, RBI-double down the line by Tyler Colvin, who went to third when Paul again had trouble picking up the ball.
It’s always an adventure in the Wrigley outfield.
Both players entered the line-up in the eighth as part of a double switch in which reliever Sean Marshall replaced the starter Ted Lilly, both of which combined with closer Carlos Marmol to hold the Dodgers scoreless.
The streaking Casey Blake led the Dodger offense with two more hits, going 15 for his last 34 plate apperances, but despite out-hitting the Cubs, Los Angeles couldn’t come through when it counted, leaving 15 men on-base.
With the Dodgers down 1-0, Manny came in to pinch-hit with a runner on and one-out in the ninth, but struck out on a Marmol slider out of the zone. Not even veteran Garrett Anderson could come through, striking out to end the game and wasting Ely’s finest outing in his young Dodger career.
A White Sox fan growing up, Ely was drafted by the Southsiders and spent three years in their system before he was dealt to the Dodgers as part of the Juan Pierre trade in December. He got called up on April 28 has been an integral part of the Dodger rotation ever since.
The good news for the Dodgers offense is the probable return of Andre Ethier. According to Yahoo Sports, Ethier, who’s been out with a broken right pinky finger, could return from the 15-day disabled list as early as Monday. Manager Joe Torre said he’s scheduled to play for Triple-A Albuquerque this weekend and take Sunday off.
The Blue Crew will travel to Colorado for a weekend series with the surging Rockies, who’ve won their last five-straight. One thing’s for sure, if the Dodgers hit like they did against the Cubs, they won’t stand a chance on the road against Ubaldo Jimenez and the rest of the Rockies’ pitching staff. Time to bring the bats, boys.
Streaking Dodgers Fine in Nine Straight
Even without Triple Crown leader Andre Ethier in the line-up on his own Bobblehead Night, the Dodgers cruised to their ninth-consecutive victory over the slumping Houston Astros last night, 7-3.
They did it all behind a rejuvenated offense and the arm of Hiroki Kuroda (5-1), who won his fifth game in his last six decisions. Kuroda completed six innings allowing three runs and seven hits and striking out two. The Dodger bullpen (Belisario, Kuo and Troncoso) pitched another shutout, giving up only one hit in three innings.
Dodger pitching is a big reason why they’ve won nine-in-a-row; the Dodgers’ staff hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a game during the streak, an ERA of 1.89, and the bullpen hasn’t allowed an earned run in the last six contests.
Meanwhile, the Dodger offense have averaged 5.6 runs during this streak, even with their leading slugger missing the last four games.
Casey Blake led the attack last night with three hits, including two RBI and his fourth homer of the season. Manny Ramirez and James Loney each batted in two runs as well and Jamey Carroll added a sacrifice fly in the fourth, which was more than enough to beat the lowly Houston Astros (who, besides Carlos Lee, have the league’s worst offense).
The Dodgers are streaking in all the right places in the month of May. Russell Martin added a single in the fifth to extend his hitting streak to 13 games, one more than his previous best in 2007.
The offense could have taken a severe hit, though, as they found out they may be without Silver Slugger Andre Ethier for as long as six weeks. Ethier, who leads the league with a .392 average and 38 RBIs, went on the DL for the first time in his five-year career just hours before the sellout crowd received his bobblehead.
The right-fielder was placed on the 15-day after sustaining a fractured bone in his right pinkie Saturday while taking swings in the indoor batting cage at San Diego’s Petco Park.
Even with the recent string of injuries, the Dodgers have managed to win 11 of their last 12. The Blue Crew currently stands one game back in the division, and they have a chance to pull into a first-place tie in the NL West with the visiting San Diego Padres coming to Chavez Ravine tonight.
Ethier Expected to Move to 15-day DL
In a story from MLB.com, the Dodgers are expected to place Andre Ethier on the 15-day disabled list today, three days after he fractured a bone in his right pinkie during batting practice Sunday.
Unfortunately for Dodger fans, the move is expected to be made tonight, which is Andre Ethier Bobblehead Night at Dodger Stadium.
Ethier sustained the injury while taking swings in the indoor batting cage when he pinched his right pinkie against his bat. He took a few more swings during batting practice before telling hitting coach Don Mattingly about the problem.
There’s still no confirmation from the team, but according to an interview on KABC radio, the club’s flagship station, general manager Ned Colletti indicated the move was likely to happen.
Ethier’s finger was placed in a splint Sunday with the hope he would still be able play through it, but indications are that the Dodger staff will allow the injury to heal rather than risk further injury. Ethier had complained that the finger affected both his ability to hit and throw.
Before the injury, the Dodger slugger was leading the NL in all three Triple Crown categories, batting .392 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs. According to MLB.com, he also led the majors with a May average of .490, a slugging percentage of.980 slugging and 19 RBIs.
