Their teams stats are unreal. They had a lineup where no batter was under .300. A couple of starters are carrying under 2.00 ERA. They have the widest margin I have seen across the board for stats vs. opponents. This is the 4th or 5th big comeback already, without Gagne. The pen has been outstanding. Defense, less than 1 E a game. In fact I think never more than 1 in last 11. Penny should be ready soon. Gagne also. Depth everywhere, including starters. Team chemistry much better with leaders Kent and Valentin. Even volatile Bradley is staying focused. To take a playoff team, divison winner, shore up their strengths, defense and pitching, and overhaul the hitting, to make it also a strength, vs. last year's achilles, and put it all together, is the kind of thing that wins championships. Probably best defensive outfield as well. The most important thing, the team believes. The media just discounted them as a cellar dweller, somewhere with Zona and Rockies. I thank the media for the fat odds. Yes, IMO they are quite for real. Also have two series with Rockies coming up. Could be record padding time.
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
Go Dodger Blue!!!
arty:
Best Wishes...OF:howdy:
Go Dodger Blue!!!
arty:They didn't lose much pop. Kent is an upgrade. ONce JD DRew starts hitting watch out...he hasn't done anything yet. Valentine will provide pop and strikeouts. I don't see why anyone would be suprised by this team. They are a solid club. And they don't have Gagne yet. Giants didn't do anything in offseason except get a year older and lose Barry. Padres will be up there at the end of the year. I said it on here a couple months ago. Padres and Dodgers will be fighting for first, not the giants.
Nice rotation should keep them in NL West race all season plus addition of Jeff Kent (who always seems to be in pennant races) should offset the loss of Adrian Beltre and Shawn Green. Manager Jim Tracy is a strong plus and the healthy return to form of super closer Eric Gagne a must for the Dodgers to repeat winning more than 90 games again this year (93 in 04). Excellent chance to win West and fold quick in playoffs again.
wil.
wil.
I watched the game on MLB.TV which as was remarked last week is surprisingly good. Dodger's deserved the win and I don't say that solely because they are my pick of the week.
Milwaukee was lucky to get 6 in the third. Carlyle came in to replace Dessens, who had a sore shoulder, in the third. He gave up a 3 run homer then with 2 outs a fielding error turned what should have been a single RBI into 3 runs. OF is right, the team believes and chipped away tying in the 9th and taking it in the 10th.
Milwaukee was lucky to get 6 in the third. Carlyle came in to replace Dessens, who had a sore shoulder, in the third. He gave up a 3 run homer then with 2 outs a fielding error turned what should have been a single RBI into 3 runs. OF is right, the team believes and chipped away tying in the 9th and taking it in the 10th.
I'm not surprised. Offense is certainly better. Lots of depth and flexibility with the lineup. Kent can play first if needed. If Valentine slumps, which I believe he will, Nakamura can play. Personally, I think he could/should be the starter. Solid bench. Bullpen has been doing the job so far without Gagne who i'm afraid will be out at least another month and is the part of the team that worries me the most. Fortunately the Dodgers have the luxury now of a much improved farm system and can make a major trade if need be. As mentioned, defense has been great. Baseball Prospectus has their defense ranked third right now. Penny looked great in his last start in Vegas. Yeah baby, GO BIG BLUE!
