When will it be Time?

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

The Dodgers bounced back from getting swept in San Francisco and took 2 out of 3 in San Diego. The only down side to this weekend, Yasiel Puig going on the DL with a hamstring issue and Brandon McCarthy exiting Saturday's game with "tightness in his right elbow." McCarthy is scheduled to have an MRI today in Los Angeles. As for Puig, Don Mattingley has decided to take it easy on him, with Abdre Ethier playing well they will not rush Puig and allow for Andre's trade value to go up. But the big story emerging is the emergence of yet another Cuban rookie, Alex Guerrero has been scorching hot! He is second in the team in HR and RBIs, with only handful of at bats in a pinch hitting role and back up to Juan Uribe. Uribe started the season cold and has now warmed up a bit, been still not producing anywhere close to Guerrero's numbers. So when will Donnie pencil Guerrero on regularly on the starting lineup ? The defense that Uribe gives the team and his decent batting stats have kept him in the starting role. Unless he struggles considerably, look for Guerrero to come off the bench. I doubt Guerrero gets traded, Uribe has but a year left. So it seems like Guerrero is the third baseman of the future. With Puig out, look for Guerrero to start in Left Field vs Left handed  pitchers and of course, a couple games at third to give Uribe's off days. 

Giants Sweep the Dodgers

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

 Abandon ship! Dodgers just got swept in SF!! This past series vs the hated rivals was hard to swallow. Offense looked enimic and the bullpen was terrible! Tuesday night's game was filled with errors and miss cues, along with Lincecum shutting down the Dodgers in a 6-1 victory. Wednesday was a pitching dual, Kershaw vs Bumgarner. They both have up 2 runs but the Dodgers bullpen gave up the winning walk off run in the bottom of the 9th. Yesterday, Thursday, the Dodgers called up Bolsinger from AAA. He was great, giving up 1 run in 5 and 2/3 innings. Hatcher came in and got the last out of the top of the 6th. Yimi had a scoreless 7th. But the 8th and 9th were shaky. JP got 2 outs before giving up a hit and Donnie went to Peralta. Peralta walked the bases loaded before giving up a screemer that was snagged by a diving Kendrick, and saving the game for at least 1 more inning. In the 9th Baez came in to close, but gave up a quick single then a Triple to Crawford tying up the game. Dodgers failed to score in the top of the 10th and Juan Nicasio was called upon to get a shut down inning, but failed. As the Giants walked off for a second straight game. 

Yes the bullpen stats may be decent, good, but apart from Yimi Garcia they are shaky. Peralta and Howell can't seem to find the strike zone. Hatcher has been hit around, sporting an ERA over 12.00. Nicasio is the long man and failed to go more than 1 inning in the series. Baez blew a save and Donnie seems not to trust Paco. The season is young and I'm not worried about the team, just the bullpen.

Dodgers Sit Atop of the NL West

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

It's been a while since my last post, so let's recap;

Dodgers went into Arizona and dropped 2/3 vs the DBacks. They managed to savage the Sunday game, and haven't lost since. 

They swept the Mariners, at home. 2 of those games, Monday and Tuesday, were walk-off wins. Puig hurt his hamstring during the Monday game and sat out Tuesday's and Thursday's games.

Coming into the weekend home stand vs the Rockies everyone thought Puig would be fine, but that hamstring is lingering. 

The Dodgers swept the Rockies behind starts by Kershaw, Greinke, and McCarthy. Despite Puig only starting Saturday's game. Andre Ethier has started 4 out of the 6 games this week. This could serve as rest for Puig and potentially raising Ethier's trade value.

Along with Ethier performing well in Puig's absence, Howie Kendrick has raised some eyebrows. Yes, we all know that he is a true professional, but the Dodgers seemed to be very impressed by his character and play. So impressed that they have started contract extension talks with Howie's agent. Coming into the season I knew Rollins was only a rental, get a year out of him before calling up Corey Seager to be the starting Short Stop next year. But I found it weird that the Dodgers would trade a top pitching prospect, acquired from the Marlins via Dee Gordon trade, for 1 year of Kendrick. Specially since there isn't a clear cut 2nd basemen of the future. Alex Guerrero or newly acquired Olivera seem to be the best bets to start next season at 3B, and Darnell Sweeneu has been playing all over the place in the minors. So it makes sense for the Dodgers to try and lock up Kendrick for a few more years. 

Dodgers Drop the First of Three in Arizona

Before I get to the game I would just like to mention that today I went to a book signing, for Tommy Lasorda's book "My Way," and Tommy is probably one of the nicest, kind hearted person I have met. Like any Dodger fan would, I tried to get a ball signed by him as I he and the author of the book, Colin Gunderson, were signing my copy of the book. Tommy was about to grab the ball when Mr. Gunderson, in a very annoyed manor, exclaimed it was books only. Tommy then turned to me and told me if I waited for all the books to be signed he would then sign my ball. So I stuck around and even after all the books were signed Mr. Guderson still insisted on no memorabilia to be signed. Tommy turned to him, whispered something in his ear, and then proceeded to sign for fans. I turned to be polite and say thank you to Mr. Gunderson and he just shook his head in disgust. Needles to say I am very grateful to Tommy for the autographs, but I will not be reading the book and will soon go on eBay. 

Now to the game. Brett Anderson looked good. Apart from the 1 mistake he made to Goldschmidt, giving up a 3 run HR, he was solid. Puig is struggling, he will be benched for Ethier tonight. Gonzalez was pitched to cautiously, he only picked up a single and a couple walks. Grandal picked up his first hit, a solo HR in this game. The bullpen, apart from JP Howell who is still struggling, did well. Dodgers lost 4-3 in the 10th.

Historic Night

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

Last nights rubber match vs the Padres started off with a ceremony, presenting Zack Greinke and Adrian Gonzalez with their 2014 Gold Glove Awards.Gonzalez was also honored with the 2014 Silver Slugger, and last night he showed it was well deserved. El Titan clobbered 3 HR in his first three at bats and finished up the night with a single. He went 4-4 with 4 RBIs. He is the only player in MLB history to hit 5 HRs in the first 3 games to start off a season. The Dodgers went on to win this rubber match, winning the Opening Series 2-1 vs the new look Padres and Matt Kemp. Picking up the Win was Brandon McCarthy, who gave up 4 runs in 5 innings of work, and the Save was picked up by Joel Peralta. 

Disappointing Loss

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

It was bound to happen in a 162 games Season, but last night's loss to the Padres was rough. The bullpen looked great on Opening Day Monday afternoon, but last night they just couldn't find the strike zone. Not to mention the hero during the season opener,Jimmy Rollins, having a rough night. Forget about the errors he committed, forget getting thrown out at third trying stretch a double into a triple when the play wasin front of him, but that missed pop up with 2 outs and runners on second and third, while the Dodgers were up 2-1 in the top of the 8th, that allowed 2 runs to score was devastating. Yes, Gonzales tied back up at 3 a piece in the bottom of the 8th with a solo home run, but being up 2-1 going into the bottom of the 8th would have been a bit better. Chris Hatcher who picked up the save on Monday, picked up the loss last night, after giving up a hit and ultimately the winning run to Will Myers, first hit of the season. And to put the cherry on top, leading 7-3, newly acquired Padre Craig Kimbrel came in to close it out, though not a "save" situation, he did strike out the side in the bottom of the 9th to end the game. 

New Look Dodgers Start the 2015 Season 1-0

Photo Credit: Jon Soohoo

The Dodgers defeated the Padres in today's Opening Game at Chavez Ravine by a score of 6-3. The biggest hit was delivered in the bottom of the 8th by a long time Phily, Jimmy Rollins. Stepping in with 1 out, score tied at 3, and runners on 1st and 2nd he battled until he got a fast ball, low and inside, and just turned on it, clearing the right field fence and putting his new team up 6-3! 

Rollins went 2-4 with a walk, all 3 of his RBIs coming on that HR, and also stole a base. The other new comer Howie Kendrick showed his quick hands and turned a couple double plays beautifully, also added 2 hits, an RBI, and a run scored. The rookie, Joc Pederson, started off his day on a rough note, striking out his first at bat and stranding a runner on third with 1 out his second at bat. But later doubled in his second at bat, in his third at bat walked and was on second to watch Rollin's big fly.Veteran  Joel Peralta came in in relief, pitched a scoreless top of the 8th and ultimately picked up the Win, thanks to Chris Hatcher picking up the Save and closing out the game. 

On a side note, long time Dodger Matt Kemp picked up all of the Padres' RBIs, going 2-4 with a pair of singles.