DODGERS - 6/21/02
2nd place in the NL West
43-28, 1 game back of the D’Backs

PITCHING PROBABLES
6/21	Nomo	vs	Bos	Burkett
6/22	Daal	vs	Bos	Lowe
6/23	Ashby	vs	Bos	Arrojo
6/24	Ishii	vs	Col	Jennings
6/25	Perez	vs	Col	Hampton
6/26	Nomo	vs	Col	Thomson
6/27	Daal	vs	Col	Chacon

LATEST TEAM INFO:
The Dodgers continue to simply win. They have won their last seven series after taking the rubber game against Toronto last night behind another strong performance by Odalis Perez. If you haven’t taken notice of this kid, you better because he should be an All-Star this year (and he’s pitching better than Kaz Ishii). His 2.52 ERA and 0.91 WHIP ranks third in the majors behind only Tom Glavine and Derek Lowe. He carries an 8-3 record with 73 strikeouts over 107 IP, including two complete games and one shutout (in Coors!!!). Since this is his second season in the majors, many fantasy players will just believe that this is a fluke but a closer look behind his numbers tells otherwise. First of all, you don’t have to worry about high pitch counts with this kid because he doesn’t walk many, only 14 on the season. He’s only topped 100 pitches 3 times this year. He’s only allowed more than 3 runs in 2 of his 15 starts (he allowed 5 to Arizona (#1 in NL in runs scored) and 4 in his second Coors start). He’s pitched at least 6 innings in 13 of 15 starts. This kid is a crafty lefthander that has great control and does a great job changing speeds. If you’re in a keeper league, I strongly recommend trying to pick this kid up.

LOCAL PERSPECTIVE:
The Lakers spanked New Jersey in the NBA Finals and luckily there was very controlled mayhem throughout LA; I’m glad the finals are done with. Now I’m waiting for my fellow Chinaman, Yao Ming, to be drafted number one.
Shawn Green is still smoking hot. There’s no one in the league hotter than Green over the last month. Green added his name to another record as he hit homers in four consecutive at bats against the Angels in the Freeway series. Since May 19th, Green is batting .379 with a 1.209 OPS. In a 28 game span, Green has hit 18 homers with 35 RBI and 37 runs scored. I think it is safe to say that Green isn’t missing Sheffield dearly, in fact they are playing better as a team this year as they nip at the heals of the first place D’Backs. So far the Dodgers haven’t been able to get over the hump to get a piece of first, but I feel that the Dodgers will overtake first very shortly.

DOGHOUSE:
Adrian Beltre has been struggling terribly at the plate and in the field for most of the year. Mired in a 2 for 28 slump, Jim Tracey gave Beltre his first day off on Wednesday. He committed his league leading 12th error at third base last night and right now he appears to really be struggling mentally. I’d bench Beltre until his bat starts to wake up, which I fully expect it to.

After a strong start, Giovanni Carrara has been getting torched especially by lefties. Through May 21st, Carrara has a solid 2.17 ERA. In the next ten games he had a 14.09 ERA. Not a pretty picture.

Mark Grudzielanek got a day off on Thursday. He’s been barely serviceable as a fantasy option. He’s batting .236 with 4 homers and 24 RBI – his OPS of .617 is awful. In June, he has about as many hits as the new Mariah Carey - he’s batting a miserable .183 with a .197 OBP. Don’t let him anywhere near your fantasy squad, I beg of you.

WHO'S HOT (last 7 days)
Odalis Perez: 2-0, 1.88 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 9Ks in 14.1 IP
Eric Gagne: 3 saves, 6Ks in 3.2 IP
Shawn Green: .450 avg, 5 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 1.350 SLG
Eric Karros: .434 avg, 2 HR, 3 RBI

WHO'S NOT (last 7 days)
Adrian Beltre: 2-16 (.125)
Dave Roberts: 2-18 (.111), 2 R
Mark Grudzielanek: 1-18 (.055), 6 Ks
Brian Jordan: 4-21 (.190), 1 HR, 7 Ks

RUMOR MILL:
GM Dan Evans says that the Dodgers are not interesting in trading Beltre in any package for Phils 3B Scott Rolen.

INJURIES:
Kevin Brown (P) – Status: DL, no return date
Brown had surgery on his herniated disk (from wrestling with his son) but his doctor was “guarded” about his chances of pitching again this season. On a positive note, this should allow his elbow to rest and recover. He will begin rehabbing his back in the next week or two. It’s looking like a lost season for Brown, but if anyone will come back from this early, it will be him.

Omar Daal (P) – Status: ready to pitch (kind of)
After replacing Brown in the rotation, Daal was promptly torched in three starts for a Chan Ho like 11.57 ERA. Daal then told the Dodgers that his arm had been bothering him. Diagnosed with elbow tendonitis, his last start was skipped. Don’t be fooled by his hot start, Daal has a career 4.48 ERA and 1.41 WHIP. I don’t think he’s a good option period.

Darren Dreifort (P) – Status: throwing the ball
Dreifort threw 60 pitches in the bullpen on June 18th. He may face live batters within the week. While there is no timetable for his return, with Brown injured and Daal perhaps injured and just plain mediocre, Dreifort could provide needed depth for the staff in the second half. If he’ll be a starter or reliever has yet to be decided.

Mark Grudzielandek (2B) – Status: Playing, but poorly
Mark says that his stiff back has improved and he had bumps drained on his left hand again last week. He expects to have the bumps drained once a month until the season ends, and then team officials can explore the cause of the fluid accumulation. You think they might want to know that now… but he’s a gamer, that doesn’t mean you should play him.

ON THE FARM:
Chin-Feng Chen (1B) is having a decent AAA campaign. He’s batting .265 with 12 HR and 44 RBI. However his 81 Ks in 72 games is not a good sign. His plate discipline has eroded as he moved up in the minor league ranks. With Karros actually playing decent ball, Chen will remain in the minors.

QUICK VIEW:
Bench:
Adrian Beltre

Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent
If you have any questions or comments, please email me at Dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com

Check out my article on Adrian Beltre in this weeks spotlight player under the third baseman rankings.