Dodgers Correspondent Report: DODGERS - 8/16/02

DODGERS - 8/16/02

August 16, 2002

2nd place in the NL West
68-53, 8 games behind the D�Backs
1st place in NL Wild Card
1 game lead over SF, 4.5 game lead over Houston

PITCHING PROBABLES
8/16	Nomo	at	NYM	Bacsik
8/17	Perez	at	NYM	Astacio
8/18	Ashby	at	NYM	Trachsel
8/19	off day
8/20	Ishii	vs	Fla	Penny
8/21	Daal	vs	Fla	Tejera
8/22	Nomo	vs	Fla	Beckett

LAST WEEK'S RESULTS
8/9: 7-6 win over Phillies
8/10: 10-8 win over Phillies
8/11: 6-3 loss to Phillies
8/13: 4-3 loss to Expos
8/14: 5-2 win over Expos
8/15: 1-0 win over Expos

A solid 4-2 week for the Dodgers; however they gave up 2 more games in the standings to the D'Backs, who have won 6 straight games. The Dodger bullpen continued to struggle. The latest victim was closer Eric Gagne, who allowed a 2-run homer to Montreal's Troy O'Leary. Gagne, who took his first loss on the season, did follow up with saves over the next two nights. Paul Shuey went 1-1 for the week with a blown save. He was torched by the Phillies on two occassions. On the 9th, Shuey gave up a grand slam to Pat Burrell turning a 4-2 lead into a 6-4 deficit. On the 11th, Shuey was rocked for 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks in only two thirds of an inning. Shuey has really struggled since being acquired from the Indians; in 7.2 innings, Shuey has allowed 12 hits, 12 walks and 8 runs.

IS IT A BIRD? IS IT A PLANE?
NO IT'S MARK GRUDZIELANEK!!!!
6 games: .347 (8-23), 3 homers, 6 RBI, 1.129 OPS
Though he didn't fly, Mark Grudzielanek was wearing a cape this week as he hit two huge homers against the Phillies. It started last Friday night when Paul Shuey allowed a grand slam in the 8th inning turning a 2-run lead into a 2-run deficit. But in the bottom of the 8th, Grudzielanek electrified the stunned LA crowd with a 3-run homer over the center field wall off Mike Timlin to give the Dodgers a 7-6 lead and ultimately a victory. The following night, the Phillies led 8-5 heading into the 7th when Mark struck again. This time the victim was Rheal Cormier. Grudzielanek hit a 2-run opposite field homer to tie the game; later in the inning Marquis Grissom would single in the game winning run. Mark has been solid since the All-Star break, hitting .347 with 4 homers and 15 RBI.

LATEST NEWS
Kevin Brown was activated off the DL on August 15th. Brown will initially work from the pen, but as long as Brown stays healthy, he will find his way back into the starting rotation. But for now, Jim Tracy wants to use Brown in non-pressure situations to let Brown find his rhythm and command. The good news is that Brown says that his arm feels like his pre-2000 days. If Brown is fully healthy, he is a valuable fantasy player and potentially is on the FA wire.

So who could get sent to the pen? The most likely candidates are Omar Daal and Kazuhisa Ishii. Daal pitched brilliantly out of the pen to start the year; however, he's been the better starting pitcher of late. Daal pitched a great game against the Expos last night; throwing 7 shutout innings allowing only 4 hits. In his last 5 starts, Daal is 3-0 with a 1.89 ERA. On the other hand, Ishii has had control problems for much of the year but came up with a solid start last week against the Expos. He allowed 3 hits, 4 walks, 0 earned runs and 4 strikeouts over 6 innings. It was his first victory since July 14th. He leads the majors with 95 walks in 139 innings.

The hot hitting Adrian Beltre was moved to the 3-hole in the order, batting in front of Shawn Green. This should get Beltre even better pitches to hit as Green has been hitting the long ball recently, 4 homers in the last 7 games. Beltre has been the Dodgers best player since the All-Star break and is giving the Dodgers a much needed offensive weapon. Batting 3rd, Beltre is hitting .375 with 7 runs scored.

Brian Jordan has been battling a back injury (see injuries below) and has missed the last week. Marquis Grissom started in his place and had a huge week hitting .400 with 3 homers and 7 RBI. Grissom is extremely streaky and may be worth a look especially in NL-only leagues. Grissom hit a putrid .191 in June.

Odalis Perez pitched his 3rd straight quality start, but came away with a no decision after Paul Shuey got rocked and the Dodgers lost 6-3. Perez threw 7 innings, allowing 3 runs (2 earned), 9 hits, 3 walks and 4 strikeouts. In his last 3 starts, Perez is 0-1 with a 2.04 ERA.

INJURIES
Kevin Brown (SP) - Status: Activated from DL
Brown has been activated and sent to the bullpen. Expect Brown to be back in the rotation before long. In his second rehab start, Brown threw 6 innings allowing 1 run and 5 hits. He hasn't been very sharp in two bullpen sessions following his start.

Brian Jordan (OF) - Status: headed to DL?
Jorand has a small protrusion in his lower back which could send him to the DL. He recieved a cortisone injection and the Dodgers will wait and see how his back responds. The doctors think it might be an old injury so they will wait to see before deciding their next action. Jordan has been struggling terribly at the plate; he hasn't hit a homer since July 6th.

Giovanni Carrara (RP) - Status: 15-day DL
Carrara was sent to the DL with a strained musle in his right forearm. Carrara is of little fantasy value unless your league counts holds.

WHO'S HOT (last 7 days)
Marquis Grissom (OF): .400 (10-25), 3 HR, 7 RBI, 1.263 OPS
Mark Grudzielanek (2B): .375 (8-23), 3 HR, 6 RBI, 1.129 OPS
Shawn Green (OF): .333 (8-24), 3 HR, 7RBI, 1.175 OPS
Omar Daal (SP): 2GS, 1.28 ERA, 14 IP, 11H, 3BB, 4K, 2ER

WHO'S NOT (last 7 days)
Paul Lo Duca (C): .230 (6-26), 1R, 1 RBI, .499 OPS
Eric Karros (1B): .230 (3-13), 2 RBI, .515 OPS
Paul Shuey (RP): 1-1, 1 BlSv, 13.50 ERA, 2 IP, 4H, 4BB

I am currently in NY and will probably not have my usual Friday update next week. Look for the next update on August 26th.
-------------------------------------
Chris Wang
Dodgers Correspondent

http://www.texas-hold--em.biz texas hold em http://www.texas-hold--em.biz

online poker http://www.1-poker-tips.com http://www.1-poker-tips.com