DODGERS - 5/9/03
2nd place in the NL West
18-17, 7 games behind the Giants


Last Week's Results (4-2)
5/2: 5-3 loss to Pirates
5/3: 4-1 win over Pirates
5/4: 3-2 win over Pirates
5/6: 3-2 loss to Mets
5/7: 2-1 win over Mets
5/8: 6-1 win over Metss

Perez - Handle with Care
Odalis Perez, who had Tommy John surgery in 2000, has been worked extremely hard in his last two starts, which is questionable with the strength of the Dodger bullpen. On April 30th, Perez threw a career high 132 pitches in trying to pitch a complete game shutout (he fell one out short). His next start (April 6th), he lasted 6 innings allowing 9 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs. He threw 116 pitches in that start. While this isn't a huge reason for concern (as he had a similar pattern last April), expect Jim Tracy to limit Perez to below 100 pitches in his next few starts.

Pitching Staff is #1
The Dodgers pitching staff has been sparkling so far, yet the team is only one game over .500. We all know that the Dodger offense has been sputtering so I won't beat that dead horse, at least for this week. Instead, let's look at the pitching staff.

The Dodgers staff has the best ERA in all of baseball at 2.71, a half run better than the second best Athletics. The team has thrown 4 shutouts. The staff also leads the majors with a 1.17 WHIP and is 2nd in strikeouts with 283.

The starting rotation of Nomo, Perez, Brown, Ishii and Dreifort have the 3rd best ERA at 3.31 trailing only the A's and Yankees. Surprisingly, Hideo Nomo leads the majors in innings pitched with 57. He has pitched into the 8th inning in 7 of his 8 starts this season.

As described last week, the bullpen has been lights out with a 1.35 ERA, 0.975 WHIP and 101 strikeouts in 93 innings. The bullpen's ERA is over a run better than the 2nd best Twins. Eric Gagne who allowed his first run of the season this week is a perfect 11 for 11 in save opportunites and he's struck out 30 in 17 innings of work.

Local Spin
The Dodgers have finally got themselves back over the .500 mark, but the fans are still waiting for the offense to wake up. This season is remarkably similar to last season and fans can only pray that Shawn Green can breakout much like he did last year at this time.

The team had a solid week against the Pirates and Mets, but this week they will have to face the tough pitching of the Expos and Braves. This week will be a true test of the Dodger offense against top notch pitching. "You try not to let it wear on you, but you get tired of it. We've just got to stick with it. When we come out, we're going to come out," said Brian Jordan, on the Dodgers' offensive struggles.

Injuries
Paul Shuey (RP) - Status: 15-day DL with sprained right knee
Shuey is eligible to come off the DL on Saturday May 10th.

Darren Dreifort (P) - Status: Expected to make Saturday start
Dreifort had his second MRI of the season on his right knee which revealed no damage. Dreifort felt soreness and tightness in his knee following his last start agains the Pirates. Expect his injury to be nagging all season long. "At this point, getting an MRI is like getting a cup of coffee."

Todd Hundley (C) - Status: 15-day DL, irritation of sciatic nerve (back)
Hundley was placed on the DL on May 3rd. David Ross was called up from Triple-A to backup Paul Lo Duca..

Brian Jordan (LF) - Status: Day-to-day
Jordan is nursing several injuries which is pretty common for the ex-football star. He has a sore quadricep, shoulder and knee.

Hot (last 7 days)
Brian Jordan (LF): .429 (9-21), 4R, 2-2B, 3RBI
Paul Lo Duca (C): .318 (7-22), 2R, 1-2B, 2RBI
Fred McGriff (1B): .318 (7-22), 3R, 2-2B, 3RBI
Shawn Green (RF): .304 (7-23), 4R, 3-2B, 1HR, 2RBI
Pitching Staff: 53IP, .203BAA, 39K, 1.53 ERA

Not (last 7 days)
Adrian Beltre (3B): .056 (1-18), 1R, 1-2B, 0RBI
Alex Cora (2B): .188 (3-16), 1R, 1-2B, 2RBI

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