Lo Duca's Streak Continues
Paul Lo Duca continues to be the lone offensive force for the Dodgers as he carries a 20 game hitting streak into tonights game against the Indians. During the streak Lo Duca is hitting .425 (34 for 80) with 3 homers and 10 RBI. "I'm really not thinking about it, I'm just trying to put the ball in play and put good swings on the ball. Hopefully, I can keep it going."
Lo Duca currently ranks 6th in the NL batting race with a .329 average; however he has just 22 RBI because he bats in the 2-hole. Manager Jim Tracy is toying with the idea of moving Paul to a run producing spot in the order because he's hitting so well. Lo Duca is hitting .378 with runners in scoring position, however he's only had 37 at-bats with runners in scoring position.
Odalis Struggles
Odalis Perez ihas been pounded in two of his last three starts and he's now 2-2 with a 4.72 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. Pitching coach Jim Colborn believes Perez, who relies on instincts and ability, needs to become more analytical because hitter are making better adjustments against him. Hopefully Colborn can help straighten Perez out after he allowed 18 runs over his last 15 innings of work.
Dreifort's Season Over
Darren Dreifort is scheduled to undergo knee surgery on June 17th or 18th. This will be his 4th knee surgery since 1990 and his 3rd in the last 4 years. He's expected to be out for at least six months; however Dreifort doesn't expect the injury to threaten his career (though previous reports stated otherwise).
"They expect to fix it," Dreifort said. "It's never guaranteed, so you do you (rehab) work and hope that it does work out, that it's 100%."
Dreifort is currently in the 3rd year of his 5-year, $55 million contract (thank you Kevin Malone). Dreifort is owed $11 million next season and $13 million in 2005.
Andy Ashby has taken Dreifort's spot in the rotation but didn't pitch very well in his first opportunity. He lasted 3 innings against the White Sox giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out one. Veteran left-hander Wilson Alvarez relieved Ashby and pitched 5 solid innings allowing 2 runs on 6 hits and no walks while striking out 5. At Triple-A Las Vegas, Alvarez was 5-1 with a 1.34 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 47 innings of work.
Rumor Mill
The Newark Star-Ledger reported that the Dodgers (as well as the Reds and A's) are interested in Mets second baseman Roberto Alomar. Alomar has struggled in his two years with the Mets and may not be an ideal candidate for the Los Angeles market; he's thrived in smaller market environments. The Dodgers could offer prospect Joe Thurston who has been struggling at Triple-A this season. The article also mentions right-handed pitcher Edwin Jackson, who is 2-4 with a 2.58 ERA for Double-A Jacksonville, and outfielder Franklin Gutierrez, who is hitting .314 with 15 homers in 264 at-bats for Class-A Vero Beach.
GM Dan Evans' flexibility was hurt by the loss of Darren Dreifort; however he'll be active in shopping for more offense before the deadline. The Dodgers have scored just 229 runs this season which is second worst in the majors and their 39 homers rank dead last. I don't think Evans will do much with the outfield but he'll look to improve at third base (Lowell) or second base (Alomar, Castillo). Mike Lowell sits a top the Dodgers wish list, but he's also being targeted by the Cubs who have a deep minor league system to work with. Adrian Beltre continues to be a huge disappointment hitting just .210 with 4 homers and 20 RBI.
Because the Dodgers don't have many prospects in their system, they may be forced to trade some of their bullpen depth which is extrememly valuable. Guillermo Mota is probably the most attrative trade bait because he's 29-years-old and carries a low $675,000 salary. Mota is having a breakout season with a 2.27 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 40 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. This spring one scout said Mota has the "best bullpen arm I've seen."
Injuries Darren Dreifort (SP) - 15-day DL (right knee)
Dreifort will undergo knee surgery on June 16th or 17th and miss the remainder of the 2003 season. He will need a recovery time of six months.
Hot (last 7 days)
Cesar Izturis (SS): .333 (5-15), 1R
Jolbert Cabrera (2B): .333 (4-12), 2R, 1-2B, 1RBI
Paul Lo Duca (C): .292 (7-24), 2R, 1HR, 4RBI
Not (last 7 days)
Shawn Green (RF): .091 (2-22), 1R, 1HR, 3RBI
Fred McGriff (1B): .091 (2-22), 1-2B, 1RBI
Adrian Beltre (3B): .118 (2-17), 1R
Dave Roberts (CF): .158 (3-19), 2R, 2RBI
Alex Cora (2B): .182 (4-22), 2R, 2-2B, 3RBI
Last Week's Results (4-2)
6/6: 2-1 win over White Sox
6/7: 4-1 loss to White Sox
6/8: 10-3 loss to White Sox
6/10: 3-1 win over Tigers
6/11: 3-1 win over Tigers
6/12: 3-2 win over Tigers
================================================
Check back every Friday for the latest Dodger news. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions about this column, please use the comments section below or feel free to e-mail me at dodgers@fantasyinfocentral.com
Posted by Chris Wang at June 13, 2003 10:47 PM
Ask Chris Wang a question here.
Discuss sports on the message board!
