Dodgers Reeling
The wheels have come of the bus as well as some of the paint. The Dodgers have dropped 6 straight and 9 of their last 10. The NL's worst offense and perhaps the majors worst offense got even weaker this week with the losses of Brian Jordan (perhaps for the year) and Dave Roberts (perhaps for a month) to the DL. In last weekend's sweep at the hands of the Angels, the Dodgers managed to score just 2 runs in 3 games.
In June, the Dodgers scored a major league worst 76 runs (19 runs worse than the Tigers) and ranked last is virtually every offensive category including batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. For the season, the Dodgers have hit just 52 homers which is the worst in the majors, 12 fewer the Tigers. The Dodgers also rank dead last in walks and 2nd worst in most other major offensive categories.
Pressure Builds on Pitchers
The weak offensive attack has finally caused one Dodger starting pitcher to expode. And it's not surprising that it was Odalis Perez who was ejected in two consecutive June starts. Here are some of Perez's thoughts:
- "If we keep playing the way we're playing, there's no way for us to go nowhere."
- "We need to start producing, or get some other players to produce, because all the pressure's on the pitching staff ... and that's not fair."
- "The trade deadline is coming. If we don't make a move, we're going to waste this season like last season. If we don't score runs, we don't produce, we're not going to win."
Perez's teammates as well as management weren't very happy with his comments. Paul Lo Duca said, "If you're going to pop off in the paper, then you've got no guts."
Perez's frustration is at least justifiable though. In June, 5 of his 6 starts were quality starts; however he came away with an 0-4 record for the month. The offense scored just 2 runs in his last 3 starts.
It has to be tough when you have the leagues best pitching staff in terms of ERA. The Dodgers have a 2.89 team ERA which is 0.62 runs better than the 2nd best Mariners. If the Dodgers just had a mid-tier offense, they'd be in first place; but instead they've sunk to 3rd and they are looking desperate right now.
Rumor Mill
With the Dodger offense sputtering, expect the Dodgers to be involved in just about every trade rumor involving hitting. The problem with the Dodgers is that they are just $2 million under the luxury tax threshold so any deals will need to include a Dodger with salary (like Andy Ashby: $8mn) or the other team picking up the tab. It's going to be tough for GM Dan Evans who becomes more desperate in the eyes of other GMs as the offense gets weaker and weaker. Some names that have been mentioned recently are former Dodger Raul Mondesi, Juan Gonzalez, Reggie Sanders, Jeromy Burnitz, Carlos Beltran, Mike Lowell, Tony Batista, Luis Castillo and Rondell White.
Injuries Kevin Brown (SP) - day-to-day
Brown left last night's start in the 5th inning with a lower abdominal strain. More info when it becomes available.
Dave Roberts (OF) - 15-Day DL (hamstring again)
Roberts was placed on the DL, retroactive to July 2nd, with a torn right hamstring. Roberts spent time on the DL in May for the same injury. Expect the Dodgers to be more cautious this time around and Roberts will likely miss the next month.
Brian Jordan (OF) - 15-Day DL (strained patella tendon)
If Jordan's troublesome knee doesn't improve significantly over the next week, he might undergo season ending surgery. There is a delicate balance here because Jordan wants to try and play but he also is a free agent after this season and doesn't want to injured again heading intot he spring.
Hot (last 7 days)
Fred McGriff (1B) - .444 (4-9), 1-2B
Not (last 7 days)
Paul Lo Duca (C) - .143 (3-21), 2RBI
Shawn Green (RF) - .200 (5-25), 1R, 1HR, 2RBI
Cesar Izturis (SS) - .200 (4-20), 1R, 1RBI
Mike Kinkade (OF) - .211 (4-19), 2R, 2HR, 2RBI
Adrian Beltre (3B) - .238 (5-21), 1R, 1-2B
Last Week's Results (0-6)
6/27: 3-0 loss to Angels
6/28: 3-1 loss to Angels
6/29: 3-1 loss to Angels
7/1: 8-1 loss to Padress
7/2: 4-3 loss to Padres
7/3: 7-4 loss to Padres
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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 July 04, 2003 09:27 AM
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