Dodgers Sinking
The Dodgers have played .500 baseball since the break, unfortunately the Giants haven't lost. The Dodgers now stand 11.5 games out of first place, the largest deficit in the three seasons Jim Tracy has been their manager.
After losing 8-3 to the Rockies on Wednesday night, Jim Tracy had a closed door meeting that lasted more than 20 minutes. In the aftermath, Daryle Ward and Steve Colyer were optioned to Triple-A while Bubba Crosby and Rodney Myers were called up. Ward has been a disaster off the bench this season hitting just .183 (20-109) with one extra base hit.
While the Dodger offense has picked up a bit, the starters have struggled. In 14 games from July 7th through Wednesday, the starting rotation went 6-7 with a 6.60 ERA. During that span, Kaz Ishii has a 7.16 ERA, Ashby went 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA and Wilson Alvarez went 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA.
Wild (Card) Week Ahead
The Dodgers have a big week ahead of them as they face the two teams that are ahead of them in the race to the wild card. Tonight they face off against the struggling D'Backs who have lost 6 straight. The Dodgers will have to face RJ and Schilling this weekend, fans hope that they aren't 100%. After the D'Backs, the Dodgers fly to Philadelphia, who lead the Dodgers by 4.5 games. If the Dodgers can sweep the Phillies, they will greatly improve their shot at the wild card.
Rumor Mill
With the acquisitions of Burnitz and Henderson and the expected return of Dave Roberts, the Dodgers won't be making any more moves in the outfield. The Dodgers still could use any help that they can get around the horn. GM Dan Evans continues to pursue Oriole Melvin Mora, Padre Mark Loretta and Ranger Rafael Palmeiro. Odalis Perez could be traded in any blockbusters as he's taken a lot of heat from his teammates and management for his comments criticizing the teams lack of offense.
Injuries Dave Roberts (OF) - 15-Day DL (hamstring again)
Roberts is expected back this weekend. He is ready to be activated tonight but the Dodgers will probably activate him on Saturdayy since Randy Johnson is starting tonight. Manager Jim Tracy said that Roberts will bat second when both he and Henderson are in the lineup, which could hurt Roberts in the steal department.
Ron Coomer (3B) - 15-Day DL (headaches, dizziness)
Coomer has been having headaches as a result of a jaw problem that causes him to grit his teeth while he's sleeping. He's expected to return soon.
Fred McGriff (1B) - 15-Day DL (strained groin) Brian Jordan (OF) - 15-Day DL (strained patella tendon) Darren Dreifort (SP) - 15-day DL (right knee) Todd Hundley (C) - Status: 15-day DL, irritation of sciatic nerve (back)
Troy Brohawn (RP) - Status: 15-day DL, tendinitis in rotator cuff
Not (last 7 days)
Adrian Beltre (3B): .125 (3-24), 1R, 1HR, 4RBI
David Ross (C): .142 (2-14), 2R, 1HR, 1RBI
Cesar Izturis (SS): .174 (4-23), 0R, 1RBI
Rickey Henderson (OF): .217 (5-23), 3R, 2HR, 2RBI
Last Week's Results (3-4)
7/18: 8-5 win over Cards
7/19: 3-1 loss to Cards
7/20:10-7 loss to Cards
7/21: 4-1 loss to Rockies
7/22: 5-2 win over Rockies
7/23: 8-3 loss to Rockies
7/24: 1-0 win over Rockies
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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 25, 2003 09:34 AM
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