After a disappointed weekend in San Francisco, where the best bullpen in the national league could not close two save opportunities, the LA Dodgers were right back at it again on Monday night against the Philadelphia Phillis.
It was the ninth inning and the Dodgers had a four run lead. So I sat back and took a breather and to my surprise, as I was coming back from the ***** , there it was again, another nail bitter coming down. Ryan Howard with the tying run at first base, after a two run single by Utley with two outs, had the opportunity to break my heart again, well did he? Nope, but it sure was a nerve wrecking ninth inning. So, the Dodgers won and avoid trashing a 16 hits offensive night.
I mean, you have to expect games like those blown in San Francisco. All season the bullpen has been picking up the slack for the starters, but three consecutive let downs would have been very disappointed to say the least. Now they get some pressure off their back and can settle down a little bit. Let's hope they do, it is a tough schedule coming up with the Phillies in town, Brewers coming down over the weekend and going to face these same Phillies on the road next week and with the addition of Adam Dunn to Arizona, things are getting very interesting in the wild west. It is gong to be a great race between Arizona and the Dodgers. The division has not lived up to the hype and expectations, but the teams are playing better, both teams have upgraded their rosters significantly.
On a side note, as you may or may not know, I like to read the Spanish newspapers specially the ones from my home country Nicaragua. A few days ago, I ran into an article on Vicente Padilla (http://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/deportes/23531), where he states that he was not interested in playing with the Yankees. He was asked if he would be interested in playing for the "Yanquis". "That's a team I do not like stating my opinion, they're not one of my favorites, it's not that the pressure would kill me, I simply don't like them". What???? He went ahead and gave a lame excuse about how the weather in Texas is similar to the one in Nicaragua. He's acting like the Yankees are dying to get him, you should be rooting for the Yankees to even inquire about you. But this just proof that you're not about winning. Shame on you, Padilla!!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Manny to Patrol Chavez Ravine
Pass the sugar to the Los Angeles Dodgers as they just acquired one of the best hitters of all time. In a three team deal, The Dodgers trade away Andy LaRoche and minor league player Bryan Morris to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Boston Red Sox get outfielder Jason Bay from the Pirates. As part of the deal outfielder Brandon Moss and right-handed pitcher Craig Hansen go to the Pirates from The Red Sox.
Everyone knew that the Dodgers were included in the Manny trade rumors but the Dodgers were not going to give a away one of the top young players like Matt Kemp. Big heads up to general manager Ned Colletti, he came away with this trade without touching the top young players, (Kemp, Billingsley & Kershaw).
It was obvious that the relationship between Manny and the Red Sox has gone sour. Manny felt that the Red Sox were trying to portray him as a bad guy. “Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me”. Apparently, the Red Sox did not achieve that. Fan forums are full of unhappy customers, not thrill with this trade and feel that Boston should have received a lot more for Manny or not trade him at all.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the only way to make sense out of this trade, it's for them to win it all. It is very hard to come out as a winner when you trade away future hall of fame players still in their prime. As for the other two teams involved, the Dodgers found the big bat they wanted and the Pirates, well, let's just say they stocked up.
Everyone knew that the Dodgers were included in the Manny trade rumors but the Dodgers were not going to give a away one of the top young players like Matt Kemp. Big heads up to general manager Ned Colletti, he came away with this trade without touching the top young players, (Kemp, Billingsley & Kershaw).
It was obvious that the relationship between Manny and the Red Sox has gone sour. Manny felt that the Red Sox were trying to portray him as a bad guy. “Their goal is to paint me as the bad guy. I love Boston fans, but the Red Sox don't deserve me”. Apparently, the Red Sox did not achieve that. Fan forums are full of unhappy customers, not thrill with this trade and feel that Boston should have received a lot more for Manny or not trade him at all.
Unfortunately for the Red Sox, the only way to make sense out of this trade, it's for them to win it all. It is very hard to come out as a winner when you trade away future hall of fame players still in their prime. As for the other two teams involved, the Dodgers found the big bat they wanted and the Pirates, well, let's just say they stocked up.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Mark Teixeira coming to Disneyland...
In the verge of sweeping the most talked about team in the MLB (Boston) for the second time this season, the so quiet LA Angels pulled a fearless move in getting power hitter Mark Teixeira. It was very surprising to most of us but the Angels pulled it off. In the deal Angels send over to the Braves first baseman Casey Kotchman.
I was very surprise with the Braves when I first heard about the trade. Don't get me wrong, this is not a Gasol/Kwame type of trade, Kotchman is very solid player and has a bright future in this league, but he is not a Mark Teixera , add the history of injuries to Kotchamn and I will think the Braves would want to get more from dealing Teixera. Obviously they have done their homework and feel very positive that Kotchaman will become a great player.
Should the rest of the league worry about the Angels now? They should have been worried about the Angels even before the trade happened. This is a line up that features so many versatile players that can beat you in different ways.
I close with Big Shout out to Art Moreno, owner of the Angeles, and the entire management for their aggressiveness and for putting a winning and exciting team on the field. I will take the aggressiveness anytime over the "all you can eat pavilions".
I was very surprise with the Braves when I first heard about the trade. Don't get me wrong, this is not a Gasol/Kwame type of trade, Kotchman is very solid player and has a bright future in this league, but he is not a Mark Teixera , add the history of injuries to Kotchamn and I will think the Braves would want to get more from dealing Teixera. Obviously they have done their homework and feel very positive that Kotchaman will become a great player.
Should the rest of the league worry about the Angels now? They should have been worried about the Angels even before the trade happened. This is a line up that features so many versatile players that can beat you in different ways.
I close with Big Shout out to Art Moreno, owner of the Angeles, and the entire management for their aggressiveness and for putting a winning and exciting team on the field. I will take the aggressiveness anytime over the "all you can eat pavilions".
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Big Positives for Dodgers and back to the .500 mark.
In more than one way the Los Angeles Dodgers broke usual habits on Sunday afternoon. After sweeping the struggling Nationals and putting up great pitching numbers throughout the weekend. They also witnessed their future stud, Clayton Kershaw, win his first big league game in a 2-0 win on Sunday afternoon. It came on his 10th game and he was excited to get it done.
"It's awesome," Kershaw said. "It's a great feeling. I'll remember this for a long time." It was awesome to see and we all hope that there is more of that in you CK.
The Dodgers trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by only one game and are back to the .500 mark with 58 games left. In a season that has been a disappointment for a team with great expectations coming off spring training, the Dodgers are playing more consistent baseball lately and are getting a glance at what the future holds for the team and Dodgers fans.
What would be the most likely 1-2 punch pitching force in years to come, Chad Billingsley & Clayton Kershaw, the dodgers held down the Washington Nationals, along with a beauty of game from sinker pitcher Derek Lowe on Saturday. It is fair to mention that the Nationals are not the best offensive team in the league, in fact they are the worst scoring team in the league with 388 runs scored, so watching them score two runs in 27 innings of play is not what you would call shutting down a team. Nonetheless, the Dodgers went out there and did what they were supposed to do to a team of this caliber.
The Dodgers will play host to the San Francisco Giants for the next three games starting on Monday night. Should this be another sweep? I think so, the schedule is playing in favor of the dodgers during the next two weeks with two series against the Giants and one series against Arizona that would give them the opportunity to take over first place.
On a final note, which it should not be a surprise for Dodgers fans, Normar is HURT! Yeah, you heard it right, Normar is listed as day to day after a double play throw from Loney to Normar to get Lastings Milledge trying to get from first to third on a ground ball to third base. Normar stated his leg "tweaked a little bit there", and with the history of injuries from Nomar, he was taken out by manager Joe Torre. Let's hope this is just what it reads, day to day, as Normar has been clutch since coming back from the DL.
"It's awesome," Kershaw said. "It's a great feeling. I'll remember this for a long time." It was awesome to see and we all hope that there is more of that in you CK.
The Dodgers trail the Arizona Diamondbacks by only one game and are back to the .500 mark with 58 games left. In a season that has been a disappointment for a team with great expectations coming off spring training, the Dodgers are playing more consistent baseball lately and are getting a glance at what the future holds for the team and Dodgers fans.
What would be the most likely 1-2 punch pitching force in years to come, Chad Billingsley & Clayton Kershaw, the dodgers held down the Washington Nationals, along with a beauty of game from sinker pitcher Derek Lowe on Saturday. It is fair to mention that the Nationals are not the best offensive team in the league, in fact they are the worst scoring team in the league with 388 runs scored, so watching them score two runs in 27 innings of play is not what you would call shutting down a team. Nonetheless, the Dodgers went out there and did what they were supposed to do to a team of this caliber.
The Dodgers will play host to the San Francisco Giants for the next three games starting on Monday night. Should this be another sweep? I think so, the schedule is playing in favor of the dodgers during the next two weeks with two series against the Giants and one series against Arizona that would give them the opportunity to take over first place.
On a final note, which it should not be a surprise for Dodgers fans, Normar is HURT! Yeah, you heard it right, Normar is listed as day to day after a double play throw from Loney to Normar to get Lastings Milledge trying to get from first to third on a ground ball to third base. Normar stated his leg "tweaked a little bit there", and with the history of injuries from Nomar, he was taken out by manager Joe Torre. Let's hope this is just what it reads, day to day, as Normar has been clutch since coming back from the DL.
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