Results tagged ‘ Cy Young ’
Dodgers 2013 Preview: Starting Pitching
It’s about that time again folks! With Pitchers and Catchers reporting next week that means Baseball is in good sight. It’s been a long offseason for many teams. Some were really busy making moves to better their team or make it worse. Some were quiet. Many players were on the move this offseason as well, Josh Hamilton signed with the Angels (Texas fans are mad at that) Zack Greinke made a move down the I-5 to Los Angeles, Torri Hunter went to Detroit, So much happened. The Dodgers were really busy making moves to move towards the ultimate goal. Win A World Series. As we kick off our Dodgers 2013 Season Preview we’ll start off with what the Dodgers needed, Pitching. Starting with Starting pitching.
2012 Review: At the start of last season the Dodgers starting pitching was filled with a lot of question marks. However once the season was underway the Dodgers starting pitching surprised everyone. With the exception of Kershaw the rest of the Dodgers Starting pitchers were really stepping up. Chad Billingsley was playing up to his All-Star form, Chris Capuano was pitching like a Number 2, Ted Lilly was also pitching great as well. As the season went Injuries started to come and hit the Dodgers. Ted Lilly was sidelined for the season due to Injury and Chad Billingsley went back to melting down in late innings before he was struck by injury twice in the season. Chris Capuano declined in the second half of the season and Aaron Harang couldn’t get it together. Kershaw played well but towards the end was hit with a hip injury and caused him to miss a few games towards the end. Los Angeles brought up Nathan Eovauldi and Stephen Fife to start a few games while players were injured and played well. Eovauldi was traded in the Hanley deal towards the deadline. Dodgers also traded for Joe Blanton whose time in L.A. wasn’t the best of things and made a run at Cliff Lee and also acquired Josh Beckett who was solid in L.A.. All and all the Dodgers didn’t make playoffs but you can say the Starting Pitching got them in position to make such a run but fell off as the season went. Dodgers starting pitching at the end managed to go 56-56 with a 3.41 ERA (3rd Best in MLB). As to note Clayton Kershaw finished second in the Cy Young Award voting.
Offseason Moves: Going into the Offseason the Dodgers were going to have money to spend and they spent on gaining pitching help. Los Angeles was looking for solid Number 2 behind Kershaw and everyone knew who was out there. Come winter meetings Zack Greinke had talks with the Dodgers but Los Angeles wanted to try to trade for a pitcher. That ment Chris Capuano or Aaron Harang would be in a deal to make a trade. While a trade for a number 2 pitcher didn’t happen the Dodgers did make moves to grab what they needed and more.
Hyun Jin Ryu pitching for Korea in the last WBC.
Key Additions:
Zack Greinke- From the start of the offseason many executives had Greinke going to the Dodgers stating that they could throw whatever money at him. This was the Number one Pitching Free Agent on the market and many thought the Dodgers and Angels would go after him. Well Anaheim made a few moves to take themselves out and in came Texas who gave the Dodgers a good bidding run until the Dodgers and Greinke both agreed on a $147 Million dollar deal. Largest for a Right Hand Pitcher. In 2012 with the Brewers/Angels Greinke went 15-5 with a 3.48 ERA and 200 Strikeouts. Zack was traded from the Brewers to the Angels before the 2012 Trade deadline.
Hyun Jin Ryu- Stan Kasten talked about wanting to have the Dodgers make an impact in the international market like they used to. We all know Yasinel Puig was the first guy the signed but Hyun Jin Ryu was a player that really stood out in my opinion. When then Dodgers won the bidding to negotiate with the Korean Left Hander they got right to it to try to sign Ryu but as time went it was looking less and less likely that the Dodgers would get him. On the last day of the 30 day deadline (Nov 9th to Dec 9th) the Dodgers signed Hyun Jin Ryu to a 6 year $36 Million Dollar deal. Many Dodger fans will be impressed at his career stats in the KBO (Korean Dodger Baseball Organization). In his career with the Hanwah Eagles Ryu went 98-52 with a career ERA of 2.80 and 1,238. That’s very impressive no matter where you are pitching. Many scouts say his change-up is his best pitch and a legit out pitch at MLB level.
3 Questions to be answered: 1) The health of Chad Billingsley and Ted Lilly- With So many questions regardless of the moves, It’s hard to pick 3 questions but I’ll start with this Billingsley and Lilly. Chad Billingsley has issues with melting down in late innings but tend to show flashes of his All-Star form. Chad Billingsley was sent to the DL after he injured himself towards the All-Star break, When he came off Billingsley was pitching really good until going back on the DL for a partial UCL tear and sidelined him for the season. Ted Lilly on the other hand was hurt early on in the season (May 24th) and was placed on the DL. Lilly did make a rehab start but suffered a set back that sidelined him for the season. The big question for these two is the health progressing towards the 2013 Season. We’re hearing that Chad Billingsley isn’t feeling any pain at all while throwing and that Ted Lilly is pitching some as well so that’s some good news on that but how far are they from actually pitching a full game or anything remains to be seen.
2)Will a Starting Pitcher be Traded?- This was a question in the offseason that many were asking. The speculation was that someone not named Clayton Kershaw in the rotation would be traded. Well here we are as of February 7th and we still a lot of Starting pitching. Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano are on the Trade block, That much we do know but whether they’ll remain there or not is something we won’t know. If I had to guess I do believe the Dodgers will trade either Capuano or Harang (Maybe both) during Spring training. It’s good to have a lot of starting pitchers but if you can made a deal to help the team in any way then by all means go for it.
3) Will Zack Greinke live up to expectations?- In my opinion I believe Zack Greinke will have the most to prove this season. He was the most sought after pitcher on the market during the off-season and the Dodgers signed him to a $147 Million Dollar deal. The number 2 Ace behind 2011 Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw Greinke have some expectations this coming season and eyes will be on him. What makes things helpful for Zack is that he’s playing in a Pitchers league, in Dodger Stadium which is a pitcher’s park, and has a Lineup that you can say is stacked. You can see in his attitude that Greinke is a guy who lets his pitching talk for him so you can say that’s a positive right there. As long as he help the Dodgers get into a position to win with his pitching then he will be alright.
Who to watch for: Josh Beckett- Out of many Starting Pitchers on the Dodgers there’s plenty to keep an eye out for, One of them being Josh Beckett. Beckett came over in the huge Dodgers/Red Sox deal over the summer and provided a solid outing through his time in Los Angeles. Josh Beckett as noted is a very solid pitcher but needed a change of scenery after things went south in Boston. This season Beckett will have a Spring Training with L.A. to really get going and I believe that is good for him to work with AJ Ellis and Rick Honeycutt as well.
Hyun Jin Ryu- I list Ryu because he is the one pitcher who I believe many have no clue about. The Dodgers pitching coaches will have all of spring training to work with the Korean Lefty and see what he is made of. While he is an Unknown he will be pitcher to watch for, Just to see where in the rotation he will be. One thing for sure is that many can’t wait to see what he can do.
Clayton Kershaw- I put Clayton on here not because he’s unknown or anything like that but because one he is coming off of hip surgery and two will that bother him? Clayton missed some games due to a hip issue and from what you could say might have hurt his Cy Young Award chances. despite all of that Clayton Kershaw STILL lead the NL in almost every pitching statistical category. Impressive huh? We will know what effects the surgery will have on Clayton but this guy continues to get better and better every single season and it shows too. Cy Young in 2013? We have to see how he does.
Overview: Over all the Dodgers have TONS of starting pitching going into Spring Training. This was an area where the Dodgers spent the most money on during the offseason. While the Dodgers tackled the needs and spent the money there’s still A lot of questions that has to be answered in this area.
On Deck in the Season Preview: Dodgers Bullpen
2nd Half Preview: Can the Dodgers finish with a NL West Title and more?
It’s back to work for the Boys in Blue now that the All-Star Break is over it’s time to resume where the Dodgers left off. The 1st half of the season started great with the Dodgers having the best record in MLB and a good lead in the NL West only to take a turn for the worse when the Injuries began to stock pile, offense disappeared, and a slump happened. The Dodgers went into the break finding themselves a half game over the Giants and the Diamondbacks not too far off also the Dodgers find themselves 7 games over .500. Makes you say yikes the Slump did a lot of damage. However there’s help with Matt Kemp Andre Ethier and Mark Ellis Back in the line up the offense will have less pressure off. While there’s some solutions theres also plenty of questions to be answered that plague the Dodgers.
One question that many will ask is the Trade Deadline and what the Dodgers will do. The Dodgers need to address starting pitching help, LHP help, and add another bat to the corner position to help the Dodgers. We’ve heard so much about the Dodgers intrest with the Cubs on getting Matt Garza or Ryan Dempster which is a sign but with teams like the Brewers and Phillies being possible sellers it could be something if Cole Hammels or Zack Grenkee is available. Dodgers will likely have to give up prospects but to get players like that the Dodgers have to be cautious on the asking prices of these teams. Likely the Cubs and Brewers will not have high asking prices. As far as a bat the Dodgers have been real aggressive on trying to land a bat and missed twice. Missed out on Kevin Youkillis to the White Sox and Carlos Lee Vetoed a trade to LA only to land in Miami. The Dodgers could be aggressive again for a bat again but weather they strike gold or not is a question. It’s obvious this team wants to win THIS YEAR. A bat to the 1st and 3rd Base position looks to be a area as Juan Uribe and James Loney have been under performing at this point to make a solid contribution to help but the emergence of Eillian Herrara has been huge to the LF 3rd base position.
Another issue is the health and performance of the Dodgers again. The Injuries played a huge part in the wheels falling off in that slump that cost them that huge lead. What scares me personally is will key players stay healthy? Injuries happen but on slaught of injuries will be very bad to The Dodgers in the dog days. The performance of certain Dodgers will also be in mind like starting pitchers Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw. Will they be able to get it together to make a big run into September October? Billingsley’s meltdowns has been really bad in games and Kershaw hasn’t played like his usual Cy Young self. If they can pull through the the Dodgers will be dangerous. Another is the team itself. Will they bring it together to once again be the team that had the MLB talking? It all starts with the team but there’s no doubt Management and Mattingley will have this team ready to do battle.
All in All the Dodgers are in first place and will resume the season to keep that lead. But it won’t be easy. They start off with San Diego at home then go into a series at Dodger stadium with the Phillies. The same team that they swept in Philadelphia. After that a road trip in New York with the Mets then travel to ST Louis to play the Cardinals then conclude the road trip in San Fran against the hated giants in what could be a pivotal series in the NL West so the Dodgers have their work cut out. The 2nd Half is under way and the Boys in Blue have work to do.
Dodgers in First Place! So wheres the Respect?
Your Los Angeles Dodgers are 29-13 which is a MLB Best, 1st Place in the NL West, Playing really good baseball with Matt Kemp, Jerry Hariston, Juan Rivera, Mark Ellis, and Juan Uribe. The Dodgers are getting all types of production from everyone this season at this point. The Dodgers even Swept the Defending World Series Champion St Louis Cardinals with a dangerous line up. Yet the Dodgers still have not received any National media attention. It seems like no matter what obstacles the Dodgers over come it gets little to no notice. Why is that? It’s beyond me but whatever it is I don’t like it but at the same time I do. Last year the Dodgers were in the headlines for all of the wrong reasons. Bankruptcy, Frank McCourt Draining the franchise, Losing, Brain Stow beatings. It seems like the Dodgers and it’s fan base couldn’t get a break. Come winter meetings the Dodgers only big move was Extending Matt Kemps contract while another team in Anaheim was making big moves signing Abert Pujols and CJ Wilson. Came the start of the Season Dodgers had new Owners in Magic Johnson, Stan Kasten, and Mark Walter and great display of baseball but national recognition hasn’t been all that.
Sometimes not having that National spotlight on you isn’t always a bad thing if you think of it. Right now the Dodgers have the best record in the MLB but is also staying quiet. As you see teams with the most pressure are usually teams like the Yankees, Red Soxs, or even now the Rangers where if one minor thing can become big news for you. The Dodgers having a big media spotlight just adds pressure to them to win. With the Starting Pitching playing well, Bullpen getting it together, and Everyone stepping up for the Dodgers it seems like things are going pretty well. So not having that national exposure isn’t always a bad thing when it comes to the play on the field. Just as good as it is to fly under the radar comes that respect.
As of now the Dodgers may have the top spot on a lot of Power Rankings but there’s others who talk more about other teams more than the Dodgers. How is it that Collin Cowheard can go on his show as with a straight face say the Cardinals are the best team in the MLB. The Dodgers swept the Cardinals in a competitive series but a Sweep is a Sweep. I’ve also heard many say the Texas Rangers are the best team which you can argue but comes this argument on why the Dodgers don’t get that recognition is the Schedule. Dodgers have played teams like San Deigo, Pittsburgh, Houston, Cubs, Rockies. Well let me kill the arguement that it’s hard to beat teams the way the Dodgers do in Baseball regardless of the teams and not to mention the Dodgers have hung around in games vs Atlanta and was robbed in two straight games vs Milwalkee. Not only that but Swept the Washington nationals and St Louis Cardinals as well as come back from a 6-1 defecit on the Road against Arizona to continue a 6 game winning streak without Matt Kemp. Want to talk about other stuff? the Bullpen is getting better and the Starting Pitching staff like Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly, Clayton Kershaw (Defending Cy Young Award winner), and at times Chad Billingsley playing very very well. So the Dodgers should have that notice from the media that the Dodgers are something special. Now its not how you start but how you finish and the Dodgers have to keep this good play up once June July and September October hit.
As long as the Dodgers keep winning then all is well but most Dodger fans have to be some what frustrated that they’re being OVERLOOKED by the national baseball media. Does it bother me? Some what but the Dodgers are 30-13. As long as they complete the season in October with a World Series back in Los Angeles then Im fine and happy. Dodgers playing great baseball and I love it how they’re doing it!!
Opening Week at Dodger Stadium
What a memoriable Week it’s been for the Dodgers and it’s fans. After going 3-1 in San Diego the Dodgers came back home to a much hyped crowd at Dodger Stadium to play the Pittsburgh Pirates. I was able to get myself to all three games in the series and I have to say it’s truely amazing to see the Dodgers in person no matter what. Opening Day at Dodger Stadium was the Day everyone was looking forward to and in front of a packed Stadium. I couldn’t catch the festivites due to the traffic getting to Dodger Stadium but was able to see the Game where Clayton Kershaw took the mound and pitched really good game. The highlight of the game had to be Andre Ethier’s Home run to go on top and win the game ON HIS BIRTHDAY!! and the Festivites before (Even though I couldn’t catch them). The celebration of Dodgers Stadium 50th Anniversary was something very special to All Dodger fans. Those in the Stadium and those who couldn’t make it it was special. Not only was it the First game at Dodger Stadium but it was the a chance to reflect on the history of moments that has happened at Dodger Stadium and reflect on Past Dodgers and appriciate the Tradition and What being a Dodger fan is all about.
The Second night the threat of rain couldn’t stop some of those to make their way to the Stadium and see the Dodgers and even in the Cold the Boys in blue and Billingsley play couldn’t cool of the Dodgers and they rolled through Pittsburgh in this game. The Pirates looked very out matched and the Dodgers showed what they could do. Even though there was less of a crowd than Opening Day the Dodgers still played and fed off that energy. And How could I forget!! Clayton Kershaw recieved his Cy Young that night and what a epic night after having a Monster 2011 Year. The fans also got the
The Final Night once again faced a threat of rain which was a cause for another low attendance but still Didn’t Stop Dodgers from doing their thing. Los Angeles was able to hold off the Pirates and complete the sweep 3-2 Improving the Record to 6-1. Solid controbutions by the Dodgers have helped this team really step their game up and get off to a great start and even though the Pirates made it interesting late Dodgers Pitching was able to help them out in this game to hold them off completing the Sweep. With this sweep the Dodgers are off to their first 6-1 Start since 1981…..That was the year they won the World Series. Now weather it’ll have the same results is something we ALL hope for but now it’s early in the Season with the Padres coming to Los Angeles for another series with the Dodgers.
This week was something that Many Dodger fans including myself will never forget this week at all. The Dodgers are also on a roll but will they keep it up? Lets hope but after this week Dodger fans should be very excited for whats to come for the rest of the season! Keep it going Dodgers and Dodger fans keep up the support and come see your Boys in Blue
Dodgers Opening Day Facts
Next Week!! Thats right we are One week away from Opening Day as the Dodgers travel to San Diego to take on the Padres. In a Stadium where it’s expected to be A LOT of Dodger fans in attendence in San Diego there will also be fans at Dodger Stadium watching the game on the big screen at Dodger Stadium that day as well. As we approach opening day I looked up some Dodgers facts when it comes to Opening Day and came across some that you may or may not know about the Dodgers on Opening Day. Some quite Interesting and Schocking as we count the Few days till the Start of the Dodgers Baseball Season.
-Through out their time in Brooklyn and Los Angeles the Dodgers have played 128 Opening Day games. April 5th will be the 129th Opening Day Game the Dodgers have played.
-In those 128 Games the Dodgers have played their record on Opening Day is 63-61-4. The Boys in Blue are currently on a 4 game winning streak on Opening Day with 3 of the 4 wins over the heated San Fransisco Giants.
- The Dodgers open with the Padres. Dodgers and Padres met only 10 Times on Opening day prior to April 5th. Dodgers and Padres Split the Games against each other on Opening Day 5 to 5 (Last game on Opening Day 4-5-2004 Dodgers loss 8-2)
-Clayton Kershaw will be starting on Opening Day. The Last Cy Young Award Winner to pitch on Opening Day was Sandy Koufax on April 14th 1964 vs the St Louis Cardinals (9 Innings Pitched, 6 Hits, and 5 Strike Outs in a 4-0 Dodgers win)
-The Largest Margin of Victory on Opening Day was 14 Runs in 1969 vs the San Diego Padres (14-0)
-The Largest Margin of Defeat on Opening Day was 15 in 1912 by the Hands of the Then New York Giants (18-3)
-The First Game at Dodger Stadium on Opening Day of the 1962 Season was a 6-3 Loss against the Cincinatti Reds. Johnny Podres was the Pitcher for the Dodgers on that day.
(Credit to Baseball almanac for facts and stats)
Freeway Series: The Marketing and Off the Field views of it all
Through Months is seems as if the Rivalry between the Dodgers and Angels has started to heat up. Since the addition of Albert Puljos and CJ Wilson most of the Positive attention has been shifted to Anaheim. Things then started to get a little turned up with Angel billboards posted in Los Angeles also being the media mentioning the Angels as Los Angeles team. Even some Angels fans saying We Run LA. The Minority that I’ve seen Not ALL Angels fans see it this way. As a Dodger fan I kind of took it as a Jab to the face. With the emberassment we’ve taken with the McCourt issue and Bankruptcy issue we now deal with the team down the freeway in Orange County making big signings, Posting billboards in Los Angeles, and the Media asking will the Angels take over. Even Some fans on twitter claiming that Dodger fans will now go to Anaheim just to see the Angels play now. What has happened? Whos to blame here? Well let me explain in my view.
Let me first go on to say this is Not bashing the Angels or anything because I want this to be a Non Trash talk post and I wanted to stay away from the topic but had alot to say of if Any Angels fans read this is not a jab toward your team and congrats on your team.
Now I the Angels as you know have went under different names. California Angels, Anaheim Angels, Now the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. I have a BIG ISSUE with the Angels using the Los Angeles name due to Location but at the sametime Understand why the name is there and thats to take advantage of the marketing in Los Angeles. I can’t blame the Angels Franchise because they’re trying to sell their team to people (Tickets, Merchindise,TV Ratings, Radio, etc) but in Los Angeles? Well this isn’t the first time it has been done in the city of L.A. as I call it Dodger Territory. Anyone Remember when the Angels put billboards up in Los Angeles I believe in 2004? Still the same unhappiness but didn’t understand the sports business like I do now. When I see them now yes I don’t like it at all because it’s the Angels in Los Angeles when they’re obviously in Anaheim..Orange County. It doesn’t stop with Billboards…The Sports Media like ESPN asks the question. “Has the Angels become Los Angeles team?” Some people play into the Media hype and that I can blame the media for that but the attention is offically there. Los Angeles and two baseball teams..That makes the Blood boils big time especially in Many Dodgers fans and I know Angels fans as well.
So what is this? To me the Freeway series not only within the Field and fans but has now spilled towards the Marketing side of things. Angels post up Billboards in Los Angeles. Dodger Commercials on KCAL 9, Fox Sports Prime Ticket, and Now Dodger Billboards going up. I don’t think the two Franchises are worried about each other because they’re selling their team as I mentioned but in a way they’re luring fans from the LA area (Dodgers being in LA is a bigger advantage with them being the LA Dodgers) As I looked at the Angels billboards (A lot of em that i’ve seen in Los Angeles) I wondered “When will the Dodgers put up Billboards?” “Why aren’t there any Dodger billboards up” With Albert Puljos on them the Dodger have the best player in baseball in Matt Kemp..Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw, 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium, Legends and yet none of it being taken advatage of. Marketing is Marketing but too much Momentium with in the Dodgers Organization with Matt Kemp, Kershaw, Great ending to the season, and the Stadium Anniversary.
I know with all that went on in the Off-Season between the Signings, Marketing, Fan Trashtalk, and so on the Freeway Series this year should be an Interesting one on the Field of play. The Angels with a Pretty good team and the Dodgers who look Very Solid right now. They may not be in our Division let alone our League but bragging rights are there. In the Words of Matt Kemp and Don Mattingley Los Angeles only has ONE Baseball team and that Team is the Los Angeles Dodgers (Get That ESPN?)
Matthew
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