Results tagged ‘ San Diego Padres ’
Dodgers slow start
The Dodgers have not gotten off to the start many of us would imagine. At the moment are 7-8 which is a game below .500 which record wise you can work with. Well if you’ve seen the Dodgers play then you’d feel like it’s a lot worse than that. Los Angeles have really been struggling with their bats and bullpen. It’s really frustrating to watch and it’s an ongoing thing. In the series against the Diamondbacks and Padres (in LA) The Dodgers have been having issues hitting with RISP (Runners In Scoring Position) and Pitching (Mainly Bullpen). The Dodgers will be in Baltimore for the weekend series against the Orioles and the chance for them to get their act together is out there with the DH rule in effect. As of now we just want to know what is going on with the Dodgers. Why are they struggling so much? Who is to blame for such struggles with the team? Is this an easy fix and what can be done about it? Well let me tell you this in advance. The answer is not Trading Ethie or Kemp, Brining up Puig, or Firing Don Mattingly.
Offensive Struggles: Yes the Dodgers are facing the same problem they did last season. Leaving men on base, failing to score runs, even getting on base at times. Currently the Dodgers 28th in the MLB in Batting Average with RISP (.171). How the way I look at it is based on the line up Mattingly puts out there. You have Carl Crawford and Mark Ellis who have done a good job getting on base. Then you have Matt Kemp who is having a slow start to the season. Just when you think Kemp will knock the runs in he either grounds into a double play or flies out to the point where the runners can’t advance. It’s not just Kemp that is doing it but all over the line up. The Dodgers can not keep this issue if they want to win games. They have good hitters we all know this but whether they’re in the right place in the line up or not. I think Mattingly should move some players around and see if it works to affect because what they have currently isn’t working and that showed the last two series.
Bullpen issues: Oh where do I start with this one? It looks as if the Box of Pain have made is return and adding more fuel to the fire than helping put it away. The Dodgers Bullpen have been a serious issue right now with all the hits and runs being given up. The Dodgers bullpen have an ERA of 4.02 (15 in MLB). While that’s middle of the pack it seems a lot worse when watching. The last series against the Padres the Dodgers pitching had a bad series overall in what many would like to say a “Throw away series”. Not much can really be done with the bullpen at this point but they have to help the Dodgers stay in position to win ball games.
I still think the Dodgers will get things in order. Thursday the Dodgers got a day off as they traveled to Baltimore. Hopefully this game they can play better and keep themselves at a respectable position. Yes it is early Dodger fans but you have to remember that April games are important as well so there has to come a point where they must get it together. Right now the Dodgers on the pitching end are hurting with Zack Greinke out till June and Chris Capuano on the 15 DL but batting/Position wise Hanley Ramirez is making his return really soon. Hopefully he could provide the help the Dodger offense need. At 7-8 the Dodgers can turn it around with two good series on the road trip So anything could happen. It’s early but Dodgers MUST get things flowing here.
Dodgers/Padres Scrum: Zack Greinke injured
Last night the Dodgers defeated the Padres 3-2 thanks to Juan Uribe’s home run in the 8th Inning. While the Dodgers managed to grab the win their victory was overshadowed by what took place in the 6th inning. The Dodgers were up 2-1 with Greinke pitching and Carlos Quentin at bat. If you saw the game or watched the video above then you have a good idea where it went from there. Greinke threw a pitch where it hit Carlos Quentin. Quentin charged the mound and from there it went. Benches cleared and tempers flared as things really got heated between the Dodgers and Padres. Matt Kemp came from center field to charge into the pile to protect his pitcher. After a few minutes things kind of settled down on the field. Zack Greinke was taken off the field due to injury from a hit he took from Carlos Quentin but things picked up once again when Jerry Harriston Jr charged towards the Padres dugout. Things were really heating up between the two teams. Lets go ahead and fast forward to after the game. The Dodgers win 3-2 but many are awaiting the update on Zack Greinke. Vin Scully gives those who are watching at home the update that Zack Greinke had a fractured Left Collarbone in the scrum.
On my twitter account many fellow Dodger fans were upset about the whole thing with Carlos Quentin and it’s safe to say he has become public enemy #1 in Dodgertown. I saw some say that Greinke was at fault here. Many different opinions about it last night and today. Well here’s my take on it. I fail to see how Zack was in the wrong for the whole thing. Carlos Quentin claims the whole thing was not an accident by Grenkie and many San Diego media outlets along with others agreed. Two things they fail to realise was that it was a one run game (2-1) and it was the bottom of the 6th inning. Another thing people don’t realise is that Quentin gets hit by pitches a lot. Not cause pitchers don’t like him but because he crowds the plate when batting so why charge the mound now when you’ve been hit so many times from crowding the plate. I get Greinkie and Quentin have had history before but honestly was Zack waiting 4 years just to hit him again? That don’t make sense at all. Quentin makes a great point, All of this could have been avoided. It could have if he just took his base in a calm manner like before.
Now what about Jerry Harriston and Matt Kemp? We know Harriston wasn’t happy and charged towards the Padres dugout because a player from the Padres was joking about Greinke’s injury. That really made Harriston upset and he let them know how upset he was. Kemp on the other hand was ejected along with Harriston. Why was Matt ejected was beyond me. We saw him charge from the outfield to the pile but who wasn’t in that pile??? Apparently Kemp may have bumped an umpire through the whole thing and that was the cause for the ejection. He also was saying a few things as well. After the game Kemp and Quentin had a few words for each other outside of the stadium where they were both held back by teammates and police. Kemp told Quentin “We’ll see B***h”.
It’s unclear whether Kemp, Harriston, and Quentin will be suspended for their actions Thursday night. MLB was looking into it today and Matt Kemp is in today’s line-up for their game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. We know none of the Dodgers players and fans are happy about this. Don Mattingly was obviously upset and called for Quentin to be suspended until Greinke can play again. I honestly agree with Don Mattingly because it was uncalled for and a bonehead move that got a player injured. These two teams play on Monday at Dodger Stadium so things could get interesting. Right now I just hope the Dodgers focus is on Arizona this weekend and not looking forward to Monday.
Dodgers Start off Hot
Dodgers starting off the season on Fire going 9-1 making it their best Start since 1988…That was the year they won the World Series. After All that the Dodgers have went through this is a start that the Dodgers and it’s fans could use. Now not to rain on parades but the last time the Dodgers had a great start was 2005 where the Dodgers jumped out of the gate at 12-2 but ended the season at 71-91 which was one of the Franchises worst records but what makes this so different is that the Dodgers have the players to do damage. I’ve heard it all from people regarding this start and while Many are excited about the 9-1 start others are skeptical stating that they’ve only played two teams that the Dodgers Should handle. I for one am Excited at the 9-1 Start but see room for improvement but what can you say?
I understand that we’re 10 games into a 162 Game season and anything can happen but rallying the wins for this Ball club won’t hurt. I will throw out one argument is the whole “Look at who the Dodgers played” or They’re suppose to be them comments. Its hard to go 9/10 In Baseball against Any Team in Baseball and the way the Dodgers Did it makes this start impressive. The Dodgers will be tested this week against on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers and get the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals (Yes I said the Nationals) at Dodgers Stadium before hitting a tough month of May. The 9-1 Start is a good build in momentum leading up to the tough games.
Why are the Dodgers on this good start. Well 10 Games in the Dodgers are playing really good Baseball. offensively the Dodgers are getting great production from Matt Kemp who has been continuing to play out of his mind and Andre Ethier is redeeming himself from a not so good 2011 Season and Juan Rivera is still that solid player to back them up but it’s not only those three stepping up to help. Mark Ellis, AJ Ellis, and YES Juan Uribe are also contributing with their bats. The Dodgers however need Dee Gordon to get on base to provide another Base Stealing threat for the Dodgers but Dee will have to have better plate discipline for that to happen. Pitching has also been pretty good. While Clayton Kershaw has yet to record a win others behind him has stepped up to help provide the wins. Chad Billingsley in two games has played like he did in his All-Star years proving to be a Solid number two. Ted Lilly in his first start back from injury and Chris Capuano has really stepped up as well. While some like the Bullpen right now Outside of Javy Guerra, Kenley Janson, and Josh Lindbloom ,who has done a great job so far, Im not yet sold on the Bullpen but so far has done a good job.
What does this start mean? Well for the Dodgers and Dodger fans it means a lot. After enduring what went down last season and the off-season with McCourt the Dodgers and the City of Los Angeles are riding a high off Momentum. Momentum that has started with Magic’s Group Purchase of the Dodgers and continuing with the Dodgers play and if the Dodgers keep this up then sky is the limit for the team. Now the Dodgers won’t sweep everyone or win every series but if the Dodgers can take 2 of 3 or 3 of 4 in most series games and the NL West then they’re in the Playoffs and add another NL West title. Los Angeles is buzzing thanks to the Boy in Blue. Something Special is happening in Los Angeles Baseball Fans.
Dodgers Veiwing Party
Yesterday the Dodgers opened the season in San Diego against the Padres and while many Dodger fans made their way to Petco Park Dodger Stadium opened their doors for those who couldn’t make it to Petco Park. For weeks Dodger Stadium and the Dodgers promoted a Viewing Party at the Stadium which included Discounts on foods and gear from the Dodgers Team Store. Tickets were also on sale for future games. Many Dodger fans made their way to the Ravine to see the Boys in Blue face the Padres on the Dodger vision. JT The Brick made an apperance to promote the upcoming Games and promotions coming up also pointing out where people could buy tickets and mini plans. The foods being half-off was a very cool thing that they could do seeing Foods are already at a price they shouldn’t be so this was something great.
Dodgers and Dodger Stadium did a great job making it some what feel like a Home game with the lights going off after a Home Run and playing I Love LA after the win. Being with Dodger fans are always priceless and on a day where Magic Johnson makes his apperance to catch his Team play, Kershaw pitch 3 scoreless innings with the Flu and Dodgers grab the win No one couldn’t ask for better. I could do without the constant promotion of what give a ways the Dodgers will have but They must sell tickets. All in all The Dodgers did a great job with the viewing party. Good success overall to tend to your loyal fanbase who couldn’t be in San Diego for the game. Dodgers Lets Do It again Soon!!
10 Days Away till Opening Day, 17 Days to the Home Opener
We are in the last month of March which always means good news for all Baseball fans. Opening day down the street. As of today we are TEN days away from the first pitch being thrown in the Regular season of the 2012 MLB Season. After all the moves in the off-season and ownership issues, Clubhouse issues of beer and sleeping and eating instead of playing a Brand new season is here. For us Dodger fans having to deal with the Ownership issues of McCourt and then wondering who the new Owner will be will finally be put to rest and we can get back to focusing on another season of Dodger Baseball. This year with the NL West up for grabs new hope raises especially with the way the Dodgers closed out the 2011 season. This year the Dodgers opens the season in San Diego to take on the Padres.
While All Baseball fans are excited for the Opening of the 2012 Season in 17 Days Something Historic will happen. April 10th will be the Home Opener for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. Not only will it be the Opening Day in Los Angeles BUT it will be exactly 50 years ago Dodgers Stadium opened its doors. It’ll be the 50th Anniversary of Dodger Stadium and it will be a very memorable day for the Dodgers, City of Los Angeles, and Dodger fans. 2 dates We’re all looking towards and it’s quickly apporaching but to some the days will be moving slow. In the end when the day gets here we will all finally get to hear the words from Vin Scully “I’s Time For Dodger Baseball!” and look forward to another season of Dodger Baseball!!
Matthew
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