- Matt Kemp was batting 7th tonight, behind offensive luminaries like Casey Blake and Orlando Hudson. Torre really couldn't put a lineup together if his life depended on it. Your best hitters should be in a position to get the most at-bats possible.
- A consistent batting order constructed to give the team the most run potential would help bring needed consistency to the Dodgers' offense. Something along the lines of: Furcal-Ethier-Manny-Kemp-Martin-Loney-Blake-Hudson-Pitcher or Martin-Furcal-Kemp-Manny-Ethier-Loney-Blake-Hudson-Pitcher.
- James Loney had the night off for the second straight game.
- Hiroki Kuroda was pretty good tonight (6.1 IP, 1 ER, 6 Hits, 1 BB, 2 K, 93 pitches - 64 strikes, 12 groundball outs - 5 flyball outs).
- Torre continued his mission to burn through the bullpen before September arrives. Kuo could have recorded the last out in the 7th, and two relievers were not needed to finish off the 8th and 9th innings. With a 3-run cushion (my reasoning here), one reliever would have been enough. I just hope Joe doesn't trot Kuo out again tomorrow.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Your best offensive players and players with the highest OBPs should be in the top half of the lineup, somewhere between the 1-5 spots. For the Dodgers, it's simple: Kemp, Manny, Ethier, Martin, Furcal. Those 5 guys in some order (preferably Martin and Furcal in the top 2 spots), every game. Wise up Joe!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Chad Billingsley will not pitch Wednesday's game. Smart decision by the Dodgers, no need to risk further injury. Though that Lincecum vs. Billingsley matchup would have been a treat to watch.
No comments:
Post a Comment