Hiking off Mulholland in Studio City: Fryman Canyon Park
The Wreckoning Is Coming at You: Inside the Trainwreck Studio
Found in L.A.: Medical Marijuana Ditched in the Curb
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Simply Wrong Food: IHOP's Holiday Pancakes
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Alice Cooper, Ace Frehley @ Nokia Theater 10/28/09
Juan Pierre making his patented slide. AP Photo/J Pat Carter
Consider this scenario: your opening day starter starts only one game then goes on the disabled list; your slugger will be suspended for 50 games; your rookie starter who showed promise has no idea where to find the strike zone; two of your bullpen pitchers are on the disabled list; you can't etch the names of your fourth and fifth starters.
Combine this with Rafael Furcal, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin swinging cold bats, and you have baseball's best team: the Los Angeles Dodgers.
While the Dodgers are facing some adversity especially in their pitching, the rest of team not only shows up but lifts the team to victories.
Take Chad Billingsley and his 6-1 record who has pitched at least six innings in every start. He has matured and assumed the role of the ace of the staff. Every time he starts a game, it is guaranteed that he will give the Dodgers a quality start. Even journeymen Randy Wolf and Jeff Weaver have pitched well enough to keep the Dodgers in games. And while Eric Stults and Clayton Kershaw have not been consistent, they have thrown some absolute gems.
As for the offense there's Juan Pierre, the coverboy of ESPN's MLB webpage on Monday. Never in my wildest imagination would I ever think that I would write glowingly of Slappy McPopUp. Pierre is hitting .400 with 12 RBI and an OPS of 1.003. Let me repeat that. Juan Pierre has an OPS of 1.003. Logic says that number is going to come down since his career OPS is .721, but Pierre has been a standout as a replacement for Manny Ramirez in left field.
As a team the Dodgers lead the National League in runs scored, hits, on base percentage, ERA, lead all of baseball in opponents batting average and is second in the NL in fielding percentage. This is an ingredient for a lot of wins which the Dodgers do have with the best record in baseball.
I've said all season long to friends and anyone who would listen to me that this Dodger team is special. Last season was only the tip of the iceberg for this team. Let's just hope they continue to play good fundamental baseball throughout the season.
Dodgers Happenings
Today: It's Casey Blake bobblehead night. Matthew McConaughey will throw out the first pitch. The inaugural DodgerWIN (Women's Initiatives Network) broadcast with Jeanne Zelasko on play-by-play and Mark Sweeny doing color. The broadcast is free and will be available here.
Thursday: An off day for the Dodgers is the 8th annual Dodgers Dream Foundation Charity Golf Invitational at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Friday: Fireworks night!
Saturday: Wendy Burch (KTLA), Christine Devine (KTTV), Dorothey Lucey (KTTV), Ana Garcia (KNBC) and Pat Harvey (KCBS/KCAL) will throw out the first pitch. They will be in the autograph alley signing autographs from 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm.
Sunday: Mac Bradley and Jake Reiner will broadcast the game on Jr. Dodgers live. Members of the joint services will present the colors in honor of Memorial Day.
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I'm loving how these guys find ways to win.
Props to Don Mattingly. These guys are much smarter hitters this year.
I'm addicted to the MLB App on iPhone (don't live in LA). This is a fun season.
Great write up, Jimmy. You are a true sports fiend.
And I'm also loving the ways these guys find to win. A Billingsly double?! Come on!
Thanks Farley. I'll talk sports anytime anyplace. Even the Stanley Cup playoffs. :)
But when it comes to the Dodgers I'll give a 5 hour dissertation to anyone who'll listen.