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Postseason Playing Pepper: Los Angeles Dodgers (Part II)

Posted on October 7, 2009 at 11:23 PM
Filed Under: Baseball Bloggers Alliance | General Baseball | Los Angeles Dodgers
If you were reading this blog before this season started, you may remember a series I did called "Playing Pepper", where I asked five questions of a blogger covering each major league team.  With the season coming to a close, I thought I'd tap into the talents of the newly formed Baseball Bloggers Alliance and ask five new questions of the bloggers covering the postseason teams.

Yesterday, I posted the answers I got to my Dodger questions from Matt at Feeling Dodger Blue.  I also asked Chris from Dodgerfan.net the same ones and got his responses today.  So as the Cards battle the Dodgers, here's another angle on the opponents.

C70: What is the Dodgers' strength going into October?

DF: The strength of the Dodgers is definitely their offense. Andre Ethier has had a truly breakout year, and Matt Kemp is right behind him.Interestingly, Ethier struggled all year against left-handers, but fortunately for the Dodgers, St. Louis' rotation is full of righties.

The other key element of the Dodgers is their pitching. Kershaw and Wolf give the team two strong starters heading into the playoffs. They're not elite, but they can both get through six innings. This is key because the Dodgers bullpen is one of the best in the majors with Kuo, Sherrill and Broxton anchoring the last third of the game. If the Dodgers have a lead going into the 7th, chances are they will hold it. .

C70: What worries you about the team?

DF: The rest of the starting pitching. Vicente Padilla has been tapped by Joe Torre to start Game 3 over Chad Billingsley who has struggled as of late when the game enters the sixth inning. Padilla has pitched very well for LA, including notching 10 strikeouts on Sunday against Colorado, but he's still Vicente Padilla. Kuroda is still hurt, which is a real loss for this team in the NLDS.



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√ Not So Fast, T-Mac [Tremendous Upside Potential]
√ Payroll breakdown [Feeling Dodger Blue]


C70: What player left off or added to the postseason roster would surprise casual observers, if it happens?

DF: I think the biggest surprise is Joe Torre opting for Ronnie Belliard over Orlando Hudson at second base for Game One of the NLDS. The O-Dog was simply amazing during the first half of the season, but he played a lot and seemed to wear down over time. Since coming over from the Nationals, Ronnie Belliard's bat has come alive and he's jump-started the team's offense on more than one occasion. The Dodgers will miss Hudson's defense when Belliard plays (Hudson had just eight errors all year), but he's a pro's pro and is a phenomenal playoff bench player for LA.

C70: Who is the one key player for the Dodgers, the player that, if they don't go well, the Dodgers go home early?

DF: For the Dodgers to advance to the NLCS, Manny Ramirez needs to have his presence felt. Since returning from his suspension, opposing pitchers just haven't feared him, and having his bat come alive as it always has in the post-season could change the complexion of the series. The other is Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers need their young phenom to continue his magical season with a strong start, going deep into Game 2. If Kershaw falters, it could be disastrous for the Dodgers.

C70: Have the expectations for the team changed with the struggles in the last week or so?  Do people have a less positive mindset of how October is going to go?

DF: Perhaps for the national audience and the casual fan that does not watch this team on a daily basis. However, I feel that the Dodgers match up well in a short series. I also believe that post-season momentum is generated inning to inning and at bat to at bat, so things can change on a dime. Perhaps the biggest advantage that the Dodgers have is starting the NLCS at home. While St. Louis is an incredible team, LA's best hitter (Andre Ethier) has been lights out against right-handed pitching (hitting .302 vs. righties and .194 vs. lefties) and incredible at Dodger Stadium (hitting 22 HR in LA compared to just nine on the road). He's definitely a huge key for the Dodgers as they look to get out to a fast start against the Cardinals.

Thanks to Chris for the insights!


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Heroes
Matt Holliday (13)
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2009 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (28)
2008 Top Hero: Albert Pujols (25)

Goats
Yadier Molina (10)
Matt Holliday (8)
Brendan Ryan (8)
Albert Pujols (7)
Dennys Reyes (7)
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Colby Rasmus (6)
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2009 Top Goats: Rick Ankiel and Todd Wellemeyer (13)
2008 Top Goat: Troy Glaus (13)

    Cardinal Nation Approval Ratings (March 2010)
    Albert Pujols 98.7% (up 0.8%)
    Adam Wainwright 95.6%
    Chris Carpenter 93.6%
    Yadier Molina 92.0% (down 1.4%)
    Dave Duncan 87.0% (up 2.8%)
    John Mozeliak 86.1%
    Matt Holliday 84.5%
    Bill DeWitt 83.0% (up 2.8%)
    Skip Schumaker 81.1%
    Tony La Russa 80.6% (up 1.5%)
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    Colby Rasmus 76.8% (up 10.8%)
    John Rooney 76.2% (down 4.7%)
    Mark McGwire 73.2%
    Ryan Franklin 69.7%
    Kyle Lohse 66.8% (down 10.5%)
    Al Hrbrosky 46.2% (down 7.7%)

    2009
    Rick Ankiel 83.9%
    Chris Duncan 69.1%


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