|
Know Your Dodgers (August 12-14)
Previously, on "Know Your Dodgers:"
A National League team in one of America's largest cities has an owner in financial trouble.
His plan is to raise ticket prices and keep payroll down.
He loses the support of his fans.
He has major litigation troubles.
In THIS case, Major League Baseball has decided they've had quite enough of the troubled owner, and exert their will to force a sale.
As the team obviously has lots of value, the troubled owner makes a handsome profit.
The new, energized owners show a commitment to winning.
They dump tens of millions of dollars into making the team competitive.
Coming up on this episode, "First Place:"
The Mets visit the first-place Dodgers, who are 66-50, with (per ESPN) a 93.1% chance of making the playoffs. They are 19-3 since the all-star break; have won 36 of their last 44; and haven't lost a series since mid-June.
The Mets played 4 game series in Los Angeles in both 2011 and 2012; they won games 1-3 and couldn't complete the sweep. This year, there are only 3 games.
Dodgers Starting Pitchers:
The Dodgers have the top ERA for NL starting pitchers this year, but the Mets will fortunately miss both Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw this series.
Pitching matchups: (All games 10:10 EDT)
Monday: Ricky Nolasco (R) v. Jenrry Mejia
Nolasco was traded by Miami in June for prospects. He is a free agent at the end of the season. Combined stats this year are 8-9, 3.65 in 24 starts; 117 Ks against 36 walks in 145 innings. If it seems like he's pitched a lot against the Mets, it's because he has; this will be his 24th start against the Mets since 2006 (more than any opponent).
He faced the Mets in April and was nothing special; 6 hits, 3 walks and 3 runs; Mets knocked him out in the 6th inning.
Tuesday: Hyun-Jin Ryu (L) v. Matt Harvey
26-year old Korean import in his first season in the majors, which is going quite well: 2.99 ERA and 1.245 WHIP in 22 starts. Dodgers have won his last seven starts. Faced the Mets in April and pitched a strong seven innings in a pitcher's duel with Hefner that the Mets bullpen would lose in the 9th. Second Dodger player to wear number 99 (Manny was the first).
Wednesday: Chris Capuano (L) v. Dillon Gee
This the second year of the two year contract Capuano earned after proving in 2011 with the Mets that he was able to pitch a full season again. After an excellent 2012, things aren't going quite as well in year two, with a 4.50 ERA and 1.388 WHIP in 80 innings (he missed time due to injury).
Dodger Lineup:
C - A.J. Ellis (R) Andrew James was drafted by the Dodgers in 2003 and was in the minors and a backup in the majors for years before getting the starting job last year at age 31. Serviceable offense (.721 OPS); serviceable defense; a solid major league catcher.
1B - Adrian Gonzalez (L) 16-27-.294; .803 OPS. Leads team in hits, homers, RBI.
2B - Mark Ellis (R) No relation to AJ. Mostly there for his glove (.682 OPS).
3B - Juan Uribe (R) Having a bit of a bounceback year after two prio miserable seasons (both were sub-.560 OPS). Up to .710 OPS this year. Got called out on Saturday when the Rays pulled the hidden ball trick.
SS - Hanley Ramirez (R) is not on the DL, but hasn't started since last Sunday, when he injured his shoulder going into the stands at Wrigley to catch a popup. He pinch hit on Friday. We didn't see Hanley in April as he was injured during the WBC and was still on the DL. he's been extremely productive (1.051 OPS, 11 homers in 192 ABs) when on the field this year.
Nick Punto (S) has been starting in his place and doesn't exactly have the same pop, with a .254/.329/.317 line. (Yes, that's right, OBP higher than slugging).
LF - Carl Crawford (L) is never going to again be the 6.9 WAR player he was in his walk year in 2010 for Tampa, but he's already doing significantly better than the six-tenths of a win above replacement he put up during his two years in Boston. .766 OPS, decent defense, 11-for-15 stealing.
CF - Andre Ethier (L) is manning center most of the time with Matt Kemp on the DL. He's a solid player (.758 OPS) but probably not worth the 5-year, $83.5M extension he got from the Dodgers last June.
RF - Yasiel Puig (R) You may have heard a little about this 22-year old rookie from Cuba. He's 250 PAs into the season and is sporting a 1.043 OPS, with 26 of his 85 hits for extra bases. That's already 3.8 WAR in slightly less than a half season.
Dodger Bench:
Tim Federowicz (R) - Backup catcher who hit at AAA but hasn't done anything in the majors.
Jerry Hairston Jr. (R) - Utility player. Dodgers are his 9th major league team.
Dee Gordon (L) - middle infield speedster who can't hit.
Skip Schumaker (L) - backup outfielder. Hits like a backup outfielder. Real first name: Jared.
Dodger Bullpen:
Kenley Jansen (R), current closer. 2.01 ERA and 0.840 WHIP in 58 innings; 84 Ks to 9 walks. 17 saves.
Brandon League (R), former closer. Lost the job in June after a run of blown saves. Mets got to him in April, tying the game in the 9th, before Valdespin hit his walk-off grand slam the next inning (against a different pitcher). Ugly numbers (5.27 ERA, 1.383 WHIP) but he's pitched better of late.
Carlos Marmol (R), former Cubs closer, acquired via trade in July for Matt Guerrier in a swap of underperforming relievers who had both been DFAed. Spent a few weeks in AAA before getting called up. Small sample size but he's been mostly effective as a Dodger.
Ronald Belisario (R), top set up guy. 3.33 ERA, 1.442 WHIP, 41 Ks and 20 BBs in 51 Innings.
J.P. Howell (L), 2.05 ERA and 1.076 WHIP. Shuts lefties down quite effectively.
Paco Rodriguez (L), shuts down lefties effectively as well. 2.14 ERA, 0.738 WHIP, 45 Ks to 12 walks in 42 innings.
Dodger Injuries:
Matt Kemp, ankle, 15 day DL
Brian Wilson (yes, the former Giants closer). On rehab assignment, won't be back for this series.
John Beckett, out for the year (surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome)
Chad Billinglsey, out for the year (Tommy John surgery)
Ex-Mets:
Capuano
Ex-Dodgers:
None
Essential Dodgers Blog:
Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness (http://www.mikesciosciastragicillness.com/)
* All stats through Saturday, 8/10
| 
