Some notes Following the 1-0 Loss

Did I call it or what?  Another rookie pitches a gem against the Dodgers who failed to figure him out.  It was a disappointing loss and a wasted gem thrown by Chad Billingsley.  Josh Collmenter baffled the Dodgers through 6 innings of shutout ball, allowing two hits and striking out three.  Sometimes I wonder, what is worse, the advance scouting team or the players that fail to heed the instructions of the advance scouting team?

Also, just as I thought, Brian Runge called a game favorable to the pitching staffs of both teams.  A wide strike zone to say the least.

I am finding that the more and more I analyze the game, I truly believe that umpiring plays a major role on games’ outcomes.  It would behoove each organization to keep a book on each umpire and his tendencies and then attempt to line up pitching that will best take advantage of those tendencies.  For example, juggle a starting staff and attempt to pitch a sinkerballer in games umpired by a home plate ump that has a tendency to call the low pitches strikes.

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During the 7th inning of today’s game, Charlie Steiner and Rick Monday started talking about how the Red Sox-Yankees game is the lead game shown to most of the country on Fox and then Steiner mentioned that it will also be the ESPN game on Sunday night.  Their dialogue was as follows:

Steiner:  ESPN, they’ll never get enough of the Yankees Red Sox.

Monday: Of course, there’s never enough of those games.

Steiner:  You ever notice that Bristol, CT is exactly the same distance to New York City as it is to Boston?

Monday: You ever notice that anything west of the Hudson River doesn’t exist?

Touche´ Mo.  I couldn’t have said it better.

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Hallelujah!  James Loney had an extra base hit today, his first since April 6th.

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Billingsley pitched as well today as he ever has in his career.  It’s a shame he couldn’t get the win.  Throwing a one hitter over 8 innings work with 8 strikeouts.  He was absolutely brilliant.

I dare say it that the combination of Kershaw and Billingsley is as good as any 1-2 duo in baseball.  Add an effective Kuroda, Garland and Lilly and the Dodgers have the most under-rated starting staff in the league.  We’ll see how it plays out, but I think those five will keep the club in the race throughout the season.

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Padilla's Pinched Strike Zone / In Tonight's Game That Shouldn't Be a Problem

So, Vicente Padilla's 32 pitch 9th inning was quite an adventure last night, but it appeared to me that Ted Barrett simply wasn't giving him any corner pitches.  His fastball has some tailing off movement and on two occasions he could have rung up Diamondback hitters for strike three calls.  They were all borderline pitches.  It seemed to me that Barrett was a bit gun shy about ringing up the final out on a borderline call.

I don't see Padilla's performance as too concerning, except that he shouldn't go tonight after throwing so many pitches.  My props go to Don Mattingly who didn't leave him out there to die, like Torre so often did with his closers.  Jansen was ready to go and the fireballer was just what the doctor ordered.  It was nice to see KJ jump ahead 0-2 immediately on Melvin Mora.  Once he had the count, Jansen's 97 mph fastball up above the zone was simply something that Mora couldn't lay off of or catch up to.

Don't be fooled by Jansen high ERA.  His stuff is electric and he will be an asset to the bullpen for years to come.  Unfortunately for Kenley, his awful start to the season means he'll also have to pitch about 267 consecutive shutout innings to get his ERA under 4.00.  All in the same, that's fine by me.  Perhaps his unimpressive numbers will get many in the league to overlook his nasty stuff.

Tonight, Chad Billingsley gets Brian Runge behind the plate.  He's quite different than Barrett. Runge has had his share of run-ins over the years, but they always seem to be when he calls borderline pitches in favor of the pitchers.  

Runge is the first and only umpire to eject mild mannered Ichiro Suzuki, who objected to his strike zone.  Additionally, a few years ago he had a well known rhubarb with Carlos Beltran over the same thing, being called out on a borderline strike.  We may best remember him as the umpire behind the plate that called strike three when Jonathan Sanchez of the Giants finished his no-hitter on a called third strike that was very questionable.  He got caught up in the moment and called an "Eric Greggesque" strike to end that game.

I look for Billingsley to have a good outing tonight and snatch up a few extra outs simply because he has that pitcher friendly umpire behind the plate.  Hopefully the offense can figure out Arizona rookie starter Josh Collmenter, who will be making his first major league start tonight.  How many times over the years have we seen this where an unknown rookie faces the Dodgers for the first time and dominates?

Diamondback hurler Josh Collmenter retires Jose Reyes in May 11th game at New York.

This photo from the 2009 California League All Star game shows the awkward over-the-top delivery of Josh Collmenter.

Collmenter in 14 innings of relief this year is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA.  With a straight up "over the top" delivery, something rare for a right hander, Collmenter throws a fastball, change-up and curveball.  His delivery is confusing to hitters that need to adjust to it's awkwardness.  Collmenter is not projected any higher than a number 4 or 5 starter, so here's hoping that the guys read the scouting reports, make adjustments and don't turn the kid into a hero in his first big league start.

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A few notes on last night's game:

• Kershaw looked awesome in his 11 strikout performance and was a few breaks away from having a no-hitter through 7 innings.  It's nice to see Clayton back in stride.  I think we'll see his first all-star appearance this year.  It is also good to see his ERA where it belongs, below three runs per game at 2.75.

• I wouldn't be surprised if Andre Ethier injured his knee while sliding into the concrete base of the wall along the foul line when he chased that foul ball.    I'm hoping to be wrong about Ethier being hurt on that play, but the looping hit by Xavier Nady that allowed the second D-back run in the eighth inning should have been caught.  There is a no-man's land between Miles and Ethier on pop ups that is going to kill this team.  Again, Ethier's poor UZR reared it's ugly head last night, but I'm thinking that the throbbing knee could have played a role in that.

• Is it time for the Dodgers to pad the walls along the foul lines all the way to the bottom?  I know that would change the way Dodger Stadium plays as caroms down the line would stop dead, possibly reducing the triples that sometimes are produced by balls hit off that concrete base.  That play last night reminded me of the injury Daryl Strawberry sustained as a Dodger while crashing into Dodger Stadium's formerly unpadded outfield walls.  The end result was the Dodger organization ponied up and padded the walls, since their top free agent was out for quite some time due to a separated shoulder injury that could have been prevented.

Strawberry as a Dodger

• Uribe and Loney continue to be that black hole in the 5 and 6 spots.  It amazes me that Kemp sees pitches to hit with those two following him in the order.  He is 141 at bats into the season and Loney still has only 2 extra-base hits.  That is absolutely pathetic.  I think it's time to sit Loney, start Sands at first and put Gwynn in the outfield everyday.

• Carroll and Miles continue to set the table at the top of the order nicely.  This is an unexpected and pleasant surprise.  I wouldn't count on it continuing.  Miles OBP is pretty much his batting average, since he never takes a walk.

• Rod Barajas leads the team in home runs.  Who would have thought that would happen?  I would say he's making me forget Martin, but good old Turtle has somehow remembered how to play the game again in pinstripes.  And he has pop too, already with more homers than he had all of last year.

Back up and Running?

Google Blogger has repaired the problem

It looks like the technical snafus are over and we are running again. Unfortunately my awesome post from Wednesday has been deleted, so I'm sorry about that.  It was some quality writing though.  You'll have to trust me on that.  It would've made Dave Kingman proud.  He would have liked it so much he may have even spoken to another reporter again.  Speaking of Kingman, my friend Roberto Baly over at Vin Scully is my Homeboy has given me information on a Dave Kingman appearance at Stockton on June 19th.  Link:  (Stockton Ports Website promo schedule)  Do I dare show up and pose for a picture with him while wearing this blog's t-shirt? What do you think his reaction will be? Will I have to change the name of this place? I'm not sure I want to find out. What do you think?

9-year old grandson Eric posing in his OKP t-shirt

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I'm very sorry to hear of Harmon Killebrew's deteriorating condition.  In today's announcement, Harmon, who is battling cancer of the esophagus said, "I have exhausted all options with respect to controlling this awful disease,...my illness has progressed beyond my doctor's expectation of cure."
Link: Minneapolis Star Tribune article

I wrote about Harmon Killebrew back in late December when it was announced that he'd be battling this disease:  Link:  Harmon Killebrew post from December, 2010 
A great ball player and courageous human being.  God bless you Harmon.

Dodgers Go For Series Win in Pittsburgh, a Bridge to a Successful Season?

Hiroki Kuroda looked good today.  I think we’re always going to be nervous around the 7th inning each game as Mattingly starts getting the relievers up.  The Dodger bullpen will have to turn things around if the Dodgers are going to contend.  I think it’s possible.

Jansen will pitch better, Padilla is doing well thus far.  When Broxton comes back, he can’t do any worse.  Perhaps Elbert will perform this call up.  He definitely has something to prove.  Guerrier has done well, McDougal too.  I think the bullpen has the potential to turn it around.

Over at ESPN Jon Weisman wrote today at Dodgerthoughts.com that this club reminds him of the ’92 Dodger club that lost 99 games.  I see things a bit differently.  They’re only 3 games out following today’s shutout victory.  They could easily have been  buried by now.   I just think that this trend of negativity can’t continue.  The odds are against it.  Take a look at all that has gone wrong so far:

Blake catching the flesh eating virus

Furcal breaking his thumb

Loney forgetting how to hit

Padilla being out for the start of the season

Broxton’s issues

Kuo’s issues

The bullpen with the highest ERA in the league

Jansen going through sophomore slump

The left field woes

Lilly’s ineffectiveness

Uribe’s season long slump

The ownership distraction and the few fans showing up

With all those negative issues, there is bound to eventually be some good news with this club.  In the course of 162 games, some things will turn for the Dodgers positively.  The two wins in Pittsburgh give me some hope.  now if they can wrap up the series with a win tomorrow, perhaps the Dodgers can get a little streak going and hang tough in the division.

Yes, a lot of things have to go right for them to win it, but I don’t see that out of the realm of possibility.

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Interesting that Hong Chih Kuo goes on the D.L. with an anxiety disorder problem and is replaced by Scott Elbert, who left the club last season on an undisclosed issue, that was related to stress.  To this day, Elbert’s problem has not been disclosed publicly.

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Nice at bat by Jerry Sands today who came through with an RBI double after Clint Hurdle had Rod Barajas walked intentionally to face the rookie.  Those are the types of positive steps that will allow Jerry to gain confidence on the big league level.  

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Vicente Padilla looks mighty comfortable in his new role as closer.  His arsenal of pitches makes him a unique weapon in the ninth inning.  I like what I see.  I found it interesting that he has said he won't throw the soap bubble in the relief role.  So far, so good.  He looks like he has the right demeanor for that role.

Where is the Team Ownership Headed? A Few Scenarios That Could Happen...

There are so many different directions the Dodger franchise can go with the ownership situation up in the air.  As I let my imagination wander on the topic, I present a few scenarios that I think may play out.  In all of them, I believe it is safe to say that Frank McCourt will remain as one of the most loathed men in Los Angeles.

Options:

(1)

Frank McCourt keeps the team and meets his financial obligations as MLB approves the Fox television deal and Dodgers are locked into a TV contract until 2028.  It’s a $3 billion deal which comes out to an average of $176 million per year.  Most likely much of it must be divided up with ex-wife Jamie who will continue to claim co-ownership and battle to return to a co-owner capacity with the club.  Jamie, may seek a buyout and request a large chunk of the TV money to agree to go away.  Knowing the McCourts and their litigious nature, she’ll ask for $150 billion of the TV revenues in an effort to go away.  They will haggle over those funds for years, which will be the excuse used by Frank to not land a big name free agent.  The Fox deal, which seems to be impressive at the outset, hampers the club in later years as the economic climate changes.  Unhappy Dodger fans do not return to the Stadium.

(2)

Frank McCourt is forced to sell the team by MLB and he retains Dodger Stadium and the parking lots as his property, leasing out the stadium to the new owners for use.  He’ll bring in parking revenue and millions from leasing the stadium.  More and more Dodger fans will park outside the parking lot in protest of giving one penny to Frank McCourt.  Parking fees raise to $25/car by 2015. 

(3)

Frank McCourt is told by MLB that he must sell because of his inability to make payroll and pay for the day to day operations of the team.  MLB steps in and pays salaries and ponies up to keep the team afloat financially.  McCourt files suit against MLB for refusing to approve the Fox TV deal and the Dodger ownership remains in limbo for a few years while the courts determine ownership rights.  When MLB prevails in court, McCourt appeals and an additional year delay occurs.  Meanwhile, the core of Kemp, Ethier, Billingsley, Loney, Broxton, Kuo and Kershaw have left to more stable organizations and the Dodgers dwell at the bottom of the standings.  Attendance plumments and Brooklynites clamor for a return of the Dodgers to their original home.  L.A. Dodger fans are by now fed up and prepared to lose the team without a whimper of protest.  Interestingly, San Francisco Giants ownership doesn’t step in the way of a Dodger move back east as Peter O’Malley did in 1993 when the Giants were planning to move to St. Petersburg, FL.

Kemp, Loney and Ethier.  Three of the Dodger Core that may seek a more stable organization.

(4)

Frank McCourt sells the team and retains ownership of Dodger Stadium and the parking lots as his property.  The new owner decides that he doesn’t want to deal with McCourt and decides to build his own downtown stadium, possibly near Staples center and the Dodgers have a new state of the art facility while Frank panics and attempts to lure Arte Moreno out of Anaheim to lease Dodger Stadium for the Angels.  Moreno doesn’t bite at the offer.  McCourt ends up using Dodger Stadium to host Monster Truck Rallies, Motocross events,  Rock n’ Roll Stadium shows and uses the parking lot each weekend for Mega Southland Swap Meets.   

Will Dodger Stadium Become a Permanent Site for Monster Truck Rallies and Motocross Events?

We're in Pittsburgh, Memories of the Killer Tomato

There was a period of time that I looked forward to the Pittsburgh series at PNC Park because I knew that Olmedo Saenz was going to absolutlely dominate.  For some reason, Olmedo simply loved playing Pittsburgh.  It took former Dodger manager Jim Tracy a few season before he realized that Olmedo really liked playing in Pittsburgh before he put him in the starting lineup.  By 2006, Grady Little needed no promptings, Saenz was starting at first base each game in the Steel town.

Saenz, a key pinch hitter and occasional sub during this past decade, was a great teammate and positive clubhouse influence.  He  always seemed to have a smile on his face.  He came up with some clutch hits over his 5 year span with the team.  Known as The “Killer Tomato” due to the phonetics of his name "Olmedo" that rhymed with the spoofy horror film, he was also known amongst Dodger fan faithful as “Big Sexy.”  His words following a 12-6 win in Pittsburgh on August 5, 2005, (where he went 3 for 5f with a double and a homer) were, “My swing was feeling pretty sexy.”  That was it, "Big Sexy" stuck.

I realize it was a small sample size but take a look at these numbers.  In 36 career at bats at PNC Park, Saenz had 18 hits, including 5 homers, 18 RBI, an On base % of . 556 with SLG. of 1.031 and OPS of 1.567.   33 total bases over 36 at bats.   He was an absolute masher in Pittsburgh.

Since Ned is so in love with aging vets, I say with tongue in cheek that he should have placed a call to Panama and resigned the 41-year old Killer Tomato.  At least for this 3 game stretch.

PNC Park is absolutely beautiful.  This is definitely a place I'd love to visit.  Who after all, can dislike the Pittsburgh Pirates?  Such classy Hall of Famers as Roberto Clemente and Willie Stargell excelled for them for so long.   Chuck Tanner was a fine manager and well liked in baseball circles.  His clubs were fun to watch.   Back in the 70s, a series with the Pirates would always be a battle.  They had some solid clubs and two world championships in thet decade.

I definitely wouldn't mind seeing the Pirates start winning again.  Their fans have been suffering long enough.  With a .500 start this season after 34 games, things seem to be looking up for the Pirates. 

A Positive Spin on the Season Thus Far

Now that Ethier’s streak has ended, it seems that there isn’t much to look forward to with this Dodger team.  The more blog reading I do, the more depressing the reality of this season seems to become.  There really isn’t much to disagree with, the lineup is impotent and the bullpen has been the worst in the majors statistically.  Reinforcements aren’t available in the minors.  The owner is on the verge of insolvency and it seems like the only thing to look forward to is McCourt being forced to sell the team, something that he isn’t even hinting at doing.  Worse yet, the Dodgers have hit a slump at the worst time.  Right when they have started playing the weak part of the schedule.  If they don’t turn things around immediately, this could be a long season.

So lets see what positives there are with the Dodgers:

• Jamey Carroll is playing above his potential again.  He is a gritty veteran that has stepped up now his second season in a row.  It’s a shame that he isn’t the type of player that can carry a team.  I will say this though, if Carroll is the team MVP again this year, we are in for a long season.

• Ethier and Kemp.  Enough has been written on these two.  They’ve carried the team through the first 34 games.  Imagine what their record would be without them.

• Garland, Kuroda, Billingsley and Kershaw.  All have had their moments early in the season.  The Dodger pitching staff is strong.  Lilly should come around before the season is done too.

• They have some cool bobblehead promotions.

• Very few fans are showing up, which gives us fans watching games on TV a new perspective of the beauty of Dodger Stadium.   It also allows those attending games the opportunity to sit pretty much where they please.  The silver lining of the poor attendance is that it attributes to the end of the McCourt era hopefully.

• Vin Scully is still calling games.

• If things continue as they are, we’re due to get an awesome draft pick next year.

Oops. this one didn't quite work out.

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A great tweet I read today by Ned Colletti, not the real guy, but someone that goes by that name on twitter.  It reads:

“If MLB won’t approve Fox deal, McCourt has deal to receive money from Nigerian prince.  Must make a series of deposits first.”

We’re saved!