(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked.)
As I Was Saying...
I know the Cubs lost in a sweep last year in Los Angeles. So the jokes can end right here. Save your James Loney jeers and your comments related to Cubs playoff errors for some other forum. (Because you'll probably have more fodder for me this October.) Yet even though my beloved Northsiders played a horrifying series against L.A. last October, last year's playoff run showed you what this Dodgers team can be when their lineup is healthy. We'll have the obligatory Manny discussion (next paragraph) and his impact on the team. But the supporting cast for Ramirez is not only good when healthy, but potentially dangerous. Do they have any one great hitter other than Manny? Well, no. But they do have a line up full of good hitters like Andre Ethier, the aforementioned Loney and Russell Martin in the middle of the lineup. They also have two good table setters in Rafael Furcal and Orlando Hudson who should provide many pitchers problems with Manny coming up next. Casey Blake and the athletic Matt Kemp are solid guys as well. This is one lineup in baseball that top to bottom really has no weaknesses, and it's what should keep the Dodgers in contention for the next six months.
The Obligatory Man-Ram Discussion
How could we have a preview of the Dodgers without giving one of the most scrutinized players in the great game of baseball his own header? Exactly, so here goes. The whole off-season was just a series of non-stories until the inevitable conclusion that Ramirez would eventually be a Dodger finally came to fruition a couple weeks ago. The truth is, no matter what Ramirez cost, or whether there was a market for him or not, the Dodgers had no choice but to bring him back in the fold. He is one of the best hitters in the game, and assuming he doesn't significantly decline due to age, he's a game-changing player that makes the Dodgers a force just by his mere presence on the lineup card. Furthermore, you'd have to think his work ethic and approach to hitting can only be a good thing for the young guys in this lineup. You put up with his attitude, or his seemingly careless demeanor. Because the bottom line is, he's a masher, and they need him.
Can Dodger Stadium Save This Staff?
The Dodgers lost ace Derek Lowe to free agency this off-season, and without him this pitching staff should take a significant hit. He was outstanding down the stretch last year and other than Manny he was the biggest reason L.A. made it to October. Now Chad Billingsley will have to assume a bigger role anchoring the staff, as well Hiroki Kuroda and veteran lefty Randy Wolf. If those three pitch well and reap the benefits of pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, L.A. should be okay. You can't rely on Clayton Kershaw to give you much, even though at times last year he showed promise, and if Claudio Vargas assumes an significant role that's clearly not a good thing. The Dodgers pitching staff is usually good even if the names aren't there just because that ballpark historically helps pitchers pitch. But what is normally a strength in The City of Angels could instead be a setback for the 2009 outfit.
Remember This Guy?
His name is Jason Schmidt, and what seems like eons ago he was a coveted top of the rotation pitcher. He has made just six starts for the Dodgers after they inked him to a now infamous three year contract worth forty-seven million dollars. Well this is the final year of the deal and Schmidt is nearly recovered from shoulder surgery. He is allegedly healthy now, but will start the season on a minor league rehab assignment to build up his arm strength. He hasn't had a banner year since 2o04, but if he is in fact healthy and is at all effective this could be the shot in the arm (no pun intended) that the Dodgers need in a pitching staff which lost its ace. I'm not saying the guy's going to win 17 games, but if he can come back and win ten games for this team, it could provide them the pitching depth they need to battle for a playoff spot again.
Bold Predictions
- The Dodgers will win 90 games this year and win the NL West again. But their pitching staff with have a team ERA among the worst in the National League.
- Chad Billingsley will finish in the top 5 in the Cy Young voting. He's the next great pitching star in the National League.
- People will stop considering the Dodger Dog some kind of ball park delicacy. It's an overrated, average hot dog.
Up Next...Sunday, Mariners.
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