Dodgers Utilizing The 3-Run Bomb

I’ve noticed that most of the Dodger batters don’t attempt to swing at the first pitch, at least not first time up. That makes a bit of a change from some of the wild swinging of previous years, and, if I’m not mistaken, is meant to be a conscious policy of Torre and Mattingly. It’s also pretty clear that some of the pitchers they’ve faced throw the first pitch for a strike, and, when the pitcher is good and can control the ball well, it’s going to be the batter’s best chance for a big hit. Some of the batters become more aggressive second time around which, in the case of the top and middle of the order, is usually going to be in the 3rd or 4th inning. So that’s a good time for the top to get on base and the middle to knock them in. So far, Matt Kemp seems to be less discerning than Ethier and Loney (as well as Furcal and Blake, with less power) at knowing when to swing. Martin, who was really terrible last year, seems to have improved a lot this year. Manny is magic this year. If and when Matt gets better at this will be when things really take off. I suspect he may always be a bit hit and miss, like many power bats. I’m really beginning to trust Ethier and Loney to do the right thing – take walks when they don’t get strikes to hit, get an XBH on a good strike.