Dodgers Against Southpaws Have Been Left Behind So Far This Season
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2011 3:55 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintThe Dodger offense hasn't been very effective so far this season, averaging just 3.11 runs per game through the first nine contests. They are hitting just .245/.310/.338, all numbers in the bottom third of the National League. They have an OPS of .667 against right-handed pitching, and one of just .600 against lefties so far this season. They will face a tough test this week in San Francisco, as they face two southpaws (Madison Bumgarner tonight, Jonathan Sanchez Wednesday night), and the one right-hander they do get to face just happens to be Tim Lincecum.
As one would expect, that .600 OPS against southpaws has been dragged down by the Dodgers' left-handed hitters. Dodger lefties have 26 plate appearances against same-handed pitchers this season, and have collected one single, one walk, and one sacrifice fly. That makes for a robust line of .042/.077/.042, an OPS of .119. The prime culprits of course for this lefty on lefty crime have been Andre Ethier (0-for-9 with a walk) and James Loney (1-for-10 with a sac fly).
Yes, these are obviously small sample sizes, but it's not like struggling against left-handed pitching as anything new for Ethier and Loney. Ethier has a .674 career OPS against southpaws, and hasn't been above .692 since 2007. Loney has a career .693 OPS against lefties, and since the beginning of 2008 the OPS is .653. Ethier and Loney in their careers against right-handed pitchers have an OPS of .917 and .809, respectively.
With the two lefties starting for the Giants in this series, Marcus Thames figures to get more playing time. In the early going, Thames is 2-for-10 against southpaws, including a Huff Triple®.
Juan Uribe, who is expected to pick up his championship ring privately during this series, is 0-for-6 against southpaws so far this season, with three strikeouts.
The best Dodger so far against lefties has been Matt Kemp, who is 4-for-8 with two doubles, a home run, and a walk in nine plate appearances.
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Giants' centerfielder Andres Torres has a mild strain of his left Achilles, and is expected to miss the entire series, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
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Game Time: 7:15 p.m.
TV: KCAL
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Reposting the lineups
Dodgers
Furcal SS
Carroll 2B
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Uribe 3B
Loney 1B
Thames LF
Barajas C
Kershaw P
Giants
Tejada SS
Sanchez 2B
Huff RF
Posey C
Burrell LF
Rowand CF
Belt 1B
Sandoval 3B
Bumgarner P
Rafy back
Alice batting 2nd
Still no excuse for Loney above Thames, and really no excuse other then being hurt for Blake not playing 1st.
Whenever fortune smiles on you, someone else got the frown
Sounds like the Dodgers were downplaying Blake’s reaction from the end of the Saturday game, the interference play.
Sunday morning, Blake was fine and he was just getting a day of rest. Now, it’s different.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2011 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions
or maybe not
he did run right into him, remember it looking a lot worse
These hands will always be rough
Sounds like he’s got a case of the 37s.
magnae clunes mihi placent, nec possum de hac re mentiri.
quis enim, consortes mei, non fateatur
by Humma Kavula on Apr 11, 2011 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hoffmann makes sense for 4 games
Dodgers face 3 LHP starters in next 4:
Tonight: Bumgarner
Wed: Sanchez
Thu: J.Garcia (StL)
I agree that an extra righty bat would be nice, but do you see Jamie starting any of those games? Maybe have Thames at 1B on Wed and the Hoff in Left?
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Bat off the bench
Other then Thames all the OF bench guys are lefties yes?
These hands will always be rough
Carroll, Ellis, Miles
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I know you said OF, but I’m just saying they have options.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Blake seems to be hurt so Carrol is starting
Ellis is the backup catcher, so he is out, and miles sucks.
These hands will always be rough
I doubt he starts, but then again I suppose he could start one game.
Key to remember, Giants have three lefties in the pen, and St. Louis has two.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2011 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
or pinch runner Mattingly is afraid to use? #saturday
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
Maybe Uribe will be pumped up now
He will get his ring on the field after all, tonight. Per Hank Schulman
That would be some kind of shade grown free trade coffee and cacoa bar wouldn it
by Hollywood Joe on Apr 11, 2011 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice
most definitely kopi luwak coffee.
@davidyoungtbla - The commenter formerly known as El Lay Dave.
Broxton haters are funny
So this is a little bit old, but this fellow is talking about how Broxton is a crappy closer. Fine. I get that people think that, but among people he considers real closers: Mike Fetters. Right. Me too.
"It's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard, everyone would do it. The hard... is what makes it great."
I’m not reading that. Mark is a nice guy in person but he writes garbage.
by Eric Stephen on Apr 11, 2011 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
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