Dodgers Week 14 In Review: Flexing Their Muscles

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A pair of Ks led the way this week for the Dodgers, one a near All-Star roaming centerfield and the other a young phenom starting to come into his own.

The Dodgers stormed into the All-Star break with one of their best weeks of the season, winning two more series on the road while nearly doubling up their opponents. The offense went wild this week, averaging 7.5 runs per game and clubbing 12 home runs.  Of the 13 batters on the roster, only Casey Blake (.697) and Mark Loretta (.583) had an OPS under .787.  The Dodgers hit .315/.412/.543 for the week.

During the second week of the season, the Dodgers opened their home schedule in grand fashion, outscoring their opponents by 33, 50-17, on their way to a perfect start at home.  This week, the Dodgers outscored the Mets and Brewers by 20 (45-25) for their second-best showing of the season.  On the season, the Dodgers have outscored their opponents by an MLB-best 105 runs.

Dodger Batter of the Week:  Since The Bison doesn't wear a Phillies' uniform, he won't be going to St. Louis to play in the All-Star Game, so he'll have to settle for the coveted True Blue LA Batter of The Week Award.  Matt Kemp had an insane week, .hitting 522/.577/.783 with five runs and six RBI.  Even with an 0 for 4 on Sunday, Kemp was still able to hit over .500 for the week.  After an 8-for-11 series against the Mets, Kemp had his highlight reel game on Friday in Milwaukee, providing some Bison Insurance with an extra-inning grand slam, and ending the game with an amazing over-the-shoulder catch that might just be the defensive play of the year so far for the Dodgers.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week:  Clayton Kershaw has arrived, folks.  All he did this week was win both of his starts, allowing only one run and 12 baserunners in 12 innings.  Since May 1, Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.059 ERA, second only to Tim Lincecum (2.055) during that time.  Kershaw has allowed 18 runs over his last 14 starts, and has allowed zero or one run in 11 of 18 starts this year.  His 3.16 ERA is the best on the staff.

Week 14 Record:  4-2
45 runs scored (7.50 per game)
25 runs allowed (4.17 per game)
.764 pythagorean winning percentage

Overall Seasonal Record:  56-32 (.636)
443 runs scored (5.03 per game)
338 runs allowed (3.84 per game)
.632 pythagorean winning percentage

Always On Base:  During the series in New York, Matt Kemp had a streak of seven straight plate appearances reaching base (five hits, two walks).  Manny Ramirez ended the week by reaching base all five times on Sunday in Milwaukee (three hits, two walks).

Symmetrical Slugging:  On Sunday, All-Star Orlando Hudson hit home runs from both sides of the plate against the Brewers, the 10th time in the history of the Dodgers this happened.  The only other Dodger to do so in Milwaukee was Milton Bradley, who turned the trick on April 18, 2005.  That 2005 win brought the club's record to 10-2, on their way to a 12-2 start before the wheels came off.

Going Deep:  When the starting pitcher pitches six or more innings for the Dodgers, the club is 32-13 (.711).  When they don't last six innings, the Dodgers are 24-19 (.558).  The MLB winning percentages for these scenarios are .614 and .330, respectively.

Where The Rubber Meets The Road:  In each of the club's last ten 3-game series, the Dodgers have headed into game three with the series tied at 1-1  The Dodgers have won the final game of these series eight of ten times.

Worth The Wait:  On Tuesday, Claudio Vargas made his first appearance on a major league mound in over a year, and for the week threw two scoreless innings.

Transactions:  A couple bullpen injury-related moves:

• Wednesday: Ronald Belisario was placed on the disabled list, retroactive to July 6, with right elbow irritation.  Belisario's MRI results showed no major damage, but he still may miss a month or so.
• Wednesday: Cory Wade was recalled from Albuquerque to take Belisario's roster spot
• Saturday:  Blake DeWitt was optioned to Albuquerque
• Saturday:  Scott Elbert was recalled from Albuquerque, because Jonathan Broxton was out with an injured toe, and the Dodgers needed some relief for their relief staff.

Upcoming Week:  The Dodgers get three days of rest in the form of the All-Star break, then open up the second half of the season with a 10-game road trip homestand.  Houston comes to town beginning Thursday for a four-game series.  True Blue LA will be there covering the game on Sunday.

Week 14 Stats