Los Angeles Dodgers

[LatinMind]

Man these guys are scary right now. Theyre playing the way everybody thought they would be when they got that blockbuster deal.

Addition of Yasiel Puig, i wont be suprised if he's the MVP by the time the end of the season is here.

And it probably wont stop there. Dodgers are looking to trade for Miami's Nolasco and Phillys Utley and or Micheal Young.

Puig tho is the key. The whole team is feeding off this kid. Before it just seemed like a bunch of 100 million dollars players collecting a check. Now they are sacrificing their own bodies because of what Puig is doing.

Not to mention Hanley Ramirez is back. The guy is on a tear. Havent seen this type of production from him since his MVP yr.

Kershaw, Grienke, and Nolasco wow. Add in Fife and Capuano.They need a little help in bullpen tho. But they've brought in their young guns from the minors and they've did a good job so far.

They still have Zach Lee, Joc Pederson, and Dee Gordon in the minors. Think Pederson and Gordon will end up being trade chips. But Lee i think will end up in LA next yr.

This team looks real scary right now.

 

[bigdnlaca]

As a Dodger fan, I seen this play before. For the last few seasons, they have been hot and sometimes take 1st place in the west. In the end, either the Diamondbacks or the Giants take over.

Dodgers did gain some ground but they still need to beat teams within their division.

 

[Questfor6]

I'm a die-hard Reds fan but man Puig is just awesome to watch. He is unbelievable in every facet of the game and he's still learning.

 

[Christiann]

As a Dodger fan, I seen this play before. For the last few seasons, they have been hot and sometimes take 1st place in the west. In the end, either the Diamondbacks or the Giants take over.

Dodgers did gain some ground but they still need to beat teams within their division.

Since we've gotten hot, we swept the giants as well as take the series in Colorado, if we continue to win these series we will be in good shape. The bats are getting hot and the momentum is building, lets just hope it lasts.

 

[Reality]

I'm a life long Dodgers fan since the days of Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey, Yeager, Baker and Smith, but I admit I was skeptical when they put this team together in the off-season. It just seemed like it was one of those destined-to-fail setups. Then the non-stop injuries and lack of offense seemed like the same-old Dodgers where their pitchers had to be awesome if they had any chance to win. For a while, they were awesome, but even that faltered. It got to a point where it felt like once the other team scored 3 runs, the game was over.

Puig has been fun to watch, but Ramirez has been just as amazing over the last month. You can tell that while Puig is a great player, there are holes in his game. From his aggressive base running which makes him look genius at times and bush league at other times, to his first-pitch-swing addiction, he has a lot of room for improvement. When you watch Ramirez, the guy just seems zoned in and I hope it lasts. Gonzalez seems to do a lot better as a compliment player rather than the guy. Maybe that's because of the protection he gets from the guys batting around him, but he just looks more comfortable now that the roster is getting healthier.

I am concerned about Kemp for this season. He just doesn't seem right and he tweaked his shoulder again the other night. Hopefully with Crawford back, they can let him get healthy before trying to bring him back.

/reality

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I remember those teams Reality. They were pretty good. They also had Pedro Guererro, Mike Sciocia, Fernando Valenzuela, Dave Stewart, Rich Sutcliffe, Bob Welch and Alejandro Pena. I used to jerk peanuts and Dogs at the old Dukes Stadium back then and so I saw a lot of those guys play in the Minors. I remember, 81 I think it was, when the Dodgers played a series of exhibition games against the Dukes and the Dukes Triple A team actually beat the Dodgers who went on to win the WS. That team had some good guys on it also. Mike Marshall, Candy Maldonando, Steve Sax, Ted Power, Rudy Law, Alex Tavares, Ron Roenicke, there were a ton of good players on that team. They had another team that did the same thing in 90s. Those were the Piazza, Kenarko, Mondesi, Martinez and Wetteland teams. They were also damn good.

Seen a lot of good minor league players come through Albuquerque and go on to play for the Dodgers.

 

[LatinMind]

I'm a life long Dodgers fan since the days of Garvey, Lopes, Russell, Cey, Yeager, Baker and Smith, but I admit I was skeptical when they put this team together in the off-season. It just seemed like it was one of those destined-to-fail setups. Then the non-stop injuries and lack of offense seemed like the same-old Dodgers where their pitchers had to be awesome if they had any chance to win. For a while, they were awesome, but even that faltered. It got to a point where it felt like once the other team scored 3 runs, the game was over.

Puig has been fun to watch, but Ramirez has been just as amazing over the last month. You can tell that while Puig is a great player, there are holes in his game. From his aggressive base running which makes him look genius at times and bush league at other times, to his first-pitch-swing addiction, he has a lot of room for improvement. When you watch Ramirez, the guy just seems zoned in and I hope it lasts. Gonzalez seems to do a lot better as a compliment player rather than the guy. Maybe that's because of the protection he gets from the guys batting around him, but he just looks more comfortable now that the roster is getting healthier.

I am concerned about Kemp for this season. He just doesn't seem right and he tweaked his shoulder again the other night. Hopefully with Crawford back, they can let him get healthy before trying to bring him back.

/reality

I think its time to move on from Kemp. Let him get healthy and trade him. A healthy Kemp has alot of value.

This team has alot to build on for the future, they have a starting pitcher and a OF in Zach Lee and Joc Pederson Who should be in the bigs next yr at some point. Not to mention Van Slyke. He's still developing and being used in the bigs. IMO dodgers need a true leadoff hitter. Crawford isnt a true leadoff hitter. Im hoping Dee Gordon could just figure it out. Guy has amazing talent but lacks the drive. He wants to be a homerun hitter. If he ver figures out that his speed would drive pitchers crazy he'll push Hanley to 3B. But i dont see that happening.

Dodgers did get off to a slow start, just seemed like they were just collecting checks. But it seems like Puig just s[parked that whole team. And it started with Hanley. You can tell that Hanley just adores the kid. You're right about AGon, he's better as the role player. This batting order needs to be centered around Puig and Hanley. They seriously need to make a move for a 2B, Ellis is admirable but he's the weak link. Uribe is a suprise at this time. He's hitting the ball 1000% better thenjust 2 weeks ago. Hell Ethier raised his avg 8 points in like games.

Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu, Nolasco, Fife should be the rotation going forward. That group can line up against anybody. Their bullpen is coming around with their young guns. Jansen, Paco, Dominguez, Withrow, Howell all very young and showing alot of tenacity. Belisario is even looking good. His new release is working for him. Guy has had some intimating strike outs the last week.

If only they could pluck Utley from Philly. It will cost but its worth it.

What the dodgers did to Arizona today was beautiful by the way. dominated them in every way imaginable. Greinke was lights out. If they stay with Kemp which they probably will, i say sit him until the guy is completely healed. If thats shutting him down for the rest of the yr so be it. Just get him healthy.

A possible Lineup of
Crawford
Puig
Gonzalez
Hanley
Utley
Kemp
Aj Ellis
Uribe

Looks damn good to me.

Ethier
Van slyke
Shumacker
Punto

Coming off the bench.

 

[jcollins28]

I'm a huge Chase Utley fan. Whats not to like, LA kid went to UCLA. I have always wanted him in Dodger blue. However I want the pre 2009 Chase Utley at this point I don't think trading for Utley would be the best move for the long term plans for the Dodgers.

 

[Christiann]

He's a free agent next year, with us trading for nolasco as well as interest with Garza, it would ridiculous to ship out another prospect for an aged and injury prone Utley. Mark Ellis is doing just fine at 2B this season. While I wouldn't mind Utley next year to finish up his career as a dodger, I'd have no problem with that. Also the talk about letting go of Kemp is far-fetched, the one that should be shipped out is Carl Crawford in my opinion. I'd love to keep the outfield set up of Ethier Kemp and Puig while having Van Slyke on the bench with Pederson in the wings. I will admit this has been a nightmare year for Matt, but he will be back.

 

[LatinMind]

Nolasco is going to be a dominant #4 starter in LA. He was lights out tonight. He says he wants to be in La for yrs to come. Dont know if thats going to happen tho.

 

[Christiann]

With the emergence of Fife, dunno if Nolasco will be here next year. Can't forget we have BIllingsley coming back next year. Unless they trade fife for a infielder or relief help, next years like up will probably look like this.
Kershaw
Greinke
Ryu
BIllingsley
Fife/Nolasco.

Id go with fife because he's cheaper and he's a solid 5 IMO

 

[LatinMind]

dodgers about to pull it out again. back to back homers by HanRam and AJ in the 14th inning lol. This team has made up 8 games in 3 series. will be 1 game behind Arizona going back to LA to play colorado. Zona goes to the Brewers. Dodgers will be in first by the ASG. This team just gets it done now. They seemed to have solidified their bullpen with their young guns from the minors and Belisarios new delivery. Clutch hitting something they werent doing.

 

[LatinMind]

One thing i didnt like hearing is Puig disrespecting Luis Gonzalez. gonzo went over to Puig and was congratulating him on what he's been able to do and Puig basically ignored him. Gonzo was even speaking to him in spanish so its not like he didnt understand. Guy needs some act right. Being reported that McGwire let Puig have it on his disrespect. Thats the knock Puig had on him very immature.

 

[LatinMind]

its official dodgers win 7-5 in the 14th. Game last 5 1/2 hrs lol. dodgers had used all their posistional players and 7 pitchers. Zone used all their pitchers and had 1 positional player left. Great game some good defense and alot of very good pitching. Collmenter for zona pitched like a beast in relief, 74 pitches. Unheard of for a reliever.

 

[bigdnlaca]

Great series!

Now we just sit back and wait. If the Dodgers can win the remaining series against their division, and play a little better than .500 against non division foes, I don't see how they can't win the division.

 

[LatinMind]

Great series!

Now we just sit back and wait. If the Dodgers can win the remaining series against their division, and play a little better than .500 against non division foes, I don't see how they can't win the division.

Dodgers have went 15-5 in their last 20. If they can keep that kind of play going they should win somewhere betweek 95-100 games. i think they'll be more between 90-95

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

This kinda reminds me of when Eric Davis came up with the Reds. Same kind of aura surrounded him, at the time.

 

[LatinMind]

This kinda reminds me of when Eric Davis came up with the Reds. Same kind of aura surrounded him, at the time.

Theres just players that have that something extra in them when they come up. Its a special time right now, Trout, Puig, Machado, Harper all young guys.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Theres just players that have that something extra in them when they come up. Its a special time right now, Trout, Puig, Machado, Harper all young guys.

Yep. Sometimes you see that in sports. You see just a core of 3 or 4 guys that you know are different then the rest. It's fun to watch, especially if any of those guys play for our team.

 

[LatinMind]

Yep. Sometimes you see that in sports. You see just a core of 3 or 4 guys that you know are different then the rest. It's fun to watch, especially if any of those guys play for our team.

yup And thats not even going into the pitching. Kershaw, Harvey, Strasburgh, Moore, Corbin, Bumgarner