Los Angeles Dodgers 2010 preview
Article By cbahr.tsn on 22nd March, 2010
Despite a late-season slide that nearly cost them the division -- Los Angeles lost seven of its final 11 regular season games -- the Dodgers finished with the National League's best record (95-67) in 2009. However, they once again fell flat against the Phillies in the NLCS. Perhaps a result of their owners' pending divorce, the Dodgers lost more talent than they acquired this offseason, costing them their designation of NL West favorites.
Manny Ramirez struggled at the plate after returning from his 50-game suspension. Three questions
1. Which Manny Ramirez will show up?
Ramirez was rolling (.348 average, six homers, 20 RBIs in 27 games) before his shocking 50-game suspension in early May. After returning, he hit .269-13-43 in 77 games. He lost bat speed and confidence, and approaching age 38, there are doubts about whether he can recapture the form that made him an instant sensation/hero upon his arrival in Los Angeles in 2008.
Among the Dodgers' starting outfielders, Ramirez already was the weakest defensively. Now he enters the season as arguably the third most productive offensively. Andre Ethier (31 homers, 106 RBIs) and Matt Kemp (26 homers, 101 RBIs) both are coming off career years and have yet to peak. "Manny is no different than any other player in that he's going to have his ups and downs, but I'm not going to change a thing with Manny," hitting coach Don Mattingly said. "Manny is the last player that I'm worried about heading into (this) season."
2. Is the rotation strong enough?
The Dodgers opted not to offer Randy Wolf arbitration and declined their 2010 option on Jon Garland, losing both starters in free agency while getting nothing in return. Wolf led the staff with 34 starts and 214 1/2 innings pitched, while winning 11 games and posting a 3.23 ERA last season. After being acquired from Arizona in late August, Garland went 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six starts.
...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Manny Ramirez struggled at the plate after returning from his 50-game suspension. Three questions
1. Which Manny Ramirez will show up?
Ramirez was rolling (.348 average, six homers, 20 RBIs in 27 games) before his shocking 50-game suspension in early May. After returning, he hit .269-13-43 in 77 games. He lost bat speed and confidence, and approaching age 38, there are doubts about whether he can recapture the form that made him an instant sensation/hero upon his arrival in Los Angeles in 2008.
Among the Dodgers' starting outfielders, Ramirez already was the weakest defensively. Now he enters the season as arguably the third most productive offensively. Andre Ethier (31 homers, 106 RBIs) and Matt Kemp (26 homers, 101 RBIs) both are coming off career years and have yet to peak. "Manny is no different than any other player in that he's going to have his ups and downs, but I'm not going to change a thing with Manny," hitting coach Don Mattingly said. "Manny is the last player that I'm worried about heading into (this) season."
2. Is the rotation strong enough?
The Dodgers opted not to offer Randy Wolf arbitration and declined their 2010 option on Jon Garland, losing both starters in free agency while getting nothing in return. Wolf led the staff with 34 starts and 214 1/2 innings pitched, while winning 11 games and posting a 3.23 ERA last season. After being acquired from Arizona in late August, Garland went 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in six starts.
...
Read Complete Article at Latest Sporting News Articles for MLB
Readers Comments
Related News
Featured Sponsors
Interested in getting MLB Tickets for this coming season? The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get your New York Yankees Tickets today!
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
The Baltimore Orioles Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Since 1992, the Orioles have played their home games at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
New York Mets Tickets: The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. The Mets are a member of the East Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Get your Minnesota Twins Tickets today!
The Toronto Blue Jays Tickets are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Mariners Tickets are looking to be a good team this year.
Detroit Tigers Tickets: The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises.
The Philadelphia Phillies Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. One of the biggest games of the season are the Phillies Red Sox Tickets. Another long time rival in the same state is Phillies Pirates Tickets.
The Chicago White Sox Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division.
The Atlanta Braves Tickets are a professional baseball team based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in Texas, representing the Dallas-Ft.Worth metropolitan area. Get your Texas Rangers Tickets today!
San Diego Padres Tickets: The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California.
Tampa Bay Rays Tickets: The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in 1998, the club has played at Tropicana Field.
The Florida Marlins were established in 1993 as an expansion franchise, the Florida Marlins Tickets are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League.
San Francisco Giants Tickets are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, who currently play in the National League West Division.
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. Cleveland Indians Tickets are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League.
