Everyone knew they had talent. A lot of people know that you can buy championships. But, nobody really understood what took the Los Angeles Dodgers so long to "get going."
They were struggling with just a 23-32 record on the third of June. It seemed like a good time to call up their number one prospect, Yasiel Puig. Now, we ask why they waited so long.
Since Puig arrived in the big leagues, he's made it look easy. He's hitting 346/.403/.961 12 HR 29 RBI and has constantly showed off his great arm in RF while playing above average defense. Although he's come back to earth after an incredible debut month of June (hit .287 in July, .296 in August).
When you hear Dodgers, you immediately think Puig's team. Yes, he was a major reason to the turnaround of the team, but now sitting in first place at 72-54, comfortably 8.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks, he had a lot of help.
This was a team that underachieved. You know they were going to turn it around at some point (maybe not to this extent).
L.A. has a team ERA of 3.26, good for third in the MLB. Their bullpen ranks 12th with a 3.48 ERA. Don't have to say much about Clayton Kershaw. But, others have stepped up such as rookie Hyun-Jin Ryu and Ricky Nolasco since being brought over from Miami. Zack Greinke has looked like his former CY Young self, and Chris Capuano has been a serviceable #5.
Removing Brandon League from the closer's role was the smartest thing the Dodgers could have done. Not really sure why the young hard thrower Kenley Jansen wasn't starting the season in that spot.
The team has a loaded offense that again, was just a matter of time until they clicked. When you put Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez, the aforementioned Puig, Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp (who's been injured) all in the same lineup, they're going to hit.
The two ace's Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have not proved themselves to be quality postseason starters. It's very concerning considering everything Greinke has gone through and how dominant Kershaw is each and every regular season. Pitching wins championships. If these two pitch anything close to the way they are now, the Dodgers will be crowned 2013 World Series Champions. If not, it may be an unexpected quick and ugly exit for the men in blue and white.
My World Series 2013 Odds for the Los Angeles Dodgers - 8/1
Thursday, August 22, 2013
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