Clown Car
Yesterday the Dodgers squeezed 27 players out of a regular-sized dugout and lost 6-5 in 10 innings. Most of the starters were out after a few innings, and we got to see a lot of guys play, presumably so Joe Torre can figure out his post season roster.
Rafael Furcal was about the same as the last two games, solid in the field, but unable to get a hit. He is showing good range, almost getting a glove on a ball straight over second. He wasn't shifted in the least from what I could tell, so he went a long way fast. Most of his at-bats have included near hits, so those have to start dropping eventually. He showed a little more pop, flying out to left probably about 260-275 deep, which is the farthest I've seen him hit a ball since coming off the DL.
If I'm Joe Torre, Jeff Kent is my pinch-hitter in the playoffs, period, and I don't even like Jeff Kent. He's gotten a hit in every game since coming back, and cranked a 2-run homer last night, so obviously his power is still there. I still like Blake DeWitt at second. On top of that, Kent is very slow because of his knee, and that has to be killing his range in the field. However, down by a run with the pitcher's spot coming up, Jeff Kent is the guy I'm putting in, and I don't even like him.
I know Joe Torre loves experience over youth, but if a guy ever made a case to forget about that, it's James McDonald. He has not allowed a run in his first 6 innings in the bigs, and since he started in the minors, he's fitting in easily as a middle reliever. If I'm making this roster, McDonald has a spot if Hong-Chih Kuo is still having problems with his arm. Listen to me Joe, and listen good. If it comes down to it, you take McDonald. I don't care what arm he's throwing with, and I don't care if he's a rookie.
Rafael Furcal was about the same as the last two games, solid in the field, but unable to get a hit. He is showing good range, almost getting a glove on a ball straight over second. He wasn't shifted in the least from what I could tell, so he went a long way fast. Most of his at-bats have included near hits, so those have to start dropping eventually. He showed a little more pop, flying out to left probably about 260-275 deep, which is the farthest I've seen him hit a ball since coming off the DL.
If I'm Joe Torre, Jeff Kent is my pinch-hitter in the playoffs, period, and I don't even like Jeff Kent. He's gotten a hit in every game since coming back, and cranked a 2-run homer last night, so obviously his power is still there. I still like Blake DeWitt at second. On top of that, Kent is very slow because of his knee, and that has to be killing his range in the field. However, down by a run with the pitcher's spot coming up, Jeff Kent is the guy I'm putting in, and I don't even like him.
I know Joe Torre loves experience over youth, but if a guy ever made a case to forget about that, it's James McDonald. He has not allowed a run in his first 6 innings in the bigs, and since he started in the minors, he's fitting in easily as a middle reliever. If I'm making this roster, McDonald has a spot if Hong-Chih Kuo is still having problems with his arm. Listen to me Joe, and listen good. If it comes down to it, you take McDonald. I don't care what arm he's throwing with, and I don't care if he's a rookie.
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