Monday’s Jon SooHoo photo highlights can be found at LA Photog Blog.
Dee Gordon, 2B
Andre Ethier, CF
Yasiel Puig, RF
Hanley Ramirez, SS
Adrian Gonzalez, 1B
Matt Kemp, LF
Chone Figgins, 3B
Drew Butera, C
Dan Haren, P
By Jon Weisman
Drew Butera hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since May 17, and while there was romance to the idea that he was an untapped weapon as a backup reliever, I think the Dodgers are happy that he hasn’t had to shed the catchers’ gear lately.
In fact, since the Dodgers were blown out by Arizona, 18-7, on that Saturday 17 nights ago, the Dodger bullpen has started to find itself.
- J.P. Howell: 5 innings, 0.00 ERA, .388 opponents’ OPS, 14.4 K/9, 0 of 4 inherited runners scored
- Kenley Jansen: 5 1/3 innings, 1.69 ERA, .380 opponents’ OPS, 13.5 K/9, 0 of 3 inherited runners scored
- Brandon League: 5 1/3 innings, 5.06 ERA, .739 opponents’ OPS, 5.1 K/9, 0 inherited runners
- Paul Maholm: 4 innings, 0.00 ERA, .600 opponents’ OPS, 6.8 K/9, 1 of 3 inherited runners scored
- Chris Perez: 4 1/3 innings, 6.23 ERA, .871 opponents’ OPS, 10.4 K/9, 0 inherited runners
- Brian Wilson: 5 1/3 innings, 0.00 ERA, .554 opponents’ OPS, 8.4 K/9, 2 of 2 inherited runners scored
- Jamey Wright: 5 innings, 0.00 ERA, .125 opponents’ OPS, 5.4 K/9 0 inherited runners
For the group, that’s a 1.84 ERA in 34 1/3 innings (9.2 K/9) while stranding three out of a dozen inherited runners. Out of 34 combined appearances, 28 have yielded no runs. That’s not flawless — which, frankly, is the only level fans seem to have a tolerance for. But it is on the right track.
And it’s probably no coincidence that Dodger relievers are averaging only 2.1 innings per day (including the off day May 19) during that time.
Los Angeles is 8-7 in this period, a period in which the overall team ERA is 2.86 and opponents have been outscored, 66-48. The pessimist would say that this is a stretch of opportunities squandered, though frankly, that’s an 86-win pace, over 162 games, which seems about right. The Dodgers aren’t quite yet what people hope they would be, but they’re not exactly worlds removed. In fact, if the pitching is any indication, they’re closer to getting it right.
oldbrooklynfan
I totally agree. The pitching, including a strong bullpen will see this team through. The pitching has always carried this team. All we need is a stretch of good offense.