 2008 Season Preview: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Rockies and Diamondbacks are bound to fall from their 2007 success, giving way for a Dodgers team that has the best balance of talent in the NL West.
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 Grading The Deal: Dodgers Sign Andruw Jones
There are six simple reasons why the $36.2 million deal Scott Boras and Ned Colletti negotiated for Andruw Jones ultimately benefits everyone and one of those reasons includes the number 129.
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 Does Joe Torre Bleed Blue?
Can Joe Torre bring the Dodgers' out of their 20-year slumber by turning young talent like James Loney, Jonathan Broxton, Chad Billingsley, Russell Martin, Andrew Ethier, and Matt Kemp into a successful core the way he did with Derek Jeter, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte and Mariano Rivera?
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The State Of The Franchise: Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers may have been the most talented team in the NL West, but the Giants were the only other club in the division not to play a playoff game in 2007. Despite the disappointment, the future looks bright, and this season marked the arrival of several young players (James Loney, Matt Kemp) who look like future All-Stars.
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 La Russa Kept His Promise
This team is rolling and who knows if they’ll slow down. But if they don’t, watch out because a repeat of 1988 could be seen all over again. This Dodgers squad remains the best team in baseball, but how long will they keep it up?
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The Professor, Lugo Shipped to Dodgers
The deadline has come and gone, but GM Ned Colletti triggered two moves that he hopes to make the Dodgers chances of overtaking the NL West that much better. A young shortstop and a future Hall of Famer may just be the key to a playoff run.
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Game Over In Los Angeles
After a short comeback this season, making only two appearances, Eric Gagne, the once dominant closer learned his back had suffered a herniated disk and would have to be shut down for the remainder of the year. It’s not as if the Dodgers weren’t prepared for something like this to happen. The trade for Danys Baez proved vital, but his numbers haven’t been impressive thus far.
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Early Outburst Not Enough for LA
Odalis Perez couldn’t have hoped for a heftier six-run lead than the one his team supplied for him, until it all fell apart in the fifth. It would eventually lead to an Arizona comeback, and a 10-8 victory over the Dodgers
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Penny is Snake-Bitten in Arizona
Brad Penny would do just about anything to get the second inning back in the Diamondbacks 3-2 win over Los Angeles Monday. Penny surrendered his three earned runs in that long inning, which finally ended with a double play, ending the pitcher’s misery
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Dodgers Blow Five-Run Lead
The ninth inning started with many fans in San Diego coming to their feet, only to exit the stadium. But those who stood behind saw a huge five-run comeback for an eventual 6-5 win, and nearly avoiding the sweep at the same time
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Tomko and Dodgers Pounce Pads
The Padres lack of effort so far this season was well documented by the Dodgers upon entering the series. Los Angeles took advantage of it and were able to beat San Diego, in a score of 4-2
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Dodgers’ Pitching Combines for Two-Hitter
When the Dodgers acquired starting pitcher Jae Seo from the New York Mets during the off-season, the club was set to make him the final piece in the rotation. He struggled in his first couple of starts going winless at 0-2, but that finally changed as Seo and the Dodgers beat the San Diego Padres 3-0
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Houston Hands Perez First Loss
Dodgers’ pitcher Odalis Perez came into the final game of the series against the Astros with three wins. But 1B Lance Berkman and company absolutely destroyed Perez and racked him up for six runs on eleven hits
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Extra Innings Doom Los Angeles
The Dodger bullpen could only go so long after Brad Penny was taken out in the seventh. Four hours and forty-eight minutes later, the Houston Astros were able to edge the Dodgers in the bottom of the fourteenth, and close out the longest recorded game in Minute Maid Park
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Nomar is Grand in Dodger Win
Down by one in the bottom of the ninth with three runners on, 1B Nomar Garciaparra exploded on a 2-2 fastball from closer Brad Lidge to give LA a three run lead and ultimately a victory
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Tomko Holds Off Arizona
Opposing pitcher Russ Ortiz had his sights set on his first win of the season Sunday, but the Dodgers thought otherwise. The 0-3 right-hander was hit hard in the first inning, allowing four runs as the Dodgers won the series by beating Ortiz and the Diamondbacks 6-4
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Garciaparra Returns, But Dodgers Lose
The return of Nomar Garciaparra to the Dodger roster was welcoming, as Grady Little was finally able to assemble the lineup he had envisioned to place on the field Opening Day. However, Jae Seo allowed all five runs, enabling the Arizona Diamondbacks to beat the Dodgers 5-4
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Dodgers Topple D-Backs
The Dodgers opened up a three game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a good note, as starter Odalis Perez was able to go six innings, allowing one run. Led by Perez who won his third game of the season, Los Angeles defeated the D-Backs 6-3
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Baez Unable To Maintain Lead
The Dodgers finished their three game series with Chicago Cubs last night, but not before closer Danys Baez failed to pitch the final two innings with caution. The Cubs would score three times in the eighth to beat the Dodgers 5-4
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Drew Knocks In Game Winner
Derek Lowe tossed another decent game tonight, but was unable to lock up his second win of the year. Instead, RF J.D. Drew broke a tie ball game in the 9th with a base hit to right, scoring CF Kenny Lofton for the win
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Cubs, Maddux Beat Dodgers
The 40 year old workhorse, Greg Maddux, was nearly unhittable tonight against The Dodgers, allowing just one run through eight innings. Maddux received his third win of the season as the Chicago Cubs went on to win the game, 4-1
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LA Can’t Buy A Run
The Dodgers couldn’t have asked for a better outing by Jae Seo, as the young South Korean went six innings and allowed two runs. But the San Francisco Giants got the best of Seo and the Dodgers when they won the series Sunday night, beating their rivals 2-0
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Pitching Guides In Dodgers Win
Odalis Perez went seven strong innings and allowed just a run, as the Los Angeles Dodgers were able to maintain a two-run lead to defeat the San Francisco Giants Saturday night
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Wright Quiets Dodgers Offense
LF Barry Bonds was of course welcomed to Los Angeles with boos coming from all over the stadium, but the Giants would have the last laugh in the end
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Dodgers Cruise Over Pirates
The Dodgers didn’t want to leave Pittsburgh with just one win, so Derek Lowe was given the nod to settle for a tie in the series. Los Angeles was able to do this when they annihilated the Pittsburgh Pirates 13-5 on Thursday, defeating opposing pitcher Oliver Perez in the process
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Dodgers Watch Another Lead Disappear
Dodgers’ pitcher Brett Tomko’s first four innings against the Pirates went smoothly and was on pace for his second win of the season. But the fifth inning proved to be the beginning of the end for Tomko as the long ball played the difference maker
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Tracy's Bucs' Win In Slugfest
The Pittsburgh Pirates were able to rally in the sixth inning to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-6 on Tuesday, securing their second win of the season. Dodgers’ pitcher Jae Seo allowed five runs on seven hits in his starting debut with the club, and lasted five innings before being picked up in relief by RP Lance Carter
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Dodgers Slug Past Pittsburgh
With emotions running high in Pittsburg today, most of the Dodgers roster saw some old faces across the opposite dugout. Odalis Perez was given the nod to start the first of a four game series against his former manager Jim Tracy and the Pittsburgh Pirates
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LA Takes Two From Philadelphia
The Dodgers and Phillies were rained out Saturday morning, so the makeup game was played today. Derek Lowe took the mound in game one, and was out to bounce back from a horrendous Opening Day start
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With Gagne Out, the Bullpen Seals the Deal
Friday brought some good news to Dodger camp as Eric Gagne’s second surgery on his elbow was deemed a success by team surgeons. Gagne’s timetable for return is said to be about eight weeks, although a second surgery to the elbow raises concern not only for his season but career.
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Perez Falters in Series Finale
A day after defeating All Star John Smoltz, the Los Angeles Dodgers continued their hot offense by scoring four runs early in the first inning before being unable to maintain the lead. Starter Odalis Perez took the mound and was solid for the first two innings; however the third inning came as a complete shock to the southpaw when he allowed the Brave offense to score five runs. That inning would prove to be the difference maker Wednesday night as the Dodgers were beaten at home 9-8, dropping the series to the Atlanta Braves.
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Los Angeles Notches First Victory of '06
With the rain being a hassle during the beginning of the game, the Dodgers were able to withstand the Atlanta Braves Tuesday night on a drenched Dodger Stadium. Brad Penny showed why he should be considered the ace of the starting rotation after going five strong innings, allowing one earned run and five hits.
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Atlanta Spoils Dodger Comeback
Opening day starter Derek Lowe probably wishes he could start the season all over again after surrendering seven earned runs to the Atlanta Braves, while allowing his ERA hit an astounding 12.60 as the new look Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the Braves 11-10.
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Offense Remains Questionable
When the 2006 Dodger team takes the field for the first time on April 3rd, a brand new offense will jog its way across the diamond, some hopping over the chalk line with superstitions filled with the desire to win. This hitter’s club however is stacked full of veterans expecting nothing but a full-out effort from each individual. This season though, he just may get some much needed help. But which players will step it up to aid the Dodgers' lonesome second baseman?
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Starting Rotation Lacks The Ace
If the season were to begin tomorrow, general manager Ned Colletti would probably be confident enough in the starting pitching staff he assembled this off-season. He signed right-hander Brett Tomko, and traded for Mets’ Jae Seo in what will most likely be the 4 and 5 pitchers in the rotation. Odalis Perez figures to be commanding the third spot in the rotation since he is the only left-handed starter, mixing the right to left handed pitcher ratio.
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Dodgers Solidify the Bullpen
Baez will most likely be used as the setup man for Eric Gagne rather than Yhency Brazoban. The bullpen situation should look something like Brazoban pitching around the 6th or 7th inning, then Baez would command the 8th leaving Gagne ready to close it out. This trade will also spark rumors of whether Gagne will re-sign with the club after this year as he is in the final year of his contract. If he decides not to return following the 2006 season, this trade for Baez would become an even more key deal.
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Report From Chavez Ravine: Weaver Leaves, Interest In Tavarez
It isn’t as if the Dodgers were not prepared for Weaver to leave them as they traded for Jae Seo and signed Brett Tomko. Weaver lead the team in wins last season with 14 and just ate up innings for the Dodgers
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Dodgers Grab A Trio Of Free Agents
The Los Angeles Dodgers did indeed make an uproar this week by signing 3B Bill Mueller, C Sandy Alomar Jr. and Nomar Garciaparra. New Dodger GM Ned Colletti is being very aggressive in acquiring players since taking over last month.
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A Little World In Los Angeles
Dodger fans are a little more secure about their team after the hiring of Grady Little as the next manager. Little was chosen over several candidates to become the 25th manager in Dodger history.
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Dodgers GM Search Comes to an End
With Colletti now a part of the Dodger organization, he inherits a struggling ball club that only won 71 games last year while losing 91 of them. Hitting is needed at different positions, and another starter plus a reliever as well. Most importantly as the team’s general manager, Colletti now has control over the Dodgers highly regarded farm system. The Dodgers farm system is one of the best in baseball, most recently being ranked in the top five. Players like Joel Guzman, Andy LaRoche, Chad Billingsley, and James Loney will be prized possessions that could end up being trade bait if Colletti chooses to do so.
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Dodgers Begin Busy Off-Season
The Los Angeles Dodgers off season began about a month ago, after former manager Jim Tracy bolted to the Pittsburgh Pirates. And just recently, Los Angeles informed Paul DePodesta that his services were no longer needed as the team’s GM. The Dodgers are now at a crossroads within the organization. They currently have no general manager as well as a team manager.
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Dodgers Playoff Hopes Begin To Diminish
Trailing San Diego by 6 games with the Giants and Diamondbacks breathing down their necks, making the playoffs seems like an insurmountable task awaiting this Dodger team.
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NL West Race Begins To Heat Up
At this point in the season, it does not seem to matter how LA creeps into the postseason, just as long as they get in.
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Dodgers’ Injuries Kill Division Repeat
With their key injuries being to JD Drew and Eric Gagne, the Dodgers have gone into a freefall that has resulted in a record of 44-54.
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Return Of The Dodger Blues
After an impressive 12-2 start that raised a mountain of collective eyebrows, that other team identified with Los Angeles (the one in the National league) has ker-plunked woefully back to reality. That misguided and fleeting euphoria is wearing off.
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