Dodgers Show Their Depth and Length in Win Over Diamondbacks
Alex Guerrero has played well backing up Juan Uribe to start the season for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Guerrero came through for the Dodgers on Sunday in their 7-4 victory over Arizona.
The win was thanks in part to the four RBIs by Guerrero but was helped by the breakout game of Joc Pederson a rookie, the two hits by Andre Ethier and Yasiel Puig finally breaking out of a power slump.
It was a very balanced attack with 16 hits amongst seven hitters through the lineup. When the front office of the Dodgers traded powers hitters Hanley Ramirez and Matt Kemp and added players who are contact hitters such as Jimmy Rollins and Howie Kendrick, then tinkered on other parts of the roster, this type of depth is just when they had envisioned.
However, over the first 5 games of the season, they did not see much of it. Los Angeles was hitting .233 and they were shut out on Saturday by Arizona’s Archie Bradley a promising right-hander.
However, they were able to sprinkle hits across Chase Field and three balls went for home runs. With more and more defenses shifting infielders to prey on the tendencies of hitters, the Dodgers want to be a team that can defy such tactics.
The bullpen however made it interesting. That is a big indication that the front office still has not reached the level it wants or the guys it sought. Chris Hatcher was given the first change as the closer, while Kenley Jansen is down. Arizona scored four runs in the ninth, mostly thanks to a bases clearing double by A.J. Pollock.
The win was never threatened, but is shows how much help the bullpen needs.
Of course, the starting rotation can make a great difference. Zack Greinke reassured everyone affiliated with the organization that no matter how much the front office refurbished the team, it is still largely about him and ace Clayton Kershaw.
Greinke was asked if he felt he had played in the shadow of Kershaw since joining the Dodgers three seasons ago. Greinke replied that everyone in baseball plays in Kershaw’s shadow.
Over his past 17 starts versus opponents from the National League West, the right-handed Greinke is 13-0 with an ERA of 1.60.
Last season the Dodger has 94 wins dominating their division and both Kershaw and Greinke are big reasons why.
The season is very young with only 6 games played, but already the Dodgers are showing how much depth and length they have in the refurbished lineup and how much talent they have on the mound in the form of a starting rotation. Now if they can only get their bullpen to carry its own weight.
