Dodgers Daily: May 11th, 2013: The Dodgers Break Their 8 Game Losing Streak. But Where Are The Home Runs?

Hello,

On Saturday, LA finally was able to break their 8 game losing streak. Thankfully the Dodgers had two things going for them yesterday. First: They played a team that has even a worse record than they do, the Miami Marlins. Second: Hyun-Jin Ryu, their second best starting pitcher, was pitching for them. Ryu pitched 6.2 innings, giving up 5 hits but only one run. With the Dodgers offense so anemic, which is shameful with their approximately $216 million dollar payroll, Dodgers pitching has to perform at a high level. When both the pitching and hitting are having issues, that's how LA ends up with a 8 game losing streak. Another result of that lethal combination is a 8-12 home record.

Positive signs for the Dodgers. Zack Greinke is scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers on Wednesday. If he's all the way back health wise, that would give the Dodgers three solid pitchers for the rest of the year along with Clayton Kershaw and Ryu. Then LA needs to mix and match their pitchers on the other days their big three isn't starting. Also it was good to see Andre Ethier have 4 hits, he raised his batting average in one game from from .235 to .260.

One of the biggest problems of the Dodgers offense is their lack of home runs. Even though LA scored 7 runs , they only hit 1 home run yesterday. Improbably that came from Dee Gordon, who's barely bigger than a bat himself. Guess where the Dodgers rank in MLB in home runs? Of the 30 teams in MLB, LA is tied with Kansas City for 28th place in the MLB. The Dodgers have 25 home runs which is barely half of MLB leading Atlanta and Cleveland.

The Dodgers have plenty of hitters that should be hitting at least 20 home runs. That includes Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. Also Hanley Ramirez should fall in that category as well. Due to health issues he's only been able to play 4 games this season. Although Juan Uribe is clearly on the downside of his career, he should still add 10 to 15 home runs this season. Improbably the Dodgers leading home run hitter is Carl Crawford, he has 5.

Other areas of offense the Dodgers are lacking in: The Dodgers are 29th in doubles, with 50. LA is 16th in hits. They get a fair amount of hits, but those are just mainly singles. Also they are unable to string those singles together as LA is 28th in RBIs. Without anyone to drive in runs and few home runs, that explains why the Dodgers are 28th in runs. Do you notice a pattern here? (Thanks to ESPN.com.)

The Dodgers are still a pathetic 14-21 and they trail the fourth place Padres by 1.5 games. They trail the first place Giants by 7 games. According to ESPN.com the Dodgers have a 6.1% chance of making the playoffs. Obviously they won't be making the playoffs this season. Right now the city of LA has a bunch of mediocre to bad teams, other than the Kings.

I don't have a lot of hope for the Dodgers winning their next couple of games. Today's afternoon game they send Chris Capuano (0-2, 10.38 ERA) to the mound. Then for the first game of their series with the Nationals the Dodgers send Josh Beckett (0-4, 5.16) to the mound. This will be his last chance to get his first win of the season before his birthday.

Fortunately Kershaw is scheduled to pitch on Tuesday and Greinke on Wednesday. Then the Dodgers will have another much needed day off on Thursday and Ryu will take the mound in Atlanta on Friday. If everything breaks just right is it possible the Dodgers could have a 3 game winning streak?

themusicaddict