It was a great official first half for the Boys in Blue. Let's take a look at where they stack up and break it down a little bit.
Record: 56-32, first in NL, first in MLB.
Runs Scored: 443, second in NL, 7th in MLB
Team Average: .275, 1st in NL, 3rd in MLB
On Base Percentage: .354, 1st in NL, 2nd in MLB
Runs Allowed: 338, 2nd in NL, 2nd in MLB
Team ERA: 3.58, 2nd in NL, 2nd in MLB
Starter's ERA: 3.74, 2nd in NL, 2nd in MLB
Bullpen ERA: 3.31, 2nd in NL, 2nd in MLB
Team Errors: 40, 3rd in NL, 5th in MLB
Team Fielding Percentage: .988, T-3rd in NL, T-4th in MLB
Okay, so we can see why the team is so good. They hit, the pitch and they play defense. They are just so balanced. They need to get a little better with runners in scoring position (.264, good for 12th in MLB) but overall this is a hell of a team.
The bullpen is falling apart a little bit with Jonathan Broxton and Ronald Belisario injured. Let's hope both are healthy after the break. I think Johnny Cakes might need another week off after the break, and that's fine. Just get him healthy for October. The bullpen is about my only concern at this point. It has been so much better than I expected, and my concern right now is health, not performance.
Let's break down the lineup.
C- Russell Martin, .258, 2 HR, 27 RBI, 8 SB
1B- James Loney, .281, 7 HR, 54 RBI, 6 SB
2B- Orlando Hudson, .281, 7 HR, 48 RBI, 6 SB
3B- Casey Blake, .285, 12 HR, 55 RBI
SS- Rafael Furcal, .256, 4 HR, 21 RBI, 5 SB
OF- Manny Ramirez, .355, 9 HR, 29 RBI
OF- Matt Kemp, .320, 11 HR, 50 RBI, 19 SB
OF- Andre Ethier, .250, 18 HR, 56 RBI
OF- Juan Pierre, .328, 25 RBI, 23 SB
As you can see, this lineup has been mostly good. Furcal and Martin are showing some signs and Orlando Hudson might be fighting off his month-long slump. There is just a nice mix of power, speed and average here.
Time to look at the pitching.
Chad Billingsley, 9-4, 3.38, 119 K
Clayton Kershaw, 7-5, 3.16, 99 K
Randy Wolf, 4-3, 3.45, 85 K
Hiroki Kuroda, 3-5, 4.67, 38 K
Jeff Weaver, 5-3, 3.48, 34 K
Eric Milton, 2-1, 3.80
Eric Stults 4-2, 4.80
Ramon Troncoso, 3-0, 1.75
Jonathan Broxton, 6-0, 3.10, 65 K, 20 SV
Ronald Belisario, 2.42
Guillermo Mota, 3-2, 3.51
Brent Leach, 2-0, 4.26
The glaring weakness is the lack of a fifth starter. It's still a big problem and one that needs to be addressed. Pedro Martinez is pretty much a Philly as I am typing this, so he's out. Mark Mulder is still a possibility as is pulling off a trade. I fear this team might not be a World Series contender without one more top quality arm.
Also, how good is Clayton Kershaw? Right now he's the best pitcher in the rotation. My goodness that 21-year old can throw. Overall, the rotation has been solid. Weaver has filled in nicely when needed, Bills is a stud and Wolf has been everything the team needed and more. They gotta get Kuroda straightened out.
It was a heck of a first half, and with the Dodgers being WS contenders, the All-Star game is huge. We gotta root on the NL.
The bullpen will be a big concern until those two get healthy. So far though, I have to say I am surprised at how well the pen has done. I think a move for a good arm out there could only help.
I agree that there is a need for help in the bullpen, does anybody know anything about Kuo other than hes thrown two innings in AAA? But there isnt too much out there that I would trade anything of value for and I'm in no mood for a rebound guy...speaking of which Mark Mulder??? Seriously??? Saw a blip that Davarias Gordon is turning into one of the Dodgers best prospects and possibly being untouchable...been watching his stats all season and that kid looks good but makes too many errors for SS. But I'm still dreaming if we can get Halladay...just dont want him pitching for Philly this year though...Hamels and Halladay would be a nasty 1-2
On topic though the bullpen is a lot better than the first half of the month, the pitching can pull us through hitting slumps, and with Manny back hopefully we can start stringing victories together and shut the hopeful giant fans up and run away with the NL not just the West...we are certainly set up well. Kemp/Ethier/Bills/Kershaw/Broxton are putting up stellar seasons and showing they are the real deal...take note Russel, who has actually looked better since Manny's return. The jury is still out on Loney for me and though he gets RBI's his trade value is pretty damn high and 1B are more abundant than a quality starter.
Milton is done for the season...THANK GOD!!!! Weaver is great as a long reliever but not as a starter...So Ned get us a starter!
i think ned needs to get a starter before a reliever... if you keep weaver in the pen it gets stronger... i like mulder, but would like a trade for bedard better. gotta hope halladay does not go to philly...