The world did not end when Manny Ramirez was suspended for 50 games, and after going 29-21 without the slugger, he returns Friday night.
The lineup is obviously going to see some changes.
Now I am hard on Juan Pierre, but I will admit I really don't want him out of the lineup because there isn't anybody that has shown the capability to hit leadoff.
I am from the school that thinks a leadoff batter is overrated, because they lead off a game once, but you still need a guy at the top of the order that can get on base.
The candidates are likely Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp and Russell Martin.
Furcal is used to being a leadoff guy, and maybe a bump up to the top spot will break him out of his season-long slump.
Kemp strikes out too much, but could provide some pop and excitement from that spot. His on-base percentage is pretty good as well.
Martin has a decent on-base percentage, but he's slumping too badly to be a top of the order guy.
I would expect Furcal to bat first, with Orlando Hudson batting second and Manny batting third. Andre Ethier will probably bat cleanup against righties and I would say Casey Blake against lefties.
The rest of the guys will bat 5-8 and the lineup will once again be the most potent in the National League. Just wait until Hudson and Ethier see a bunch of juicy fastballs with Manny in between them.
I still think Pierre needs to play a bit, so expect Manny to get a few days off while he works his way back, and expect Ethier to sit against lefties because he's hitting under .200 against them.
It will be interesting to see how Joe Torre fills out the lineup card for a while, but all I know is I will be glad to see No. 99 back in left field.
52-30 is a record I couldnt have even dared wished for the first half, and that would have been with Manny. I too hoped for a .500 record without Manny that would have kept in the NL west. But we are 7.5 games above the Giants who have the second best record in the NL. Not too bad considering our bullpen sucked for the first month and a half, we have continued our carousel with the fifth starter, and Manram got suspended.
The reasons are simple, our starters are solid, Bills is a stud, Kuroda gets the job done and Kershaw might be breaking out...he sure is showing us how talented he is. And of course the biggest reason is my main man, the guy I have supported all along, and who has raised his OBP to .380, and is my first half MVP, Mr. Juan Pierre!
The team responded well, and Dodger fans showed their loyaly and support for Manny at San Diego, and for the most part we did well. Friday was exciting to watch, Sat the bullpen let us down, as well as Sun when we nearly crapped ourselves. Good to know its worth watching the Dodgers in extra innings. But the last two series before the All Star break will demonstrate where we are at as far as going deep in playoffs...New York is beat up and struggling as of late, and we have to be able to beat the Brewers if we are going to challenge the Phillies. Winning the last two series of the half will set us up for good things and some rest...
I think that Odawg is stuggling because he is hurt from throwing his body around the field and is being a pro about it, however he needs the All Star break to rest up and get ready to stay healthy during the second half.
Does Kemp deserve to be an All Star? I'm going to vote for him being a Dodger fan but feel Andre and Blake should get the nod before the Bison should. Dont get me wrong Kemp is in line for 20 hr 88rbi 38sb and a .300 avg to boot...PHENOMINAL, in fact I think he can hit more hrs the second half and finish with 30 and 100rbis, and become a 30-30 guy...didnt Mondesi do that for LA?
EMartin, Lambo, McDonald, Wade, Dewitt, Elbert for Roy Halladay