[PilotMan]

August Recap


Like the August run a couple of years ago, this one sets the team up for a strong shot at the playoffs. Our August was the best month that this team has had all year long. We started the month just a little back of the first place Reds, and we finish the month with a 5 game lead over the Padres. Our record of 19-8 has pushed us to 21 games over .500 and is the best month since 1984.


How was it that we made this push? Well, our hitting became better, and our pitching stayed strong. We saw starters go deep into games and we had a couple of players really, really step up play and lead the team. The team is still last in team average, but we've managed to crawl out of the cellar to 6^th and 7^th in SLG and OPS. With 136 HR's we are #2 in the league, even if our OBP flags at 10^th.


The pitching staff is strong. First in team ERA with a 3.04, and first in both starter and bullpen ERA. We're either 2^nd or 3^rd in every other pitching category except walks where we are 4^th. Defensive efficiency is 3^rd in the NL.


It's not hard to find the August pitcher of the month for the Dodgers, he won the NL pitcher of the month award. After one of the worst months for any pitcher, John Denny raised his game to dominate the league. His record of 6-0 and his ERA of 1.35 (but a high WHIP of 1.35) lead the way, and it didn't help that he got 5.67 RS/G for the month either. Rick Rhoden had another good month too, going 4-0 with a sub 2.50 ERA.


On the flip side though, was Frank Tanana. In a complete role reversal his starts were disastrous. He went 1-2 with a 7.27 ERA. He allowed 10 HR's in his 28.1 innings of work.


The top batter in August was Sid Bream. After most of the season questions dogged him and how long he would hold down first base. Ray Knight was getting more looks and it looked like he would get the chance. No chance now. Bream slaughtered pitchers in August. His slash line was .357/.418/.663. He hit a team leading 8 HR's and knocked in another team leading 25 runs. He's now got 18 on the year and batting .277. Along with his solid defensive play at first base he is a solid starter.


If we have to pick on someone we'll pick on Stubbs. While he has hit his fair share of dingers his wild inconsistency often leaves the team with big holes in productivity. His slash line for the month is .234/.284/.449, even though his 6 HR's and 20 RBI's were good enough for 2^nd best.


As we hit the end of August it's time to look at the races in MLB. I've already said that LA lies 5 games up on the Padres. The Reds fell all the way back from first to 6.5 games off the pace. The rest of the West is falling behind with neither the Astros, Giants or Braves likely to make any kind of challenge.


In the NL East, the Expos are back on top. They've put a little distance between themselves and the Mets, building a 4.5 game lead. Those 2 teams will fight until the finish. The Phillies lie in 3^rd, but a far 13 games off the pace. The Cubs are the worst team in the NL, 28 games back and 30 games under .500.


Over in the American League West, it's the California Angels on top of the division. It's still a dogfight of a division though as a number of teams can make the run, but will they? The Mariners are in 2^nd, 3 games back, and the Twins and Royals lie 6 and 7 back respectively. Even the White Sox are only 7.5 behind. It's not over for them, but the window is closing.

The AL East is starting to look like a runaway. It's by far the most separated division in baseball, and no surprise, it's the Blue Jays on top of the division. The Red Sox lie a distant 9.5 games back in 2^nd place. The sad Brewers, the worst team in baseball, are 41 games back and 50 games below .500. They, along with the Orioles have already been eliminated and are playing for nothing. The Brewers have one of the worst pitching staff's I've ever seen on a Major League team. The starters ERA is 5.79 and the ace (?) is waiver claimee, and one time, Pirates prospect, Mike Bielecki. If they have any bright spot it's the rise of young prospect, Rafael Palmeiro, and his play in left field.


LA needs to stay hot and put this season away. They'll get Lynn back healthy sometime around the middle of the month, and in the meantime will have rookie Pete Incaviglia coming back from the DL. If they keep pace, they'll easily put it away. Or we could collapse. Not sure that a .500 record will be good enough to keep the Reds or Padres at bay.


The end of August also means call ups and roster expansion. Here are the guys who are up and how they might fit in with the team:


IF Ty Dabney (.225/1/8 in AAA) - 5^th round pick in '84, he started the year in AA, but most recently rose to AAA. His numbers were better in AA, but it's not like he lit the world on fire.


IF Ross Jones (.269/4/53 in AAA) – Getting his second cup of coffee with the team. Jones is a capable defender, with some speed off the bench. He's been a farm hand for 6 years.


IF/C Jack Fimple (.285/2/25 in AAA) – Fimple has spent the last 4 years in Albuquerque and this is his first ML call up. He hit .332 last year for the team, but has dropped off some. Nearing 28, it's getting close to make or break time for him.


IF/OF/C Scotti Madison (.251/11/65 in AAA) – Madison has seen playing time each of the last 2 years and now this will burn his option for this year, meaning either he sticks or goes through waivers. He's the ultimate utility player, but doesn't stand out in any area.


OF Tony Brewer (.248/4/29 in AAA) – Perhaps missing his window, he's now nearly 29 and in the last option year. This is his last shot with the team in all likelihood. Brewer has average bat skills and average speed.


RP Charlie Kerfeld (2-4, 15S, 6.87 ERA in AAA) – One of the teams top pitching prospects probably isn't saying much. Kerfeld pitched 1 game for LA earlier in the season. This is his first option year.