04-29-2017, 02:59 PM
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#2
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Pro
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Re: We're gonna ride it till, We just can't ride it no more
The Dodgers in April 2017:
After 5 straight division crowns you could be forgiven if you thought that 2017 would be another procession for the Dodgers in the NL West, yet April bought about a change... for the worse.
The old adage states that nothing is decided in April, yet those in power in Los Angeles may start to look with quizzical eyes at an 11-15 start that leaves them 6 games back in the division.
April began with a series loss to the Padres, as immediately the Dodgers looked impotent at the plate, knocking in just 6 runs from the 4 game set. Things seemingly improved with 2 wins in Colorado, before the Cubs would cap a sweep of the Dodgers, rattling 10 runs in the finale.
Run production would be the key issue for the Dodgers throughout the month, with 5 games ending with the Dodgers being shutout. A gaggle of 2 game winning streaks would be all they could muster, notably splitting a 4 game series in San Francisco that ended with 3-0 and 1-0 wins.
By the Numbers:
There is very little to be positive about, Corey Seager hitting a .253 clip is as good as it gets for a team that is hitting below the 'Mendoza Line'. With regards to power Yasmani Grandal and Kike Hernandez lead the team with 4 long balls, the former driving in 13 ribbies in an anaemic offense.
On the mound there is a bit more to be positive about with Kenley Jansen ruling the roost in the 9th, collecting 9 saves from 9 chances, a 13/2 K/BB ratio and 0.00ERA.
Rich Hill has posted the best numbers of the starting rotation, going 3-1 with a 1.09ERA. Whilst the stud 'Clayton Kershaw has been less reliable, walking 31 batters as he posts a 4.79ERA en route to losing 2 of his 4 starts. On the positive note, Kershaw does lead the team and league with 50Ks thru the month.
Individual Highlights:
- Grandal clubs a pair of dingers, driving in 4 as the Dodgers beat Colorado 8-3.
- Clayton Kershaw leads the league with 50Ks
- Kenley Jansen tops the saves chart with 9 from 9 chances
- Rich Hill pitches 7 inning shutouts in back to back starts
- Cody Bellinger gets his first major league knock on 4/26 as the Dodgers beat the Giants
Roster News:
Yasiel Puig and Franklin Gutierrez go down within days of each other with a torn finger ligament. Both players have been placed on the 60-day DL.
Cody Bellinger had his contract from AAA Oklahoma purchased to join the big club, joined by Andre Either as he recovered from injury. Changes to the bullpen also came in the form of optioning Grant Dayton and Ross Stripling to AAA after they struggled with 7+ ERA efforts in the opening weeks of April.
Yimi Garcia and Pedro Baez took their place in the Dodger bullpen.
Standings:
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