Why the Dodgers are the Best Team in the NL
Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com
Jul 23, 2009
As the N.L. Central race continues to tighten, the Phillies and Dodgers continue to pull away from the competition in the N.L. East and N.L. West, respectively. In terms of wins and losses, the Dodgers have been atop the National League -- and the majors -- for most of the season, but the Phillies' recent charge has vaulted the defending world champions back into the debate about which team will reign supreme in the N.L. this season.
Chris Bahr says the defending-champion Phillies still are the team to beat, but Stan McNeal explains why the Dodgers are now the class of the N.L.:
With Manny Ramirez, the Dodgers are a circus. Without Ramirez, they are a bunch of mild-mannered guys enjoying big-league life. With or without their clown slugger, the Dodgers have the best team in the National League.
Yes, that includes the Phillies, the reigning World Series champions who overwhelmed L.A. in the NLCS last year and have been the league's hottest team of late.
While the two teams' lineups are very similar to last season's, L.A. is by far the more improved team. Four reasons why:
Confidence. This time last year, the Dodgers were three games under .500. Since then, they have the majors' best record. A 13-0 home start this season erased any lingering disappointment of their five-game loss to the Phillies last October. Going 29-21 while Ramirez served his drug suspension further buoyed their still young core. When the Dodgers reach October this year, their youngsters will benefit from their '08 experience -- when much of the team was in its first postseason.
A great offseason. The Dodgers were able to bring back Manny at their terms. They re-signed third baseman Casey Blake, whose professionalism offsets Manny's eccentricities. For a bargain price, they snatched second baseman Orlando Hudson, who has provided a big upgrade at what was their weakest position last October. They signed veteran catcher Brad Ausmus, one of the game's best handlers of pitchers, as a backup. They got another veteran free agent in utility infielder Mark Loretta. They took advantage of the troubled economy by adding Randy Wolf to their rotation.
A lineup with no holes. The Dodgers lead the N.L. in batting average and on-base percentage. They rank third in runs behind the Phillies and Rockies, but the difference in home parks plays a part in that. The Dodgers can play small ball -- they're second in the N.L. in stolen bases -- and with Manny back, they have plenty of power, too.
The league's best bullpen. The Dodgers' 3.19 ERA is the best in the majors. Closer Jonathan Broxton has not been perfect like the Phillies' Brad Lidge was last year, but Broxton is enjoying a far better 2009. He has a 2.82 ERA and leads all major league relievers in strikeouts (72) and opponents' batting average (.143). Lidge still is struggling, with six blown saves and a 7.20 ERA.
Look at the Dodgers this way: Their rotation ranks as their biggest concern, and it includes All-Star Chad Billingsley and a young lefty, Clayton Kershaw, who has a major league-best 0.63 ERA since June 16. Still, the Dodgers are shopping for a front-end starter. And if that turns out to be Roy Halladay or Cliff Lee, buy your tickets now because the circus will be playing deep into October in L.A.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.com.
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