I am pounding the table on this play.
Los Angeles starting pitchers have
been HORRIBLE this spring, with Weaver,
Nomo, and Ishii struggling with ERA's over 8 !!
This combined with some of the worst offensive
production in '03, does not bode well for the boys
of Chavez Ravine.
In my eyes McCourt will be the deciding factor
to the success or failure in '04. I'm still not convinced
he has the capital to bring talent into the organization right away.
That being said, i see the longer term outlook for Los Angeles to be bright as DiPodesta should build upon the solid foundation in the minor leagues.
They may be no worse than last years 3 1/2 runs per game,
but when your biggest offseason additions are Robin Ventura, and Juan Encarnacion, this doesn't bode well for the offensive production, although i do like Encarnacion.
Dodgers team ERA in 2003 was 3.16. Replacing Kevin Brown and his 32 starts / 2.39 ERA with Jeff Weaver is a huge downgrade.
Also, counting on Gagne to have another legendary year, 55 saves / 1.20 ERA, will certainly be a tall task. Especially when
he may not have the abundance of save opportunities as last yr.
Their starting rotation is a sea of mediocrity. I just don't see anyone stepping up to stop a losing streak. Nomo, Ishii, Perez, and Weaver does not exactly strike fear into opponents.
I personally don't see enough run production to keep up with the improved teams of the NL West.
Division wise, LA finished above .500 against only the NL Central in 2003. With Houston and Chicago vastly improved this off season and the perennially tough Cardinals, it would be unlikely for them to repeat their 23-13 record against the NL Central.
My projection: Dodgers 73 - 78 wins in 2004.
enjoy.
Los Angeles starting pitchers have
been HORRIBLE this spring, with Weaver,
Nomo, and Ishii struggling with ERA's over 8 !!
This combined with some of the worst offensive
production in '03, does not bode well for the boys
of Chavez Ravine.
In my eyes McCourt will be the deciding factor
to the success or failure in '04. I'm still not convinced
he has the capital to bring talent into the organization right away.
That being said, i see the longer term outlook for Los Angeles to be bright as DiPodesta should build upon the solid foundation in the minor leagues.
They may be no worse than last years 3 1/2 runs per game,
but when your biggest offseason additions are Robin Ventura, and Juan Encarnacion, this doesn't bode well for the offensive production, although i do like Encarnacion.
Dodgers team ERA in 2003 was 3.16. Replacing Kevin Brown and his 32 starts / 2.39 ERA with Jeff Weaver is a huge downgrade.
Also, counting on Gagne to have another legendary year, 55 saves / 1.20 ERA, will certainly be a tall task. Especially when
he may not have the abundance of save opportunities as last yr.
Their starting rotation is a sea of mediocrity. I just don't see anyone stepping up to stop a losing streak. Nomo, Ishii, Perez, and Weaver does not exactly strike fear into opponents.
I personally don't see enough run production to keep up with the improved teams of the NL West.
Division wise, LA finished above .500 against only the NL Central in 2003. With Houston and Chicago vastly improved this off season and the perennially tough Cardinals, it would be unlikely for them to repeat their 23-13 record against the NL Central.
My projection: Dodgers 73 - 78 wins in 2004.
enjoy.
