Tuesday, August 05, 2014

Blog Kiosk: 8/5/2014 - Dodger Links - Awards for Kemp & Kershaw, and a Graphic of the Most Hated MLB Teams


The only highlight from last nights game was Carlos Frias' Major League debut in relief of Zack Greinke in the 8th inning.  He was spectacular.  After allowing a hit to Albert Pujols, Frias proceeded to get the next 6 Angel batters out.  I don't know if he's going to be a solution to our problems in the bullpen, but I like what I've seen so far.  Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2014Go here to see more photos from Jon from yesterday's game.
  • ICYMI: Matt Kemp has been named the National League Player of the Week for the period ending August 3rd.  Congrats, Matt!  Via a Dodgers press release:
(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)
In six games last week, Kemp was tied for the Major League lead with five home runs and nine RBI while pacing the N.L. with a 1.091 slugging percentage and ranking second in the League with 24 total bases. The 29-year-old hit .409 (9-for-22), which was the N.L.’s fourth-highest mark last week, and he compiled a .458 on-base percentage, which was good for sixth. Kemp added a stolen base and six runs scored as his division-leading Dodgers won four of six contests.
  • Also, Clayton Kershaw was his 2nd-in-a-row National League Pitcher of the Month for July 2014.  Via a press release:
(graphic via @Dodgers on twitter)
In five outings last month, Kershaw was 4-0 with a N.L.-best 1.07 ERA, allowing just five earned runs in a League-high 42.0 innings of work. The southpaw tossed a Major League-high three complete games last month and tied for first in the N.L. in wins, while posting the second-lowest opponents’ batting average (.165) among qualifying N.L. pitchers. Kershaw fanned 43 during the month, which was good for fourth in the Senior Circuit, while walking only four.
Dodgers assistant hitting coach John Valentin revealed that Kemp has changed the way he stands at the plate, and video evidence confirms it.

“He actually has straightened his stance,” Valentin said. “It used to be locked. What that created was a difficulty to have the freedom to stay through the baseball. This offers a clear path to hit balls in and away.”
  • Eric Avakian at Dodgers Nation has highlights from Ned Colletti's appearance on ESPN LA Now with Mark Willard on Monday.  He speaks about the development of prospect Joc Pederson.
  • I saw this graphic on Reddit, via /u/kmhokies35, and figured I needed to share it here.  I kinda got a chuckle out of it.  Hilariously, Australia hates us.  I guess playing some games there earlier this season and kicking some DBack butt did not win us many friends.  Unsurprisingly, much of the western part of the US hates us.  BTW, this was hardly a scientific study - it's just based on a survey of Baseball fans on Reddit.

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    * Dodgers Blue Heaven home page *

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