Furcal, Casey Blake, and Manny Ramirez are veterans who have been in multiple playoff series. Martin, James Loney, Andre Ethier, and Matt Kemp are the young guys who are coming into their own. Each has made some sort of contribution in the sweep of Chicago.
Only Blake DeWitt, who supplanted the sore-kneed veteran Jeff Kent at second base, is a true rookie. And after 117 games, the rookie label really means finishing his first year as opposed to being wet behind the ears.
After being the weak link of the last few editions of Dodger squads, the current starting lineup has grown into a major force. Meanwhile, the pitching staff continues to perform at a high level, with quality sprinkled throughout the five starters and at every level of the bullpen.
Of the starters, Derek Lowe is a veteran ace and Chad Billingsley is the ace-in-waiting. Kuroda filled an important spot in the middle of the rotation. The back end consists of Clayton Kershaw—the latest Dodger prodigy—and wily vet Greg Maddux, of multiple Cy Young awards.
Any team advancing in the playoffs with these five starters has to feel very confident of its chances.
At their best, the Dodger relievers take a back seat to no other bullpen. The continuing rehabilitation of closer Takashi Saito warrants close observation. Of late, Jonathan Broxton and Cory Wade have been excellent. Joe Beimel, Chan Ho Park, and James McDonald did not see action against the Cubs, but each has enjoyed great success this year.
Dodger fans have every reason to feel they can continue through the NLCS, whether against the Phillies or Brewers, and advance to the World Series. The production of their players continues to skyrocket, their confidence is buoyed, and their management has been turning up aces for a while now.
Championships have been the Dodger’s manifest destiny, a destiny they have not fulfilled for too long. We look for that to change before the year is through.
Photo Credit: Associated Press, Kevork Djansezian.
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