Los Angeles Dodgers: 10 Reasons Why They Can't Keep Playing at This Level

Los Angeles Dodgers' announcer Vin Scully said it best when he said, "This wonder team has now won six in a row, and we're using unusual names."

While it's true that the boys in blue have the best record in baseball (32-15), they won't be on top for much longer. With a significant part of their roster, including key players like Matt Kemp and Mark Ellis, revolving on an endless disabled list rotation, new names are having to step up. However, these days the new names are not doing any better than the old ones, and the Dodgers look like they are headed for a drop. 

So, they might be the winningest team in baseball now, but they won't be for much longer...

Reason No. 1: Matt Kemp Can't Play Every Day

After pulling his left hamstring, Matt Kemp was reluctantly placed on the 15-day disabled list and ended his streak of playing in 399 consecutive games Although the Dodgers’ star hitter is expected to return to the Dodgers Tuesday, he won’t be going after another record-breaking game appearance streak.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly won’t let his leading center fielder play in every game. Mattingly says he will pull the manager card to rest Kemp and hopefully prevent further injuries.

So far this season, Kemp has lead his team with 12 home runs, and has the one of the highest on-base percentages of .446. Baseball is simple: you need to get on base to win. So, with the Dodgers’ best chance of getting on base on a day-to-day basis, the boys in blue won’t be able to hold on to their top spot for much longer. 

Reason No. 2: Mark Ellis Is Still on the Disabled List

After almost losing his leg, Mark Ellis is just now able to return to the Dodgers clubhouse. However, he is still a long ways a way from getting back on the field.

The second baseman was injured after the St. Louis Cardinal’s Tyler Greene slid into second and collided hard with Ellis’ left leg. Ellis had emergency surgery to save the muscle in his left leg from severe swelling. He was placed on the 15-day disabled list, but he won’t be up to bat anytime soon. Ellis also suffered meniscus damage to his knee and may have to have more extensive knee surgery later on.

Before getting injured, Ellis had a .273 batting average and no errors. The Dodgers are now trying to fill the gaping hole at second base, but without the seasoned Ellis, they can expect to see a jump in errors and consequently more losses.

Reason No. 3: Juan Uribe Is Hurt...Again

Juan Uribe was placed on the 15-day disabled list after his left wrist started acting up again. Uribe complained about soreness in his wrist for over a month, and although he responded well to cortisone shots, he was forced to get an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Luckily the exam showed no serious problems and Uribe will be activated from the disabled list on Tuesday.

However, Uribe needs to step up his game if he wants to help keep the Dodgers on top. Uribe has been in a funk for a while and although he has upped his bating average to .250, he needs work even harder if he wants to be considered a serious threat at the plate. 

Reason No. 4: Juan Rivera Is Taking Longer Than Expected to Recover

Before Matt Kemp strained his left hamstring, outfielder Juan Rivera pulled his.

He was placed on the 15-day disabled list on May 9, but the rupture behind his left knee took Rivera a little longer than expected to heal. Rivera is expected to return to Dodger Stadium on Tuesday after a rehab stint with Triple-A Albuquerque.

With so many players out or injured, Rivera will have to come back swinging and improve his .247 batting average if he wants to add the much needed depth to the Dodgers' lineup. However, that is highly unlikely. 

Reason No. 5: And the Disabled List Continues with Justin Sellers

The Dodgers’ series against the St. Louis Cardinals was not easy on the players physically. After diving into the stands trying to track down a foul ball, Justin Sellers aggravated a pre-existing back condition and consequently was placed on the 15-day disabled list. According to Mattingly, the shortstop also experienced pain in his leg and foot along with the bulging disk in his back.

During his time off the field, Sellers will need to improve his both his mental and his physical game. With a batting average of just .205, Sellers will need to have more performances like he did against the Cardinals if he wants to keep the Dodgers on top.

Reason No. 6: Matt Guerrir Rounds out Disabled List

Of the six Dodgers on the disabled list to date, Matt Guerrier is the only one whose fate seems unsure.

The right-handed relief pitcher was originally placed on the 15-day disabled list due to inflammation in his right elbow flexor tendon. However, Guerrier has been out since April 19, and has not taken to the mound since.

Guerrier was given a platelet-rich plasma injection Thursday, but unlike the last time he underwent this injection, he will not throw a ball. Three weeks ago, Guerrier went back to the bullpen after a similar shot, but he complained it still hurt, so now he is shut out.

Guerrier will receive another injection next week, but for now the pitcher will not go near a ball, and the waiting game will continue. 

Reason No. 7: Dee Gordon Can't Deliver

Dee Gordon has been moved to the bottom of the Dodgers’ lineup, and for good reason, he can’t deliver.

Gordon started off the 2012 season as the lead off hitter, but with 30 strikeouts and a horrifying .269 on-base percentage, Dee has dropped. The purpose of a leadoff hitter is to figure out the pitcher and get on base, yet Gordon had the tendency to swing at the first pitch thrown and failed to get on base.

Although the shortstop has been batting eighth for a while, his drop to a .227 batting average was quick, and who’s to say it can’t happen to another one of the Dodgers’ big hitters?

Reason No. 8: Chad Billingsley Struggles to Eat Innings

Chad Billingsley is in a slump.

That has been the theme this May for the right-handed starting pitcher. He is currently 0-2 this month, and his ERA has jumped from 2.64 to a horrifying 5.40.

The numbers aside, Billingsley looks shaky on the mound and his nerves really have gotten the best of him. Billingsley breaking point was Saturday when he couldn't last more than five innings. This is the third time in his last four starts that he failed to eat up innings. With other starting pitcher options like Nathan Eovaldi, Chad Billingsley's time may be up. 

Reason No. 9: James Loney Can't Handle Left-Handed Pitchers

Imagine this: a seasoned player, who has one of the best batting averages on the team, is pulled out by the manager and replaced by rookie. The reason? The other team put in a left-handed pitcher.

This scenario was very real for James Loney on Friday after the Houston Astros brought in Fernando Abad, and the Dodgers manager Don Mattingly put in the inexperienced Ivan De Jesus. Although Loney has a .264 batting average, he is just .175 against left-handed pitchers.

That glaring weakness was obvious to the Houston Astros manager Brad Mills, so who’s to say another team doesn’t do the same to Loney? Loney sat out Sunday because the Astros had a left-handed starting pitcher, and if he continues to sit out against every left-hander, the Dodgers can expect a big drop in hits.

Reason No. 10: Todd Coffey Gives Up Too Many Runs

Todd Coffey is the weakest-link in the Dodgers pitching staff. The right-handed relief pitcher has a whopping 8.53 ERA this season, and has allowed about two runs in two innings since coming back from the disabled list.

Coffey was reactivated from the disabled list on April 30, after he had inflammation issues in his right knee. Although he has improved his ERA since coming off of the disabled list, it is still double the league average, and shows the lack of depth that the Dodgers have in their bullpen.