Yardbarker: Hong-Chih Kuo

This Better Just Be A Negotiation Tactic

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:58:15 -0500

Barry Bloom of MLB.com reports that the Dodgers' offer to Manny Ramirez might be taken off the table by Thursday.
"The Dodgers' initial offer to free-agent left-fielder Manny Ramirez could come off the table on Thursday, the last day before free agents are able to negotiate with all 30 Major ...

Dodgers In On Peavy, Park Is Gone, And Kuo Has Lost His Mind

Mon, 10 Nov 2008 19:47:05 -0500

I don't know where it has been coming from, but there have been constant reports that the Dodgers are in on a Peavy trade. The latest of those reports comes from Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times.
"Chris de Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times expects a Peavy deal 'within the next week' with the ...

Pete's Preview and Prediction of the NLCS

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:26:14 -0500

Let me start off by saying that according to the numbers, this should be an exciting series and a sweep would be extremely disappointing. I expect this to go 6 or 7 games!

I think that the top 6 hitters in each line up are just about equal with each other except for the Phillies reliance on the long ball.

Phillies	Line up	AVG/ OBP/ SLG	VORP
SS-S	Jimmy Rollins	.277/.349/.437	43.4
RF-R	Jayson Werth	.273/.363/.498	30.4
2B-L	Chase Utley	.292/.380/.535	62.3
1B-L	Ryan Howard	.251/.339/.543	35.2
LF-R	Pat Burrell	.250/.367/.507	33.4
CF-S	Shane Victorino	.293/.352/.447	33.4
3B-R	Pedro Feliz	.249/.302/.402	0.1
C-R	Carlos Ruiz	.219/.320/.300	-7

Dodgers	Line up	AVG/ OBP/ SLG	VORP
SS-S	Rafael Furcal	.357/.439/.573	24.5
C-R	Russell Martin	.280/.385/.396	33.6
LF-R	Manny Ramirez	.332/.430/.601	83.5
RF-L	Andre Ethier	.305/.375/.510	39.7
1B-L	James Loney	.289/.338/.434	16.9
CF-R	Matt Kemp	.290/.340/.459	31.5
2B-L	Blake DeWitt	.264/.344/.383	9.5 @ 2B
3B-R	Casey Blake	.274/.345/.463	27

I’d give the Dodgers bench the advantage with Nomar (it’s easier to spell) and Kent over Dobbs and anyone else on the Phillies bench.

I like the Dodgers rotation better than the Phillies if LA goes with the veteran Greg Maddux over the young lefty Clayton Kershaw. Adding Kershaw to the bullpen ala Boston’s rookie starter Justin Masterson, would bolster an already good Dodger bullpen, which I also award the edge to the Dodgers because of their low ERA. The highest ERA (outside of Kershaw or Maddux) of anyone in their bullpen is Chan Ho Park at 3.40

The closer position is a clear advantage for the Phillies with NL comeback player of the year Brad Lidge over either Broxton or Saito (if healthy).

Phillies	Starters	IP	ERA	Phillies	Bullpen	IP	ERA
LHP	Cole Hamels	227.1	3.09	RHP	Brad Lidge	69.1	1.95
RHP	Brett Myers	190	4.55	RHP	Ryan Madson	82.2	3.05
LHP	Jamie Moyer	196.1	3.71	LHP	J.C. Romero	59	2.75
RHP	Joe Blanton	197.2	4.69	RHP	Chad Durbin	87.2	2.87
				LHP	Scott Eyre	25.1	4.21
				LHP	James Happ	31.2	3.69
				RHP	Clay Condrey	69	3.26

Dodgers	Starters	IP	ERA	Dodgers	Bullpen	IP	ERA
RHP	Derek Lowe	211	3.22	RHP	Jonathan Broxton	69	3.13
RHP	Chad Billingsley	200.2	3.14	RHP	Takashi Saito	47	2.49
RHP	Hiroki Kuroda	183.1	3.73	LHP	Joe Beimel	49	2.02
LHP	Clayton Kershaw	107.2	4.26	RHP	Cory Wade	71.1	2.27
or				RHP	Chan Ho Park	95.1	3.4
RHP	Greg Maddux	194	4.22	LHP	Hong-Chih Kuo	80	2.14

The keys to this series are how well the Phillies middle of the order of Utley, Howard and Burrell hits and if Manny Ramirez can keep up his dominance in the playoffs. On the mound, the Phillies need Brett Myers to pitch like he’s been pitching and not like the way he was when he got sent down to the minors. Likewise, both Moyer and Maddux (if he starts) need to NOT act their age in order for their team to win games three and four respectively.

I’ll have to go with the firepower of the Phillies overpowering the Dodgers and advancing to the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Phillies stick with roster; Kuo replaces Saito for LA

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:55:49 -0500

Rosters were finalized by the Phillies and Dodgers this morning with only one change to announce. Closer Takashi Saito, who's trying to recover from elbow problems, will be replaced by left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo. Jonathan Broxton will assume ninth-inning duties for the Dodgers. Meanwhile, the Phils will stick with the same 11-pitcher setup they had in the division series. Despite talks that he could be replaced, left-hander J.A. Happ stays aboard and former Dodger Rudy Seanez sits out another series. Beerleaguer:...

Odds And Ends: Chih-Kuo, Manny, Bowa, Rant

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 10:53:27 -0500

A few odds and ends before game one: Hong Chih-Kuo is close to being added to the Dodgers playoff roster, taking the place of Takashi Saito, who has struggled after being injured. (...)

AccuScore NLCS Preview: Dodgers vs. Phillies

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 13:46:12 -0500

The Phillies and Dodgers easily won their opening round series, and now square off in what should be an exciting, evenly matched National League Championship Series. AccuScore analyst Jonathan Lee gives you the complete preview.

Stories From The Clubhouse And The Importance Of Kuo

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 09:03:16 -0500

According to a story by T.J. Simers, Jeff Kent is still a real piece of work. "JIM BELUSHI not only made good on his losing wager on the Cubs, sending a check to Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA, but significantly increased his donation. The Dodgers, meanwhile, briefly thought about voting a share of playoff money for Page 2 with it all going to Mattel's -- the emphasis on 'briefly.' Derek Lowe raised it at the players-only meeting, but said he got the 'stink eye' from Jeff Kent, and that was that. 'We were there for you,' said Sweeney. 'Talk to Kent.' Now why would anyone want to do that?" You can't make this...

Inside The Box August 15th Edition

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:32:59 -0500

Today's delve shows us the first Japan-Taiwan win-save combo, a weak-hitting catcher going yard against his former team, another pitching success story for the Duncan-LaRussa combo, a player with a .670 OPS participating in an all-time home run mark and lots more.

AccuScore Closer Report - 8/6

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:59:02 -0500

Bullpen issues seem to be getting even worse across baseball as players succumb to injuries and poor performance. There are some possible places to steal some saves but it will require some patience, foresight, and a lot of luck.

Dodger Stadium to Host Semis and Finals of WBC

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:52:16 -0500

At 1:30pm PT time today, MLB and the players union will officially announce that Dodger Stadium will host the semis and finals of the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Major League Baseball President Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy, Dodgers Owner Frank McCourt, Hall of Famers Tommy Lasorda, Vin Scully and Jaime Jarrín, Dodgers Manager Joe Torre and First Base Coach Mariano Duncan, Dodgers Broadcaster and 1981 N.L. Cy Young Award winner Fernando Valenzuela as well as current Dodgers players, including Russell Martin, Hiroki Kuroda, Andruw Jones and Hong-Chih Kuo will be in attendance, along with MLB Players Association Chief Operating Officer Gene Orza and Major League Baseball International Sr. Vice President Paul Archey will be on hand to make the announcement. The news conference will be televised live locally in Los Angeles on FSN Prime Ticket and streamed live around the world on MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball.Source: World Baseball Classic, Inc. Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/), which includes The Biz of Baseball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/), The Biz of Football (http://www.bizoffootball.com/), The Biz of Basketball (http://www.bizofbasketball.com/) and The Biz of Hockey (http://bizofhockey.com/). He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus (http://baseballprospectus.com/news/?author=124), and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_content view=article id=47 Itemid=18) He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network (http://www.businessofsportsnetwork.com/index.php?option=com_contact view=contact id=2 Itemid=29).

Starting Pitchers Tabbed for All-Star Game

Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:12:40 -0500

Ben Sheets and Cliff Lee have been named starters for Tuesday's All-Star Game, but are they the best options? Also, Carlos Marmol was named as an injury replacement, but he is undeserving of a spot ahead of several higher profile and some lower profile (and better) pitchers.

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/17

Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:42:29 -0500

Injuries have created new ninth inning situations in both Seattle and Atlanta. Brandon Morrow steps in for the Mariners while the Braves welcome back an old face who should step right into the closer role. Also, there is a shake-up at the top of the rankings in this week's Closer Report.

Even God Hates The Dodgers

Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:22:42 -0500

I'm absolutely convinced that God hates the Dodgers. Smoothly sailing through the first 4 innings, Clayton Kershaw was having another quality start in what looked to be a classic pitcher's duel. Too bad the rain had other ideas. Tied at 0-0 when God started peeing, it took Chan Ho Park less than two innings to give up 5 runs, basically sealing the Dodgers fate. Yeah, they made a late run at it, but it was another case of too little too...

Dodgers Finally Score, But Penny Refuses To Let Them Win...And Is Now Hurt

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:36:16 -0500

The good? Dodgers break their streak of 23 innings without scoring a run. The bad? Penny and Proctor got shelled for 11 runs over 5 2/3 of an inning, losing to a guy named Eddie Bonine, which sounds more like a porn name than a real one. The ugly? The Los Angeles Times reports that Penny is now headed for an MRI on his sore right shoulder. "Brad Penny, who extended his winless streak to eight starts in the Dodgers' 12-7 loss to the Detroit Tigers today at Comerica Park, will return to Los Angeles on Sunday to get his right shoulder examined. Penny will likely undergo an MRI exam on...

AccuScore Closer Report - 6/3

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 14:07:07 -0500

John Smoltz lasted just one game before electing to undergo season-ending surgery. Rafael Soriano, coming off his own injury, takes over for the Braves who also await the return of Mike Gonzalez. Most other bullpen situations have stabilized for now, but some players will be prime candidates to be traded to contenders very soon. Find out who in this week's Closer Report plus rankings for middle relievers.