Here is a recap of our starting lineup preview:
1. Furcal SS – .290, 9 HR, 47 RBI
2. Hudson 2B – .295, 10 HR, 65 RBI
3. Ethier RF – .295, 20 HR, 90 RBI
4. Ramirez LF – .310, 32 HR, 120 RBI
5. Loney 1B – .310, 15 HR, 100 RBI
6. Kemp CF – .295, 20 HR, 90 RBI
7. Martin C – .292, 15 HR, 75 RBI
8. Blake 3B – .270, 18 HR, 70 RBI
Wow! If our predictions hold true then this will be the most potent lineup in Los Angeles Dodgers history. Of course, we can never take the health of these players for granted. With enough luck the Dodgers will avoid the injury bug forever. More realistically, the Dodgers will face varying degrees of injuries this season and in the future. Minor League depth is often the only cure for the injury bug. But let’s not kid ourselves…some players just aren’t replaceable.
Let’s gain some perspective and take a look at the best offensive Dodgers teams since their move to Dodger Stadium in 1958. We’ll aslo take a look at how the Dodgers did in 2008.
Best AVG – .276 – 2006 (.264 AVG in 2008, Best MLB Team in 2008: TEX .283 AVG)
Best OPS – .781 – 2006 (.732 OPS in 2008, Best MLB Team in 2008: TEX .816 OPS)
Most Runs/Game -5.1 – 1962 (4.3 R/G in 2008, Best MLB Team in 2008: TEX 5.6 R/G)
Most HR – 211 – 2000 (137 HR in 2008, Best MLB Team in 2008: CHW 232
The mean average of our projected starting lineup is a whopping .296 AVG! Nothing compared to the 1887 St. Louis Browns .363 team AVG. Since 1969, 10 teams have managed to bat .289 or better:
1. COL, .294 in 2000
2. CLE, .293 in 1996
3. TEX, .293 in 1999
4. COL, .292 in 2001
5. BOS, .291 in 1997
6. COL, .291 in 1998
7. CLE, .291 in 1995
8. NYY, .290 in 1994
9. NYY, .290 in 2007
10. CLE, .290 in 1994
11. CLE, .289 in 1999 12. BOS .289 in 2003 13. TEX .289 in 1998
Did you notice that 5 of the 13 teams mentioned had Manny Ramirez on their roster?
CLE, ’94,’95, ’96, ’99 & BOS ’03.
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Outside of the Rockies all those teams are from the AL, clearly benefiting from the DH. I hope the Dodgers can do it and overcome the pitchers weakness.