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Los Angeles Dodgers

Team RankingAVGRHRERA
Dodgers.2576441173.54
West Division2nd3rd4th3rd
National League 5th8th12th5th
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Scott Miller's Take

There is no way humanly possible that Manny Ramirez will repeat over six months his electric performance and elite numbers from last August and September. Those are flat-out unrealistic expectations. But Manny still will make this lineup go and, with him, Rafael Furcal, Orlando Hudson, Russell Martin, Matt Kemp and James Loney, Joe Torre will have the NL's best lineup each night. The biggest uncertainty here is pitching. Subtracting Derek Lowe's 200 innings could be haunting. Chad Billingsley needs to grow up. Clayton Kershaw needs to not be overwhelmed. Randy Wolf needs to stay healthy. The bullpen will be a work in progress. While Jonathan Broxton learns the nuances of closing, it may take Torre a while to settle on set-up roles for the others. Nice bench depth with Mark Loretta, Juan Pierre and Doug Mientkiewicz. They'll need it: Hudson has not finished either of the last two seasons because of injuries.

 
Staff Picks
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Team Info
2008 record: 84-78, .519 pct. (1st NL West)
As Dodgers manager: Joe Torre, entering 2nd year (84-78)
Stadium: Dodger Stadium (56,000; grass)
 
Top Prospects
1. James McDonald, RH/SP
  Club's minor league pitcher of the year the last two seasons, could be in the rotation or bullpen in 2009.
2. Andrew Lambo, OF
  He is far too young to count on this year, but there is a lot of pop in his bat long term.
3. Scott Elbert, LH/RP
  Shoulder surgery has derailed him as a starter, might make him a late-inning reliever instead.
4. Chris Withrow, RH/SP
  This 98 mph arm has a lot of potential, but he still has a lot of work to do. He is still years away.
5. Ivan DeJesus, SS
  Future big league regular despite a broken leg that will keep him out in 2009.
 
 
Manny Ramirez is back with LA after batting .396 with 17 homers and 53 RBI in 53 games for the club last season. (Getty Images)
 
 
Lineup
No.PlayerABHRAVGRBIRSB
1.R. Furcal, SS143 5 .357 16 34 8
2.O. Hudson, 2B407 8 .305 41 54 4
3.M. Ramirez, LF552 37 .332 121 102 3
4.R. Martin, C553 13 .280 69 87 18
5.M. Kemp, CF606 18 .290 76 93 35
6.J. Loney, 1B595 13 .289 90 66 7
7.A. Ethier, RF 525 20 .305 77 90 6
8.C. Blake, 3B536 21 .274 81 71 3
Pitching
No.PitcherIPW-LSVERAKsBB
1.C. Billingsley, RH200.2 16-10 0 3.14 201 80
2.H. Kuroda, RH183.1 9-10 0 3.73 116 42
3.C. Kershaw, LH107.2 5-5 0 4.26 100 52
4.R. Wolf, LH190.1 12-12 0 4.30 162 71
5.J. McDonald, RH 6.0 0-0 0 0 2 1
CLJ. Broxton, RH69.0 3-5 14 3.13 88 27
 
 
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