Saturday, September 24, 2011

Ted Lilly closing out the season nicely

Ted Lilly has remembered how to pitch in the last couple months, but that doesn't mean I have to like the fact he's going to be a Dodger for the next two years.

Like his last two months for the Dodgers in 2010, Lilly is putting up fine numbers.

Last 10 games: 4-4, 2.32 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 5.5 H/9, 8.6 K/9

The most amazing stat might be the home runs he's given up -- or lack thereof.

In his first 22 starts of the season, Lilly gave up 23 home runs. That was good for a 1.67 HR/9 rate. In August and September, he's cut that rate by nearly a full point -- down to 0.73 HR/9.

He's actually pitching better than he did in August and September of 2010, after the Dodgers acquired him from the Cubs:

2010 with L.A.: 7-4, 3.52 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 7.2 H/9, 9.0 K/9

Lilly still doesn't deserve the contract he was given. I still wish he wasn't going to be in the Dodgers' rotation for the next two years, but it's nice to see him pitching well to close the season. Now if he could only do it for an entire season...

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Matt Kemp is absolutely amazing. He hit his 37th home run last night to tie him with Albert Pujols for the National League lead. He is .003 points behind Ryan Braun and Jose Reyes in the batting race and he's up by six on Ryan Howard for the RBI title.

Kemp has the most legitimate shot at the Triple Crown in recent memory. He's going to need it to convince MVP voters to give him the nod over Braun.

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Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts wonders why the majority of the baseball world is just now realizing Kemp's legitimate shot at the Triple Crown.

Eric Stephen of True Blue L.A. has a look at the bargain who is Juan Rivera. He could be back in Blue in 2012. I wasn't a fan of the acquisition, but the Dodgers could do a hell of a lot worse for a guy who can play left field, first base and hit lefties a little.

Chad Moriyama has a great in-depth look at James Loney's resurgence and whether the he wants to see Loney back in 2012.

MLB wants the court to order a sale of the Dodgers. Anything to get Frank McCourt gone sooner us a good thing.

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