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Before the season began, I made a few predictions for a successful 2013 Dodger season. Let’s see exactly how well those predictions have played out, going into the post All-Star game stretch of the baseball season.
Here were my predictions:
Matt Kemp needs to stay healthy….
Well this definitely has not happened so far this season, at least not for any significant stretch of time. Its unfortunate, but at times this season Matt Kemp has seemed so fragile. However, there is a positive twist to this issue. The team has been on fire without him recently, winning 23 of there last 28 games. It should actually be a relief to Dodger fans, that they are not so reliant upon the health of Kemp.
Kemp has posted a mediocre line this season, hitting only 263 with only 5 home runs, 27 rbi, 319 on base percentage, and a shockingly low slg percentage of 382. However, in the month of July, Kemp look to be finally turning things around, hitting 368 with 3 home runs, 895 slg percentage, and a 429 on base percentage. Hopefully, this will be his final stint on the DL this season, and he will pick up where he left off, starting to turn things around. In the mean time, it looks like the Dodgers have offense covered while that ankle heals.
Hyun-Jin Ryu and Josh Beckett will surprise people this season
Josh Beckett. What can I say? That didn’t go as planned. Nobody’s perfect. Next..
Hyun-Jin Ryu has been great during his first season in the MLB. I predicted Ryu would walk away with the NL Rookie of the Year award. Well, as a rookie so far this season, Ryu has posted a 3.25 era, 1.29 whip, 122 innings pitched, 253 batting average against, 98 K’s, along with 8 wins. At this point in time, Ryu has to be one of the favorites to win the award. However, the one problem may be that his biggest competition might be his own teammate, Yasiel Puig. It should be an exciting race to watch coming down the home stretch.
Clayton Kershaw needs to continue his dominance.
Thank the high heavens that Dodgers fans were blessed with the dominance of Clayton Kershaw. He has picked up right where he left off last season. His stats are once again unreal, posting a league leading 1.96 era, 152 innings pitched, 184 batting average against, .87 whip, and 156 K’s. Basically, Kershaw is well on his way to winning his 2nd Cy Young award in 3 years.
At some point Yasiel Puig must be called up.
Now, aren’t we glad this happened? Puig mania not only set LA on fire, but he has been the biggest story in baseball since being called up to the big leagues. His energy has been a game changer for the Dodgers. He is the Mike Trout of the 2013 season, despite not making the All-Star game. Even-though Puig has gone into a little slump recently, he is still hitting 376, with 9 home runs, 22 rbi, 595 slg percentage, 417 on base percentage, and 6 stolen bases in only 44 games. However, the one downfall is the 44 K’s in 44 games, but those should go down when he becomes a little more patient in the next couple years. Also, without Puig that Matt Kemp injury seems a lot worse…Viva Puig!
What Will Carl Crawford provide for the Dodgers?
CC has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers this season. The one thing the Dodgers have been missing the last couple years, was a true leadoff hitter at the top of their order. When healthy, the Dodgers have one of the best in the business. No, he isn’t what he was back in his days with the Rays, but he is still dynamic and provides a ton of speed on the base-paths for the heart of the Dodgers order. The big key will be keeping Crawford healthy for the stretch run and into October. If Mattingly has to sit him a little more than people would like, that’s fine if he is leading off for the Dodgers in October.
New Bold prediction..
Hanley Ramirez will win the NL MVP award.
Yes, remember that you heard it here first. Hanley Ramirez will win the NL MVP award this season. Unlike Matt Kemp a couple years ago, Hanley is playing on a first place ball club, that is going to win the NL West. Also, for those saying he won’t qualify because he has not played in enough games, by the end of the season he will have enough at bats to qualify. Just take a look at these numbers. Most people don’t put up these kind of numbers for even a week. In July, Hanley is hitting 392, with 4 home runs, 703 slg percentage, and a 464 on base percentage. Overall, he is hitting 381, with 10 home runs, 690 slg percentage, 436 on base percentage, 31 rbi and 5 stolen bases in only 45 games played. If Hanley even keeps up half of this pace, he needs to be considered in the NL MVP voting. In fact, if he hasn’t already entered into the mind of the voters, something is drastically wrong.
Here were my predictions:
Matt Kemp needs to stay healthy….
Well this definitely has not happened so far this season, at least not for any significant stretch of time. Its unfortunate, but at times this season Matt Kemp has seemed so fragile. However, there is a positive twist to this issue. The team has been on fire without him recently, winning 23 of there last 28 games. It should actually be a relief to Dodger fans, that they are not so reliant upon the health of Kemp.
Kemp has posted a mediocre line this season, hitting only 263 with only 5 home runs, 27 rbi, 319 on base percentage, and a shockingly low slg percentage of 382. However, in the month of July, Kemp look to be finally turning things around, hitting 368 with 3 home runs, 895 slg percentage, and a 429 on base percentage. Hopefully, this will be his final stint on the DL this season, and he will pick up where he left off, starting to turn things around. In the mean time, it looks like the Dodgers have offense covered while that ankle heals.
Hyun-Jin Ryu and Josh Beckett will surprise people this season
Josh Beckett. What can I say? That didn’t go as planned. Nobody’s perfect. Next..
Hyun-Jin Ryu has been great during his first season in the MLB. I predicted Ryu would walk away with the NL Rookie of the Year award. Well, as a rookie so far this season, Ryu has posted a 3.25 era, 1.29 whip, 122 innings pitched, 253 batting average against, 98 K’s, along with 8 wins. At this point in time, Ryu has to be one of the favorites to win the award. However, the one problem may be that his biggest competition might be his own teammate, Yasiel Puig. It should be an exciting race to watch coming down the home stretch.
Clayton Kershaw needs to continue his dominance.
Thank the high heavens that Dodgers fans were blessed with the dominance of Clayton Kershaw. He has picked up right where he left off last season. His stats are once again unreal, posting a league leading 1.96 era, 152 innings pitched, 184 batting average against, .87 whip, and 156 K’s. Basically, Kershaw is well on his way to winning his 2nd Cy Young award in 3 years.
At some point Yasiel Puig must be called up.
Now, aren’t we glad this happened? Puig mania not only set LA on fire, but he has been the biggest story in baseball since being called up to the big leagues. His energy has been a game changer for the Dodgers. He is the Mike Trout of the 2013 season, despite not making the All-Star game. Even-though Puig has gone into a little slump recently, he is still hitting 376, with 9 home runs, 22 rbi, 595 slg percentage, 417 on base percentage, and 6 stolen bases in only 44 games. However, the one downfall is the 44 K’s in 44 games, but those should go down when he becomes a little more patient in the next couple years. Also, without Puig that Matt Kemp injury seems a lot worse…Viva Puig!
What Will Carl Crawford provide for the Dodgers?
CC has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers this season. The one thing the Dodgers have been missing the last couple years, was a true leadoff hitter at the top of their order. When healthy, the Dodgers have one of the best in the business. No, he isn’t what he was back in his days with the Rays, but he is still dynamic and provides a ton of speed on the base-paths for the heart of the Dodgers order. The big key will be keeping Crawford healthy for the stretch run and into October. If Mattingly has to sit him a little more than people would like, that’s fine if he is leading off for the Dodgers in October.
New Bold prediction..
Hanley Ramirez will win the NL MVP award.
Yes, remember that you heard it here first. Hanley Ramirez will win the NL MVP award this season. Unlike Matt Kemp a couple years ago, Hanley is playing on a first place ball club, that is going to win the NL West. Also, for those saying he won’t qualify because he has not played in enough games, by the end of the season he will have enough at bats to qualify. Just take a look at these numbers. Most people don’t put up these kind of numbers for even a week. In July, Hanley is hitting 392, with 4 home runs, 703 slg percentage, and a 464 on base percentage. Overall, he is hitting 381, with 10 home runs, 690 slg percentage, 436 on base percentage, 31 rbi and 5 stolen bases in only 45 games played. If Hanley even keeps up half of this pace, he needs to be considered in the NL MVP voting. In fact, if he hasn’t already entered into the mind of the voters, something is drastically wrong.
