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Back to the Dodgers...
Well, the Dodgers have now gone through a slight slump and seem to have recovered satisfactorily. Valentin was hot and then cooled but now he is out, probably for most of the season, so third base is an issue. Looks like they are going to try a platoon for awhile but they seem open to a trade if the platoon doesn't work out. I know people are saying that they should have kept Beltre but I'm not sure that that wouldn't have tied up more money than would have been good for the Dodgers. Beltre isn't exactly setting the world on fire up in Seattle either.
Bradley (and his lack of attitude) have been a welcome sight this year. He's being very team oriented so that can only help the chemistry of the team. JD Drew started out terribly but now seems to have picked things up a bit. Left field is waiting on Werth to come back, the current platoon there is ok but not great.
Isturis and Kent are doing fine. Kent will probably cool off some but with pick ups in other area, it should balance out nicely. Choi at first seems like maybe he just needed to get comfortable with playing everyday at this level. Maybe DePodesta was right about him? Time will tell. Phillips seems to be doing alright behind the plate and with the bat as well.
Pitching. Well, the pitching probably looked a little better than they were because of the Dodgers hot start at the plate. But I do think they have a very good pitching staff, once all of them are healthy. Penny, Weaver and Perez are all looking good and Dodger stadium will be very good to Lowe. The bullpen is solid.
So I see the Dodgers winning the West, not in a cake walk but I think they'll come out on top.
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