… because my old buddy, Tony Jackson hit this one out of the park:  Billingsley Learning To Let Go. Whatever needs to be said about Chad has now been said by Tony, and it justneeds to play out.  In a nutshell, Tony summarizes Chad’s struggles like this:

“Billingsley’s biggest problem, the one that has plagued him at various times since he reached the majors in 2006 and the one that probably is the biggest reason he hasn’t fully morphed into the staff ace he was projected to be, is that he appears to have trouble letting go of his mistakes.

“There were times in the middle of a game — and it might not have just been when a guy drove in a run, but maybe it was a guy leading off an inning with a double, something like that — where I would think maybe I should have used a different pitch selection,” Billingsley said. “Then maybe you try to overthrow or try to do too much. That’s the mental part of it. But the only way to get better is by doing it, by being out there on the mound. You can’t simulate it in the bullpen or by throwing batting practice. You have to be out there facing hitters in a game situation.

“You can’t dwell on it. Sometimes, you throw your best pitch and a guy gets a hit and drives in a run. You can’t do anything about that now. You just have to bear down and go after the next guy.”

Read the article and you will see  that Chad is working on his problem.  Tony sums it up like this:

“Billingsley grasps these lessons easily enough. But Dodgers officials won’t have their questions answered for a few more weeks, when they get the chance to see whether he can actually put those lessons into practice in the heat of a major league game.

If he can do that, he has the potential to be a true, front-of-the-rotation ace.”

Just because C-Bil had a bad 2nd half of last season doesn’t mean he’ll pitch the same way in 2010, anymore than the fact that Rafael Furcal having a good conclusion to his season means that he’ll do well in 2010 – you have to look at both players “body of work” and their body of work suggests that they are capable of a very good 2010.  How much would that mean to the team?  Raffy and Chad returning to All-Star Status?  Think about it.  Will it happen?  Don’t know!  Are they capable – YES, they are!

Never mention Chad again until the All-Star Break!  Tony said it all!

Dodger Notes:

• Don’t put much stock into Charlie Haegar’s bad outing – I wouldn’t expect that Knuckleball to dance for a couple of weeks!
• MSTI thinks James Loney will have a big year.  So Do I!  It’s his time.
• It turns out that the most important pitcher in camp might be Sandy Koufax who is working with all the Dodger pitchers for the week.  How huge could this be?

I don’t think most of you realize how good this version of the Dodgers can be.  I am sure that the National Media, including Plaschke and Simers don’t.  I do think that Jackson and Weisman do.   We may be in for the ride of our lives.

After looking at the #5 Starter competition, I have concluded that anything is possible.  I believe that the favorites to win that position are as follows (in the order I think it most likely along with questions):

1. Eric Stults (his time?)
2. Charlie Haegar (was last year a fluke or a peek?)
3. James McDonald (he’s determined to win the spot, but can he?)
4. Jeff Weaver (can he return to being a solid-pitchers every 5 days?)
5. Scott Elbert (is his arm ready for this?)
6. Carlos Monasterios (can he jump that far?)

These six pitchers all have a shot and deserve consideration.  One will step-up.  Maybe two or three?   I can see only three of those pitchers making the team, maybe just two.  There will be some tough battles this Spring.  What do you think?

What other teams in the NL do you think will be in the playoffs?  I have already stated that I think the Rockies will not make the playoffs and I am now picking the Cardinals to be the best team in the league (behind the Dodgers, of course).  I hate to say it, but Brad Penny could win 20 under Dave Duncan (he has always had million-dollar talent to go with a 10 cent brain), and Kyle Lohse could also win 15-16 games.  If Wainright and Carpenter stay healthy, this could be an excellent rotation.  Dave Duncan is the master!

Around the WEB:

• Steve Dilbeck writes about Chad Billingsley’s Mental Toughness (or lack thereof)
• Ken Gurnick says that Cory Wade is in great shape and eager to re-gain his spot in the pen.  I found this part especially interesting:

“Wade brushed off the suggestion that middle relievers get abused and are particularly vulnerable to injuries of overuse.

“It really is an honor when a Hall of Fame manager has confidence to give the ball to a rookie,” he said. “It’s my own fault I ended up breaking down. I wasn’t as strong as I should have been. I wasn’t really prepared for the role.

“I did what I could do. As a first-year guy, you think you can handle it. I’d be happy with the role again. I’d do anything to help the club win. Last year was a big-time learning experience for me.”‘

• About a week ago, I wrote that I had heard James Loney had been working out and bulking up.  It turns out I was partially right.  Dylan Hernandez confirms that he is slimmer and stronger.  That bodes well for the Dodgers.
• It seems to me that the Dodger Kids are becoming grown men and they are determined to make their mark.  They are more mentally tough and they are prepared and planning for big years.
• Again, I don’t think that Russ Martin will continue his decline.  His character won’t allow it, and he’s not old.  Look for a big rebound.
• As much as it worries me, Rafael Furcal is a big key to 2010.  If he stays healthy and can put up good on-base numbers, the offense should be very good.  It all starts at the top.  It will be interesting who bats #2.  I vote for Kemp, due to his speed.
• If it comes down to Jeff Weaver or Charlie Haeger for the “swingman” role.  I’d keep Haegar – he’s much younger with a bigger upside.  Of course, theres’a  lot of time between now and then.  Too many scenarios to play out.
• Tony Jackson talks about Belli’s Belly and other issues at 2B.
• Jon Weisman thinks Xavier Paul could make the team if Giles and Mientkiewicz health issues keep up (and both have major issues)
• Jon Weisman opines what could happen with Ronald Belisario.
• MSTI discusses that Having a Good Team With No Ace is Better Than The Inverse- Good read
• Memories of Kevin Malone (hereafter “MKM”) profiles Chris Withrow.

The Top 10 - In No Particular Order

I have no clue where this “Debacle in the Ravine will take us, but I’d say Jamie does not have the upper hand.   No, I’m not going to speculate on who we will sign and who we won’t or who we should trade.  Today, I just want to do some “farming.”  Let’s take a look at the Dodgers top prospects. Read the full story

Actually, it’s “Charliemania” but WOW!  It felt like that same feeling I had when Fernando made his debut!   It’s too bad it didn’t have a better ending, but Charlie Haeger is on his way to becoming a cult hero in LA.

Lawdog is a genius!   He’s been begging for Charlie half the season.  Well, one start and we can’t pronounce him Cy Young, but it was fun to watch, wasn’t it? 

A few weeks ago (while I was in the hospital the day after hip-replacement) a  good friend brought me this cup and said it suited me perfectly!   What does he mean by that?   Anyway, watching Charlie Haeger felt like something between “Raising Hell” and “Amazing Grace.”  It was really cool, while it lasted.  The knuckle ball is susceptible to the occasional Home-Run.  It’s just blind luck or a good guess, but Pujols and Ankiel’s blasts delivered 3 runs and that was enough for Chris Carpenter.   You can’t win may games with 5 hits, and we didn’t, but the Cards had only 6. 

It was another loss in our losing streak, but I do think we just may have found our 5th starter!

Rants & Raves

• It seems to me that Kuroda might only miss one start as his injury is not serious and was deemed a mild concussion.  The usual Read the full story

Randy Wolf pitched a masterful game and the Dodger bats came alive just in time to add some separation between the Dodgers and the Giants.  After last night’s loss, the Giants are now

The Last Big Thing

 7.5 games back with the Rockies 6.5 games back.  Neither team has the horses to catch us.  Our malaise is behind us and there is clear sailing to the pennant.  The plan now is to rest some players (pitchers especially), so that we can be ready for the playoffs.  Bills needs to rest and I would just go ahead and DL him.  Then in early September, Kershaw needs to rest a couple of weeks.  Kuroda had his rest and Wolf should pitch out of the pen in the playoffs.  Pitching?  We don’t need any more stinkin’ pitching!  Smoltz, Padilla, Arroyo and all the rest?  Forget it!

Manny, Andre, Matt and James are all heating up again.  Look out, Linecum.  It’s the Weaver and Knuckleball show today.  Lawdog will have to take a few Prozac to calm down about his boy Charlie Haeger.  I wonder who will catch him?

Dodger Notes:

• Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times reports the following tidbits:  “Manny Ramirez was moved from third in the lineup to fourth. “Just to do something different,” Torre said, adding that he wanted to move up Russell Martin, who had an on-base percentage of .483 in his last eight games. . . . James Loney sat because a left-hander, Jonathan Sanchez, started for the Giants. Mark Loretta started in Loney’s place. . . . Will Ohman, who has been on the disabled list since May 28 because of shoulder and elbow problems, is throwing off a mound.”
• Hernandez also reported that Ramon Troncoso admitted his arm is tired.    Time for more rest.  Shoot, how about 15 days on the DL?  I think Torre’s relievers should spend 15 days on the DL every 40 days.  Don’t let him use them up…
• Tony Abreu hit his 10th HR last night at ALBQ  (162 AB’s) and Scott Elbert pitched 4 scoreless innings (2 hits).  He has logged 100 innings so far, so the Dodgers are just limiting his exposure right now, as they are also doing with a number of other young pitchers.  Elbert pitched 14 innings in 2007 and 48 innings in 2008 after surgery.  In 2006, he pitched 146 innings and then had surgery.  I think what the Dodgers are doing is wise.

Minor League Report from Jared at http://thinkbluela.blogspot.com/

Minor League Recap – 8/11/09
Albuquerque lost 9-5

Tony Abreu – 1 for 5, HR (10), RBI, R, K (.340 BA)
Blake DeWitt – 0 for 3, BB, K, PO (.252 BA)

Scott Elbert – 4 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, BB, 3 K’s (5.16 ERA)
Josh Lindblom – 1 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER, 0 BB, 2 K’s (3.12 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/pvzorx
Chattanooga did not play
Inland Empire won 3-2

Preston Mattingly – 1 for 5, R, 3 K’s (.238 BA)
Trayvon Robinson – 1 for 4, 2 R, BB, K, SB (.305 BA)
Scott Van Slyke – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI, BB, K (.291 BA)
Steven Caseres – 0 for 4, 2 K’s (.269 BA)

http://tinyurl.com/q2r5mb
Great Lakes lost 10-5

Dee Gordon – 0 for 5, K (.298 BA)
Alfredo Silverio – 2 for 5, 2B, HR (11), RBI, 3 R, 2 K’s (.285 BA)
Kyle Russell – 3 for 5, 2 RBI, K, 2 SB (.274 BA)
Jerry Sands – 0 for 4, 3 K’s (.179 BA)
Mario Songco – 1 for 3, 3B, RBI, R, BB (.167 BA)

Ethan Martin – 3 IP, 2 Hits, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s (4.19 ERA)
Nathan Eovaldi – 2.1 IP, 8 Hits, 7 R (5 ER), 2 BB, K (3.63 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/qstxhp
Ogden won 16-6

BCG – 1 for 5, HR (11), 3 RBI, 3 R, BB, K (.332 BA)
Blake Smith – 1 for 3, 2B, 2 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, K (.217 BA)
Nick Akins – 2 for 4, 2B, GS (1), 5 RBI, 2 R, K, HBP (.167 BA)

Brett Wallach – 3 IP, 2 Hits, 0 R, 0 BB, 2 K’s (5.65 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/r8qolj
AZL lost 5-4

Jonathan Garcia – 2 for 4, 2B (.283 BA)

Dan Danielson – 5 IP, 6 Hits, 3 ER, 0 BB, 8 K’s (3.69 ERA)
Bolivar Medina – 2 IP, 2 Hits, R (0 ER), 3 BB, 3 K’s (2.51 ERA)
Roberto Feliciano – 0.1 IP, Hit, ER, 2 BB, 0 K’s (1.50 ERA)

http://tinyurl.com/qtulvk
Player of the Day – Alfredo Silverio, OF

Fredo has been one of the hottest hitters in the minors this month. Since the 1st, he’s batting .395 with 4 doubles and 3 HR. He’s collected 4 straight multi-hit games with extra basehits in 3 of his last 4. Hopefully Silverio figured something out after the All Star break and he can ride this hot streak for the next few seasons.

Lawdog is fascinated with the knuckleball and worships Charlie Haegar who pitches at AAA for the Isotopes.  He was named to the PCL All-Star team and is sporting an 8-5 record with a 3.73 ERA (1.36 WHIP) and has 2 complete games.  I  would say that his chances of being a Dodger are something below ZERO, but here’s what Lawdog says.   He e-mailed this article which I shall post in it’s entirety:

Mark,  I found this old scouting report on Charlie Haeger.  He’s only gotten better since it was written.  I thought you might want to put it up on the board.  A lot of us “old timers’ are fascinated by knuckleballs and since most guys who are successful at tossing it don’t begin their careers in earnest, Charlie might have a real chance.   For what it’s worth, I found the article interesting. Read the full story