Can these Dodgers start doing the little things well?

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Three games in, and what do we already know about these Dodgers?

Nothing for certain, but based on their early play and how they went about their business most of last season, there is one unfavorable conclusion looming.

They still can’t do the little things well.

They’re not exactly built to be the kings of small ball, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still have smart at-bats, still advance the runner.

A runner at second with nobody out in a tight game has to be moved up. Too often there’s a grounder to the left side or a pop-up. Or a strikeout.

The Dodgers didn’t have a great deal of speed last year, and now they’re without Juan Pierre. Sacrifice bunts would otherwise advance a runner, but that’s hardly a team strength either.

Last year the Dodgers led the National League in runners left on base, and despite Thursday’s 10-run outburst, they’re hitting only .275 with runners in scoring position. In a total of 49 plate appearances, they have just 11 hits with runners at second or better.

They need smart at-bats. Have to know not to swing at the first pitch when two guys have just walked. Need not to walk the opposing pitcher. To be ready to stretch a single into a double.
They have to hit the cut-off man. Listening, Matt Kemp? Must hit the cut-off man. No more misguided throws to third to allow the trailing runner to take second.

Was it just coincidence that with five subs in on Thursday, they did manage to play better baseball.

(Andre Ethier, by the way, is out of the lineup again today with his sore ankle.)

The Dodgers worked on fundamentals this spring, recognizing it was an area that could use improvement. The early read is, there’s plenty of improvement to be made.

-- Steve Dilbeck