PLAYER TO WATCH
Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Sure, a day like Thursday doesn’t come along often — the Brewers’ 20-0 drubbing of the Pirates was the worst in the modern era — when Braun flexed his muscles with a homer while going 3-for-4 with five RBI. Those numbers only reflect the kind of year the fourth-year pro out of Miami is having (.417 BA, 5 HR, 20 RBI, .733 slugging) entering Friday. While he’s off to perhaps the best start of his young career, will he hit .417 for the season? No, but an average in the mid .300s wouldn’t be out of the question for a guy that’s hit better than .320 twice. Also, he’ll turn 27 in November, the age where a slugger is considered to be entering his prime. If he can come close to keeping up those numbers, he could be a serious triple-crown contender.
STORYLINES
1. Bat attack » OK, Chad Billingsley has been bad. And Vicente Padilla has been worse. But the Dodgers, who have been hovering around .500 since the season started, are wearing out National League pitching. Entering their weekend series with the Nationals, three L.A. regulars — Manny Ramirez, Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp — had an OPS upward of 1.150. Even utility man Ronnie Belliard (yes, that Ronnie Belliard) began the season with nine hits in his first 22 at-bats. In their Thursday game against the Reds, six of the eight position players in the lineup began the day with a batting average of at least .300. The ringleader: Kemp, who had 20 RBI in L.A.’s first 14 games and appears to be making the jump to stardom.
2. Pitching in Colorado? » Ubaldo Jimenez has proven that a Cy Young candidate can actually play for the Rockies. The righty followed up his no-hitter against the Braves with 7 1/3 scoreless innings against the Nationals on Thursday. Jimenez is 4-0 with 25 strikeouts and a 0.95 ERA. He has benefited by having three of his first four starts away from hitter-friendly Coors Field, but Jimenez has showcased his ability to be crafty and overpowering, a dangerous combination for the 26-year-old. Jimenez — and his 16 1/3 scoreless innings streak — will face the Diamondbacks at home Tuesday.
3. A’s have new crop of arms » Once again Oakland has a talented rotation, but this time it has two veteran pitchers anchoring the staff. If Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer can stay healthy, the A’s could win the AL West. But the real story is not their oft-injured vets, it’s 26-year-old Dallas Braden and 22-year-old Brett Anderson. Braden has started 3-0, including a victory against the Yankees on Thursday when the lefty barked at Alex Rodriguez for stepping on “his mound.” Needless to say he’s bold enough to be a dominant pitcher. Anderson had a strong finish last season — allowing two or fewer earned runs in his final four starts — and is off to an impressive start this season.
SERIES TO WATCH
Padres at Marlins, Monday-Wednesday
A surprisingly hot matchup this early in the season, as both teams were in the bottom 10 of the preseason power rankings. The Marlins have gotten some pop from Jorge Cantu (who’s hitting streak reached 20 last Thursday) and Dan Uggla (who they paid un-Marlins like money in the offseason). Florida’s rotation has been solid too, as every starter has at least one win. The Padres starters have not matched the win success, but all sport an ERA under 3.60 and their bullpen has produced five wins. San Diego’s offensive strength is the even production throughout the lineup led by traditionally light-hitting third baseman Chase Headley, who is still lacking power (only one homer) but has collected 21 hits and drawn six walks in just 15 games entering Friday.
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The Examiner’s weekly power rankings |
