Editorials

Trending Up, Trending Down: Uribe, Gonzalez Heat Up; League Struggles

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Another week down and the Los Angeles Dodgers had a strong weekend, sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. They then went to San Francisco and have had a tough time with the Giants.

We take a look at the trending Dodgers this week:



Trending Up

Juan Uribe

Before Wednesday, Juan Uribe was tied for the league lead in hits with 22 in 13 games. The Dodger third baseman continues to rack up hits, along with his solid defense. Uribe has been the starter of more than a handful of double plays and other tough plays. His ability get on base has carried over from his strong end to the 2013 season.

Uribe has solidified the bottom of the Dodgers order, although he gets on base and is usually left stranded because of those hitting behind him. If he continues his hot streak, manager Don Mattingly may elect to move him up in the order for more RBI opportunities.

The Dodgers need the rest of the lineup to catch up with Uribe’s bat.

Brian Wilson

Though he has yet to been used in a game, Brian Wilson returned from the disabled list this week and is ready to resume his season after strengthening his arm in a minor league rehab assignment. The right-hander will assume his setup role once again and says he is ready to return to form.

Hopefully, Wilson is right and he is 100% because the team cannot afford another performance like his last one in San Diego that ultimately cost them the game. With Kenley Jansen struggling, look for Wilson to possibly get a few chances for a save in order to keep the closer well-rested.

With Wilson, the Dodgers once again have one of , if not, the best back end of the bullpen.

Adrian Gonzalez

What a weekend for the Dodger first baseman, who hit home runs in four straight games and is the current owner of an 11-game hitting streak. Gonzalez was a fan of playing in Arizona, as he hit a home run in each of the three games this weekend. He now leads the team with five home runs in 14 games.

While Gonzalez wasn’t able to carry his home run streak into San Francisco, he has continued to hit and has pushed his batting average from under .200 to .271 and rising. Last season, the left-handed slugger was the most consistent bat in the lineup and will need that to continue in order to maintain a balance in the order.

Gonzalez needs to get the Dodger offense going after a quiet two games in San Francisco.

Trending Down

Paco Rodriguez

The effective left-hander was optioned to Triple-A this week when Wilson returned from the DL. Many expected right-hander Chris Withrow to be sent down, but it was Rodriguez who got the boot. Mattingly said it was a matter of options and since Rodriguez could be sent down without an repercussions, he now finds himself back in the minors for the first time since 2012.

It seems unfair that Rodriguez was sent down after spending the entire 2013 season as the primary lefty in the bullpen, and beginning this season back to his normal self after faltering a bit down the stretch last year. The third-year reliever will return to the big leagues at some point this season and many hope that is sooner rather than later.

You hate to see a promising youngster be a victim of circumstance and Rodriguez will work hard and find himself back in Los Angeles in the coming weeks.

Brandon League

League could find himself on the other side of this piece for the simple fact that he remains on the team. After a 6.75 ERA in four appearances, some thought it was the final straw for the right-hander once Wilson returned from injury. Well Wilson, returned and League is still here.

He responded with the vote of confidence by being the losing pitcher in the Dodgers’ loss in 12 innings to the Giants on Tuesday. Even though Uribe dropped a potential inning-ending double play, League was unable to give the team a scoreless inning and it cost them just days after he allowed three runs in the ninth inning and forced the team to use Jansen when they didn’t want to.

Mattingly has continued to give League opportunities and he must capitalize on them.

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Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

One Comment

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