2010 Dodgers Preview: The Bullpen

By Raymond

1. The Bullpen, because Reid asked and because Ryan can suck it.

2. No, sadly not the actual Dodger shower room, but I still think Doug does that with his medal, probably helps him get chicks too.

3. Lots of people are projecting a big year for Loney. If I am to bet a steak on this, I want to set a bigger number on his home run total. 15 is boring, put your set on the table and lets set it at 20.5 I take the under. What do you say?

4. No pictures this post due to computer issues.

Los Angeles Dodgers Relief Pitching for the 2010 Season

The Closer: Jonathan Broxton

Uniform Number: #51
Former Dodger to Wear #51: Larry Sherry, former relief pitcher for the Dodgers and MVP of the 1959 World Series. Of Jewish persuasion, with his brother Norm Sherry who played with the Dodgers too, formed the first all kosher battery.

Bio/Fun Facts: From Georgia, he is a big boy at six foot four and weighing in at 290 pounds during the season. He has been referred to at times by Charlie Steiner as “The Human Eclipse.” Signed right out of high school and was picked up in the second round of the 2002 draft. Broxton has been the most dominant closer for the Dodgers since the chemically induced demise of the Eric Gagne.

Strengths: Heat! He regularly tosses at 98 to 101 mph. And last year he was known to hit 103 mph at least once. Also… The K!; amongst all regular pitchers in the MLB Jonny B had the highest Strikeout to 9 inning ratio of any pitcher at 13.50; he also an impressive K to walk ratio of 3.93. He was 12th in all of the MLB in saves at 36. And he can also go two innings if needed, pitching 76 innings last year, which is more than just about every other top tier closer. Even his blown saves and ERA are in acceptable limits when compared to other top tier closers.

Achilles’ Heel: Matt Stairs, big game playoff situations.

Best Closer Now: If you had asked me a year ago I would of easily said Francisco Rodriguez. But last season I think reiterated the fact that Mariano Rivera is still perhaps the best closer in baseball. Hardly gives up home runs, has only balked three times ever, throws maybe…maybe… one wild pitch a year. And the man is old and still doing it, he has World Series Rings to show how good he is. And might we add he pretty much does all this with one pitch a cut fastball.

Best Closer Ever: See above.

Wild Card: The Iron Man is not going anywhere anytime soon. He is a fire breathing horse that goes in and gets those final out and he does it by blowing batters away. He stays healthy and maintains his control we will ride back into the playoffs. Real question is can he mentally get over the hump of two previous failures in the playoffs. If he can do that we easily have one of the top 5 closers in baseball to finish out games.

The Setup Man: George Sherrill

Uniform Number: #52

Former Dodger to Wear #52: The recently retired Al Reyes was a relief pitcher for the Dodgers in 2000 and 2001. Fun note, one night Reyes got in a bar fight in Tampa. Got tasered twice by police officers and still pitched in the game the next day and got the win.

Bio/Fun Facts: His middle name is Friederich, and he went to a Christian High School like us. He is one of those guys who banged it out in the independent leagues, he played for 5 years in the independents before he got his break with Seattle. He wears the bill of his cap flat as a statement of independence.

Strengths: Good fastball with movement, a slick slider and a decent curve. He could be a closer for many other teams and we get to have him as our setup guy.

Achilles’ Heel: Perfect Curve Hat Curving Device

Best Setup Man Now: Obscure question, no? But Jeremy Affeldt of the Giants had 33 holds, never blew a save and seemed to be the perfect setup man for Brian Wilson (Whom I wonder if his entrance theme is a Beach Boys song).

Wild Card: His nicknames in the past have included "The Gangsta-Redneck", "The Brim Reaper", "Flat Breezy", and "Duckbill".

The Middle Reliever: Ramon Troncoso

Uniform Number: #38

Former Dodger to Wear #38: Eric Gagne (Hrmmmm…)

Bio/Fun Facts: From the Dominican, good fastball, reliable.

Strengths: He doesn’t suck?

Achilles’ Heel: Sometimes he sucks?

Wild Card: How much can we really know about some of these pitchers?

The Left Specialist: Hong-Chih Kuo

Uniform Number: #56

Former Dodger to Wear: #56: Pedro Astacio

Bio/Fun Facts: From Taiwan, been in the organization since 1999.

Strengths: Quick fastball, good movement. In general he throws hard.

Achilles’ Heel: Fragile Elbow Tendons, Hard R’s and Communism.

Wild Card: His nickname is The Bionic Taiwaniac!