The Dodgers looked as bad as any Dodger club since 1992 on Friday in a 7-3 loss to the worst team in baseball, the Houston Astros. In fact, many are beginning to compare this club to that of 2005 or 1992, which are two of the worst Dodger clubs in recent history.
The Dodgers can't seem to catch a break. The Houston Astros (25-45), who had won only two of their last thirteen games, came into Chavez Ravine Friday night, and absolutely handled the Dodgers on their home field. Dodgers starter Ted Lilly was charged for 6 runs and 8 hits in just over 5 innings of work, as Astros starter Brett Myers, who came in to Dodger Stadium with a 5-6 record, and a 5.03 ERA, threw a complete game, giving up only four hits against the Dodgers. Four hits!
By this point in the 2005 season, the Dodgers had gone 34-37. As of right now, the 2011 Dodgers are 31-40, which also happens to be the same record at this point the club had in the infamously unforgettable 1992 season.
The Dodgers only lead at one point in the game, following a sacrifice fly by Matt Kemp, which scored Dee Gordon. Kemp's sacrifice marked the only time the Dodgers would score until the bottom of the ninth inning, in which Andre Ethier hit a 2-run home run to center field.
In fact, Myers completed the game against the Dodgers in only 98 pitches.
"That's crazy," said Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly. "We have to make guys work harder than that."
This year's offensive whirlwind has become habit for this Dodgers club. Following a road trip that marked very productive offensive numbers against the Rockies, the Dodgers came home to be swept by the Cincinnati Reds, and now have dropped their first game against Houston. In fact, the Dodgers are currently experiencing their third worst offensive season at home since 1958, averaging 3 runs per game at Dodger stadium. Whether it be the unbelievably destructive drama at the hands of Dodgers "owner" Frank McCourt, or simply psychological pressure to try to get fans coming to Dodger Stadium again, these Dodgers can't seem to compete here at home.
The big problem, is that along with the hitting incompetence, the Dodgers are also experiencing an inability to pitch well. In the month of June, the Dodgers starting pitchers have earned themselves an ERA of 5.40. In the month of June, Dodger starters have only pitched into the 7th inning three times.
After the game, Lilly said, "I was throwing the ball as well as I have all year." However, the Astros scored 5 runs in the 6th inning, chasing Lilly out of the game. Lilly eventually earned the loss, moving his record to 5-6.
Following a potential divorce settlement between the McCourts early yesterday morning, the future of the club will be in the hands of commissioner Bud Selig, who can either approve a Fox TV contract, allowing McCourt to continue running the club the way it is, or he can deny it, which would most likely, ultimately lead to a sale of the Dodgers. The majority of fans are hoping that Selig will deny the contract, and force a sale of the Dodgers into new ownership. McCourt has lost the support of the majority of Dodger fans since it came out in court documents that he withdrew over $100 million from the team over four years, using the storied franchise as a credit card to pay for a lavish lifestyle for he and estranged wife, Jamie.
"The team is foundering," said one fan in Long Beach, CA. "If the team wants to survive, it will have to be under new ownership."
MLB is expected to make a decision sometime early next week.
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