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2009 MLB National League West Notebook
Consider what the Los Angeles Dodgers have found in second baseman Orlando Hudson. He has been a key component to the team becoming the first in the big leagues to reach 40 wins.
Hudson has already hit for the cycle and showed durability by starting the first 54 games. All of this has translated to him hitting .308 with four home runs and 34 RBIs, scoring 40 runs and collecting 17 doubles. The runs scored and doubles totals lead the team.
That isn't too bad considering that they signed Hudson back in February and were not exactly sure what they were getting. What Hudson has done is probably more than what Dodgers' executives envisioned.
COLORADO
The managerial switch from Clint Hurdle to Jim Tracy has given the Rockies a breath of fresh air. Colorado brought an eight-game winning streak into the weekend series with Seattle. They were still fourth in the division at 28-32.
And this streak has come against some heavy hitters. The Rockies just finished a roadtrip where they swept National League Central leaders St. Louis and Milwaukee. It's their longest winning streak since the 2007 season when they won the NL Pennant.
The Rockies are 10-4 under Tracy since he assumed the team on May 29. Tracy, of course, has managed previously with the Dodgers and Pittsburgh.
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ARIZONA
If he gets enough wins, Dan Haren could be player in the NL Cy Young Award race. The right-hander is just 4-4 but he is the National League leader in ERA at 2.33 and is running sixth in strikeouts at 83.
Of course, Haren's command has been exceptional with only 11 walks through his first 85 innings. To break it down: that's five walks in April, four walks in May and two walks in June. He has not walked more than three in a game and has gone through a start without issuing a free pass six times.
So naturally, all of these numbers add up to Haren always keeping his team in the game. Haren has thrown 11 quality starts (6 IP, 3 ER) in his first 12 appearances. He's averaging seven innings per start.
SAN DIEGO
Age appears to be catching up to Brian Giles. The left-handed power hitter who has hit double figure home runs in 13 of his first 14 major league seasons is going through one of the worst power droughts in his career.
Giles is up to 287 career home runs but with 2 through his first 55 games, he may struggle to reach the 300 plateau before the season concludes. Giles also isn't hitting for average with an abysmal .194 average. That's just not like the career .291 hitter.
Should he keep up this pace, Giles is going to finish the season with a .194 batting average, six home runs and 63 RBIs.
SAN FRANCISCO
The Giants began their cross-bay rivarly series with Oakland and the key for their season has been getting out to quick starts.
When the Giants score first in a game, they are 25-4. That's an important number for an offense that just doesn't score a lot of runs. The Giants are averaging 3.9 runs per game. Of course, that puts a lot of pressure on the pitching staff and the defense.
But so far, those two areas are holding up fine. The Giants strength is their pitching. They are second in the National League in team ERA at 3.75 and are sixth in defense.
By Kevin Lonnquist
MLBcenter.com Staff Writer
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