Colletti: little risk, big reward

The Dodger's starting rotation has been a pleasant surprise as we are now 1/3 through the MLB season. Who would of thought that the Dodger's pitchers would post such a dominant 3.66 ERA to start the year? Not only that, they have done it without Opening Day starter Hiroki Kuroda who has recently returned from the DL after he strained his right oblique. Giving credit where credit is due is hard in this instance. The question at the beginning of the year was: who was the fifth starter? Was it going to be Jeff Weaver, Eric Stults, James McDonald, or Eric Milton? 

 

Desperation set in when the Dodgers suffered the loss of Kuroda. Stults immediately claimed the role and came in surprising the Dodgers again and again with quality start after quality start. McDonald, as most rookies are, was plagued with control problems walking 16 out of 18.2 innings. So Torre replaced him the wiry veteran Jeff Weaver. Jeff Weaver turned in 3 decent starts giving the Dodgers a chance to win every time. But Joe Torre either decided that Weaver wasn't going deep enough in the game or the bullpen was in need of another long reliever. 

 

Now Eric Milton gets the call. And his last 2 starts have been great. His last 2 injury ridden years look like they have past him. What made him so impressive was his command in his last two starts. He has only walked 1 in his last two starts and has shown that he can strike hitters out posting 10Ks in his first 14 innings of work. Granted, he only has three starts under his belt. But if this lefty can really show what he is worth against the Phillies, Friday, I would be happy to give credit where credit is due...

 

Ned Colletti brought in all these washed up vets who looked like their careers maybe over. Jeff Weaver couldn't stop throwing strikes right down the middle of the plate. Eric Milton had so many injury problems the last 2 years his hospital bill paid for the new Sports Injury Wing. Ned Colletti, however, signed these guys to minor league deals and the minor risk turned into a big reward. Theo Epstein has gotten so much credit for bringing in John Smoltz and Brad Penny. Where's Ned's credit? It's time for Dodger fans to give credit where credit is due.