Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Maeda, Offense, Kemp, Trade
![LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 23: Matt Kemp](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_752,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fdodgersway-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fgetty-images-2F2018-2F02-2F455999904-san-francisco-giants-v-los-angeles-dodgers-jpg-850x560-93348cc6ae2abfc13f677b5f425a85c4.jpg)
The Dodgers won their fourth straight game of the season and moved one game closer to taking over the lead in the NL West. The Diamondbacks’ Los Angeles are separated by just one game.
Kenta Maeda rewarded Dodger fans in a low scoring contest between the Dodgers and the Cubs on Monday, June 25. The Dodgers would go on to win that game in a final score of two to one but that Japanese born Maeda was phenomenal nonetheless. On the night as a whole, Maeda pitched seven total innings, striking out nine and surrendering just four baserunners: three by a hit and one by walk. Maeda’s success this year is a welcomed sight as the team has used the bullpen at an unbelievable rate and quality innings from the starters can prevent over usage for the remainder of the season. This year, Maeda has pitched in 14 games, 13 as a starter, and has amassed an ERA of 3.44 and a WHIP of 1.31. The 30-year old Maeda has also struck out 80 batters in just 68 innings. He is 5-4 on the year.
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Other notes…
- The Dodgers hit two more home runs against the Cubs on Monday, just a day after hitting seven total homers against the Mets. The Dodgers are currently on a historic pace this month with 48 home runs hit and 53 being the all-time team high. The Dodgers will also have five more games to break the record, a number that feels rather close at this point.
- Dodger fans are doing their part for Matt Kemp to be an All-Star. On Monday morning, Major League Baseball announced that Kemp has taken over the second place spot in voting for NL outfielders, passing Bryce Harper for the spot. Kemp has been tremendous in every facet of his game and he deserves to be an All-Star. Click here to leave your vote.
Next: Dodgers: What Should be the Dodgers Trade Deadline Priority?
- The Dodgers remain very open as to who they are looking at in terms of trade around the deadline but Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic points out that the team does not need a trade this year. The Dodgers most glaring hole in the roster is the long list of people currently stuck on the DL and their biggest deadline move will be adding all of those names back to the roster. The Dodgers will be much improved and if that is the case, trade action is really not required.