Can this statistic be right?  Before yesterday’s 8-5 loss to the Rockies, Matt Kemp had not been walked intentionally once this season?  I have watched almost every inning of every game this season, and I swear I had seen Kemp get an intentional pass this year.  I know there have been a number of “unintentional-intentional walks” that he received, but according the MLB.com and baseball-reference.com, the two intentional walks Kemp received yesterday were the first ones he had received this year.

Jim Tracy showed his hand though.  It’s a managerial tactic that we’ll probably see a lot of this season.  I’m shocked that it hasn’t emerged before today in mass quantities.   There is one reason why it hasn’t happened though, and that’s Andre Ethier, something to discuss a bit later.  Getting back to yesterday’s game though.  Tracy wasn’t  going to let Matt Kemp beat him.  Walking him intentionally twice, once even when first base was already occupied.  It was a strategy that we are going to see more of as advanced scouting reports start reaching teams the Dodgers will be playing in the near future.  In fact, it’s only matter of time, but I predict that Kemp will be walked with the bases loaded to force in a run before this season is over.

In yesterday’s game, Juan Rivera who trailed Kemp in the order (because Mattingly doesn’t believe in batting Ether behind Kemp when a lefty is pitching), failed to get rallies going three times following passes to Kemp.  The fourth time, in the top of the ninth, Dee Gordon pulled through with a 2-run double to tie the game. It is these types of clutch hits that will be key to Dodger success this year.

Kemp scores the tying run on Dee Gordon's 9th inning double after being intentionally walked. (Video capture from Prime Ticket)

Juan Rivera and Andre Ethier are the guys on the spot to produce and make opposing managers pay.  It isn’t an easy role to embrace and it requires even temperment, maturity and patience as a hitter.  Additionally there’s another trait that they’ll need.  I call it “clutchiness” for lack of a better word.  Andre Ethier has proven over the years that he has it.  Juan Rivera?  I don’t think so.

No offense to Rivera.  He has had his share of big hits as a Dodger, but few guys thrive when the game is on the line like Ethier.  “Captain Walk-Off”, a moniker I tagged Ethier with a few years back, will probably get plenty of more walk off opportunities if Mattingly uses common sense and has him trail Kemp in the batting order.

With Kemp and Ethier batting three and four in the order, opposing managers are playing a “pick your poison” type of game.  With Kemp’s April stat line of .409 BA, .485 OBP, 1.349 OPS, 12 HR, 25 RBI, they might not have a choice and they’ll have to go with the Ethier option.  Kemp’s hot start has been a direct correlation to Ethier having a league leading 27 RBIs.  They are each on pace to have 150 RBI seasons.

Realistically, we all know that 150 RBIs are dream seasons and highly unlikely,  but 120 RBIs are definitely doable for the both.  In the end though, I believe that Rivera’s failings as a clutch hitter after Kemp intentional passes, will force Mattingly to bat Ethier 4th on a daily basis.  Rumors are out there that Bobby Abreu is meeting with Colletti this week.  His potential addition to the roster might throw a monkey wrench in this entire thought process.