Just wondering why Dodgers manager Don Mattingly replaced his current hottest hitter Luis Cruz (.306 – which is second only to Matt Kemp’s .320) with Adam Kennedy (.259 and a much lesser defender) in the 6th inning of a tied must-win game.

Luis Cruz extended hit hitting streak to 7 games on Wednesday night and is now hitting .306. Just wondering why Mattingly removed him in a tied must-win game.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Just wondering why Dodgers manager Don Mattingly continues to run the constantly struggling Joe Blanton and his dismal 6.17 ERA out to the mound every fifth day while Stephen Fife and his Dodgers-lowest 2.16 ERA rots away in Albuquerque.

Just wondering why Dodgers manager Don Mattingly continues to run the constantly struggling Aaron Harang and his mediocre 3.75 ERA out to the mound every fifth day while Stephen Fife and his Dodgers-lowest 2.16 ERA rots away in Albuquerque.

Just Wondering if Dodgers manager Don Mattingly plans to use 2012 PCL Pitch of the Year John Ely in a starting role (his strength) as opposed to using him as a reliever (not his strength).

Just wondering why Dodgers manager Don Mattingly continues to use Bobby Abreu as a late-innings pinch hitter. Abreu has 1 walk and 2 strikeouts in his 3 at-bats as a pinch hitter since his September 1st call-up. If you are going to give away at bats, why not use Juan Rivera, who at least occasionally hits a home run? Or better yet, why not use Tim Federowicz as a pinch hitter? FedEx hit .294 with 11 home runs with the Isotopes.

Pinch hitter Bobby Abreu swings and misses at strike three. Since his September 1st call-up, Abreu is 0 for 3 with a walk and two strike outs. Just wondering why Mattingly didn’t use Juan Rivera or Tim Federowicz to pinch hit instead of Abreu in a must-win game… or why he was even called up at all.
(Photo credit – Jon SooHoo)

Just wondering why the Dodgers called Bobby Abreu up in the first place when they had much better hitting Josh Bard, Alex Castellanos, Scott Van Slyke, and Josh Fields readily available at Triple-A Albuquerque.

Just wondering when (or better yet if) Dodgers manager Don Mattingly plans to use reliever Steven “Paco” Rodriguez at all.

Just wondering why Dodgers manager Don Mattingly doesn’t return Matt Kemp to third in the batting order. Kemp’s production numbers have diminished significantly since being moved to 4th, while A-Gon’s bat has yet to even arrive. Since Mattingly seems to be enamored with the lefty/righty thing, why not bat Mark Ellis (R) 1st, Victorino (S) 2nd, Kemp (R) 3rd, Ethier (L) 4th, Ramirez (R) 5th, Gonzalez (L) 6th and Cruz (R) 7th?

Just wondering why Juan Uribe is still a Dodger. (I’ve actually been wondering this for the past two years).

Just wondering why Dee Gordon hasn’t been reinstated from the DL to replace Uribe – even if only as a pinch runner for the stretch run. This delay now makes Gordon ineligible for post season play (like they’re going to make it that far anyway). But if they do, it sure would be nice to have the speedy Gordon available to pinch run.

Just wondering, Don, that’s all, just wondering.
(Photo credit Jill Weisleder)

Just wondering…