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Saturday, April 21, 2012

True Blue LA: Matt Kemp Continues To Roll, Dodgers Win Again

Matt Kemp did his thing again and the Dodgers made it hold up, taking the opener of a three-game series in Houston 3-1 against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

Kemp homered in the first inning off J.A. Happ, driving an outside pitch for yet another opposite field shot. Kemp’s eight home runs through 14 games ties Wally Moon (1961) for the most in Dodgers franchise history, per the Elias Sports Bureau. The last major leaguer to have at least eight home runs through 14 games was Alex Rodriguez, who had 10 home runs through 14 games for the New York Yankees in 2007.

But Kemp also walked and had a pair of singles, and on the season is hitting a mere .481/.525/1.000 on the season, with a major league best 20 RBI. Yes, that is a 1.000 slugging percentage.

Tripon Posted: April 21, 2012 at 01:41 AM | 16 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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1. Gamingboy Posted: April 21, 2012 at 09:45 AM (#4112064)

Well, that commercial is right: beast mode never sleeps.

2. boteman Posted: April 21, 2012 at 10:32 AM (#4112087)

on the season is hitting a mere .481/.525/1.000 on the season, with a major league best 20 RBI. Yes, that is a 1.000 slugging percentage.

That is truly BEAST MODE.

3. tshipman

Posted: April 21, 2012 at 10:41 AM (#4112091)

So in hindsight that whole dating Rhianna thing really messed him up, didn't it?

4. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 21, 2012 at 10:46 AM (#4112093)

Strikeouts are down a step, too. If Kemp can maintain his on-contact numbers while cutting his Ks by a handful of percentage points, he'll be the best player in the world.

5. Tricky Dick Posted: April 21, 2012 at 11:03 AM (#4112101)

He is about to start getting the Barry Bonds treatment from opposing managers.

6. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 21, 2012 at 11:05 AM (#4112104)

No one else in history has ever gotten "the Barry Bonds treatment." (And I'm skeptical it was a good idea even with Bonds.) Is Kemp going to be treated differently than Albert Pujols? I doubt it.

7. Tripon Posted: April 21, 2012 at 11:17 AM (#4112111)

Does excessive walking 'cool' down an opposing hitter?

8. Bitter Calculus Instructor Posted: April 21, 2012 at 01:18 PM (#4112173)

Something not mentioned in the article: None of Kemp's 8 HR have been pulled. They've all been to right (6) or center (2). Not sure if that means anything moving forward, but it's interesting.

9. Chip Posted: April 21, 2012 at 01:24 PM (#4112178)

When do the steroids accusations start?

10. phatj Posted: April 21, 2012 at 01:27 PM (#4112179)

When do the steroids accusations start?

April 21, 2012 at 01:24 PM

11. base ball chick Posted: April 21, 2012 at 02:13 PM (#4112219)

sure let's throw some steroid accusations because like, why not? i mean if ryan braun could get away with it for so long, why not kemp? or anyone else for that matter.

but i think we should start with joey bats and cliff lee because their aging curves are not immaculate

12. Chip Posted: April 21, 2012 at 02:18 PM (#4112224)

That's my point. Bautista has already suffered these attacks. It's coming soon enough for Kemp. Bondsian performance is not permitted.

13. OCF Posted: April 21, 2012 at 09:04 PM (#4112708)

Beast mode continues. He got off a pretty good shot in Houston today.

None of Kemp's 8 HR have been pulled. They've all been to right (6) or center (2).

If you want to get technical, this one was on the left field side of the CF flagpole - but not by that far.

14. base ball chick Posted: April 21, 2012 at 09:10 PM (#4112711)

it was a great shot off an unmoving 84 mph changeup right down the middle and he hit it to the Conoco pump which is definitely to the left of center

loney's homer was a golf shot on a low ball out of the zone - and shtt happens, but the kemp homer was a brad lidge/uncle albert kind of bad pitch - AND weiland had struck out kemp twice already, too

15. Chokeland Bill Posted: April 21, 2012 at 09:58 PM (#4112738)

He hit it right to the Dodger fan and the guy dropped it.

How is Kemp on inside pitches? All of these homers are coming on pitches on the outside half of the plate.

Obviously he probably won't keep this up. If he basically repeats last year that should probably pass the smell test for steroids watchdogs. .320/40/120 seems perfectly legit for a guy of Kemp's size and athleticism who puts it all together.

16. Jeff Frances the Mute Posted: April 21, 2012 at 10:43 PM (#4112762)

How is Kemp on inside pitches? All of these homers are coming on pitches on the outside half of the plate.

Pitchers started pitching him away because he destroys pitches inside.

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Saturday, April 21, 2012

True Blue LA: Matt Kemp Continues To Roll, Dodgers Win Again

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