With the season being such a let-down to this point I think its necessary to look at the bright spots every once in a while. After all, there's a reason why we're fans, and it isn't that fun to moan and complain all the time. Its much more fun and satisfying to recognize the few players that have been excelling as of late, and provide a glimmer of hope for the future. Two guys in particular that I would like to point out are Juan Uribe and Nick Punto.
Now, some of you more casual, weekender fans will wonder why I'm bringing up these guys. In Punto's case, he has had to step up in a major way and fill in pretty much as a full-time player with the numerous injuries our big name players have suffered. And in Juan Uribe's case, its has been a bit of luck that he has fallen into this much playing time, mainly due to Luis Cruz having a dreadful season at the plate. While you guys may be skeptical, I assure you, the numbers don't lie.
In the last 8 games, Juan Uribe is 9 for 17, hitting a robust .529 with 5 doubles, 3 RBI, 2 BB, and 3 runs scored. While he hasn't gone yard during that span, the 5 doubles is definitely encouraging. I know that most of you guys have probably given up on Uribe at this point in his time with LA, but he is quickly approaching free agency which could be the key to motivating him into once again mashing like he did in his San Fran days. I do not expect him to keep up his astounding pace, but I don't think its out of the question to see him finish the season with a respectable average, probably in the .250-.260 range, and producing around 10HRs, which would be more than anyone expected out of the struggling veteran. As long as he's swinging a decent bat, Donnie should be plugging him into the lineup at third base on a consistent, daily basis.
Onto Punto. Let me just say that I saw his above-average performance at the plate coming, judging by how he was a one man wrecking crew for Team Italy in the World Baseball Classic back in March. On the season, Punto's line stacks up as follows: .309/1HR/10RBI and 17BB in 110 at-bats. He is the definition of a "table setter" and is usually one of the guys left stranded on base inning after inning. With the imminent return of Hanley Ramirez, I see a drastic cut in Nick's playing time coming, and a short rest may be just what the doctor ordered, as the wear and tear of an everyday player has taken its toll on Punto. He was held out of Tuesday's game against the Angels with back stiffness, which I believe was the main contributing factor in the decision to start Cruz today over Punto. Even putting offensive numbers aside, I have seem some pretty impressive defensive plays out of Punto both at shortstop and third base. That kind of "super utility" ability is invaluable to a team, and he plays the role quite well.
You always hear the big names being dropped when discussing the poor performance of the Dodgers to this point, but when the little guys come up big for us you never hear them get their due credit. If it weren't for the unsung heroes like Punto, Uribe, and even Schumaker you can guarantee we'd be even worse off then we are currently.
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