The series on team offense continues with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers finished twenty sixth in the majors and thirteenth in the National League in 2012 with 3.93 runs scored per game.

The CBSSports.com projected lineup that Don Mattingly may use is plugged into the Lineup Analysis Tool (LAT) using Musings Marcels as the batter projections. For the pitchers, I used the Dodgers staff numbers from 2012. That information produces the following results:

• Best lineup: 4.56
• Probable lineup: 4.24
• Worst lineup: 3.88
• Regressed lineup: 4.06

I did go against my rules and put Hanley Ramirez in the lineup despite his being out until May with a thumb injury. I wanted to get an idea of what the Dodgers intended.

I’m somewhat surprised that Don Mattingly plans to use two of his lower OBP batters in the one and two slots. Although the LAT likes A.J. Ellis in the lead-off slot, I don’t blame Don for not using Ellis at the top of the order. I’ve somewhat changed my mind about catchers batting leadoff. I used to be all for it, but it is difficult for the catcher to come off the field and get ready to bat right away. He must remove his gear, giving him less time to warm up. In the NL, with the pitcher batting ninth, I can believe the lead-off hitter leads off a somewhat higher fraction of innings than 1/9, since if the pitcher comes up with two out, he very often makes the third. I don’t see why A.J. couldn’t bat second, however.

Los Angeles might also consider Andre Ethier batting first. At this point in his career, his OBP is a better strength than his power. He would provide Matt Kemp and Andrian Gonzalez with plenty of RBI opportunities. I would probably go with Ethier and Skip Schumaker 1-2, with Mark Ellis batting 8th.

The key for the Dodgers increasing their scoring by 1/2 a run per game is a healthy Kemp. If Matt stays on the field, this should be a very good offensive team.

You can follow the data for the series in this Google spreadsheet.

Previous posts in the series:

• Introduction
• Texas Rangers
• New York Yankees
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
• St. Louis Cardinals
• Colorado Rockies
• Chicago White Sox
• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Boston Red Sox
• Washington Nationals
• Detroit Tigers
• San Francisco Giants
• Toronto Blue Jays
• Oakland Athletics
• Baltimore Orioles
• Minnesota Twins
• Atlanta Braves
• Tampa Bay Rays
• Philadelphia Phillies
• Kansas City Royals
• Cincinnati Reds
• Cleveland Indians
• Pittsburgh Pirates
• San Diego Padres
• New York Mets

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