Rafael Furcal

like I was saying.

"I feel like Rafael Furcal," he said. The 31-year-old shortstop, hit .237 through June. He acknowledged he was frustrated. Then something happened. His pinch-hit run-scoring single July 1 lifted the Dodgers to a 1-0 victory over Colorado.

Furcal's friend, Manny Ramirez, came back from a 50-game suspension for violating baseball's drug policy. And with Manager Joe Torre wanting the lineup to look the way before Ramirez went into exile, Furcal was put back at the top of the lineup. He continued to hit. In the five games he's batted leadoff this month, Furcal is 11 for 25, raising his season average to .254. He was two for four with a walk and two runs batted in Wednesday.

"It's about time for me to get started," he said. "The season is already three months old. I've felt better these last few days." He said he lost his rhythm during the 4 1/2 months he missed last season because of back problems. Playing 70-plus games and working with hitting coach Don Mattingly to improve his balance helped him regain it. "I'm concentrating more on making contact and on my mechanics," he said. "I'm having better at-bats. I'm making better contact. I'm hitting better pitches."

Los Angeles Times

If you need a little middle infield help, or are having trouble plating runs this season, this could be your best chance to buy low on Orlando Hudson, and or, Rafael Furcal.

In case you have been living under a rock for the last week, or are all still getting all misty eyed while listening to "Beat It" in the dark, offensive juggernaut Manny Ramirez will be making his under publicized return to the Dodgers lineup this weekend. I am guessing Manny will provide a nice little uptick for both Furcal and Hudsons slash line. ///

Everybody runs on the friars, why should this season be any different? Heck, I could totally see a scenario where Orlando Hudson called out to Rafael Furcal, "on your mark, get set .. .. Go!", and they would still be safe by a step or three. The padres are that bad when it comes to stopping the run.

the Dodgers showed signs of why they expect to be more dynamic offensively. The addition of second baseman Orlando Hudson, and the return to health of shortstop Rafael Furcal, will prompt a more aggressive approach.

The pair, running on their own, pulled off a double steal of second and third in the first inning

We now arrive at what I think is the most interesting position heading into 2009 drafts: that of the Shortstop. We have the elite three in Ramirez, Reyes & Rollins...and after that it becomes hugely debatable. Put any 10 "experts" in a room to come up with their top 10s, and It is extremely likely that no two lists will match exactly. I wonder if any of you would match my list...

One step forward, and two steps back.

Welcome to LA.

You'd think by now they would be rolling out the red carpet for Manny Ramirez, but nope.