Carlos Ruiz: Dodger Killer

by David S. Cohen on Oct 19, 2009 2:42 PM EDT

Much has been made about Carlos Ruiz's post-season heroics. When he was at bat last night, the stadium roared with cheers of "Choooooooch." He's becoming known as Senor Octubre.

But, maybe it's just that he should be known as "Carlos Ruiz, Dodger Killer."

Carlos Ruiz has been great in the post-season, but it hasn't been consistent. He's hit well in the World Series. Against the Rays, he posted a .375/.500/.688 triple-slash line for a 1.188 OPS. And he's been great in the NLCS. Combining this year and last year, he has a .417/.500/625 line for a 1.125 OPS. But, in his three NLDS's, Ruiz has been almost invisible. He has hit .222/.300/.250 for a .550 OPS over the past three years.

The thing about his NLCS performance is that it's very consistent with his career performance against the Dodgers. He's put up his 1.125 NLCS OPS in 28 plate appearances against the Dodgers this year and last. That OPS is almost identical to his lifetime regular-season OPS against the Dodgers: 1.132 in 48 plate appearances. In fact, each component is very similar to his regular-season OPS against the Dodgers: .378/.511/.622.

Thus, it may be that it's not this time of year that Chooch loves, but rather Dodger blue. After all, whatever the Dodgers' scouting report on Ruiz says must be wrong, very wrong.

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Comments

chooooooooooooooooooch

that’s all I have to say

by char6587 on Oct 19, 2009 2:48 PM EDT reply actions

Chooch:Dodgers::Matt Diaz:Us

by taco pal on Oct 19, 2009 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

No, Chooch:Dodgers::Yorvit Torrealba:Us

by FuquaManuel on Oct 19, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

thats really the same thing

by philiafan14364 on Oct 19, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions

Senor Octubre's

NLDS numbers this year were pretty solid. He was pretty bad in the NLDS last year but 2007 and 2009 both has an avg above .300 and an OBP of .400. Not eye popping numbers, like his NLCS stats, but both significant improvements over his regular season stats.

To me, the numbers suggest he does step it up in the post-season. Combine that with his + defense and there’s almost no one I’d rather have back there.

by Cormican on Oct 19, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions

carlos is one of the most underrated catchers in our league. hes definetly really stepped it up every year. he doesnt get the respect he deserves, which is wat he should get

eff you we winning anyway

by eagleswin on Oct 19, 2009 7:17 PM EDT reply actions

Shouldn’t everyone get the respect they deserve?

Or does wat mean something different than what?

Don't frack with me or you'll get a punch in the kidneys...you've been warned

by jemagee on Oct 19, 2009 7:38 PM EDT up reply actions

means something different than wat u are saying man

eff you we winning anyway

by eagleswin on Oct 19, 2009 9:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Jim Jackson interviewing David Gregory of NBC News on the radio. Maybe the Phillies are becoming more high-profile. Never mind, he just said Gregory is wearing a Dodgers jacket with his own name on it.

by taco pal on Oct 19, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions