Sports Betting Articles
MLB - Rafael Furcal trying to find his way back with the Dodgers
By Cindy Ferguson
The starter shortstop, 30 years-old Rafael Furcal, came back to play for the Dodgers during the last week of the regular season after been out for approximately 4 months, due to a lower back injury that needed surgery. He was part of the disabled list during May and had the surgery on July 3rd.
The doctors thought that he would be out for most of the playoffs, but his determination and love for the game have kept him focused on coming back for his team even sooner. Furcal also has been feeling guilty for not helping his team during the regular season and not been the supporter he has always been for the Dodgers, so that was another reason for him to give everything on his rehab to be back.
Before Furcal was injured, he was considered the best player of the team, not only for his physical ability but for his leadership. Furcal had more hits and scored more runs than anybody else in the National League. The shortstop was also in the top five in on-base percentage and batting average, and in the top 10 in OPS. With no doubt, Furcal was considered a leader and someone who makes every person around him better. His enthusiasm and incredible mood was an inspiration for his teammates, coaches and everyone at the clubhouse of the Dodgers. Furcal has been really an important missing piece for the team for the 125 games that he didn’t played.
Now “Raffy” as some of his teammates called him, is back more ready than ever. Furcal has started in the last three games against the Chicago Cubs in the National League Division Series, gathering four hits, scoring four runs and batted an average of .333. Before that, he got nine-at-bats in the last week of the regular season and recovered his place at the top lineup as the starting shortstop. Definitely his presence in the batting not only provides the Dodgers a practical offensive but a psychological one, he is just an intelligent and amazing player.
Some of his teammates expressed that Furcal is the light and the sparkplug of the Dodgers. "He's a leader for us, always vocal, always keeping us loose. When one of us gets down, it's Raffy who picks us up. When we go flat, he lights a fire under us," stated the right fielder of the Dodgers, Andre Ethier.
On the other hand, the manager of the Dodgers Joe Torres expressed that he admire what Furcal is doing, as he knows is not easy, but he knows Furcal has the right attitude, the determination, the positivism and the love for the game that’s necessary to overcome any obstacle that he has on his way. Furcal is just a champion and a MVP for Torres and his teammates.
Now with Furcal back at the lineup, the Phillies will need to deal with the Dodgers and Furcal for the next game of the National League Championship Series, in which they will have to play against this great shortstop, which always get the attention of the team with his amazing quickness and smart plays.
About the Author:
Cindy Ferguson is a high-ranking sports writer on MLB Baseball for the sports betting industry. Feel free to reprint this article in its entirety on your site, make sure to leave all links in place and do not modify any of the content.
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