Dodgers Look For Another Crack At Astros

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:00 PM PDT in Dodgers Game Previews

Sure, the Dodgers got shutout yesterday, dropping the opening game of the series, 3-0 to Houston. If you want a silver lining, how about this: the Dodgers have been shutout four other times this season, and each time they have won the very next game:

May 31: Dodgers 8, Cubs 2 (five runs in the first inning on ESPN Sunday Night Baseball)

June 5: Dodgers 4, Phillies 3 (the Ethier walkoff double game, a day before one of his walkoff HR games)

June 13: Dodgers 3, Rangers 1 (Bison 2-run HR after the light tower delay in Arlington)

July 1: Dodgers 1, Rockies 0 (Dodgers close out their 50 Manny-less games with another last-AB victory)

Does this "trend" mean anything? No, but I also don't think there's reason to panic or worry either, not about an offense averaging 6.2 runs per game since Manny Ramirez came back.

Want another silver lining? The Dodgers did manage to launch three home runs off tonight's starter, Roy Oswalt, when the two clubs played in Houston in April.

Chad Billingsley, in his sixth attempt at win number 10, starts for the Dodgers. If the third time is a charm, what is the sixth time called? Since getting his ninth win, Billingsley has a 5.23 ERA in five starts.

Tonight marks a matchup of two pitchers with a career ERA+ over 130. The matchup of Oswalt (career 137 ERA+) and Billingsley (131) is the second such matchup in a Dodger game this season. The last was during the home opener, Billingsley vs. Randy Johnson, a game the Dodgers won, 11-1.

Blake DeWitt's arrival from Albuquerque Thursday, corresponding with Cory Wade being placed on the disabled list yet again, marked his fifth different stint with the big club this season. He has accumulated all of 40 days of service time, including Thursday, for his efforts.

Get your guesses in for today's "Clogging The Bases" here.

Game Time: 7:10pm

TV: Prime Ticket

Baseball Reference Preview

Tweet Comment 33 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Eric Stults is starting tonight for Albuquerque, which effectively eliminates him for consideration to start Monday against the Reds.

Jason Schmidt would normally be next in line to pitch for the Isotopes, so tomorrow’s game should tell us a lot as to what the Dodgers’ plans are for Schmidt.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:32 PM PDT reply actions

My instincts tell me

Elbert, as a showcase (for better or worse).

by silverwidow on Jul 17, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions

That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, in theory.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I doubt it’s a showcase start if he goes on Monday, that 5th rotation spot is up for grabs right now.

by Rolex l on Jul 17, 2009 5:03 PM PDT up reply actions

This is a pretty sweet image from last night. Courtsey of Getty Images / Yahoo:

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:34 PM PDT reply actions

Astros Lineup

courtesy of Alyson Footer via Twitter:

Bourn CF
Matsui 2B
Tejada SS
Lee LF
Blum 3B
Pence RF
Pudge C
Erstad 1B
Oswalt P

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

I have to admit, I did laugh at the most recent Plaschke tweet:

Last time I did jury duty, someone in the courtroom stood up and shouted, ’’He’s a Kobe Hater!’ And I still didn’t get bounced

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:50 PM PDT reply actions

Where's today's lineup?

My instincts tell me (there’s that phrase again) Pierre will start.

by silverwidow on Jul 17, 2009 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Haven’t seen it anywhere yet. Your Spidey senses are on display / on the line :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

For home games, we usually get emailed the lineups by the Dodgers. The earliest is like three hours before game time, and the latest has been like 90 minutes prior.

There have been some games we haven’t been emailed though. I try to check other teams’ beat writers and their blogs for lineups, but the guys at the Houston Chronicle aren’t really into getting the lineup posted quickly.

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 4:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Lineup delays

Could mean trades this time of year, too.

by silverwidow on Jul 17, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Spiderman, Spiderman, does whatever a Spider can… :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions

silverwidows are more dangerous than black widows. :)

by silverwidow on Jul 17, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions

That tagline will be on your movie poster :)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

An excellent opening weekend for Spiderman V!!!

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 6:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Manny, LF
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Hudson, 2B
Martin, C
Billingsley, P

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 5:50 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

Max (NC)

Jerry, if you were assembling a baseball roster, who would you rather have long-term: Matt Kemp or Adam Jones?

Jerry Crasnick
(12:05 PM)

Max, I’ll take Adam Jones. Younger and a higher ceiling all-around.

by Tripon on Jul 17, 2009 6:04 PM PDT reply actions

Just me or do the Astro’s seem to have our number? Bills needs to put an end to this.

by Pedro's curse on Jul 17, 2009 6:25 PM PDT reply actions

The Astros is one of the few teams that has a good record against the NL west.

by Tripon on Jul 17, 2009 6:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Chad Paronto will be called up and join the Astros Saturday. Chris Sampson to the DL.

(per Alyson Footer’s Twitter)

by Eric Stephen on Jul 17, 2009 6:40 PM PDT reply actions

Chad's first name should have started with an S.

At least I would have liked that.

by David Young on Jul 17, 2009 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Comments For This Post Are Closed

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Pos	No	Player	2012 Salary
C	17	Ellis	$490,000
1B	7	Loney	$6,375,000
2B	14	Ellis	$2,500,000
3B	5	Uribe	$8,000,000
SS	9	Gordon	$485,000
LF	23	Abreu	$401,311
CF	27	Kemp	$10,000,000
RF	16	Ethier	$10,950,000

OF	10	Gwynn	$850,000
IF	12	Sellers	$481,000
OF/1B	33	Van Slyke	$388,197
2B/3B	3	Kennedy	$800,000
C	18	Treanor	$850,000

SP	22	Kershaw	$6,000,000
SP	58	Billingsley	$9,000,000
SP	29	Lilly	$12,000,000
SP	44	Harang	$3,000,000
SP	35	Capuano	$3,000,000

CL	74	Jansen	$491,000
RHP	52	Lindblom	$483,000
RHP	51	Belisario	$414,426
RHP	54	Guerra	$488,000
RHP	28	Wright	$900,000
LHP	57	Elbert	$488,500
RHP	60	Coffey	$1,000,000

DL	55	Guerrier	$4,750,000
DL	6	Hairston	$2,250,000
DL	21	Rivera	$4,000,000
60DL	36	Hawksworth	$495,000
60DL	41	De La Rosa	$485,000

AAA	13	DeJesus	$86,648
AA	50	Eovaldi	$7,885
AAA	56	Antonini	$7,869

		Manny	$8,087,432	deferred
		Andruw	$3,375,000	deferred
		Pierre	$3,050,000	deferred
		Furcal	$3,000,000	deferred
		Kuroda	$2,000,000	deferred
		Garland	$1,500,000	option buyout
		Blake	$1,250,000	option buyout
DFA	66	MacDougal	$650,000

Totals			$114,830,268
For more detailed information, click here.
Current 40-man roster count: 42 (incl. De La Rosa & Hawksworth)

Network Bar

True Blue LA -

Dodgers Look For Another Crack At Astros

Do you like this story?

More from True Blue LA

Around SB Nation

Comments

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Secondary Sidebar

Search

User Tools

Related FanPosts on True Blue LA

Related FanShots on True Blue LA

FanPosts

Recommended FanPosts

Recent FanPosts

Recent Posts

In Association With

Baseball Nation Recent Stories

Vox Media Hot Topics

Community Masthead

Manager

Editors