No Need To Jump Off That Bridge Just Yet
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:00 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintThe Dodgers have held or shared the best record in baseball since May 2, a span of 77 days. It will last at least one more day, because the Red Sox, a half-game behind the Dodgers entering play Saturday, lost to the Blue Jays earlier today.
Clayton Kershaw and his amazing left arm take the hill tonight. Kershaw has allowed three runs in his last six starts -- all Dodger wins -- and his 0.76 ERA during that span is easily the best in baseball. Since May 1, Kershaw has allowed 18 runs in 14 starts, for an amazing 2.06 ERA, and is 7-3 during that time.
Mike Hampton, who hasn't pitched against the Dodgers in over four years, starts for the Astros.
Russell Martin, hitting .312/.436/.403 since June 18, was profiled by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
"He's better," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. "We were in Milwaukee and he hit some balls on the button and didn't get many hits, but right now, I think mechanically he's about as good as he's been so far this year."
Sure, the Dodger bullpen has thrown 10.1 innings in the last two nights, but look at the back end of the bullpen:
| Jonathan Broxton: | last pitched 8 days ago |
| Ramon Troncoso: | last pitched 6 days ago |
| James McDonald: | last pitched 6 days ago |
That sure seems like a well-rested bunch to me.
Get your guesses in for today's "Clogging The Bases" here.
Game Time: 7:10pm
TV: Prime Ticket
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Ethier & Loney sit against LHP Hampton; back to the speed through the bottom thing
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Blake, 3B
Kemp, RF
Loretta, 1B
Martin, C
Kershaw, P
Pierre, CF
About the lineup, or are you just being a jackass as usual and commenting on the team in general?
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
OK…seriously though, thanks for toning down the baiting and negativity since last weekend.
But, are you really worried about Mike Hampton? That seems a bit foolish.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh noes!
Mike Hampton! Mayday Mayday! The season is lost! :-/
I’m also not at all surprised to see Loney sit vs Hampton, Loretta has great numbers vs him. Kinda wish we had someone else to platoon with Ethier though other than Pierre. XPaul wherefore art thou!
Astros Lineup
From Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart:
Matsui 2B
Keppinger 3B
Tejada SS
Lee LF
Pence RF
Coste 1B
Michaels CF
Quintero C
Hampton P
idea for a special contest tonight
which Dodger’s lefty is most likely to homer tonight? Kershaw or Pierre?
If I wanted 0-0, I would watch soccer :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions
No game for me tonight
Taking the Mrs. to Faith Hill at the Hollywood Bowl. Will have to check the scores between sets or something.
Go Blue.
Nothing wrong with forcing yourself to watch Faith Hill! :)
I might be out for the first 4-5 innings or so as well. Sadly, not watching Faith.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny thing with the splits
Loney has been doing alot of his damage against LHP so while I’m glad Andre is sitting, I’m not very happy Loney is sitting and I’m not very happy that Juan Pierre is the replacement for Andre.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.cgi?n1=loneyja01&year=2009&t=b
As Bhsportsguy said in the some other thread, I’m quite happy the Giants spent their bullpen and then lost. I hate those games for our team and love them for the other team. And yes, the Giants are playing well enough I’m watching how they do.
I look at Pierre/Ethier like this:
We know Pierre will start “one or two games per week” anyway, so I’d rather have the times when he subs for Ethier come during games when Andre is least effective.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Haven’t heard…Haeger is starting tonight in ABQ.
I would imagine today’s pregame meet with Torre will have revealed something, but I just haven’t seen anything yet.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Is it really that shocking? I mean, hasn’t it been obvious for nearly a month they would give him a shot?
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
The best part about your question is that, for a split second, I thought you meant Rick Monday! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 18, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Hindsight
Wouldn’t it have been better for Bills to start tomorrow? He made 20+ pitches on Tuesday, so you’d think he would’ve been fresher. Kuroda yesterday may have been OK after throwing a little last Sunday.
he needs to reestablish himself after that rough outing
going back to the mound will help him regain some confidence
Pick up Halladay - and go to a 5 man rotation and don't skip the 5th guy on off days
That will give Bills extra rest. What a simple solution.
Id rather pick up Washburn and pay less
hopefully the mariners start losing soon
by SeanMillerSavior on Jul 18, 2009 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
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