Dodgers Look To Double Down On Giants

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 9:34 AM PDT in Game Previews Comment 10 comments

Andre Ethier has reached second base quite often this season

Andre Ethier hit his 41st double yesterday, the most by a Dodger since Shawn Green hit 49 in 2003. Unfortunately for Ethier, Pablo Sandoval of the Giants also doubled, giving him a league-leading 42 on the season. Here is the National League doubles leaderboard heading into play Sunday:

Player	2B
Pablo Sandoval	42
Andre Ethier	41
Miguel Tejada	40
Hanley Ramirez	39
Albert Pujols	39
Brad Hawpe	39

The only Los Angeles Dodger to ever lead the league in doubles was Wes Parker, who cycled his way to 47 two-baggers in 1970. Counting Brooklyn, here are the Dodgers who have led the league in doubles:

Player	Year	Doubles
Wes Parker	1970	47
Pete Reiser	1941	39
Johnny Frederick	1929	52
Red Smith	1913	40
Tom Daly	1901	38
Mike Griffin	1891	36

Ethier, who Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times tabbed as General Manager Ned Colletti's best move, has 24 doubles since the All-Star break.

The Dodgers have five players with 25 doubles (Ethier, Matt Kemp, Rafael Furcal, Orlando Hudson, and Casey Blake). With 13 games left to play, James Loney has 24 doubles, and Manny Ramirez has 22. No Dodger team has ever had seven players with 25 doubles.

Randy Wolf is making his third start against the Giants this season. In his previous two starts, he has allowed one earned run in 14 innings. If Randy Wolf pitches at least three innings today (AKA longer than Brad Penny), he will not only trigger the final $500,000 incentive bonus clause in his contract, but he will also reach the 200-inning plateau for the first time since 2003.

Tim Lincecum, starting today for San Francisco, has 509 strikeouts over the last two seasons, the most in any two-season period by any pitcher in Giants' history.

I'm at Dodger Stadium today, and will have pregame news and notes over the next couple of hours. Overheard on the elevator was that Comcast in the Bay Area won't allow their on-air talent to wear anything blue, lest they be associated with the colors of the Giants' biggest rival.

*********

Check out Xeifrank's simulation of today's game here.

Don't forget to RSVP for True Blue LA Day at Dodger Stadium, on the next-to-last day of the regular season, October 3 against the Rockies.

Get your guesses in for our today's "One, Two, Three Strikes, You're Out," here.

Game Time: 1:10pm

TV: Prime Ticket

Baseball Reference Preview

0 recs | Comment 10 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

I don't recall

seeing Vin in anything orange. :)

by bhsportsguy on Sep 20, 2009 9:43 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That was the most newsworthy item of the elevator ride, shared with Amy Gutierrez of Comcast (there is a Facebook group dedicated to her ousting; I thought that was funny), and Jonathan Broxton and Orlando Hudson (who was wearing an Arizona Cardinals Edgerrin James jersey).

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kershaw's next start

Curious whether it will be the last game in Pittsburgh or the first game in SD?

by silverwidow on Sep 20, 2009 10:00 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I’ll try to find out, but I anticipate Torre will say they will just wait and see and not make that decision until they have to.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 10:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I had to guess, Kershaw will pitch Sunday because he can go on short rest (3 days) because he will have presumably only thrown an inning or two, as opposed to Billingsley, who will (in theory) pitch 5+.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If the Dodgers lose today, its on your head Eric Stephen!

by Tripon on Sep 20, 2009 10:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Blame the Webkinz :)

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 10:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good thing the Saints are the game of the week

The wait for baseball is killing me

"Who would win: Coach Ditka versus a hurricaine? The name of the hurricaine is Hurricaine Ditka"

by Mr. LA Sports Fan on Sep 20, 2009 10:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Vin is recording his intro right now.

He was also walking around with a reporter, I believe from PBS, filming some segment for something. I’ll try to find more information on what was being filmed and when it will air.

by Eric Stephen on Sep 20, 2009 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs