Padilla, Dodgers Look To Get Back Into The Win Column
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 10:30 AM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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PrintThe Dodgers' last eight games have gone like this: Win. Loss. Win. Loss. Win. Loss. Win. Loss. It would be nice to continue that trend today, as the Dodgers begin a three-game series in Arizona with a Labor Day day game.
Dodger pitchers have give up more than four runs only twice in their past 26 games. In he two games they had the audacity to allow more than four runs, they allowed only five runs, and in extra innings to boot. In other words, the Dodgers have not given up more than four runs in regulation in nearly a month.
The Dodgers have won each of the last two Labor Days, in games started by someone acquired after the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline:
- In 2007, Esteban Loaiza (acquired August 29) started his first game as a Dodger, beating the Cubs at Wrigley Field, 11-3
- In 2008, Greg Maddux (acquired August 19) started and beat the Padres, 5-2 at Dodger Stadium
Today, Vicente Padilla (acquired August 19) starts his third game as a Dodger, against his original team. Padilla has done well so far in Dodger blue, allowing a total of three runs over 10.1 innings. This is a small sample size warning of course, but as a Dodger, Padilla has a 2.61 ERA and a 2.27 FIP.
The Dodgers have to face Max Scherzer, who shut them down Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. Scherzer has started against the Dodgers three times in his career, giving up three earned runs, then two, then one. Let's hope that trend doesn't continue downward today. This is Scherzer's first career start against the Dodgers in Arizona.
Per the Dodger game notes, the Dodgers outscored their opponents 7-0 in the first inning on their last road trip, and they haven't given up a first inning run in their last 15 road games. The Dodgers are 57-25 in games when they score first this season.
The Dodgers have won nine of 15 games against Arizona this season, including splitting six games in Arizona. They are 38-20 against the NL West this year, including 17-11 on the road.
For those outside of the Los Angeles area, this week will bring some games you can watch. Wednesday's 7:10pm start in Arizona will be televised on ESPN, in addition to Prime Ticket, and Saturday's 6:05pm start in San Francisco, also a Prime Ticket game, will be on MLB Network.
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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: 12:40pm
TV: Prime Ticket
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Dodger lineup:
Furcal SS
Kemp CF
Ethier RF
Manny LF
Loney 1B
Belliard 3B
Hudson 2B
Martin C
Padilla P
I’m guessing on Belliard, assuming Blake’s still out. I got this from the KABC pregame show, when Torre said “all the regulars” are in there.
Torre also specifically mentioned Kemp batting 2nd, and Hudson/Martin flip/flopping at the bottom.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
57
All three NL West divisional leaders have 57 losses. The Phillies have played four less games than the Cardinals and Dodgers though. Pretty hard to get a feel for how the first round matchups will play out.
vr, Xei
is mlb network a channel you have to order
or does it come with digital cable/satellite?
William Doolittle at your service, a.k.a. will do.
Mostly, it is available as part of a tier depending on the cable/satellite system you have. There are some systems that don’t offer it.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Jon Garland’s free agent ranking status could be a Type B now (he was unranked last week)
http://www.scribd.com/doc/19500354/Rankings-090709
Thanks to Eddie Bajek’s latest Elias ranking update, and to MLB Trade Rumors for the link.
Padilla is also a Type B, but there’s no way in hell he gets offered arbitration.
what are the chances of exercising his option?
I wouldnt mind him as the #5
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 7, 2009 11:38 AM PDT up reply actions
I disagree. It will be something they entertain this offseason.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
I just don't see it
Even with Schmidt coming off the books, the pay increases for the arb eligible guys will EASILY eat up that space.
That $10 million would be better served going toward, say, Lackey.
It comes down to being risk averse. Garland is a one-year commitment, Lackey is a 3-5 year commitment.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, you will. But you are not in the Dodger front office.
I feel we get into these circular arguments all the time: I’m saying what is likely to happen, you are arguing what should happen.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions
It is likely that they will entertain the idea of picking up Garland’s option. That is a fact.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions
They aren’t going to entertain Garland more than they’re going to entertain signing Jason Marquis. It’s all about weighing value. Garland’s option presents very little.
This is a front office that traded for Belliard when they already had Abreu, and then traded Abreu for a month's worth of Garland.
Its clear they value veterans over cheaper younger players.
if the dodgers can get wolf for 2 years at 9-10 mil per
i would have no problem letting go of Garland, but unless Wolf gives a hometown discount, i have trouble seeing him pitch here next season.
I see the rotation as:
Kershaw
Billingsley
Kuroda
Garland
Jmac/Elbert/Haeger?
by SeanMillerSavior on Sep 7, 2009 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
The Garland decision will come first, given that they will have to decide on his option likely sometime within the first few weeks after the World Series ends.
The Dodgers can approach Wolf about a long-term deal, but its likely nothing will happen until after the deadline to offer arbitration.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
Keep in mind too, its not the Dodgers’ sole decision. Even if they exercise Garland’s option, he can decline (and get a $1 million buyout, paid by AZ) if he thinks he can get a multi-year deal somewhere.
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Sweet! I thought today would be a stupid red cap day, but I’m watching the Sox/Sox game on MLB Network and neither team is wearing red caps. Huzzah!
The field umps in Chicago are wearing red caps though :(
by Eric Stephen on Sep 7, 2009 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions
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