Ethier, Dodgers Invade Arizona
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 4:30 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
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Andre Ethier returns home as the Dodgers begin a three-game series with the Diamondbacks tonight. Ethier, who had his number retired by his high school during spring training a mere two and a half miles from Chase Field, is having quite a season. Despite wearing the Silver Sombrero yesterday against Ubaldo Jimenez, Ethier still sits atop the National League in several categories:
- OPS: 1.165 (2nd place is old friend Jayson Werth, at 1.125)
- OPS+: 211 (Werth, 186)
- SLG: .720 (Werth, .688)
- AVG: .383 (Ryan Braun, .365)
- RBI: 32 (Jorge Cantu, 29)
- HR: 10 (tied with Diamondback infielders Mark Reynoldsand Kelly Johnson)
In addition, Ethier's .445 on-base percentage is second only to Dodger killer Carlos Ruiz (.465).
Chad Billingsley and Rodrigo Lopez match up for the second time this season, each pitcher hoping for a vast improvement over their April 14 performance. Billingsley gave up 11 baserunners and six runs in his 5 2/3 innings, and Lopez gave up 12 baserunners and five runs in his five innings.
Billingsley has pitched six innings in each of his past three starts, and has been removed for a pinch hitter in each game. Since I don't feel like writing a game recap in Pig Latin again, I will not be making proclamations about Billingsley pitching into the elusive seventh inning tonight.
The Dodgers have won all three series against NL West foes this season, including beating Arizona at Dodger Stadium last month. The Dodgers have won seven of their last nine series against the Diamondbacks, and have won 20 of their last 29 meetings.
Rotation Forecasting
With Thursday's off day, the Dodgers can use four starting pitchers on regular rest for the next eight days. Assuming John Ely will start on regular rest Sunday, the Dodgers won't need a fifth starter until Tuesday, May 18.
| Today | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday | May 17 | May 18 |
| Billingsley | Ely | Kuroda | off | Kershaw | Billingsley | Ely | Kuroda | open |
That gives us a little more than a week to find a replacement for, or most likely, brace for the inevitable Ramon Ortiz start.
Other Notes
- James Loney in his career is hitting .402/.442/.639, with six home runs in 25 games at Chase Field. He has started 23 games in Arizona, and he has a hit in all but one of those games.
- Loney is almost as good in Arizona as Manny Ramirez, who has 20 hits in 41 career at-bats in Arizona, with four doubles and four home runs, hitting .488/.632/.878
- In the 12 games he has filled in for Rafael Furcal at shortstop, Jamey Carroll is hitting .316/.400/.368, and he has been on base in all but one game.
- The Diamondbacks have allowed nine home runs in the ninth inning this season, the most in baseball. Only two other teams (Milwaukee and Texas) have allowed more than four ninth inning bombs.
- Arizona has issued eight bases loaded walks this season, more than any other team in baseball
Lineups
| Dodgers | Diamondbacks | |||
| C | Martin | 2B | Johnson | |
| CF | Kemp | RF | Upton | |
| RF | Ethier | 1B | LaRoche | |
| LF | Manny | 3B | Reynolds | |
| 1B | Loney | SS | Drew | |
| 3B | Blake |
CF | Young | |
| 2B | DeWitt | LF | Gillespie |
|
| SS | Carroll | C | Snyder | |
| P | Billingsley |
P | Lopez | |
Xeifrank's simulation of today's game is here.
Game Time: 6:40pm
TV: Prime Ticket
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Comments
As much as I can’t stand Boston fans, I appreciate how full their stadium is already. It is nice to have a stadium you can literally walk up to from the streets.
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:33 PM PDT reply actions
Looking at the league leaders… what a fine season Ryan Braun is having.
And Jayson Werth is playing himself into a good contract. Which means the Dodgers won’t be getting him…..
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
Also this:
If Carlos Ruiz continues to have an OPS of nearly 900, I will have to replace my irrational hatred of him with a real, live hatred.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
I still can’t believe he scored from first so easily.
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
I almost cried when that happened. Worst feeling I have had as a fan
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions
Good one on the last thread
about start times on games. I remember being in the military and living in CA. It was awesome that football started so early in the day. I hate having to wait for Dodger games, but have gotten used to it over the years.
Your NL leaders in Total Bases
1. Ethier 77
2. Braun 76
3. Werth 75
4. Mystery Player 74
Anyone care to guess the name of the mystery player? I was shocked. I had no idea this man was playing so well… but then, I haven’t been paying attention.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Not in top 10
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I was wrong
Johnson is 5th, with 70 (he has 9 doubles and 10 homers)
I am similarly shocked at the #4 TB man
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I should have known…just picked him up in Fantasy last week. My Texas friend was disappointed by his success.
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:51 PM PDT up reply actions
Not in top 10
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
Winner winner chicken dinner
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Top Ten in TB
1. Ethier (LAD) 77
2. Braun (MIL) 76
3. Werth (PHI) 75
4. Byrd (CHC) 74
5. Johnson (ARI) 70
6. Pujols (STL) 69
7. Kemp (LAD) 65
Utley (PHI) 65
9. Soriano (CHC) 64
10. Votto (CIN) 63
Ramirez (FLA) 63
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Surprised to see Kemp still in the top 10
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Me too. I’d guess that he was in the top spot or two after the first 2 weeks.
by UCLADodger32 on May 10, 2010 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Me too
Just underscores how freakin well he was playing for that first stretch of the season.
The Ultimate Ned's Kind of Guy
by Humma Kavula on May 10, 2010 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Braun is crazy good. You look at him and don’t expect him to be mashing like he is.
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:41 PM PDT reply actions
Sorry if I'm reading it wrong but
does that mean that Kershaw would be starting against the Padres next Wednesday night at home?
Yes
and what a weird schedule they have next week…a pair of 2-gamers with Houston and SD to start the week. I always hate those.
It does mean they play the Padres 5 times in 7 days, if they want to pound the first place team around a bit.
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 4:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I mean
people tend to get suspended during 2-game series!
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe I am a bad person, but I love seeing Lackey get flustered and pissy on the mound
by robotmadeofnails on May 10, 2010 4:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I will join you with your happiness once the trade goes through and he is no longer on my fantasy team.
I do. It is a pretty big trade I sent out Victor Martinez, Papelbon, Lackey, and Dunn for Ethier, Tori Hunter, and Matt Garza.
Nice catch. I’ve been trying to deal for Martinez for the past week or so, mainly because of his dual eligibility at C and 1B.
Thought this was funny
from Tony Jackson in AZ:
John Ely pitching tomorrow, not tonight … despite Bob Schaefer writing him on the lineup card for tonight
I retweeted that and commented that Don Mattingly should have double-checked it. Mattingly and Schaefer teamed up for the Kemp/Ethier out of order confusion in spring training against the D-Backs.
Peter Gammons, on MLB Network, talking about the non-Broxton members of the Dodger bullpen:
They bought the rest of the bullpen at a 7-11
And? As of right now, it’s mostly the same crew that was very good last season. I’m actually shocked he didn’t get a dig in at Manny
Didn't know this
Prime Ticket is now doing pre and post game shows for road games. They normally just do those for home games and very special road games (albeit very few).
I thought they had a 30 minute pregame show before each game?
by Eric Stephen on May 10, 2010 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
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