Ethier, Barajas Sit Out Opener In Houston

As the Dodgers M*A*S*H unit opens a series in Houston against the Astros, without Andre Ethier or Rod Barajas tonight, and with Jamey Carroll getting a rare day off, our thoughts turn to others around the web.

• At Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee tackles the latest edition of MLB power rankings, sorting by most annoying player. His Dodger selection:

It’s not necessarily Carroll's personally that puts him here, but the type of player he represents. Now that David Eckstein is relaxing at a beachfront condo somewhere in Middle-Earth, Carroll is the best example of a scrappy middle infielder. And, man, those guys tend to foul off 12 pitches before fisting a pitch over second for an RBI single. Carroll stands in for the entire genre.

• Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness took a look at three players now available on the cheap: first baseman Russell Branyan, and relievers Felipe Paulino, and Jerry Blevins.
  
• Jon Weisman at Dodger Thoughts took a look at the latest MLB standings, and found the Dodgers are looking up at quite a few teams.
  

Lineups

Clayton Kershaw faces Bud Norris. The good news is that, for now, neither Ethier nor Barajas will be placed on the disabled list, per Tony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles.

James Loney is batting third for the first time this season.

Game Time: 5:10 p.m.

TV: KCAL

MLB Gameday