Ryan Vogelsong Didn't Want To Be A Dodger

As the Dodgers open their three-game series against the Giants at Kevin Elster Field tonight, all you need to know about tonight's San Francisco starter is this, from Scott Ostler last month in the San Francisco Chronicle:

The Giants didn't call [Ryan] Vogelsong right away. The Dodgers did, and made him an offer. Vogelsong asked [Giants' minor league catching instructor Guillermo] Rodriguez to contact the Giants again and relay this message, in essence: I don't want to be a Dodger. I am a Giant. If you want me, I'll sign for whatever you want to pay me.

Vogelsong, 6-1 with a 2.17 ERA this season, has allowed two runs or fewer in 11 of his 14 starts this season. At home, he has a 1.22 ERA in 51 2/3 innings. Thanks to the All-Star break and a shuffling of the rotation, Vogelsong hasn't pitched since July 8. He was named to the All-Star team, but did not pitch in the game last Tuesday in Phoenix.

Also pitching on nine days rest tonight is Chad Billingsley. He is coming off two consecutive starts of eight innings, the first time he has done that in his career. The most innings Billingsley has thrown in any three-start stretch of his career is 22 1/3, set from July 19-30, 2008, which culminated in his first career shutout...against the Giants.

Series Preview

I answered some questions from Will Brinson of The Cove at NBC Bay Area today regarding this series and the Dodgers/Giants rivalry:

Cove: Speaking of trades, would you be okay with making a deal with the Giants if it helped them make a push for the playoffs and got the Dodgers prospects? Or is that an absolute dealbreaker?

ES: I think refusing to trade with a team within your division is dumb, because it limits options. I'm OK with a deal that helps the Giants this year if it is a good long-term deal for the Dodgers.

Lineups

Game Time: 7:15 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

MLB Gameday