Dodgers Week 1 In Review: So Far, So Good

The Dodgers opened their 2012 season very similarly to the way they ended 2011. They scored some runs, and pitched well enough to win three of their first four games. Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier look like a dynamic duo again, at least four games in, and Chad Billingsley pitched one of the finest games of his career.

Before we get ahead of ourselves though, we should remember that the Dodgers also started 2011 by winning three of four games, against the defending World Series winners, and ended up with just 82 wins.

But for starters, this weekend at Petco Park was quite productive for the blue crew.

Dodger Batter of the Week: Matt Kemp picked up where he left off last season, hitting two home runs in San Diego and narrowly missing a third. Kemp hit .412/.389/.824 with eight RBI in four games to lead the offense.

Honorable mention goes to Andre Ethier, who continued his extra-base hit barrage with a dobule, triple, and home run and eight RBI of his own; and to A.J. Ellis, who reached base in seven of is 13 plate appearances, hit a home run, and scored the winning run on Saturday night.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Chad Billingsley was terrific on Friday, striking out 11 Padres while pitching into the ninth inning and allowing just four baserunners and no runs. "I don't care who you are. That's about as good as it gets. He went from the beginning almost to the very end, where he was just dirty, all night," manager Don Mattingly said.

Honorable mention goes to Josh Lindblom, who pitched four hitless, scoreless innings, and to Clayton Kershaw, who fought through the stomach flu to pitch three scoreless frames on opening day.

Week 1 Record: 3-1
21 runs scored (5.25 per game)
16 runs allowed (4.00 per game)
.622 pythagorean winning percentage

30/30 Watch: Matt Kemp, who predicted a season of 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases for himself, had two home runs and one stolen base in four games in San Diego. Kemp is on pace for 81 home runs and 41 steals this season.

Transactions: The Dodgers finalized their opening day roster with the following moves on the final day of spring training Wednesday:

• Placed Ted Lilly (stiff neck) and Ivan De Jesus (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26.
• Reassigned Josh Fields, Luis Cruz, and Scott Rice to Triple A Albuquerque.
• Optioned Matt Angle and Tim Federowicz to Triple A.
• Optioned Nathan Eovaldi to Double A Chattanooga.
• Placed Ronald Belisario on the restricted list as he serves a 25-game suspension for violating the MLB drug policy.
  

Game Results:

• Thursday: Dodgers 5, Padres 3
• Friday: Dodgers 6, Padres 0
• Saturday: Dodgers 6, Padres 5 (11)
• Sunday: Padres 8, Dodgers 4

Upcoming Week: The Dodgers come home to face the Pirates and Padres, two teams with a combined .441 winning percentage last season.

Week 1 Stats