Yeah, but he doesn't have as much PVL as Loaiza or Wells.

We need a couple more like Chad. I hope he is not a Boras client.

I hope Chad becomes the Padre nemesis for many years.

2 I know there is some humor to your comment, but if the Dodgers are stupid enough to avoid Boras clients, it will hurt them dearly.

Cot's Baseball Contracts lists Billingsley's agent as Tommy Tanzer, but it appears Dave Stewart is his agent.

In an interview with Dave Stewart in July, this was said:

"BE: Please give us a scouting report of your former client, Chad Billingsley.

Stew: Chad Billingsley is still my client..."

http://tinyurl.com/yoxb28

Nice to see Demetri Martin on last night's Flight of the Conchords. Great episode.

5 Hello?

2 Also, I don't know of any Dodgers represented by Boras other than Lowe, Tsao, and Abreu.

You'd think Scott Boras was the bogeyman.

[OT] Since this seems to be the time for OT comments (see 5), can someone clue me in as to what you think that Dos Equis commercial tag "Stay thirsty, my friends" is supposed to be conveying? The obvious connotation "Dos Equis does not quench your thirst" cannot possibly be intended. What is it supposed to mean? "Stay thirsty until you can find a bottle of Dos Equis"? That seems to be a bit of a stretch.

OK, I get that the "tone" of the comment ("...my friends", blah blah) is probably supposed to be "cool", to go with "the world's most interesting man" character (seems to be a Latino Hemingway or something), but is that it? It just seems so contrary to what they're trying to convey. WHY "stay thirsty"?

9
He just wants everyone to live the high life.

Chad is also 8th in the NL (14th in MLB) in ERA, if you decrease the minimum to 122 IP. He only has 5 starts left, so he'd have to average about 8 IP per start to officially qualify for the ERA title. What a great month that would be!

9 I think it is as simple as wanting consumers to stay thirsty so they will drink more Dos Equis. If you drink 4 or 5, stay thirsty my friends.

My favorite line of that commercial is "The police often question him just because they find him interesting."

The best part about that commercial is the line where he says "I don't usually drink beer.. but when I do..." Kinda like the guy they're using to sell their product doesn't even like it enough to drink it all day every day.

David Wells has the highest ERA in the majors among players 40 and over this year with a minimum 80 innings pitched. His ERA is 5.46. John Smoltz has the lowest at 3.09.

McCourt is a smart man, otherwise he wouldn't be wealthy as he is.

That said, and even though he told us that Ned was the best move he has made, it makes me wonder how he must feels about all the money that's been spent on Deadwood.

Sure injuries are part of the game, but looking at it from a synical point of view. A lot money has been flushed on older players with potetial warning signs, or at least evidence that they were not very good players to begin with.

Off the top of my head...

Muellar
Nomar
Scmidt
Tomko
Pierre

I'm sure there are more...while the list of younger less expensive players developes on other teams.

Maybe the Name players attract more fans that spend their monies to help balance the books but I just can't beleive it can.

15 Not to beat a dead horse, but I don't think anyone in the organization believes Juan Pierre has had a bad season, let alone thinking he's deadwood.

9 - You're clearly overthinking, but I'd say it's (in a fun way): Keep being thirsty so you keep buying. I mean, it's not as if they're trying to become the next Gatorade.

Good early morning choices today. Pedro in his comeback start against the Reds, or King Felix vs. Clemens at Yankee Stadium, in a battle for the Wild Card no less.

OT as to this thread but relevant to the Juan E. writeup. I noticed that Ross Porter emailed Jon with an update--I didn't know that Ross read DT but am not surprised, nice to hear. And nice to hear about Ross' new radio gig.

McCourt is a smart man, otherwise he wouldn't be wealthy as he is

Yuck.

17 I think Dos Equis would settle for becoming the next A.M. Ale. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6_qsz_NgKg

I think I'm rooting for the Padres to sweep the D-backs. I think it will be easier to pass the Snakes and qualify via the wildcard than it will be to pass the Pads.

Also, I think it is more likely we could see a late season fade by the Snakes.

18
Dude, Florida at Washington!

22 Obviously the Dodgers just need to win and let everything sort itself out, but I think you're right in saying that Arizona is more catchable than SD.

Let SD have the division, we'll take the wild card, then I can attend every game of the NLCS (LA v SD) as the Dodgers find a way to start Billingsley 4 times in a 7 game series! :)

McCourt is a smart man, otherwise he wouldn't be wealthy as he is.

That is the funniest thing I've ever read on this blog.

23 Florida @ Washington passes The Griddle™ sniff test, as multiple Griddle entry subject Rick VandenHurk goes against fellow double-enner Jason Bergmann.

Furcal, SS
Pierre, CF
Ethier, RF
Kent, 2B
Gonzo, LF
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Loaiza, P

16
Well, not Deadwood but something like it. Maybe a tree with Bark Beattle infestation...:) I'm kidding.

25
It feels good to finally contribute something here.

When I allow myself to look at the negative side of things, the Dodgers have only a slim hope of turning it around here and making the playoffs.

The main problem I see is that Penny and Lowe are giving up way too many runs now.
Penny doesn't look like the pitcher we saw early in the season - he looks like the one we saw late last season, where he gets hit hard every start.

And offensively, we still suck, leaving way too many men on base. Plus, we have a center fielder who has a weak arm, no power and loses pop flies.

28
Pierre certainly seems to inspire "Deadwood" like reactions from much of us here.

Jon told David Milch that there were numerous Rule 1 violations.

Is there a Windows shortcut to increase the text size in IE? Or do you have to go up to the taskbar and find the command?

32. hold the "control" key down while jogging the scroll knob on your mouse.

After swinging and missing at a pitch, Hanley Ramirez appeared to have dislocated his shoulder. The trainers came out and looked at him and apparently it popped back into place.

On the next pitch, Ramirez doubled off the center field wall.

27 No Kemp. Unbelievable, except it's all too believable. OK, Zambrano is good against righties, but, jeez, what's Gonzo's BA and OBP been the last few weeks?

33
Thanks. What if the person doesn't have a scroll knob though?

It's for my girlfriend who still can't see great after her eye surgery and I think she needs to enlarge the print on her computer.

She's dealing with an official LAUSD computer. I think it can run IE and play Pong.

27 No Kemp? Boooo

36 Ctrl + does the same thing

36 Bob, does Ctrl and the + sign work?

36. Tools/internet options/ "fonts" tab ans select.

It's not my computer so I don't know what's available. Thanks for the tips.

Remember that not laser surgery for your eyes is an instant success.

I like Ethier but at this point does anyone think he should be starting every game and at the expense of having Kemp in the lineup? Kemp is one guy I would like to see in lineup every day - and wish they would just rotate other three and ok sit Kemp 1 in 10 against real tough righty starters.

35 From August 15 to present, Gonzo is hitting .294/.385/.441.

But the issue isn't "why is Gonzo playing over Kemp?" The issue is "why isn't Pierre subject to the OF rotation?"

Darnit. I realy want to watch Pedro's comeback start in Cincinnati, but unfortunately Thom Brennaman is calling the game. Oh well, as always, baseball wins out.

I have to assume that Zambrano's OOPS of .599 versus RHB and .836 OOPS against LHB had to count for something.

LHB have more PAs against him than RHB this year.

Zambrano had an ERA of 1.38 in July and 7.06 in August.

re Dos Equis commercials: I think that's one of the best commercials on TV right now. I like the line about his beard experiencing more than most men.

15 - while I think most of us around here support going with the kids, it's because most of us felt that was the best chance for this club to win. Unfortunately, for whatever reason, the front office didn't think the kids were ready - probably playing it safe - so they went with what they felt were the best available free agents. I can't blame them for that. And let's face it, if we had a chance to make trades for Vlad Guerrero, A-Rod, and Adam Dunn, I'm guessing the consensus here would be to sell most of the farm to get those three guys. But superstars generally don't get traded in baseball.

46
But superstars generally don't get traded in baseball.

Gary Sheffield asks, "What about me?"

46 A-Rod was traded once already.

47 - "generally" being the key word. Superstars to get traded (Piazza, A-Rod, Sheff), but it's much rarer than say, the NBA where there are blockbuster trades every summer

And if you go back in time, Rogers Hornsby got passed around like a joint at Woodstock.

"McCourt is a smart man, otherwise he wouldn't be wealthy as he is."

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, but I read that McCourt's wealth was mostly inherited from his father and his grandfather. Civic leaders in Boston were unhappy with Frank McCourt for not developing his real estate holdings. Instead, McCourt used the land for parking structures while waiting for a project for which the public would admire him, such as building a new Fenway on his land. So, if what I read is correct, McCourt should not be given much credit for creating the wealth that he has.

50 - well, if you ain't sharin' you ain't carin'

49
But a lot of that is because baseball has a much better free agency set up for the players and a team doesn't have to trade a superstar in baseball to fill up cap space for another player they wish to add.

How does anyone ever keep track of all the players in the NFL or NBA? It's like there's one big pool of office temps they have to call on and teams just fill in the gaps.

And nobody ever gives the Cardinals the right number to call.

50 I have to admit, that is well put!

That is correct. McCourt earned his money the old-fashioned way - he inherited it.

Adam Dunn will probably not be traded this offseason; if he's available it will be as a free agent.

The Reds have a $13 million 2008 option on Dunn, with a $500k buyout. However, if he is traded (in 2007), the option becomes void. If the option is exercised, Dunn has a complete no trade until June 15, 2008 (limited to 10 clubs of his choice after that).

Even if Dunn were available, I doubt he is the type of player Colletti would covet. His average is low, he strikes out too much, and his defense is suspect.

56
If Marty Brennaman had Wayne Krivsky's job, Adam Dunn wouldn't be traded. He'd be released and his name would be removed from the Reds official records.

I've never heard an announcer rag on one of his own players so much.

56 - I think I'm well on the record as being suspicious of Dunn, I was simply using him as an example of a guy most of us would take over some of our options in the last few years. So please, let's not start the Dunn Debate again.

53 - my point was simply that you have to either build internally in baseball (as the O'Malley Dodgers used to do) or go by a team, a la los Yanquis. As far as keeping track of players in the NBA and NFL, that, apparently, is what fantasy leagues and espn.com are for.

32 - From memory, at my work computer, I think I use alt-v-x-m to make the font medium and alt-v-x-s to make it small.

58
The Twins do a decent job of building their team internally. The Yankees attempts at buying a team have met with varying success in the last few years. And I think Cashman has finally waited out Steinbrenner's impatience and is actually building a good team.

Prior to today, Ichiro was 2 for 20 in his career against Roger Clemens.

He is 2 for 2 today with a home run.

38 I should have clarified that Ctrl + worked for me, but I'm using Firefox. Your results may vary.

51

So then he is wasting his inheritence.

I was just trying to say that he has wasted a boatload of his money, when younger, cheaper players may have been able to provide similar results. And I would think it has to sting a little.

60 - of course, the best answer is probably somewhere between the two extremes. And of course, it wouldn't hurt to have a $200,000,000 budget.

A few threads ago someone was taken to task for saying Kemp gets to play in favorable matchups and sits during unfavorable ones.

This would appear to be one of those occasions where he sits against an unfavorable matchup. Since Aug 1st I think Kemp has played against every LHP which by my way of thinking would be a favorable matchup, it is possible that said poster may have had an inkling of truth in his comment.

It would be worthwhile to see what kind of pitchers, Kemp has sat down against. Maybe it is not random but a plan. It might be a flawed plan, but a plan nonetheless.

It is good to see Andy get another start. His 1st two at bats yesterday were terrible but I really liked how he battled for a walk in his last at bat.

Kemp became more or less a regular starter on August 14. He has not started four games (not counting today).

He sat against Josh Fogg, Kyle Kendrick, Jason Bergmann, and Jake Peavy.

60 There is also the question of Steinbrenner's capacity to control the day to day goings on in the Bronx.

His health is guarded with a zeal usually reserved for dictators. Which is apropos.

66
It would appear that three of those are not like one.

It could be argued that Kendrick and Bergman are now the aces of those depleted staffs.

65
Kemp in 2007

vs. LH: .371/.410/.557/.967, 70 ABs
vs. RH: .306/.338/.500/.838 134 ABs

I think Kemp sat against Fogg in part because he tweaked his knee a little the game before. Loney sat out that game too.

Michael Kay:
"The Yankees are in a position where they have to win the games they play."

I hate when that happens.

71
Either that, or they could trying losing the games other teams ahead of them play. Some combination of both would probably work best.

Maybe Gonzo gets the start because it's his birthday. Granted, it's his 40th birthday, but still.

I spent my 40th birthday at Disneyland.

In retrospect, it was a bad idea. And in retrospect, I realize that it was nearly two years ago also.

Old Friend, Pedro got career strikeout 3000, while the Mets use three Old Friends.

I met Dan Patrick on my 40th birthday, it was in a hotel elevator.

Yep, it was that memorable.

61 Ichiro now has 201 hits this season, making this the seventh consecutive year since he started with Seattle that he has 200+ hits. He will be 34 in October and has a chance but it will be quite a feat, to get to 3000 hits.

Ichiro probably makes almost as many outs as JP. However, he appears to do more with his non-out PAs.

15 & 63 by "rockmrete"

I do agree with your main point that, despite recently stating that hiring Coletti was the best move he has made, McCourt is smart enough to realize that much of his money has been wasted.

So my hope is the same as yours probably is, that McCourt will replace Coletti. (Not that McCourt will necessarily choose someone better to replace Coletti).

77 - Ichiro has batting average that's 60 points higher than Pierre (.350 vs .291) and an OBP that is 70 points higher (.396 vs .323). So no, he makes fewer outs than Pierre.

But yes, Ichiro does more with his non-out PAs

Ichiro has been in the Top 10 in the AL in walks in each of his first six years in the majors. He was tied for second with three others last year (including Adrian Beltre), but Michael Young lapped the field with 512 for a 34 out advantage.

Ichiro is not in the top 10 in the AL in outs this year.

At the moment, Jimmy Rollins leads Juan Pierre by two outs for the NL (and MLB) lead.

I have a friend that is not a dodger fan, and he thinks that Juan Pierre is a great player. And last year, I thought he was a better player than I think he is now.
I believe Pierre is a player that if you watch him everyday, you can´t believe he signed a 45 million contract but if you watch him sometimes or in a postseason game you believe.

Nice to see Demetri Martin on last night's Flight of the Conchords. Great episode.

it was a brilliant episode, me & my lady enjoyed it very much.

I think I'm rooting for the Padres to sweep the D-backs. I think it will be easier to pass the Snakes and qualify via the wildcard than it will be to pass the Pads.

I totally agree & specially since we play them so well in there stadium.

The problem with the "McCourt must be smart because he's rich" theory is that everybody who owns a ballclub is rich, and none of them got rich because of their skill at running a ballclub. McCourt's problems don't seem to be so much intelligence issues as judgment and character issues.

What you fear is that the present management on the one hand won't put its faith in its young talent and on the other hand will not spend the exorbitant salaries front line talent demands (see Ichiro), so what you wind up with is a team of young talent held back by post-prime veterans with their needles close to Empty.

Proposed off-season drinking game: Take a drink every time Ned Coletti says that Juan Pierre was the only Dodger among the league leaders in any offensive category. There's no point, it will just make you feel better.

65 ToyCannon
A few threads ago someone was taken to task for saying Kemp gets to play in favorable matchups and sits during unfavorable ones.

This would appear to be one of those occasions where he sits against an unfavorable matchup. Since Aug 1st I think Kemp has played against every LHP which by my way of thinking would be a favorable matchup, it is possible that said poster may have had an inkling of truth in his comment.

Wouldn't that be consistent with Little's philosophy in handling all the kids?

56

ToyCannon had a nice quote about Adam Dunn in that "He's a 2 trick Pony" that's all your gonna get out of the guy, I'll be pretty happy in Ned passes on him.

84 Robert Fiore
Take a drink every time Ned Coletti says that Juan Pierre was the only Dodger among the league leaders in any offensive category. There's no point, it will just make you feel better.

I question is, how good do you want to feel?

87: Really, you just want to forget . . .

Should'nt we be rooting against the team we play more times in the remainder of the season. That way a little more of our destiny is in our hands.

85

He seems to play the more POLISHED hitters (Loney, Ethier) against all comers.

Kemp vs. righties this year: BA-.319, OBP-.349, SLG-.507
Gonzalez vs. righties this year: BA-.271, OBP-.354, SLG-.422

[78,84]

Yes.

It would be nice to shed the Vets and combine the low payroll, high upside kids with a valuable high priced FA or two.

McCourt said he likes Ned so maybe he can replace Tommy as the new talking face of the Dodgers.

91

Kemp (I think we all agree) would play every day if it wasn't for Gonzalez blocking him this year, It should be a non-issue in '08.

So this series will be the last one without Vin calling the action won't it?

I heard about this article in the comments on Tony Jackson's blog. Sounds like the team is missing the 'leadership' aspect of the 'veteran leadership' meme.

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10330064

93 Bluebleeder87
Agree, unless he is traded for Adam Dunn.:) " Blocked"---Especially the first half of the season when Gonzalez was hitting very well. #90 Agree

94 I thought I heard earlier this year that Vin would be making the trip to Chicago this year. I may be wrong. Maybe I was dreaming, like the time I thought Piazza was a switch hitter in the minors.

86 Seeing as we have three guys who qualify as one tool players, I'd take a two tool guy any day of the week.

95
Yeah, because fighting with each other totally worked in 2005.

the Phills just lost 5-1, hopefully Loiza pitches a quality game.

94 Vin went to Chicago.

Vin!

hopefully Loiza pitches a quality game

I suppose you probably want the Dodgers to win, too.

101
Just like Ike going to Korea!

Interesting look for Loaiza that I have never seen before from him.

99 UCLA had 9 plays of over 20 yards from scrimmage against Stanford.

Bell - 3 runs
Breazel - 2
Cowan - 1
Snead - 1
Austin - 1
Ramirez - 1 run

I hope you get Versus Network in the Bay area.

95- So much for Ned's "Bridging the gap"....

I just hope this year ends on an entertaining note.....I am excited about Next year.....jut find a way to move Pierre...please!

Phillies lose.

rear treat to have Vinnie doing an east coast game.

109- "Coast ta Coast L.A ta Chicago".....

never understood that one either....

105

I don't think it compliments his "look" but hey what ever works for him right, specially if he pitches well for us.

106
Yeah, I saw those numbers. Great second half for our offense.

I do get Versus.

Nats win! Nats win!

106
By the way, I totally hate Scout and BRO's new look.

Zambrano with a Linda Ronstadt on Furkle.

Pierre has grass power

113 Huzzah!

Linda Ronstadt on Kent too.

The Nats are now #14 in the NL!

Hello, Esteban.

That's no Dos XX beard.

I'll be able to tell someone's grandkids someday that I was watching on TV when Esteban Loaiza made his Dodger debut.

And gave up a HR to the first batter.

Is that Bomko out there?

I was just about to say that I have a feeling Soriano will hit a jack.

That at bat was suboptimal.

DFA !DFA!

Why does a guy with power but no patience bat leadoff...?

Tha beard has allowed more homeruns than most men.

He can't throw his fastball with any velocity now. This is why I did not want to attain him.

The A's are looking pretty smart right now.

127
Sweet Lou is a genius. He gets angry and yells at umps. What a manager!

1 more year!
1 more year!
1 more year!

I can hardly wait to see how this game ends. There's a large part of me that viscerally hates the idea of Loaiza as the solution to any issue.

127 - because Piniella says so?

Looking at the replay, Russell Martin wanted the ball on the outside corner & Loiza threw it right down the middle.

He basically a right handed Hendrickson.

DFA! DFA!

I would call Helen and let her know her Cubbies are off to a good start but she left her phone here at home. Jeez.

Nice triple pump before air-mailing the ball.

The A's are looking pretty smart right now.

he's only made a couple of pitches, SIGH!

Why does he remind me so much of Bigfoot. I hope its the beard.

Nice triple pump before air-mailing the ball

Would that work for Pierre...?

That takes skill to overthrow James Loney.

Not to defend Loaiza, but his fastball, while not good (at all), has pretty good run inside.

I'm looking for positives here, people.

140

Although I have to say if Zambrano is "on" 1 run can be the difference.

except for that 2nd pitch, Loiaza's pitches seemed to have some good movement .

Has any Cub swung and not made contact?

I could only check for players making their major league debut with the Dodgers, but the last rookie pitcher for the Dodgers to give up a home run to the first batter he faced was Bob O'Brien on April 11, 1971.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN197104110.shtml

I don't know about players, like Loaiza, who switched teams and immediately gave up a home run. I can't massage the BR Play Index enough to tell me the answer.

Maybe Hendrickson could play first...

Go easy one Esteban.....geez.....Soriano does do that once in a while....

This looks likes some good exercise for the outfielders, at least. I hope he has been a fly ball pitcher most of his career.

C'mon people, let's give Loaiza a chance...

Loaiza's not fooling anybody here.

Neither is NedCo, for that matter.

has pretty good run inside.

yeah, the fastball he threw to Soriano was suppose to be on the outside corner but it ran back inside.

Ever since Oakland put Esteban on waivers, they've been none Loaiza for it.

153- McCourt?

O.k. Zambrano looks like he can be had today, good.

Happy Birthday so far... 0-4 for Zambrano in August... who'd have thunk?

I was looking at the NL offense rankings on BaseballReference.com, and I did a double take when I saw the Phillies' SB numbers.

They are 2nd in the NL in SB with 114, just ahead of the Dodgers' 113. But, the Phillies are tied for fewest CS, with 18!

The Phillies have stolen 114 bases in 132 attempts this year, a ridiculous 86.4%. Has any team ever had a percentage that high? And to combine the high percentage with the high number of steals is incredible.

Loiaza = Spanish for "lousy".

154
"Low-eye-zah" doesn't seem like the proper Spanish pronunciation.

Shouldn't it be "Low-ah-EE-zah"?

Now, here is an interesting situation, will Andy LaRoche be patient or will he press?

Just take the walk Andy....

LaRoche does something good! Yay!

A decent at bat to drive in the tying run.

Nice sacrifice fly on the ground for Andy. Too bad it counts for an at-bat.

LaRoche looks like a scared kitten.

A productive scared kitten.

not quite, Bob. o's a's and i's blend together... it's Loh-ah-eee-za, but since you say it all so fast it sounds like "Lo-eye-zah"

Loiaza = Spanish for "lousy".

I have to give you props for that one Scareduck.

Is that a Ronco spray-on beard?

Loney and LaRoche with the tag-team Olneys. Just like a pair of gritty vets.

168

Put another way, ai is spoken the same way as "ay" so lo-ay-za = lo-ai-za

170- It sure looks like it.....like Prince Faisal's sharpie'd on 'stach....

Jerry Springer's security guy now has a TV show.

What a great channel WGN is.

174
Thanks.

I have issues with dipthongs.

which = suck in English... ah just kidding.

Hey LaRoche got the bat on the ball today, woot! I assume he already had his first major league hit back in May?

I think LaRoche hit a double his first game, if not his first at bat.

Loaiza sure is a boring pitcher to watch...

Lotta pop-ups from the Cubs.

LaRoche doubled in his second at bat in the majors against Kyle Davies of Atlanta.

179

It's a nice park for a four bagger.

161 - let's not go Jon Miller and start over pronouncing every Spanish name in the bigs. I really don't know what's more annoying, an old white guy over playing his bad Spanish or Joe Morgan providing color commentary to the bad Spanish.

Loney's poise at first reminds me Andruw Jones in center.

Non chalant is badass

Matt Cain had one out in the bottom of the 3rd inning when the following happened:

1. J. Francis doubled to deep right center
2. W. Taveras singled to left, J. Francis to third
3. K. Matsui singled to right, J. Francis scored, W. Taveras to third
4. M. Holliday hit sacrifice fly to deep center, W. Taveras scored
5. T. Helton walked, K. Matsui to second; K. Matsui to third, T. Helton to second on passed ball
7. G. Atkins walked
8. B. Hawpe singled to right, T. Helton and K. Matsui scored, G. Atkins to second

He was then taken out and the Giant reliever gave up two more hits and three more runs.

KG16, you're right, but I'm of Hispanic heritage, so when in doubt I ask my relatives.

I'm an SSL guy though (Spanish as a Second Language)

A Becker commercial...!

My question about Loaiza's name was more academic than anything.

I'm supposed to be bilingual at my job, I just was curious because I didn't know how that string of vowels should be pronounced.

Obviously a better inning for Loiaza but I am still suprised how few swining strikes this guy throws. Every strike is looking or contact.

187 Does that mean he will hit one today and two for the season? Or two today?

188 - yeah, I'm half-Cuban and an SSL guy as well. It still doesn't make Miller any more tolerable.

190 - no worries, I just felt like taking a shot a Miller and Morgan

193

Agreed. It's like Jim Rome pretending to sound "street"

-- or Joe Morgan pretending to know baseball

185- Eddie Murray style...

just get it right Umps!!

Umps know they are wrong.

Looked like a swing and a miss to me.

...

You could hear the contact.

Foul

That was ridiculous, but Ethier should have ran to first. The home plate ump immediately called strike 3, so at that point Ethier should have taken off for first base. Instead, Ethier stood at home and argued, when he had a good chance to make it safely to first.

what just happened there? Did they seriously say that was a bunt attempt by Ethier?

200
But you also didn't think LaRoche got tagged on the back of the head by the Braves's catcher earlier this season.

we're getting screwed by umps of late, sigh!

159 - The top 10 best stealing teams since the caught stealing record was kept:

+--------+--------+------+------+--------+
| yearID | teamID | SB | CS | pct |
+--------+--------+------+------+--------+
| 1916 | BOS | 129 | 13 | 0.9085 |
| 1916 | BSN | 141 | 15 | 0.9038 |
| 1916 | NYA | 179 | 25 | 0.8775 |
| 1916 | CIN | 157 | 23 | 0.8722 |
| 1994 | BAL | 69 | 13 | 0.8415 |
| 1916 | PIT | 173 | 35 | 0.8317 |
| 1995 | TOR | 75 | 16 | 0.8242 |
| 1975 | CIN | 168 | 36 | 0.8235 |
| 2004 | NYN | 107 | 23 | 0.8231 |
| 1962 | LAN | 198 | 43 | 0.8216 |
+--------+--------+------+------+--------+

Whatever. Let's play baseball.

Umpires hate the Dodgers.

I just looked and think it was just a foul ball. Whats the big deal, I missed it.

The replay shows the ball changed direction after it hit Ethier's bat in my mind.

..but!

If there wasn't a call when it happened Ethier should have made a run for it!

206

No, they flat out thought he missed it all together.

I don't blame Ethier for not running. From his perspective there was no doubt that he hit it, and by the time the dust settled it was too late.

I don't know about anyone else...but I swaer I heard the bat and ball connect...

209 - BSN? Boston Braves? 1916 looks like it would have been a fun year to watch baseball, if you like the stolen base.

207
I'm soft on bad umpiring.

209 Thanks, Rob. Those are some efficient pilferers.

wow... Looks to me like Vin agrees with my viewpoint.

219- You must be big on that human element....

Looking Back -- On Labor Day, Sept. 3, 1956, the Dodgers finished playing their third DH in three days -- sweeping the Giants at the Polo Grounds, getting swept by the Giants at the Polo Grounds, and splitting with the Pirates at Ebbets Field. By day's end, they had also played 11 games in seven days. They went 6-5 over that span. They played 18 doubleheaders in 1956, including on Memorial Day (always observed on May 30 in those days), Father's Day, the Fourth of July and Labor Day. At the end of the 11-game, seven-day span, they were tied for 2nd, 3.5 games out of first. They won the pennant by 1 game.

I really believe umpires should be fined for such terrible calls. I understand that their job is tough, but that was about as easy a call as you can make as a home plate umpire.

And anyone notice that Zambrano gives a better AB than most of our team?

214 .216 Ethier absolutely has to run. The ump immediately called strike 3, and Ethier chose to argue rather than run to first base.

Ethier clearly fouled the ball off, but he could have won his argument and been safe at first. These were not mutually exclusive events.

I think it sounded like the ball hitting off Blanco's glove.

But Ethier should have run instead of arguing.

Woah. That pitch missed Martin's setup completely.

Stupid aggressive pitchers.

We should pay Kemp $90 million!

Dodgers catch a break on Zambrano's overenthusiasm.

Zambrano, DT says thanks for running over your coachs stop sign.

Way to go Z!

You are not the fastest runner around Carlos.

Dead Meat, Z.

Hah. Is Rich Donnelly guest-coaching at third or did he indeed run through the sign? Either way, stupid, and thanks.

He isn't fooling these guys at all...

At least it was a ground ball.

How does he not slide after running through the stop sign?

Ahh, the perils of playing the infield in.

We have to put up with Loaiza ALL NEXT YEAR???

Estaban fooling no one. (except Ned)

Rats. Good piece of hitting there.

Darn, I was just starting to think that Loaiza had looked good to me so far, except for the first at bat. That'll teach me to think positive things!

224 - I think every team should play three double headers a year: Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. And I mean real double headers, buy a ticket for one get to see both, none of this day-night hoodwinking.

Loaiza looks like a Univision Narcotraffico villain....

I'm still not convinced

Give him a break. This is only his 3rd start this year.

I'm glad people are judging Loiaza's overall merits and potential based on a couple of innings here. Sounds fair.

Actually it would have been fun to see Zambrano run over the coach.

We have to put up with Loaiza ALL NEXT YEAR???

See 132

248- Some of us are simply judging the game at hand....

man the Aflac trivia question is a Layup today

244
Have you ever sat through a back-to-back doubleheader?

It's a long day. And with games taking 3 hours most of the time, you're looking at an 8-hour day at best if you include commuting.

A team might sell out the doubleheader, but I doubt more than a third of the fans would actually stay for both games.

244
The Tigers and White Sox aren't even playing today.

250 Herm, you're seriously a broken record here. And judging Loiaza based on a couple of innings seems beyond ludicrous. Also, would you rather have Tomko pitching today?

252 Fine, but Derek Lowe's stunk it up two games in a row. Should we DFA him? I'm not saying I'm in love with Loiaza - he's an erratic pitcher and will delight and frustrate in equal measure, but he beats many of the other options.

Seriously.

to answer the trivia question, I'm going with the Giants and Twins. I know the Giants haven't won since moving the SF and I think the Twins have been around just long enough.

thing is, Loaiza is relying on some form of fastball that tops out at 88 mph. That's the genesis of the problem. Far as him missing his spots, I don't think that's as big a deal.

No matter what, he's better than Tomko, but still...

Zambrano is looking pretty beatable in this inning with his wildness.

256- I was not against the Loaiza pick-up, just saying that so far he hasn't looked very good....In this game...

The TWINS? Did you forget 1991?

So dumb. So dumb.

254 - I'll agree they're long days, but doubleheaders are a special part of baseball that I don't want to see go away.

PVL gives us a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play.

Gack. That was a horrible throw and they still got Kent. Obviously a failed hit and run play.

257
The Ghost of Kirby Puckett is going to haunt you for guessing the Twins for the rest of your days.

Did Gonzo miss a sign?....have the fundementals deteriorated this much?

256 True, yet states the case of trying find 150 MLB quality starters

What kind of play was that. I can't imagine.

Would it be ok to say the answer now or should I hang on until the bottom of the 4th?

Thats one way to bail a guy out when he's not on his game.

Rangers. They used to be the Senators.

did Grady send Kent or did he act on his own, ugh!!

This is mediocre Loaiza; fastball topping out at 88mph. He can be unhittable when he gets it up over 90mph, like his first start off the DL vs. Toronto. When he's topping out at 85mph, he gets clobbered. That's the most frustrating thing about Loaiza--each start is like a box of chocolates.

267 On 3-2 you don't have to swing if you think it is a ball.

261 - d'oh. Yes I did. I know I'm half right. I just can't think of who the other team would be. With the exception of the Cubs, the long droughts have been broken the last few years.

The Rangers haven't played for 50 years. They started in 1961.

It's more than 50 years without winning the World Series. It's a layup.

Start Kent against a strikeout pitcher with Gonzo up? Why

274 Kent would not run on his own.

even more frustrating KNOWING that Zambrano isn't throwing strikes.

265

It as a run and hit, not hit and run. Gonzo doesnt swing if he thinks it is ball 4, which he thought it was. Not a good a good idea in the first place to put Kent in motion.

You may be surprised... here's a hint: Major...

Why didn't Gonzalez swing?

273 - then I was two-thirds right because the Twins also use to be the Senators.

Cleveland!

254 I went to a doubleheader in Oakland once where the A's were shut out in both ends. That's one day of my life I wish I had back.

All the little chicks with the crimson lips go
Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks
Shes livin in sin with a safety pin
Shes goin Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks, Cleveland rocks

265, 282- I always thought that it was the batters responsiblity to put the bat on anything close....

283 - my brain is obviously not working today for me to forget that one. And I blocked from my memory the Marlins beating them in the mid 90s.

The biggest thing to take from all of this is that the Giants haven't won since they moved to SF, may that statement always remain true.

I'm kind of P.Oe'd at Grady at the moment!

288 You switching to the Indians now.

The fans thought that was a strike?

Well, if nothing else, they've upped his pitch count some this inning.

260 Gotcha. Yeah, I hope his velocity increases, too. I expect it will. It's only his 3rd start of the year...

293- They're all drunk....

292
He has fallen for Grady Sizemore.

But who can blame him.

292 Nats 4 Life Dawg

Let's go Andy!

289

Obviously, it was Gonzo's fault. You have to swing, but he didn't. You cant take a pitch that close, especially when Kent is running. i hate the idea of putting an automatic caught stealing in motion in that spot, and it came back to bite us big time.

Z really hurting himself with all these wildly out-of-the-zone pitches.

La Roche comes trew!!!

Yeah, LaRoche!!

Take that!

this could have been an absolutely huge inning. Gracias, Grady.

The Rock knocks.

Andy!

Nice one Andy. 2 RBI today.

Extra bases for LaRoche - and Vin has called him "clutch", gentlemen, we have a new third baseman!

With the pitcher up you hold at third?

In your face, somebody!

Sweeeeet!

The kids pick up after their elders!

Ahh, I think we can get into their bullpen soon.

Let me be seeing the future here!

Last stop retirement Mr. Hillenbrand.

Loaiza is clutch!

Ok, everyone take back everything bad you said about Loaiza.

He may not pitch well, but he can put the bat on the ball.

Now that... that was funny.

Okay, with that two-RBI single, Loaiza has officially earned his 2008 salary.

Didn't Zambrano just sign a big contract? Hilarious.

Big contracts don't seem like a good idea, unless you're the player.

Carlos Zambrano, Officially Not a Happy Camper.

Esteban Loiza, Temporary Clutch Hitter.

Zambrano swallowed his gum on that one.

A lot of high sock players these days, what ever happened to stirrups as part of the uniform?

That was nice! Welp, I think most of us have an answer to that trivia question :)

Padres lead 3-0.

Carlos Zambrano, Officially Not a Happy Camper

I'm sure he's crying all the way to the bank.

I think it is the power of the extremely well maintined beard that led to the single.

and you know once you see it, it'll be like "Yeah, huh?!"

Who would you rather have hitting, Tomko or Loaiza?

Bob, the Pads are playing? Wow how about that? It wasn't even on EI today.

Go LaRoche! Nomar and Hillenbrand = Wally Pipp?

287
I went to the same doubleheader Ken did I believe. But my girlfriend at the time was a Twins fan. She's still a Twins fan, but she's not my girlfriend. But I did send her a Kent Hrbek bobblehead when she had her first child.

She didn't give the baby the bobblehead and just kept it for herself.

I hope Russell does not get some kind of concussion problem, early in his career.

Hi everybody -

Wouldn't it be great should Loaiza finish 6 IP with a quality start?

4-0 Pads on two homers by Giles and a 2-run shot by the World Series Hero.

AFLAC!

332- Grady would have mixed it up, and given Pipp a bunch of starts.....better to ease the Iron Horse into the fold....

yep: Cleveland and SF have gone 50+ years w/o a World Series.

[I forgot that the last Giants Championship was against the Indians]

In Caracas, Henry Blanco is hugely respected...

Wouldn't it be great should Loaiza finish 6 IP with a quality start?

Might be too late for that... :/

333 Did you break up with her for being a Twins fan? I would have.

I've never seen the Dodgers hit Zambrano like this before.

And Adrian Gonzalez hits homer #4 on the game and it's 5-0 Padres in the third.

344
I think it had something to do with being 22 years old.

Dodgers are trying to lure back Brock by picking up former Nat Loaiza.

Look out Micah Owings!

I don't have sound - what the heck's going on?

348
The umpires are asking for the lights to be turned on.

Nice to know Piniella is energy couscous

349 Bob Timmermann
opposite

Because a cloud passed by now we have to wait 10 minutes for the lights to warm up?

The umpires are asking for the lights to be turned on

I think they're asking for the lights to be turned off. It's not fair to turn the lights on in the bottom half of an inning.

Or not.

333 It would be funny if it turns out that we actually sat next to each other...

My baby is a bobblehead right now. She tries to hold her oversized head up by herself, but she isn't very good at it yet.

Bob Brenly finds Journey to be hilarious.

There are countless great stories that start with, "So there is a KFC by Tony Gwynn's house, and occasionally he would stop in and buy some chicken."

355
I sat in the RF bleachers. I believe Dan Gladden led off both games of the doubleheader with a home run.

356 Makes me glad I have the sound off at work.

There is an orange alert for Hunter Pence in Milwaukee.

Loaiza pitches / strikes 4 IP :
54 / 40
6 hits, 1 SO, 1 BB
2 ER, one of which was a HR

Loaiza pitches / strikes 4 IP :
54 / 40
6 hits, 1 SO, 1 BB
2 ER, one of which was a HR

Loaiza pitches / strikes 4 IP :
54 / 40
6 hits, 1 SO, 1 BB
2 ER, one of which was a HR

358 I always sat in the left-center bleachers, between the Hendersons.

363 364 in triplicate! Sorry...

361 - I've been meaning to ask you Bob, if Pierre were to have a single, double, and triple in a game, what would his alert status be?

oof, speaking of said Milwaukee game, they just blew the entire lead in the 8th, good news for the Cubs.

8-7 Astros, Bottom 8th

Micah Owings with a double off of Maddux.

367

Light green?

366 Connector

I made the connection.

What a delay over nothing. If it was past the 5th I would say D's win by forfiet.

LOL

Grady looks so drunk right there.

(This only makes sense to people watching WGN)

This is lame, even by Chicago standards.

Dodger umpires are having a bad week.

This is one of those only in Wrigley moments.

367
I don't know what the status would.

Pierre has missed the cycle by a home run four times.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pi/shareit/QZRF

Is there ever a game Joe West works where he doesn't make himself the focal point?

Now there screwing around somemore and can't get a few lights to shut off.
Forfit! Forfit!

373 You mean, when he looked like he was waving the white flag? (He may have been fanning himself to cool off but it looked funny.)

the guy with the blue batting helmet looked like ToyCannon a little bit.

It's hard believe that Cubs did not know that they cannot turn on the lights when they are at bat.

I love that it is a day agme and there is a 10 minute delay because of the lights.

Get mea good pellet gun!

It's bright and sunny out - what the heck are they doing with the lights?

Now I need a drink, Grady.

Before today, Zambrano has had one start in each season 2003-2007. All five starts were of the "quality" variety, and he didn't give up more than 2 runs in any of them.

36.2 IP, 5 ER, 20 H, 13 BB, 36 K, 1.23 ERA.

Yet, his record was only 2-1 in those 5 starts (Cubs were 3-2 in those starts).

Wow, a Pierre walk!

380
Yeah, and his hat was half on and he was all slumped over.

Pierre walked?!?

This is a tough game for Zambrano.

Funny that Pierre only walks because the ump missed an obvious strike.

E3 on that play.

Yeah, and his hat was half on and he was all slumped over.

a lot of Elders from were my parents are from have that "look"

A passed ball? Where? When? What game?

Nice Andre...but that was a great play by the shortstop.

It would be great for Pierre to have a great series at Wrigley, as I believe Cubs fans hold JP in the same regard most of us do, if not worse.

In field basehit by Ethier! More importantly, it went off of Zambrano's fingers.

Zambrano should get a dunce cap for the day.

If Steve Lyons was doing the game, he would again be telling us how Ozzie Guillen always told his pitcher to leave the ball alone.

I'm declaring Dodger victory.

I would not waqnt to see my $95M pitcher barehand an off balance groundball.

389 herm
It's when you say something positive.

402 - thank God for small favors.

We'll take that meekly generated run any day. Be nice if Kent showed some power again, it feels like it's been awhile, but an RBI is okay.

399 You're forgetting Neifi!

Just looked at the thermometer... it's 99° F outside. Best thing I ever did was to wire this house for A/C.

We are close to seeing the bullpen.(hopefully the soft underbelly). Looks bad for the Bull.

403. I hope you are right but I'm guessing the Brewers were thingking the same thing a few minutes ago.

408
And Lenny Harris.

409 - just 99? You must be near the ocean, it's been consistently over 100 in North Orange County.

409 For you and your local electic company.

Let's go Russell, let's blow this thing and go home!

About 100 pitches for "el Toro"

Zambrano was absolute garbage today. and really, it could have been worse.

LOL, Zambrano is hilarious.

402 Speaking of Lyons, I was mentally prepared to listed to Steiner and Lyons call today's game (better to have Dodger perspective than WGN). What a great and joyous surprise it was to see Vin at 1pm.

Enjoy your shower, Dr. Z.

I love it, games like this can be very up lifting for a ball club & we need every break we can get, really nice job so far from the Dodgers.

This is not shaping as a good day for the NL Central.

Except for the Pirates and Astros.

Zombrano accepts the boos.

and with that single, Le Capitaine sends Zambrano to the dugout

Okay, first, Brock back me up here, there are no teachers that look like that teaching high school history.

419 Hah. Was he just egging on the crowd as they booed him? Without the sound I was trying to figure that out but it sure looked like he was practically begging to be booed (and egged back).

... Those are some loyal "fans" over there in Chicago.

Andrew's hero, Eric Byrnes, hits a homer to cut San Diego's lead to 5-1.

If the Cubs bullpen allows those baserunners to score, Z will have reached a season high in runs. His ERA post-signing is pretty terrible, 8.14:

http://tinyurl.com/3bmzqu

Zambrano seemed to be relishing in, or at least acknowledging/accepting the crowd's boos while leaving the field. He's a character.

How come it wasn't hotter at yesterday's afternoon game in San Diego. It was reported at 85F. Is it near the sea or is it better as you go south?

433
San Diego gets more sea breezes than Los Angeles. Its stadium is closer to the ocean. It's not a factor of being farther south. Or else everyone would be going to Tijuana today to cool off.

433 - clearly, you've never been to Petco. It's practically next to the ocean.

Big Z is a funny dude...

Anyone remember his "instant messaging" injury?

Martin spit on his batting gloves just before stepping back in the batter's box, and I said to myself, "I bet he's going to get a hit on this pitch." Sure enough, he did.
Spit works every time.

426 Most of the hot high school teachers are English teachers.

"Crazy Eyes"

I'd put Zambrano in the Manny category, of players I'd watch 24/7 if there was a channel devoted to following their daily activities.

440

Totally agree. Those guys are just flat out entertaining.

433- judging by google maps, Petco is pretty close to the Ocean. Moving south would have little to do with it until you pass the equator, I would think.

JLo is a baller.

The only game I went to at San Diego/Jack Murphy/Qualcomm over in Mission Valley was brutally hot.

So close to a Loney Bomb.

432

in my eyes he was excepting the boos (knowing he messed up) but like always it's a matter of opinion.

Oh man! What a shot by Loney.

*I've been waiting to type that since this reliever came in.

"Crazy" man!

The hottest teacher I ever had taught Human Sexuality.

414 - Garden Grove, square in the middle. We're moving to Rossmoor in the next couple months or so, about a mile closer to the beach.

Loney is becoming an RBI machine....

He may hit only doubles for now but that's 2 doubles off lefties in the last 2 games for 4 RBI.

Can you imagine the team Colletti could have in a year if he does nothing?

Great AB by Loney.

For the first half of the season he was hitting outside pitches off of lefties down the left field line for doubles.

Now, he has adjusted and is driving the inside pitch off of lefties in the right center gap.

Very impressive.

451 - Becoming?

http://tinyurl.com/2ldrye

450 - well GG is closer to the ocean than Yorba Linda.

Eight runs in a single game is not only a season high, it's a career high.

So is Steiner & Lyons doing the radio side or are they off today?

Monday & Reuss (sp) doing the radio today?

426 ,438 I'm almost ashamed to admit that I like that Carls Jr. "Flat Buns" commercial, but I'm sure by the 200th time I see it (probably this Thursday) I will be sick of it.

449 I bet she heard every line in the book.

453 - still going to have to do something about Pierre, Nomar, and possibly Kent, but I like your thinking.

459 Oh, I don't really mind the commercials but now that she's dancing on the desk, all we need is Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" to make it complete.

Move over Derek, there's competition for the vaunted "Best Dodger Starting Pitcher With a Name Starting With Lo"

Does it seem like every time Vin says something about a guy's power they either immediately hit a homerun or swing themselves out of their shoes?

I had a pretty hot history teacher in the 9th grade, but I had to switch my schedule a couple days later.

460 ha!

all of a sudden it's become kind of a laugher 8-2 Dodgers...

Most wins by a Dodger pitcher whose name starts with "Lo":

http://www.baseball-reference.com/l/lovetto01.shtml

He leads all pitchers who start with "L" period.

6-1 Friars on an RBI single by Bradley.

I apologize to Derrek Lowe for leaving an r out of his name.

... I say only Broxton and Saito are allowed to relieve. I mean, we're only up by six.

Well, my mom is visiting and we took the kids to the bookstore today so she could buy them some treats.

Here's one of the items my 6 year old pulled off the shelf (almost injuring himself). I explained that the author was somewhat of a cad, but we bought it anyways. http://tinyurl.com/2mdwzn

Before anyone gets too big a head, let's realize that his top pick by far of the day was this one: http://tinyurl.com/2ujt6o

The Firefox linkification add-on is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Just thought you all should know.

Este has strange hair placement....

476 - Have I ever told you you're my hero?

with Derek Lee prove your detractors Loaiza.

473 - does his beard affect movement on his fastball?

Having grown up in the 70's, I have to admit I like bearded pitchers.

474 Yes, you have.

Andy's making all the plays.

476 You ruined my budding 476 by making it 477 !

Loaiza 5 IP
pitches / strikes 67 / 47
7 hits, 2 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO

470

funny

465 - the only hot teacher I ever had was my high school geometry teacher, who was kind of a surfer chick. And despite her, I hated geometry.

I just realized that Martin now has 80 ribbies....

Good job Russ!

Juan just got punched in the face.

I want La Roche to hit it to Sheffield ave... the street in LF

479 - that was supposed to be 467 .

474 /476 - A little bit of narcissim there, Rob?

485 - I wonder if Gary Sheffield has ever hit a homer on to Sheffield.

434 Thanx- and a tip of the Hatlo hat...

Loaiza looks like a villain from Univision soaps.

Hey, Bob or anybody else, assuming there have been at least 3 starting MLB pitchers from Mexico, who was the 3rd-place on the wins list? I ask on the off chance that the Dodgers might have had #s 1-2-3 on their staff, now.

I can't think of any hot teachers that I had in high school, college, or law school. The closest was one in law school who was attractive, but I wouldn't say "hot". There was a student teacher at my high school that was hot, every time she'd walk by, there would be some smart aleck in the group sing, "got it bad, got it bad, I'm hot for teacher"

488- Didn't he do it as a Dodger?....are we sure Sheffield is LF?

The ABCs of Dodger pitchers by wins
A - Pedro Astacio, 48
B - Ralph Branca, 80
C - Bob Caruthers, 110
D - Don Drysdale, 209
E - Carl Erskine, 122
F - Freddie Fitzsimmons, 47
G - Burleigh Grimes, 158
H - Orel Hershiser, 135
I - Kauzhisa Ishii, 36
J - Tommy John, 87
K - Brickyard Kennedy, 177
L - Tom Lovett, 73
M - Ramon Martinez, 123
N - Don Newcombe, 123
O - Claude Osteen, 147
P - Johnny Podres, 136
Q - Jack Quinn, 9
R - Nap Rucker, 134
S - Don Sutton, 233
T - Adonis Terry, 126
U - Fred Underwood, 2
V - Dazzy Vance, 190
W - Bob Welch, 115
X - none
Y - Joe Yeager, 15
Z - Tom Zachary, 12

We are ballin.

481

... Yeah, that was tongue in cheek, of course. I'm enjoying this game.

Wins by pitchers born in Mexico:
Valenzuela - 173
Loaiza - 124
Valdez - 104
Higuera - 94
Reynoso - 68

This feels way better than getting shutout.

487 - Wha?

490 Bluebleeder87
With the beard he looks like Hendrickson.

490 Bluebleeder87
With the beard he looks like Hendrickson.

A chance today for Meloan appearance number 2?

10 more hits until Gonzo gets 2500 and then there won't be any reason for him to start more than once a week.

10 more hits until Gonzo gets 2500 and then there won't be any reason for him to start more than once a week.

All Cubs fans entering a Hooters after the game are required to order hot wings. And pay for them.

Although I missed my chance by not mentioning it earlier, I objected less to playing Gonzo over Kemp because it is his bithday. It always seem like guys hit well on their bithday, though this is probably a selection affect.

loney is just strokin.

499 - Just poking fun at the fact that your "did you know you're my hero" (insert 'wind beneath my wings' joke here) was mistakenly directed at yourself in a later post.

On another note, wow. Last two innings have just been impressive.

I thought Laroche got that! Is the wind blowing in?

The Cubs rollover.

Did I mention that Loney rocks?

Damn, I wish you could save this stuff up and release it over several games.

Poor Gallagher. You know you're a hard luck pitcher when the best Skip Caray can think to say about you is that you always back up throws from the outfield well.

I'd also like to point out that all of this offense is because of the harmonic convergence of LaRoche and the number 10.

Aww, that was a cute hug moment in the outfield there. Very sweet. Especially since we're winning.

490- Hey Bluebleeder...see 245...

great minds think alike....

The Padres have 5 home runs and lead AZ 7-1.

497 - Awesome, thanks. I knew it - the Dodgers have employed all 3 of the MLB's winningest starting pitchers from Mexico. The info is much appreciated, as always.

I think those of you who are in the DT fantasy football league with me should go celebrate the Dodgers' game today by drinking copious amounts of alcohol. Celebrate, come on. We'll wait for you.

I wonder if Hu will play today?

Why not put Hu in the game?

Anyone else want to see Loaiza go the distance today?

518 - Wait, the DT league has already been set up? I was left out? How did this happen?

...

I picked a bad time to go MIA, it appears. :(

516
I think it's time to root for a Padres sweep. If there is any hope (and I'm not sure there is), it's the wildcard. Let one team fall back.

I'm sure not all of you will agree.

518
Good thing you reminded me. I would have totally forgotten. lol

Brickyard Kennedy over Koufax. I love the nicknames of bygone eras.( and bygone ERAs)

You can't do that, Esteban.

That was a very un-veteran move.

Loney will get blamed for not being there.

Pierre sometimes reminds me of my tee ball days when it comes to fielding ground balls.

Balk. Proof of poor communication between the veterans and the kids.

Man, we just want you to get through the sixth Esteban, it's not rocket science.

Hope he doesn't get too accustomed to this much run support.

... Gosh darnit, now I'm sad. Any chance the DT league has a spot left in it, for anybody who might be in the league?

(Xei?)

Quality Start!

There we go.

LaRoche has the look of a Dodger from the 80's and 90's....If that makes any sense...He's very Dodger...

534

Let the bell of mediocrity sound!

533 - Darn, bruin. You must have missed the announcements and reminders. Xei or I should've emailed you though to prod you. I dunno if there's any more room since there's 12 teams now and any more than that might make it crowded. Up to Xei though.

534

we just need the victory for the picture to be complete

Of course I don't know much about Loiaza or if this game is typical. If it is, he is efficient with pitches ...Oh Vin; did you really say sadder but... and that is a rare thing on our staff. Penny and Bills always scare me with how many pitches they throw.
Now, Loiaza may be getting hit right at people, but he isn't taking many pitches.

The Dodgers got a Quality Start from Loaiza. 6 IP, 58 strikes, 23 balls, 3 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 1 HR

536

... Any right-handed hitting 3B who wears Ron Cey's number is going to look like a Dodger.

Old acquaintance Daryle Ward now in there for the Cubs.

And the way I type, I was composing 540 long before Vin could give me the idea.

533 I don't mind giving you my spot.

Seems like an odd move, leaving Loiaza in there, since there are now more options in the 'pen, but on the other hand, why not give them another inning of rest, since Loiaza's only thrown 80 pitches.

looks like Loaiza has a chance to get a CG, so few of those these days.

538 - Heheh, s'okay. I'll get by... somehow. G'luck this season!

536 You're right. I love seeing him in Penguin's number 10. It just seems fitting, like a laying on of hands.

537 It's not a no-hitter, but I still like this pick-up. Gives the pen a break, and his name isn't Tomko.

... Too bad Bartman couldn't get that one.

Hey Bob, the Mets reached 5 OFU today, that good enough to lead the Majors this year?

254 As a kid I loved doubleheaders, particularly the Friday twi-night affairs during the summer at Dodger Stadium. Though there are few now, I still like them, getting away from it all for six hours of baseball. In 1958, their first year in L.A., the Dodgers had seven home DHs scheduled. Interestingly, they were off during a homestand on July 4, probably because the Coliseum was the site of a huge fireworks show. They also had home DHs on August 15, 17 and 19, with days off on August 16 and 18. That might have been because of a big rodeo that used to be held at the Coliseum, or perhaps a Billy Graham Revival or perhaps both. In 1962, their first year in Dodger Stadium, they had five DHs on their home schedule.

Pie is pronounced pee-ay? I much prefer pronouncing it like the baked dessert.

Coming into today for games that have seen pitchers turn in quality starts, they have won 1357 times and lost 641 times, which is a winning percentage of .679.

545 - That's much appreciated King, but it's okay. I missed the sign-ups. Compromise: go out and win the league, and then I'll claim I had some part of the victory by association because I could have had your spot.

:)

551
I think they may have had six in a game this year. Ricky Ledee was playing for them for a while.

554 Do you know how many of those were games in which both pitchers had quality starts and one of them was the loser?

555 Except I can't make the draft and I know very little about football...

Andy Pafko sings the song. With the '52 Dodgers: .287, .366 OBP, 19 HR, 85 RBI.

557
I will definitively answer that by saying, "Yes there were some like that."

Of the 1998 quality starts this year, only 226 have been the minimum of 6 IP and 3 ER.

557 scooplew
I was going to ask how that worked but decided not to.

558 - Are you sure? It's pretty fun to play and talk a little friendly trash with the other DTers... It hardly seems fair for me to take somebody else's spot.

558 - Continued - I don't actually know when the draft is, it's possible I couldn't make it. =P

I am not sure if Yahoo has the option, but CBS has the option of co-managing teams.

It is tonight at 7:30.

Last doubleheader and maybe only doubleheader I went to was 35 years a go to the day against the Reds. They split the doubleheader. I don't recall it but as I was looking at the box score, I see that Steve Yeager hit his first career home run that day in the first game, some guy named Frank Robinson hit a homer in the second game.

A little over 40,000 in the park but back then they only counted butts in seats.

558 {rubs hands together excitedly and dastardly}

Yeah, y'all could co-manage maybe? But underbruin would have to handicap himself to make that fair. Say, via heavy drinking before the draft?

Shhhh! The Bison is batting!

... who never ever seems to catch a break on those outside strike calls.

The ump clearly wants to go home.

The last time the Dodgers scheduled a doubleheader before the season (not counting the 1992 unpleasantness) was in 1987. And that was because Peter O'Malley wanted the stadium free for a day so the Pope could celebrate Mass.

So unless you can guarantee a Supreme Pontiff, there won't be any doubleheaders on the schedule for a while.

Underdog gets the cycle!!

Hooray! And I was gonna try for the 4+1 effort but y'all broke it up.

562 It's OK. I'll take the heat.

573
The problem with a cycle alert for commenters is that ringing the alert immediately cancels the possibility of the cycle.

At least none of the fans at Wrigley have left early. They're too dedicated for that.

Oh god, WGN you are killing my ear and my brain.

572 - let me make a phone call, see what I can do.

Hu is now playing short stop.

Hu's in!!

Hu looks pretty cool on the back of the Jersey....

What was Loaiza's pitch count?

Hu sighting!

I think Proctor hurt his groin or something.

Proctor has some real anger issues.

96 pitches for Loaiza.

I don't like bringing Proctor in here, and now he just hurt himself.

If Hu fields everything around him...Sucks up all the ground balls...Could we call him Huver?

We can't?
Okay.

Nice to see Conte aggressively challenge Proctor there. Honesty should be encouraged regarding injuries.

... Proctor's such a hothead -- heh, I like it.

586 - not bad, I might have left him in, or at least given him the option of finishing what he started, but that's just me.

Proctor needs to go rest that groin. Bring in Houlton or somebody not named Hernandez.

Proctor is a stuborn lad, he doesn't wanna come out. quote "I'm not coming out!"

I dig the passion but if he walks anybody else, I'd take him out.

I have to think young Mr. Cedeno missed a sign there and got away with it. Or was he not being held on?

Hu's wearing #60, which looks like an emergency jersey number.

Isnt this the spot for guys who wwere just called up?

Nice play by Matt.

I have a feeling Vin would put one in Cedeno's ear next time up. :)

558 - I'd be more than happy to co-manage, if King'd have me (man, sounds so serious). Though there's a possibility I'll miss the first 15 minutes of the draft (dinner at 6:30, but it's fairly close to where I live, and the place is pretty fast, I think)...

really nice short hop catch by Hu on that throw by Lieberthal.

594

He wasnt being held on, but yuo dont steal in that spot. Its considered bad baseball and extremely unnecesarry.

How did the injury occur?

Shouldn't Hu be on first?

602
That's not going to get old for the next ten years.

602 - What?

603 That's my first and last time for that.

601

from what I saw it happened on his fallow threw. He jumped up a little bit when he landed.

I want to know the name of the guy playing shortstop for Los Angeles!

605
Don't worry. Eventually we will say it all the time just to annoy each other.

Proctor seems fine, by the way.

is Wertz gameday Photo still scary looking?

Hu's leading off? Tomato is up now?

Whats OFU?( it may be obvious but I'm tired)

I hope Saenz likes retirement.

Tomato is overcooked.

602 It's a classic Abbott and Costello baseball comedy routine. Check out the audio version at:
http://www.phoenix5.org/humor/WhosOnFirstAudio.mp3

607

your timing was a little off Icaros, but I got it.

After his walk-off 2-run HR against Toronto on June 8, Olmedo Saenz was hitting .224/.377/.469.

Since then he is 7 for 51, hitting .137/.213/.157 over these last 3 months, bringing his season numbers down to .180/.295/.310.

612

Saenz will be back next season, he's just going to start switch-hitting and go by the name of Delwyn Young.

614 - yeah, I know the routine, I was just playing along, What's the name of the guy on second?

I would have brought in R. Hernandez for this inning...

I don't know. Hu?

OFU leads me to phrases about a pitcher named Perez but I think it must be a much more exotic stat, or result.

611 OF is for "Old Friend", i.e. former Dodger, but I'm not sure what the U stands for.

616 You've just pointed out the best of Saenz and the worst of Saenz.

611
OFU = Old friends used

615

My timing was only off because other people exist.

... Looks like Hu will fit right in on this team. Welcome!!

Poor who?

Oops. Hu the heck did that?

Okay, that guy's obviously no prospect. Send him down! ;-)

Maybe Hu's choke collar is giving him problems.

The Mets had 6 OFU on July 7.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU200707070.shtml

kids, gotta love them

618 Got it. LOL. The routine was on a continuous videotape at Cooperstown when I visited the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Houlton hasn't had much help this inning, but he's looked a little wild. Bring in Meloan!

Heads up play there to cut off the 4th run of the game!

that Double Play looked sweet....

Ned has to at least like Andy's D.

That was SWEET!

LaRoche laRocks!

If the current Dodger SS ever wins a World Series MVP award with LA, I hope the headline following the World Series will be "Hu's a Bum?"

that's 3 DP for Andy today, the unusual 5-2-3

Wow that is an uncommon amout of DPs for Andy in the last two game. And cut dowm that lead runner. Martin and Loney also looked good. This is Auspicious.

637 Bingo!

We win!

The Lieberthal smile isn't as satisfying as the Sammy Smile ™ but I'll take it!

598 I don't mind co-managing, but it would end up being just you managing. Just take it.

League: 609093
Password: loney

Was LaRoche playing in? That's an odd DP with an eight-run lead in the 9th inning.

Brock where are you?

Was LaRoche playing in? That's an odd DP with an eight-run lead in the 9th inning.

Not a bad Dodger day at all.

Zona & Phills lose today to put the ice sing on the cake.

641 Sorry about that.

So perhaps Ned (acquiring Loaiza) and Grady (starting Gonzalez) knew what they were doing.

Thats also an odd DP ( double post) with one in the middle> :0)

650 644 to 645 to 646 if you're scoring.

We're tied with the Phills for 2nd place in the wild carld column (3 games) & from what I understand our bullpen is WAY better then there bullpen.

Nice one today....I guess it ain't over.....

I'm a big fan of short players (I miss Cody Ross). The strikeout notwithstanding, I'd take "Little Lord Fontenot" on my team any day.

643 - Well if you're still interested in co-managing, shoot me an email at underbruin at yahoo with your preferred league address, and I can add you. Either way, thanks a ton, King.

655 Just remember these two sleeper picks:
Michael Vick, QB, and the Adrian Peterson (RB) you want is the one on the Bears. There, you're all set! ;-)

You know what man, I can't WAIT till we play Zona in there turf.

All of our young players have distinguished themselves in September play. I'm not sure, but I think Laroche was involved in five double plays and may have started them all. This obviously included help from Loney and even Martin, and probably Furcal and Kent( who I give credit for great DP ability). And this is only the defensive side!

Update, via Dodgers.com, though no official word yet:
>>Little said an additional wave of promotions from the Minor Leagues would probably be announced after Monday's game. Players likely to be included are infielder Tony Abreu, outfielder Delwyn Young and pitcher Eric Stults, who is expected to start Wednesday's game for the Dodgers at Wrigley Field.<<

Nice to see Tony Jax sounding a bit positive on his blog, too.

16-9 to match last year.

What's it with guys named Cedeno and stealing at inopportune times?

Gurnick mentioned that another wave of promotions (probably Young/Stults/Abreu) would be announced after today's game. Anyone know if that happened?

662 meet 659 - and while it may not be official yet, I'd be shocked if it wasn't all three of Young, Stults and Abreu who get the call. Maybe Hull, too. That could be it.

Should the Dodgers DFA Loaiza? Based on these comments he must really stink.

132 D4P
251 D4P
129 trainwreck
240 silverwidow
242 LAT
250 herm (many more)
LogikReader-a lot of close ones

I am not worried about this year. Next year is when we will need to get rid of Loaiza.

662 From Diamond Leung's blog:

"After the game, the Dodgers recalled infielder Tony Abreu, outfielder Delwyn Young and pitchers Eric Stults and Eric Hull. The Dodgers also purchased the contract of Wilson Valdez and transferred Hong-Chih Kuo to the 60-day disabled list. Kuo still has an outside shot of returning in September."

http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/baseball/dodgers/

Young matches PCL doubles mark

>> Delwyn Young matched a modern-era Pacific Coast League record with his 54th double as visiting Las Vegas rolled over Salt Lake, 12-5, on Monday. <<

## John Lindsey plated Young with an RBI double, extending his hitting streak to 22 games. ##

http://tinyurl.com/2qmj27

Last week Ned hinted that the 30 year old Lindsey might get a callup but that doesn't appear to be happening.

664
Tracking down herm's comments is doing the Lord's work.

664 Loaiza pitched a quality start today. He wasn't brought in to be an ace, but just a capable starter. And today he did just that. Just because a guy is over 30 doesn't mean he isn't any good.

While one game does not make a pitcher, the thing that Loaiza was able to do today that Tomko never could was to get past a mistake. He allowed the loud homer to Soriano and then moved on-threw strikes and let his fielders do the work. When Furcal made the error the same thing.Tomko it seemed once he made a mistake or walked a batter he just continued in a bad pattern. This was Tomko's MO with the Giants as well.

No, I think I've come around on Loaiza today. At the beginning it appeared he wasn't having a good start but he kept the Dodgers in the game which is more than what most of us can ask for.

I stopped posting around the 7th inning so I didn't get a chance to say that, but I wanted to set the record straight.

Pardon me for not being impressed with Loaiza's 3 Ks, 6/11 G/F ratio, and 87 MPH lukewarm.

672 - Gerald Ford pardons you.

Loaiza rarely has a high K rate; his fastball speed is average at best. When he's successful it comes from mixing pitches and hitting location. He's rarely gonna blow you away, and I thought he was erratic today but he went after guys and kept his pitch count low. As Louis said, compared to what Tomko would have done it looks even better to me.

Woah--watching the Red Sox leading Toronto 10-1, and in the 6th Matsusake imploded, followed by some horrendous bull-pen and its 10-9 all of a sudden. I tend to forget about the Sox and Fenways ability to do this.

672

I saw him hit 89!

Will we ever see?
C - Martin
1B - Loney
2B - Abreu
SS - Hu
3B - LaRoche
LF - Young
CF - Kemp
RF - Ethier
P - Billingsley, Broxton, Hull, Stults or Meloan

Outside of Ethier, who debuted with Dodgers but was originally drafted by the A's, there could be an inning or two when perhaps that team will be playing. Someone better memoralize that because having 8 positions out of 9 be either draft picks or original free agent signees in a MLB game is pretty rare sight.

676
I doubt we will see anyone other than Pierre in center.

I can't believe they purchased Wilson Valdez again. This is a total waste of a roster spot, unless Martinez is gone next year.

676
If you look through archives, Eric Enders brought up a lineup like that and I looked up the last time the Dodgers started 9 homegrown players.

It last happened in 1995.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN199505180.shtml

I guess you have to consider Valdez as some depth at AAA. You have to keep that franchise somewhat healthy. And after this immense crop that is coming up, there are not a lot of position players. We have rightly been concentrating on pitching in the next wave. And it will seem amazingly soon when we have to sign many of these "rooks" to big contracts or watch them walk.

As recently as '95 and now ought 7. I thought it was longer by the way we were diminished at the end of the century.

679. and wouldn't you know it, but a pitcher named E. Loiaza pitched against us.

679
The only players who participated in that game who are still in the majors are Loaiza and Seanez.

679 And Billy Ashley had a homerun and 4 strikeouts in 5 atbats. Awesome. Mr. 2 true outcomes.

681
It was hard to get an all homegrown lineup when Shawn Green was around and playing every game.

Or the time when the Dodgers imported a bunch of Marlins.

About the Marlins, please don't remind me, I think we are still suffering. And meanwhile CoCo Crisp blows it with the bases loaded. If they went that far why couldn't it be CoCoa Puff.

Impossible! Jerry Remy has just said, "With the length of tonight's game, a lot of fans have left Fenway Park."

No. That does not happen. It just can't. That's what I've been told. Red Sox fans would stay forever. Even if there were rattlesnakes let loose in the stands.

679 Anyone know why Piazza didn't make an appearance in that game? I wonder if he was on the DL.

Am I getting the Marlins confused with Tampa Bay? Where did we get Bigfoot and Ham-u-lack. In the 70's and 80's, looking at minor league names, I decided only in baseball could you get names like Milton Bradley, Howard Johnson, and Daryl Strawberry, but these will never make the Majors. And I think there was one even more riciculous, but I can't remember.

687 - how dare anyone question the World According to ESPN, I mean, the next thing you know someone other than the Yankees or Red Sox will be playing someone other than the Mets in the World Series.

I got it. And I don't think I'm in psychosis.

Wasn't there a minor leaguer named Ronald McDonald?

Fenway still looks packed to me.

692
Teams don't often linger on their half-empty sections of seats.

6 1/3 shutout innings, two hits, five walks, four strikeouts for beleaguered Ervin Santana. Angels lead 8-0 in the bottom of the seventh.

Trachsel was the guy I hoped the Mets would throw at us last year in October. I hope we can get to him and Penny with the extra day and pitching at night rebounds.

Phils run into Tim Hudson in Atlanta.

Now if the Pads can win on the road, we can be two out tomorrow night.

I'm excited and cautiously optomistic.

695

well said Android, although I think it's gonna be pretty annoying watching Trachsel "do his thing" but the game definitely looks winnable. Is it just me or are the Cubbies playing lesser & lesser day games?

Not a big Valdez fan but he had a great year for Vegas and deserves the callup.

Guys like him need as much major league service time as possible so it is cool when they get it, when it doesn't come at the expense of a better ballplayer. He'll give us an extra pinch runner.

To bad Lindsey didn't get the call. Kind of like the guy Eric was talking about who almost hit 400 for our AAA team. If Lindsey can't the call after what he did this year he probably never well. He's not a prospect but it would have been cool to have at least said he made the show. I'm sentimental when it doesn't hurt the team. I guess we just didn't have enough wiggle room on the 40 man.

668 Bob Timmermann
I got him on 405 refering to 389 .

697 -- What I don't like about Valdez is that they can't option him. So unless they plan to cut Martinez, he's just taking up a spot that should go to a legit prospect (for Rule 5 draft purposes).

699 I would have to agree with you. As long as only one of Valdez/Martinez is on the roster at Rule 5 time, I don't mind calling up Valdez. Obviously it didn't hurt last year, but I don't want to run the risk of losing a valuable property for the likes of Valdez (we already lost Jarod Plummer for the pleasure of acquiring Valdez).

696
They didn't have lights when I lived in Chi-town, so there are more night games for sure. Probably more scheduled with school back in session. I really don't know though. I'm concerned about Stults starting on Wed, we might need to put up 11 runs again.

Valdez: Trade bait in the offseason, good pinch runner to have around now if LuGo, Kent, Sweeney, or Tomato get on base late in a game. A good luxury to have around but that doesn't indicate a long term future for him with our team.

I don't see Martinez coming back next year, too many options other than him and his less than Mendoza batting average. If Kent plays another year, Abreu is our back-up infielder. Valdez cleared waivers this April or May when we sent him down, and we might go that route if we want him as insurance for next year.

Healthy Nomar might mean LaRoche is next year's Loney, has to push his way onto the team. Might be room for Valdez (who plays some outfield) if Shea and Tomato don't return. Just thinking...

Ramon Martinez is a free agent next year. I'd be surprised if he's back. It's not as if ex-Giants (e.g. Brett Tomko) have a lifetime deal under Colletti.

Bill Murphy allowed three runs in 1 2/3 innings in his major-league debut today.

All these micro-organizationalist. (I make 'em up as I go.) I agree with Cannon though.

702 Doesn't Martinez have an option for next year? He does his job, doesn't complain, and is a gritty veteran. Assuming he does have the option that mlb4u says he has, then I expect Ned to pick it up, or at least think long and hard about it. Abreu will probably be starting next year, for either Vegas or for another team, so it's either Martinez or Valdez, and I think Martinez wins. I would not be surprised whatsoever to see Martinez on the team next year.

702 Jon, the Dodgers have a $1m option on Ramon Martinez for 2008, with a $50k buyout.

Jake Peavy might start on three days' rest for San Diego against Arizona on Wednesday, then rest five days before taking the mound against the Dodgers a week from Tuesday.

http://tinyurl.com/ypplw6

704
I respectfully disagree. I can see Ramon signed to a minor league contract with a chance to win a job in the spring or to remain at Vegas as insurance.

I don't see him getting a guaranteed major league contract next year from us. From anyone really. He's a marginal player, a role guy who has done his job well at times, but he is a replaceable part as a utility guy. I could be wrong.

705 - You think that $50K will intimidate them into keeping a sub-.200 hitter for next season? I consider it pretty irrelevant.

Sure, Martinez could be back, but I think the Dodgers will want to improve their bench. If they don't sign a free-agent replacement, I think Abreu could get the Martinez slot next year, in order to give Kent more time off without burying the offense.

702
I assume the small buyout makes it very likely Ramon is a free agent.

708 I hope you are right, Jon. I was just pointing out the technicality that Lucille II isn't a free agent. Yet.

I have to admit, that's the smallest buyout I've seen for an option.

Carlos Zambrano:

"I don't accept the fans were booing me," Zambrano said. "I don't understand that. I think these are great fans of baseball, but they showed me today they just care about them. That's not fair.

"When you're struggling, that's when you want to feel support from the fans," Zambrano said. "I don't accept it. I just pointed to my head because I will remember it. The great moments of my career will come."

http://tinyurl.com/2jmaj6

710 - Yeah, I hear ya.

707 That's what I thought for this year, and then we went and extended his contract. If Ned is willing to give Martinez $800K after his 2006 season, then there is reason to believe he'll give him the $1 mil for next year. I hope I'm wrong, but until his option is bought out, I expect to see Martinez as a Dodger for $1 mil in 2008.

The Dodgers could use Martinez's roster spot on Mike Sweeney next year, for roughly the $1m Martinez could be due next year (Sweeney made $850k in 2006; $950k this season).

Basically, Abreu/Sweeney replace Martinez/Saenz, and the team gets better production out of the bench.

687
Snakes in a Fenway!

Peavy on short rest makes sense at this point in the year, especially if it means the Pads put him up against us again as he dominates. I don't know how many pitches he threw on Saturday, but he didn't need to go deep into the game.

It also indicates that Chris Young is in trouble. I think Peavy and Maddux in the playoffs is a good 1-2, but they'll be missing a healthy Young if he is still hurting.

Our best shot is the WC. I don't want to concede the division, but with six left against the Snakes and they lost two series in a row, I am hopeful we can get into a mano-a-mano with them and get at least 4 out of the six. With that desire, I don't mind seeing Peavy going on Wednesday.

Still too soon to really do anything but win our own games and not root for one rival over another, but it makes more sense to go after the team closest to us first, so I'm pulling for the Pads against AZ this week.

In case anyone missed it, Old Acquaintance Luke Hochevar called up by the Royals:

http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_main.aspx?sport=MLB&id=4039

Mark Sweeney. Mike is more expensive.

714
I see that happening. If Kent plays in 08, he won't play everyday nor in late innings. Abreu, the heir apparent, needs some more MLB time before we just hand him the job. That makes Martinez expendable.

Sweeney is a left handed bat, very experienced vet, and can play first base. That leaves Saenez less likely to stick around as he isn't versatile and has had a very down year. Valdez could break with the team, or Delwyn who hits from both sides and can play infield.

You never know about trades or free agents either, too soon to speculate. I'm 93% sure we buy out the option on Ramon. Just for stated reasons, not that he's not been a decent back up infielder.

718 Mark said he's willing to play for the minimum, albeit for KC.

716 He was pitching against us anyway, it will be interesting to see what the dodgers do with their rotation in San Francisco.

Tuesday - Penny
Wednesday - Stults
Thursday - Lowe
Friday - Billingsley
Saturday - Loaiza or Wells
Sunday - Penny or Loaza or Wells
Monday - off day

The Dodgers could save Penny for next week's homestand where he could start twice against the Padres and D-Backs.

Is Eric Hull getting called up tomorrow? If not I don't get it. The guy has been solid in the bullpen for two years at Vegas when the other bullpen guys other than Meloan had ERAS in the 6 or 7 range.Surely Hull brings more to the mound in the stretch run than Hernandez, Seanez or Hendrickson. And he's already on the 40 man roster.

722 -- Yes. Abreu, Young, Valdez, Stults and Hull.

There are rumors that the Jimmy Clausen era starts this week.

It will be nice to see him get crushed.

721 Saving Penny to start twice against SD/AZ could cost him the chance to start the final game of the year vs. Colorado, but the DH in Colorado on 9/18 kind of mucks things up. Here's an attempt at plotting the rest of the schedule:

9/4 - Penny
9/5 - Stults
9/6 - Lowe
9/7 - Billingsley
9/8 - Wells
9/9 - Loaiza
9/10 - OFF
9/11 - Penny
9/12 - Lowe
9/13 - Billingsley
9/14 - Wells
9/15 - Loaiza
9/16 - Penny
9/17 - OFF
9/18 - Lowe & Billingsley (DH in Colorado)
9/19 - Wells
9/20 - Loaiza
9/21 - Penny
9/22 - Lowe (on 3 days rest)
9/23 - Billingsley
9/24 - OFF
9/25 - Loaiza
9/26 - Penny
9/27 - Lowe
9/28 - Billingsley
9/29 - Wells
9/30 - Penny (on 3 days rest)

So, over the final 25 games (in 27 days) we have the starts distributed thusly:

Penny - 6 starts
Lowe - 5
Billingsley - 5
Loaiza - 4
Wells - 4
Stults - 1

I wonder if the Diamondbacks could even get fans to come if the tickets were free.

The Dodgers are now at 36 players (including Nomar). How many teams call up 10 guys? Might as well go all the way and call up Miller, Megrew, Hammes, and some 4th player in Hamulack's place. McDonald, Lindsey, or Kuo if he gets healthy are all reasonable choices.

New article on Ned from the Tribune:

http://tinyurl.com/222cgc

"I have a lot of respect for players who bust their tail every day, who at the end of the day, you know they've given everything they can give," Colletti says. "That's the kind of guys I want. I'll take a team full of those, that's a little less talented because they'll win as many games, if not more, than the team that has the talent but not the heart."

728 That's a pretty good article. Thanks for the link.

Start compiling your pressing questions for Kim Ng, chatting on Dodgers.com tomorrow afternoon.

728 He forgot to mention scrappyness!

721. Saturday - Loaiza or Wells

>> Little said he plans to start David Wells against the Giants in San Francisco on Saturday, the first day Wells is eligible to return from his seven-game suspension for arguing with an umpire while with the Padres. <<

http://tinyurl.com/yrc6u2

I know that suspensions for hitters and pitchers are different, but does anyone else find it hilarious that Robbie Alomar gets five games for spitting on an ump while Wells gets seven for arguing?

This is admittedly a peculiar question, but, does anybody know whether the SunAmerica Center has a thirteenth floor? I can see it has 39 floors, but are any of them 13? And is there a building directory hidden somewhere on the intertubes?

Wow, "Legends of the Hidden Temple" was such a cool show...why don't they make 'em like that anymore (even if I did see a pair of Red Jaguars on Halloween last year)?

730 - "How long after you become their GM will the Astros trade Lance Berkman for James Loney and Jon Broxton?"

732 I think Bob Watson was annoyed when the Padres worked Young's suspension around the ASB and he did not miss a start.

Collars getting tight in Phoenix?

We've gotta win some games to gain some confidence," Byrnes said.

The Diamondbacks are 13 games above .500 and in great position to make the playoffs. Confidence shouldn't be a problem. But that it is tells you something, doesn't it?

734 Yer damn right it was a great show. It combined the elements of an Indiana Jones movie with the trivia of a street-smart Jeopardy!...and wasn't that the one where one team member had to direct the other one through a maze with a robotic voice saying "go...right"?

I haven't stated it on here, but in a heated conversation with another guy on a fantasy baseball message board I predicted that the Padres would win the West by 3 games but the Dodgers would win the Wild Card by a game over the Phillies and 2 games over the D-Backs. Neither of the contending squads has even a mediocre rotation and both have been relying a bit too much on luck lately. Plus, we have possibly the best set of call-ups any team could ask for considering we get a starting third baseman, quality reliever, and two quality defensive replacements/pinch-runners/spot-starters.

If we end up tied for the wildcard with the Phillies, then what happens?

739 One game playoff, they will have flipped a coin regarding who is the home team.

740 - And Davey Lopes and his crazy stolen base success % will finally be on the Phillies' side!

737 - Hmm if by robotic voice you mean the giant talking stone head named Olmec, then yes, that is the show.

Meanwhile did anybody notice that a new Devil Rays home run record was set tonight by Carlos Pena, James Shields became only their third pitcher to ever throw 200 innings, AND DT favorite Carl Crawford got rather animated after being tossed? Highlights here: http://tinyurl.com/2mkv3x

741
Someone paid attention to the Rays game today.

https://griddle.baseballtoaster.com/archives/790092.html

Final Minor League Stats for Dodger's Top Ten Baseball America Prospects

1. Andy LaRoche AAA .309/.399/.589; 18 HR in 73 games.
2. Clayton Kershaw A/AA 122 IP; 9 HR; 163 K/67 BB; .201 BAA, started 25 games.
3. Scott Elbert AA - Had shoulder surgery in June, hopes to be back by Spring Training.
4. James Loney AAA - He has more ABs in LA now, current line .311/.366/.467 in 71 games and 278 plate appearances.
5. Tony Abreu AAA .355/.399/.517 in 258 plate appearances.
6. Ivan De Jesus, Jr. A .287/.371/.381 in 485 plate appearances.
7. Jonathan Meloan AA/AAA 66.2 IP; 91 K/27 BB; 5 HR; .156 BAA, has struck out 182 in 118.2 (13.8K/9 IP)
8. Blake DeWitt A/AA .292/.327/.466; 59 extra base hits, 14 HR.
9. Josh Bell A .271/.331/.444; hit 15 HR in Great Lakes before being promoted to Inland Empire for playoff run. Only .509 OPS in IE in 20 games.
10. Preston Mattingly A .210/.251/.297, struck out 119 times, walked 22 times in 426 plate appearances. Hit a wall in the second half of the season, .700 OPS before ASB, .400 OPS after.

Outside chance that Andy LaRoche could graduate from this list if he plays everyday in September but he will be close to 130 AB rookie limit. Otherwise, only Loney will move off this list.

Certainly James McDonald, Chin-lung Hu and Andrew Lambo will move onto this list next year.

Mattingly and DeWitt will move down if not off the list.

743 -- It isn't just Loney who will "graduate" to the majors from BA's Top 10 prospects list; Abreu stands at 118 MLB AB's, so he will surely exceed 130 by the end of the month.

Mattingly will definitely move off the Top 10 list, but I disagree about DeWitt. Unlike last year, he hit for average and power in Double A, and showing he could play at Jacksonville is what he needed to do in 2007. His prospect status hasn't suffered this year, and on my own Top 30 prospects list, which I won't finalize till Ogden's games are over at the end of the week, DeWitt will come in at #6.

From a garage home in Franklin Park to the Dodgers' front office and a house with an ocean view, Ned Colletti sometimes can't believe his good fortune

Tell me about it.

"We gave him access to a lot of decision-making and thought processes, but [Giants GM] Brian Sabean probably did as much for him as anyone by giving him pretty much free rein in San Francisco," Dallas Green said. "You go from being a P.R. guy to being a true baseball guy."

Classic.