Orlando Hudson - Alex Gallardo - LA Times

Who needs the Giants this week when the Dodgers are playing the A’s! I had to hunt a little to find the A’s channel (Channel 89 up here), but once finding it, it was a pleasure to watch the boys in blue the last two nights.

The didn’t win two nights ago, but they pulled it out last night. Even though they lost two nights ago, this is a GOOD Dodger team. I am just really impressed with how scrappy they are. They are very much like the Angels in 2002 against the Giants. They don’t hit the long ball, but they are always getting hits, and always on base.

The other part is their defense.  The Dodgers turned 4 double plays last night.  Blake is having a Gold Glove year, and then with Furcal, Hudson and Loney, they have a great defense up the middle. 

I heard a great quote from F.P. Santangelo, an announcer for the A’s. He was saying that sometimes there are just good teams who know they are going to win. They don’t know how they will do it, but they know they are going to win. He said the Dodgers are very much that team right now.

I couldn’t agree more. It seems like they win a lot of games in the 8th and 9th innings, which is exactly what you need to go far in the playoffs. They get the runs when they need to, and they do what they have to do.

I have to admit it was fun to see Nomar Garciaparra play last night. He even drove in a run. I always liked him and was glad to see him as a Dodger. Too bad his body keeps breaking down on him because he was fun to watch.

The Dodgers play the Angels this weekend, and the writers are already saying that this weekend may be an indicator of the playoffs.(See Yahoo article here).  This article gives the advantage to the Angels because of their pitching, but I’m not sold.  The Dodgers just seem to find a way.  The Angels have figured out how to win again, so it will definitely be a battle.  I’m predicting the Angels will easily re-claim first place by the All-Star break.  They had a lot of injuries, but you knew Mike Scioscia’s club wouldn’t be down that long.

Coming this weekend, another Spy Game post.  Let’s just say the Angels swept the floor with the Giants this week.