Well, so much for predictions. Vincente Padilla just didn’t have it tonight, and the Dodgers couldn’t get it done. I thought Ethier could do his MVP thing in the 7th…but apparently his magic only works when the game is truly on the line. The Giants looked strong and they just looked like they wanted it more.

Tonight was funny though because there were two things in the game that I’ve never seen before. Ironically they both had to do with Bengie Molina.

First, he hit in a double play which wouldn’t have been special except that it was the slowest double play I’ve ever seen. The ball went to third, Blake sent it to second where Hudson had to step away to dodge the sliding runner. You figured the Dodgers would just get one. Then, it was like time slowed down. Hudson stepped out of the way, twirled, and then realized Bengie was still way down the line and then “decided” to throw down to first.  There was seriously a 2-3 second delay.  It was like there was a time warp and then he realized he could still get the second out. Ironically he threw it to first and still beat Bengie by at least 3 or 4 steps. Cool play that will soon be forgotten, but was something I’d never seen.

The second play was not very long after. There was a pitch by the Giants and for whatever reason Bengie was having problems with the pad strap on his catching gear. You figured he would fix it, but it seemed to be taking too long. Then all of a sudden, you saw a bat boy bringing a whole second set of equipment out to Bengie. First off, who knew catchers had a whole second set of equipment ready at all times? Second, why not just change the leg protectors, instead of everything? It was pretty random, but again something I’d never seen before.

Well, not quite what I expected and the Giants gained a game since the Rockies lost. Here’s hoping tomorrow shines a little more blue.

Tags: Andre Ethier, Bengie Molina, Casey Blake, Orlando Hudson, Vincente Padilla

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.

Tags: Casey Blake, F.P. Santangelo, James Loney, mike scioscia, Nomar Garciaparra, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal

I wasn’t quite sure what response I would get from my co-workers today with the Dodgers losing so bad to the Giants last night. I figured the loss would be rubbed in pretty good.

Ironically, it was pretty tame. It was an odd series. The Giants won the first game and I had all kinds of people rub it in, including sending me e-mail and facebook posts. Then the Dodgers won the second game and all was quiet(surprise..). Then today, quiet on the day that they had every right to boast.

The Giants don’t have a great team, but they have won at least the last 3 series and their pitching is coming around.   Lincecum is just a stud.  The Dodgers have an offense that doesn’t stop, but their pitching truly is the achilles heal. Last night was kind of like a bucket with a hole in it. It doesn’t matter how much water you put in, eventually it will leak out and you will lose.

To conclude this series I thought I include some of the conversations I did have with Giants fans over the series.

The first one happened after game 2. He’s a good Giants fan, but an even better baseball fan. He commented on just how good Manny is and how much he affects the other team. He really noticed just how well he hits to the other side, but how much he gets into the minds of pitchers. He noticed how Jonathan Sanchez blew down Furcal and Hudson, but then got lit up by Manny. He was just impressed by the quality of the player and how much an advantage the Dodgers have to have him. I couldn’t agree more.

Today I was talking with a Giants fan about last night’s game and how it seems that both teams have shaky bullpens.  He agreed somewhat, but thought the the Dodgers real problem was starting pitching.  Eric Stults gave up almost a run an inning and it caught up to him.  He was right.  The pitching is the issue and no matter how many runs you score, you have to hold the other team, or you lose.  Good wisdom even if he was a Giants fan.  Jon Weisman of Dodger Thoughts has a good perspective on potential changes to the pitching staff.  The bullpen may get better, but it isn’t guarenteed for starting pitching.

How about you, any comments from Giants fans about the series?

Tags: Jonathan Sanchez, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal, Tim Lincecum

So I had the honor of attending Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on Monday.  I maybe get to one game at Dodger Stadium a year, so the fact that it was Opening Day was cool.  Then the fact that history was made that day is a memory I’ll never forget.  Oh yeah, and the fact that it was against the Giants…doesn’t get much better than that.

I went to a game years ago with a Giant fan at Dodger Stadium against the Giants and watched the Dodgers destroy them.  This was as good, if not better.

Reason #1 why Giants fans should switch over to being Dodger fans…The Dodgers are just better!

Major Highlights

1. Orlando Hudson hits for the cycle.  Ironically, I happened to be in the restroom for his final triple, but how cool to say I was at a game where the cycle was hit.
2. Andre Ethier hits two homeruns.  I wrote earlier that I wondered if he would be on this year.  No doubt now.
3. Chad Billingsley looked like the Ace.  11ks.  The Giants just didn’t have anything against him.  He looked great.
4. Being part of the largest crowd at Dodger stadium – over 57,000.  I was there when they set the record at the playoff game in 2004, and now here again.  I guess I know the good games to go to!

Major Highlights (That weren’t always shown on TV)

1. Every Dodger had a hit, including Chad Billingsley.  The offense was primed and they will do a lot of damage this year.
2. Will Ohman and the Pen looked sharp.  With a lead that big, you have room to give, but they held strong.
3. Russell Martin finally hit a little.  He has started slow, but had two key hits and now has 50 RBI in his life with the bases loaded.
4. I saw a couple get engaged right in front of me!  They brought the cameras up to my section (about 7 rows in front of me) for their “Kiss Cam” between innings.  The guy poked her on the cheek, then got down on one knee and proposed to the surprise of everyone in the stadium.  She said yes and was playing with the ring around her finger for the rest of the game.  I’ve never been that close to the camera at the stadium, let alone to someone’s proposal.  Way cool.
5. Randy Johnson is a Hall of Famer…but needs some work.  He was good for 3 innings, but then he got lit up.  Getting 300 wins may take a long time this season.
6. The traffic in L.A. is as bad as you hear…especially with 57,000 people going to and way from the same spot.

Overall, what a day and what a memory.  Special thanks to Lance for securing the tickets and to the guy in Pasadena from Craig’s list who sold the tickets.

Just for fun, here’s two articles from the local papers on the perspective of how the Giants did during the game.  Keep in the mind that their loss was the fourth straight, and they were just swept by the Padres.

SF Chronicle – http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/04/14/SP42171MNL.DTL

SJ Mercury – http://www.mercurynews.com/giantsheadlines/ci_12136182

(This one is great because it blames the Giant’s for not signing Hudson this off-season!)

Go Blue!

Tags: Andre Ethier, Chad Billingsley, Opening Day 2009, Orlando Hudson, Russell Martin, Will Ohman

Dodger games on TV are a premium up here, so I was pretty excited about today’s exhibition game between the Dodgers and Giants.  It’s funny though, I forgot that it was the day before Opening Day, therefore most of the regulars are on the bench…including Manny.

It’s an interesting game though because you got to see the depth or lack of depth of the Dodgers lineup this year.  Juan Pierre, Mark Loretta, Brad Ausmus, Blake DeWitt – all decent players but all the bench guys for this coming year.

What caught my attention though were the starters who were in there – James McDonald, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier and James Loney.  Obviously, there isn’t a back up for every spot, so you have to keep some regulars.

Here’s where my thoughts turned to concern.  Let’s think worst case scenario this year.  If Manny, Kemp or Eithier go down, Pierre is the everyday.  If two go down, it becomes a different question.

If Blake, Furcal, or Hudson go down, then you have Blake DeWitt or Mark Loretta.  Similarly, Martin goes down, then Ausmus.

Here’s the one that I couldn’t answer though.  What happens if Loney goes down?  I’m convinced the guy will win the batting title some day and he doesn’t seem prone to injury, but you never know what will happen.  I guess Casey Blake could go over there, but who else?  Mientkiewicz is an easy answer if he makes the team, but that hasn’t been decided yet.

I’m sure the Dodgers top brass have thought through this scenario, but it isn’t really obvious. 

Well, back to the game.  McDonald looks a little shaky.  Pierre is running like always.  Ethier doesn’t seem quite right yet, but Loney looks solid.  Bengie Molina and Randy Winn continue to be Dodger killers.

Let the Season begin!

Tags: Andre Ethier, Bengie Molina, Blake DeWitt, Brad Ausmus, Casey Blake, Doug Mientkiewicz, James Loney, James McDonald, Juan Pierre, Manny Ramirez, Mark Loretta, Matt Kemp, Orlando Hudson, Rafael Furcal, Randy Winn, Russell Martin