Los Angeles Dodgers (3-3) at San Diego Padres (3-2)
April 8-10
Games: 7-9
Location: Petco Park
2011 record vs. Padres: N/A
2010 record vs. Padres: 8-11
2010: The Dodgers had trouble with the Padres in 2010. In other news, the sun is hot. The Padres have been a thorn in the Dodgers' side for years. The Dodgers won the first four of the first five games against the Padres, which gave us reason to think things had changed. However, they lost 10 of the last 14 against San Diego, ultimately losing the season series.
Game 1: Ted Lilly vs. Clayton Richard
Lilly career vs. Padres: 6-3, 3.06 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 8.79 K/9, .230 BAA
Richard career vs. Dodgers: 4-0, 2.56 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 5.97 K/9, .257 BAA
The best Padres' hitters vs. Lilly
Cameron Maybin - 2-for-4, 1 K
Chase Headley - .308/.357/.385, 1 2B, 1:3 BB/K ratio
Nick Hundley is 0-for-11, Orlando Hudson is 1-for-8 (.125) and Ryan Ludwick is 5-for-32 (.156) lifetime against Lilly.
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Richard
Juan Uribe - .467/.529/.800, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio
Jamey Carroll - .455/.600/.455, 4:1 BB/K ratio
Matt Kemp - .357/.357/.429, 1 2B, 0:2 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier is 1-for-12 (.083), Rafael Furcal is 1-for-10 (.100) and Rod Barajas is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Richard.
Game 2: Hiroki Kuroda vs. Dustin Moseley
Kuroda career vs. Padres: 5-4, 4.61 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 5.10 K/9, .262 BAA
Mosley career vs. Dodgers: 2 IP, 2 H
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Mosley
Uribe - 1-for-1, 1 HR
Aaron Miles - 1-for-1
Casey Blake - 2-for-7, 1 2B, 1:2 BB/K ratio
The best Padres' hitters vs. Kuroda
Will Venable - .438/.471/.688, 1 HR, 1:3 BB/K ratio
Brad Hawpe - .417/.385/.750, 1 HR, 0:2 BB/K ratio
Headley - .333/.400/.500, 3 2B, 2:6 BB/K ratio
Jorge Cantu - .333/.375/.600, 1 HR, 1:2 BB/K ratio
Ludwick is 1-for-8 (.125) and Hudson and Hundley are each 2-for-8 (.250) lifetime against Kuroda.
Game 3: Clayton Kershaw vs. Aaron Harang
Kershaw career vs. Padres: 4-3, 2.55 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 7.8 K/9, .210 BAA
Harang career vs. Dodgers: 2-6, 5.85 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, 7.36 K/9, .316 BAA
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Harang
Furcal - .556/.571/.722, 3 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio
Kemp - .333/.364/.778, 1 HR, 1:2 BB/K ratio
Miles - .316/.350/.316, 1:4 BB/K ratio
Uribe is 1-for-9 (.111) and Blake is 4-for-21 (.190) lifetime against Harang.
The best Padres' hitters vs. Kershaw
Hawpe - .308/.400/.846, 2 HR, 2:5 BB/K ratio
Hundley - .273/.333/.273, 1:2 BB/K ratio
Ludwick is 2-for-14 and Venable is 1-for-7 (.143) and Headley is 5-for-23 (.217) lifetime against Kershaw.
Analysis: The first game could be the best of the series, as both Lilly and Richard have had great success against each opposing team. The Dodgers often struggle against pitchers they've seen little of, which could give Moseley the upper-hand against Kuroda. Kershaw is a Padre killer while Harang has struggled big time against LA.
Prediction: Dodgers lose the first two games, with Kershaw throwing a gem on Sunday.
Next meeting: April 29-30 through May 1
Friday, April 8, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Series Preview: Dodgers at Rockies April 5-6
Los Angeles Dodgers (3-1) at Colorado Rockies (1-1)
April 5-6
Games: 5-6
Location: Coors Field
2011 record vs. Rockies: N/A
2010 record vs. Rockies: 11-7
2010: The Dodgers took two of three games in the first three series' against the Rockies in 2010, jumping out to a 6-3 record. The Rockies managed to get the record even at 7-7 before the Dodgers won their final four games against Colorado. Clayton Kershaw threw seven shutout innings on Aug. 17 to continue his absolutely dominant second half.
Game 1: Clayton Kershaw vs. Jhoulys Chacin
Kershaw career vs. Rockies: 5-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 9.37 K/9, .227 BAA
Chacin career vs. Dodgers: 3-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.05 K/9, .254 BAA
The best Rockies' hitters vs. Kershaw
Dexter Fowler - .368/.478/.526, 1 3B, 4:5 BB/K ratio
Jason Giambi - 2-for-6, 2 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio
Carlos Gonzalez is 2-for-12 (.167), Troy Tulowitzki is 5-for-27 (.185), Ryan Spilborghs is 6-for-27 (.222) and Todd Helton is 5-for-21 lifetime against Kershaw.
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Chacin
Andre Ethier - .500/.583/.700, 2 2B, 2:0 BB/K ratio
James Loney - .333/.421/.467, 2 2B, 3:2 BB/K ratio
Juan Uribe is 0-for-9, Matt Kemp is 3-for-17 (.176) and Jamey Carroll is 2-for-11 (.182) lifetime against Chacin.
Game 2: Chad Billingsley vs. Jason Hammel
Billingsley career vs. Rockies: 2-4, 4.88 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7.48 K/9, .264 BAA
Hammel career vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.13 K/9, .259 BAA
The best Rockies' hitters vs. Billingsley
Helton - .350/.458/.600, 1 HR, 4:3 BB/K ratio
Tulowitzki - .261/.320/.435, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio
Ian Stewart is 1-for-10 (.100), Seth Smith is 1-for-9 (.111) and Chris Iannetta is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Billingsley.
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Hammel
Jamey Carroll - 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2:1 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier - .286/.375/.571, 1 HR, 2:7 BB/K ratio
Juan Uribe is 2-for-15 (.133), Matt Kemp and Tony Gwynn are each 3-for-13 (.231) and James Loney is 4-for-17 (.235) lifetime against Hammel.
Analysis: In an early-season short series, the Dodgers seem to have the advantage in both games. However, Chacin is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter and Hammel has had success against the Dodgers. The games are being played in Coors Field, which is always a wild card. Kershaw has given up six of his 31 career home runs allowed and Billingsley has a 14:17 K/BB ratio at Coors.
Prediction: It can go either way, but I'm predicting another split, with Kershaw out dueling Chacin in the first game.
Next meeting: May 30 through June 1 at Dodger Stadium
April 5-6
Games: 5-6
Location: Coors Field
2011 record vs. Rockies: N/A
2010 record vs. Rockies: 11-7
2010: The Dodgers took two of three games in the first three series' against the Rockies in 2010, jumping out to a 6-3 record. The Rockies managed to get the record even at 7-7 before the Dodgers won their final four games against Colorado. Clayton Kershaw threw seven shutout innings on Aug. 17 to continue his absolutely dominant second half.
Game 1: Clayton Kershaw vs. Jhoulys Chacin
Kershaw career vs. Rockies: 5-3, 3.63 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 9.37 K/9, .227 BAA
Chacin career vs. Dodgers: 3-3, 2.84 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 8.05 K/9, .254 BAA
The best Rockies' hitters vs. Kershaw
Dexter Fowler - .368/.478/.526, 1 3B, 4:5 BB/K ratio
Jason Giambi - 2-for-6, 2 2B, 2:2 BB/K ratio
Carlos Gonzalez is 2-for-12 (.167), Troy Tulowitzki is 5-for-27 (.185), Ryan Spilborghs is 6-for-27 (.222) and Todd Helton is 5-for-21 lifetime against Kershaw.
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Chacin
Andre Ethier - .500/.583/.700, 2 2B, 2:0 BB/K ratio
James Loney - .333/.421/.467, 2 2B, 3:2 BB/K ratio
Juan Uribe is 0-for-9, Matt Kemp is 3-for-17 (.176) and Jamey Carroll is 2-for-11 (.182) lifetime against Chacin.
Game 2: Chad Billingsley vs. Jason Hammel
Billingsley career vs. Rockies: 2-4, 4.88 ERA, 1.64 WHIP, 7.48 K/9, .264 BAA
Hammel career vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 3.31 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 7.13 K/9, .259 BAA
The best Rockies' hitters vs. Billingsley
Helton - .350/.458/.600, 1 HR, 4:3 BB/K ratio
Tulowitzki - .261/.320/.435, 1 HR, 2:3 BB/K ratio
Ian Stewart is 1-for-10 (.100), Seth Smith is 1-for-9 (.111) and Chris Iannetta is 1-for-7 (.143) lifetime against Billingsley.
The best Dodgers' hitters vs. Hammel
Jamey Carroll - 3-for-5, 2 2B, 2:1 BB/K ratio
Andre Ethier - .286/.375/.571, 1 HR, 2:7 BB/K ratio
Juan Uribe is 2-for-15 (.133), Matt Kemp and Tony Gwynn are each 3-for-13 (.231) and James Loney is 4-for-17 (.235) lifetime against Hammel.
Analysis: In an early-season short series, the Dodgers seem to have the advantage in both games. However, Chacin is a legitimate top-of-the-rotation starter and Hammel has had success against the Dodgers. The games are being played in Coors Field, which is always a wild card. Kershaw has given up six of his 31 career home runs allowed and Billingsley has a 14:17 K/BB ratio at Coors.
Prediction: It can go either way, but I'm predicting another split, with Kershaw out dueling Chacin in the first game.
Next meeting: May 30 through June 1 at Dodger Stadium
Monday, April 4, 2011
Great Lakes, Rancho Cucamonga announce Opening Day rosters (updated)
*Updated with Isotopes' roster*
April 5, 1:24 p.m.: *Updated with Lookouts' roster*
The Dodgers' Class-A affiliates announced their 25-man rosters today.
The Great Lakes Loons, the Dodgers' Low-A affiliate out of the Midwest League, ended up with eight players who were drafted in the first 10 rounds in the Dodgers' 2010 draft, including five Baseball America Top 30 prospects. The biggest catch -- 2010 first-rounder Zach Lee.
The Loons also snagged Leon Landry, who I think could end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2010 draft.
The Rancho Cucomonga Quakes, the Dodgers' High-A affiliate out of the California League, ended up with six Baseball America Top 30 prospects. The biggest catch -- 2008 18th-rounder Allen Webster.
Something that jumps out to me about the Quakes' roster is Tony Delmonico. Granted, it is a press release, but he's listed as an infielder. He was drafted as a 2B/SS but was immediately targeted by Logan White to make the move to catcher. He hasn't been great behind the plate physically, but the has smarts to be a catcher. We'll see what happens.
Overall, there's a lot more potential on the Loons' roster, but there are some gems on the Quakes' roster. Without further ado, here are the rosters. The numbers in parenthesis are the players' ranks from my Top 30.
Great Lakes (Low-A)
Catcher (2)
Steve Domecus, Michael Pericht
Infield (6)
Jesse Bosnik, Blake Dean, Casio Grider, Chris Henderson, Bryant Hernandez, Christian Lara
Outfield (4)
Nick Akins (29), Jonathan Garcia (12), Leon Landry (9), Roman Pena
Pitchers (13)
Logan Bawcom, Robert Boothe, Pete Budkevics, Raul Burgos, Ryan Christenson, Derek Cone, Garrett Gould (13), Zach Lee (4), Bret Montgomery, Red Patterson, Timothy Sexton, Brant Stickel, Shawn Tolleson
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A)
Catcher (2)
Gorman Erickson, J.T. Wise (26)
Infield (6)
Joe Becker, Tony Delmonico (30), Travis Denker, Austin Gallagher, Jake Lemmerman (18), Rafael Ynoa
Outfield (4)
Nick Buss, Ramon Jean, Angelo Songco (22), Blake Smith (15)
Pitchers (13)
Steven Ames, Matt Magill (11), Ethan Martin (14), Scott Nestor, Jordan Roberts, Jon Michael Redding, Felix Romero, Steve Smith, Andrew Suiter, Luis Vasquez, Allen Webster (6), Josh Walter, Greg Wilborn (sleeper)
Some guys who missed both teams include James Baldwin, Joc Pederson and Ralston Cash. It appears all will start in Rookie Ball, as none of them are ready for anything above Class-A.
The Lookouts and Isotopes are expected to release their Opening Day rosters later this week.Jerry Sands will start in Chattanooga (he won't be there long), while Trayvon Robinson and Dee Gordon will start in Albuquerque. I'd be surprised if Rubby De La Rosa didn't at least start in Double-A, but we'll see what happens.
Albuquerque (Triple-A)
Catcher (3)
J.D. Closser, Keyter Collado (DL), Damaso Espino
Infield (5)
Juan Castro, Dee Gordon (2), John Lindsey, Russ Mitchell, Justin Sellers
Outfield (4)
Jamie Hoffmann, Trent Oeltjen, Trayvon Robinson (3), Jerry Sands (1)
Pitchers (13)
Roman Colon, Scott Elbert (19), John Ely, Dana Eveland, Jon Huber, Randy Keisler, Jon Link, Carlos Monasterios, Tim Redding, Travis Schlichting, Ramon Troncoso, Merkin Valdez, Oscar Villarreal
Chattanooga (Double-A)
Catcher
Alex Garabedian, Jessie Mier, Matt Wallach
Infield
Pedro Baez, Ivan Ochoa, Wilberto Ortiz, Jaime Pedroza, Corey Smith
Outfield
Brad Coon, Elian Herrera, Kyle Russell (27), Alfredo Silverio, Scott Van Slyke
Pitchers
Michael Antonini, Rubby De La Rosa (5), Nathan Eovaldi (28), Javy Guerra, Steven Jackson, Josh Lindblom (24), Aaron Miller (8), Justin Miller, Joey Newby, David Pfeiffer, Stuart Pomeranz, Will Savage, Javier Solano (25), Cole St. Clair, Josh Wall, Chris Withrow (10)
April 5, 1:24 p.m.: *Updated with Lookouts' roster*
The Dodgers' Class-A affiliates announced their 25-man rosters today.
The Great Lakes Loons, the Dodgers' Low-A affiliate out of the Midwest League, ended up with eight players who were drafted in the first 10 rounds in the Dodgers' 2010 draft, including five Baseball America Top 30 prospects. The biggest catch -- 2010 first-rounder Zach Lee.
The Loons also snagged Leon Landry, who I think could end up being one of the biggest steals of the 2010 draft.
The Rancho Cucomonga Quakes, the Dodgers' High-A affiliate out of the California League, ended up with six Baseball America Top 30 prospects. The biggest catch -- 2008 18th-rounder Allen Webster.
Something that jumps out to me about the Quakes' roster is Tony Delmonico. Granted, it is a press release, but he's listed as an infielder. He was drafted as a 2B/SS but was immediately targeted by Logan White to make the move to catcher. He hasn't been great behind the plate physically, but the has smarts to be a catcher. We'll see what happens.
Overall, there's a lot more potential on the Loons' roster, but there are some gems on the Quakes' roster. Without further ado, here are the rosters. The numbers in parenthesis are the players' ranks from my Top 30.
Great Lakes (Low-A)
Catcher (2)
Steve Domecus, Michael Pericht
Infield (6)
Jesse Bosnik, Blake Dean, Casio Grider, Chris Henderson, Bryant Hernandez, Christian Lara
Outfield (4)
Nick Akins (29), Jonathan Garcia (12), Leon Landry (9), Roman Pena
Pitchers (13)
Logan Bawcom, Robert Boothe, Pete Budkevics, Raul Burgos, Ryan Christenson, Derek Cone, Garrett Gould (13), Zach Lee (4), Bret Montgomery, Red Patterson, Timothy Sexton, Brant Stickel, Shawn Tolleson
Rancho Cucamonga (High-A)
Catcher (2)
Gorman Erickson, J.T. Wise (26)
Infield (6)
Joe Becker, Tony Delmonico (30), Travis Denker, Austin Gallagher, Jake Lemmerman (18), Rafael Ynoa
Outfield (4)
Nick Buss, Ramon Jean, Angelo Songco (22), Blake Smith (15)
Pitchers (13)
Steven Ames, Matt Magill (11), Ethan Martin (14), Scott Nestor, Jordan Roberts, Jon Michael Redding, Felix Romero, Steve Smith, Andrew Suiter, Luis Vasquez, Allen Webster (6), Josh Walter, Greg Wilborn (sleeper)
Some guys who missed both teams include James Baldwin, Joc Pederson and Ralston Cash. It appears all will start in Rookie Ball, as none of them are ready for anything above Class-A.
The Lookouts and Isotopes are expected to release their Opening Day rosters later this week.
Albuquerque (Triple-A)
Catcher (3)
J.D. Closser, Keyter Collado (DL), Damaso Espino
Infield (5)
Juan Castro, Dee Gordon (2), John Lindsey, Russ Mitchell, Justin Sellers
Outfield (4)
Jamie Hoffmann, Trent Oeltjen, Trayvon Robinson (3), Jerry Sands (1)
Pitchers (13)
Roman Colon, Scott Elbert (19), John Ely, Dana Eveland, Jon Huber, Randy Keisler, Jon Link, Carlos Monasterios, Tim Redding, Travis Schlichting, Ramon Troncoso, Merkin Valdez, Oscar Villarreal
Chattanooga (Double-A)
Catcher
Alex Garabedian, Jessie Mier, Matt Wallach
Infield
Pedro Baez, Ivan Ochoa, Wilberto Ortiz, Jaime Pedroza, Corey Smith
Outfield
Brad Coon, Elian Herrera, Kyle Russell (27), Alfredo Silverio, Scott Van Slyke
Pitchers
Michael Antonini, Rubby De La Rosa (5), Nathan Eovaldi (28), Javy Guerra, Steven Jackson, Josh Lindblom (24), Aaron Miller (8), Justin Miller, Joey Newby, David Pfeiffer, Stuart Pomeranz, Will Savage, Javier Solano (25), Cole St. Clair, Josh Wall, Chris Withrow (10)
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Nerves seemingly get the best of DeJesus in debut
Ivan DeJesus made his Major League debut last night against the Giants, going 0-for-3 with a walk and three strikeouts. He was replaced by Jamey Carroll after his final at-bat.
DeJesus had a few plays in the field and turned a nice double play in the first inning to get starter Chad Billingsley out of a spot of bother.
DeJesus just looked over-matched at the plate. Giants' starter Jonathan Sanchez had some real good stuff early on, which didn't help DeJesus' chances. However, in his second at-bat, he fouled off some really tough pitches and coaxed a walk out of the southpaw.
His nerves seemed to get the best of him at the dish, as he was over-anxious for three of his four plate appearances. It's to be expected, so I'm not too worried.
We'll see what he does, as Casey Blake probably won't be activated for at least another week. With Juan Uribe having elbow soreness after being hit by a Tim Lincecum fastball on Thursday, DeJesus is going to get a few games to show what he can do.
It's still likely he ends up in Albuquerque by the end of the month, but it'd be nice to see him seize the opportunity and put up some nice offensive numbers and play solid defense at second base.
He's hitting second today against Matt Cain, as he did against Sanchez last night. The Dodgers' lineup is one of horror and goes as follows:
Miles 3B
DeJesus 2B
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Loney 1B
Gimenez C
Paul LF
Carroll SS
Lilly P
Aside from 3-4-5, it could be a long day for the Dodgers. At least Cain has a propensity for losing games against the Dodgers. And we all know of Andre Ethier's dominance of the Giant right-hander (20-for-41 lifetime). It'd be nice to start the season on a three-game winning streak. We'll see what happens.
DeJesus had a few plays in the field and turned a nice double play in the first inning to get starter Chad Billingsley out of a spot of bother.
DeJesus just looked over-matched at the plate. Giants' starter Jonathan Sanchez had some real good stuff early on, which didn't help DeJesus' chances. However, in his second at-bat, he fouled off some really tough pitches and coaxed a walk out of the southpaw.
His nerves seemed to get the best of him at the dish, as he was over-anxious for three of his four plate appearances. It's to be expected, so I'm not too worried.
We'll see what he does, as Casey Blake probably won't be activated for at least another week. With Juan Uribe having elbow soreness after being hit by a Tim Lincecum fastball on Thursday, DeJesus is going to get a few games to show what he can do.
It's still likely he ends up in Albuquerque by the end of the month, but it'd be nice to see him seize the opportunity and put up some nice offensive numbers and play solid defense at second base.
He's hitting second today against Matt Cain, as he did against Sanchez last night. The Dodgers' lineup is one of horror and goes as follows:
Miles 3B
DeJesus 2B
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Loney 1B
Gimenez C
Paul LF
Carroll SS
Lilly P
Aside from 3-4-5, it could be a long day for the Dodgers. At least Cain has a propensity for losing games against the Dodgers. And we all know of Andre Ethier's dominance of the Giant right-hander (20-for-41 lifetime). It'd be nice to start the season on a three-game winning streak. We'll see what happens.
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