Saturday, August 11, 2007

Game 116 Thread: August 11 @ Cardinals, 12.55p

Dodgers start Derek Lowe, RHP (8-10, 3.58) vs. Braden Looper, RHP (9-9, 5.25).

Dodgers: 60-55 (3rd place NL West, 5.0 GB, W2)
Cardinals: 53-60 (3rd place NL Central, 6.5 GB, L1)

From Dodgers.com, the scouting report on the starters:

Dodgers: He's decided to pitch through the pain of a left hip condition that already forced him to miss a start for the first time in his career. He'll get two extra days of rest this time because of a scheduled day off. In his first start after nine days off, Lowe allowed four earned runs in five innings and appeared to be more comfortable as the game wore on. Nonetheless, he's winless since June 22, although the respectable ERA is an indicator that he's drawn tough assignments and been the victim of poor run support throughout the season. Known as an innings eater, he's gone three, four and five innings in his last three starts.

Cardinals: Looper did something last time out that he hadn't done this season -- he finally won a game without having his best stuff. There hasn't been any question, when Looper's on, he's very tough to beat. On the flip side, when he's bad, he's been really bad. In his nine losses this season, Looper's ERA is 10.64, compared to an ERA less than two in his wins. In his previous start, however, Looper battled while yielding four runs over 6 1/3 innings to give his team a chance to win, and they did. In his first year as a starter, it's something the righty has struggled to adjust to, but there seems to be some improvement there. Looper hasn't faced the Dodgers as a starter.

From Inside the Dodgers, today's lineup:

Furcal, SS
Martin, C
Loney, 1B
Gonzo, LF
Nomar, 3B
Ethier, RF
Pierre, CF
Martinez, 2B
Lowe, P

3 comments:

Steve Sax said...

You know, that feel-good story about Rick Ankiel doesn't feel as good when he hits a home run against the Dodgers. Crap.

Steve Sax said...

Ah, why do we suck so?

Eric Karros said...

Only appropriate Dodgers provide a Hollywood ending. Too bad it's for Ankiel.