James McDonald (0-0, -.--; first major league start) vs. Jon Garland (0-0, -.--).
COMMENTS: After starting the season by splitting four with the Portland Beavers (wait, that was the Padres?) in what Vin Scully called a "very heartbreaking, bitter four-game series for the Dodgers," it makes you wonder: Is it just a slow start, or a fair representation of the team's abilities? Should we be worried that the Dodgers aren't taking advantage of scoring opportunities? Will the pitching hold up? What about all those stranded runners? And the answers are: How the hell should we know? What do you think we are, a Dodgers blog?
Young McDonald, 24, is dealing with the pressure of his first start, as well as high expectations based on his performance in last year's playoffs. He's also dealing with the angst of going against a division rival, as well as the weight of matching up against the veteran Garland. And he's probably dealing with the onus of who to friend on his Facebook page, and the nervousness of whether Joe Torre will let him Twitter during the game. So cut the kid some slack, okay?
McDonald also has to deal with pitching without the services of J. Martin, who is scheduled to have the day (or at least the start) off—not the worst thing, as Martin (2-for-16 in 2009, including a game-ending GIDP and nine (!) men LOB in yesterday's loss) may be pressing ever so slightly. Expect Brad Ausmus to make his season debut, and to press in Martin's place. Merry Ausmus, everyone!
photo by Jon SooHoo/Dodgers
35 comments:
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
Ausmus, C
McDonald, P
it's a little early to be questioning the lineups Joe is sending out there but I wonder what might be different if he swapped Manny and Dre
Tony Jackson is reporting that Kuroda is going to the DL.
Brim: I agree. Ethier will get better pitches. I am looking forward to McDonald - I really like this kid.
It's not too early to start questioning Joe... he was around last year making the same mistakes!
I would also like to see Ethier before Manny but like everyone else I was writing messages about my dislike for Torre's lineups all last year. Still, he's Joe Torre and I'm some guy that wasn't good enough to play high school ball. I'm sure by June we will be seeing the true lineup.
I would like to see Hudson moved down while moving Kemp up
I wish mlb.tv showed pregame
i wish mlb.tv still showed local commercials. i don't get enough farmer john ads here
I can't remember the last time I saw a Farmer John commercial. Although I do fondly remember Vin saying the phrase "shank and butt portions."
that sounds more like something Marv Albert would say in a motel room
way to be, James - keep it goin!
ok I gotta go drinkin for a little bit - i want a lead when I get back
so why did they let him swing away?
Atleast we scored
Raffy has gotta start taking some friggin pitches!
Yeah, gameday isn't looking to good today.
Someone help me, I'm held captive in the house of a Giants fan.
jeeze gameday sucks
what is wrong with McDonald?
Hasn't anyone noticed that Ausmus seems to be setting up in weird locations?
Whats that I smell?... oh its the Dodgers season going down the drain!
OK so maybe I am overreacting just a tad, but if Manny doesn't hit, Kuroda (of all pitchers) is injured, Bills, Kershaw, and McDonald can't find the strike zone and our specialty relief is nothing special... well... I'm just nervous, thats all.
I hope Wolverine has a wacky baseball montage (like Twilight)
I'm calling it a night... got class anyway.
Did anyone get the AFLAC question?
I actually got it, I just guessed a random year and happened to nail it.
Hmmm, definitely a mixed bag so far. No Edwin Jackson-esque debut for McDonald, but Blake hits his second bomb to bring the Dodgers to within three.
Nice pick by Blake. Mota 1-2-3 inning.
Furcal with a 407-foot double!
Manny RBI single. 6-4 D'backs.
I like that Scott Schoeneweis is a Snake. That will pay dividends at some point this season
I don't like how Vinny calls Eric Byrnes "Byrnsie."
Boo-urns. D'backs 9, Dodgers 4.
I knew the pitching was going to be bad, but what happened to the offense?
Seriously. At least I can take solace in Barry Zito's shaky first inning, and the fact that a 3-run HR here in the bottom of the eighth gives the Padres a 7-2 lead over the Giants.
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