Friday, April 10, 2009

Game 5 Thread: April 10 @ D'backs, 6:30p

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:

Orel said...

Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Kemp, CF
Blake, 3B
Ausmus, C
McDonald, P

Fred's Brim said...

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

Natalie said...

Tony Jackson is reporting that Kuroda is going to the DL.

Alex Cora said...

Brim: I agree. Ethier will get better pitches. I am looking forward to McDonald - I really like this kid.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

It's not too early to start questioning Joe... he was around last year making the same mistakes!

Loney Fan said...

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.

Damon said...

I would like to see Hudson moved down while moving Kemp up

Damon said...

I wish mlb.tv showed pregame

Fred's Brim said...

i wish mlb.tv still showed local commercials. i don't get enough farmer john ads here

Orel said...

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."

Fred's Brim said...

that sounds more like something Marv Albert would say in a motel room

Fred's Brim said...

way to be, James - keep it goin!

Fred's Brim said...

ok I gotta go drinkin for a little bit - i want a lead when I get back

NicJ said...

so why did they let him swing away?

Damon said...

Atleast we scored

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Raffy has gotta start taking some friggin pitches!

Dusto_Magnifico said...

Yeah, gameday isn't looking to good today.

Steve Sax said...

Someone help me, I'm held captive in the house of a Giants fan.

Dusto_Magnifico said...

jeeze gameday sucks

Dusto_Magnifico said...

what is wrong with McDonald?

Unknown said...

Hasn't anyone noticed that Ausmus seems to be setting up in weird locations?

Dusto_Magnifico said...

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.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

I hope Wolverine has a wacky baseball montage (like Twilight)

Dusto_Magnifico said...

I'm calling it a night... got class anyway.

Delino DeShields, Sr said...

Did anyone get the AFLAC question?

Unknown said...

I actually got it, I just guessed a random year and happened to nail it.

Orel said...

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.

Orel said...

Nice pick by Blake. Mota 1-2-3 inning.

Orel said...

Furcal with a 407-foot double!

Orel said...

Manny RBI single. 6-4 D'backs.

Fred's Brim said...

I like that Scott Schoeneweis is a Snake. That will pay dividends at some point this season

Orel said...

I don't like how Vinny calls Eric Byrnes "Byrnsie."

Orel said...

Boo-urns. D'backs 9, Dodgers 4.

NicJ said...

I knew the pitching was going to be bad, but what happened to the offense?

Steve Sax said...

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.