Randy Wolf (3-1, 2.84) vs. Dan Haren (4-4, 2.54).
COMMENTS: The merry month of May is over, and the Dodgers started their June gloom (as Vinny was fond of reminding us last night) with yesterday's loss. Despite that, the Dodgers are still 4-2 against the Diamondbacks this year.
Wolf has had some hard-luck outings this year but has proven an effective complement to Chad Billingsley. Haren may have the fifth-lowest ERA in the NL, but he's 3-4 with a 4.46 ERA lifetime against the Dodgers. He pitched especially well against the Braves in his last start, however, so don't be surprised if tonight's game is another low-scoring affair.
Brad Ausmus starts behind the plate tonight for the Dodgers. From Ken Gurnick at Dodgers.com:
Brad Ausmus will start behind the plate for the Dodgers on Tuesday night and no, Joe Torre said, it has nothing to do with the five wild pitches that Russell Martin didn't stop Monday night.Torre said the decision was made over the weekend to give Martin Tuesday night off. Matchups probably have something to do with it, as Martin has a .188 lifetime average against Dan Haren, Arizona's starter.
Tonight's occupant of the press box "Blog Spot" at Dodger Stadium is Ernest from Blue Heaven. Have a blast, Ernest!
347 comments:
1 – 200 of 347 Newer› Newest»Kinda looks like the Pagent of the Masters picture.
I'll be doing the press box thing myself on Thursday. Can't wait!
Harem instead of "Haren?"
Lean times indeed. But who am I to say?
Let's try to score earlier than the ninth inning this time.
What's that, rbmlaw?
Here's your lineup, now with more facial hair:
Pierre, LF
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Loney, 1B
Blake, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kemp, CF
Ausmus, C
Wolf, P
Nice one Sax (where the hell do I put the "M". . .makes me think of that world-wide hit Pop Muzik)
To Torre's point, does anyone know what Ausmus' average versus Haren is?
Ausmus is batting .250, 1-for-4, in 5 PAs against Haren (1 BB).
not all that much better than Martin, I might add.
Hey, fewer than 30 minutes to game time. Where is everybody?
Martin is 3-for-16 in 19 PAs vs. Haren, including a double and 3 BBs.
Wow, what's got into Jon Weisman over at Dodger Thoughts? I haven't seen anyone this capsule crazy since the Tylenol cyanide scare.
Eric Milton, O Dog, Weaver, Ausmus, Kemp, Torre, all pick the Lakers. They are all free from boo's for the homestand.
Kemp also said "WE" when referring to the lakers. I love that.
Nic, did anyone pick Orlando?
No, he plays second base, not basketball.
ausmus actually seemed a little doubtful, he better go 4-4 tonight.
Well done, Nic.
im sure someone likes the magic, alot of ballplayers live in florida.
probably manny.
Manny can't make any picks. That's part of his suspension, per Joe Morgan.
Damn, Torre was a Celtics fan as a kid, i can look past that because of the Bill Russell years.
manny can show up to games in clippers gear for all i care, as long as he brings some HR's with him.
Claudia Schiffer
The people in the swimming pool gawking at Ric Ocasek
Bob Iger
MLSF, what's your take on jameer nelson possibly coming back?
im thinking that if they are counting on him to win the series, or even play a major part of it, they've already lost.
Josh Hamilton to the DL. Bummer.
re: 6:58p post -- people that like the Magic
SVG already said anyone's crazy if they believe Nelson can be a real contributing factor. I think it's all fluff to mess with the Lakers, and if he does play it would be off the bench and for no more than five minutes.
thats what im thinking, i think this will be one series where we are actually not overmatched on the PG position. From what i remember i dont think Skip torches us like most points.
I really hope they use shannon brown more.
hey sax, Hamilton to the DL is a Bummer, but maybe he will miss the All-star game and this year we need the NL to win it.
Does anyone really think Nelson would be a factor? The Laker point guards couldn't handle any of the opposing point guards defensively, and I think it's some stupid way to throw the Lakers off. It won't happen.
Hamilton was never really the same after the HR derby.
wow, great start.
Wolf's in a bit of a jam.
i was just thinking to myself earlier that i was surprised how great wolf has been lately.
and look who's up.
come on all we need is a triple play.
eff, the way things have been going that could be the winning run right there.
man, peavey is getting shelled end of the first 4ER.
Nice heads-up play by Wolf to get Roberts at third.
SF lost to the nats today too.
alright, 1 run that aint bad considering how it started. lets get it back boys.
They will!
Wolf always struggles in the first, then he cruises.
Haren representing my home town!
Vinny's gonna have some trouble tonight. There are two "Prides of Pepperdine" in the game today.
You know what? when i followed basketball, in spite my heart belonged to the Lakers, i started somewhat liking the Magic, it was a fascination with Shaquille O'Neal.
did people really cheer like that was going out? come on look who was hitting.
Epale! Now it's our turn to give up runs in the first inning? Although Wolf got away cheaply enough.
Crap, Haren looks sharp tonight.
alright, well. Its gonna be a looooooong night lady and gents.
That was too easy for Haren, for my taste.
peavey gets pulled after only one inning.
That's bad karma, because of his decision to turn down the White Sox.
that WAS'NT a swing?
i dont really think so, why would peavy want to go play for another team that wont make the playoffs in worse weather. And, when it warms up over there that stadium is a launching pad. Might as well stay in the pitchers park until the pads agree to let him go to the team he wants.
Looks like we'll be dipping into the bullpen early tonight.
is schlichting a long reliever?
damn haren.
we have a sheep in wolf's clothing tonight.
you gotta be kidding me.
Wolf has nothing tonight.
Walks and singles. Like death by paper cuts.
Would be amazing if Wolf escaped this jam.
i guess this is our karma for the rockies game a week back.
Just two strikes or one out, Wolf.
guess not
mother fucker.
Then that was an atom bomb.
anyone ready to call this game done?
WHY DREW, WHY!?!?
Now Wolf will throw 100 pitches no matter what.
at least the bases arent loaded anymore.
could of used that K one batter ago.
im done, see you guys in later innings.
Whaddaya know, PHI 4, SD 0, bot 2.
Giants lost to the Nats.
It ain't over 'till it's over and i'm sticking to the game.
Wolf with 49 pitches through two.
Go Karina!
This is going to be tough. Haren is real comfortable.
ANDRE! 5-1 D'backs.
Maybe they'll get better when they see him for the second time tonight.
That has to be a load off his mind, hitting a homer off Haren.
A sweet HR from the very first pitch. They will come from behind.
About damn time Wolf got a 1-2-3 inning.
Great improvement, i'd say. If he can give 2 or 3 innings like that, there's a big chance they can overcome the difference.
WTF is Pierre doing!?!?!?
I'm waiting for something extraordinary to happen, just because i saw an amazing work of art today, out of nowhere.
Haren has two hits in two at bats. Damage on the mound and the batter's box.
Beard starts the 5-3 DP!
Andre's waking up! Ground-rule double!
it looks like andre is back at least.
Ethier is on fire!
11 pitches in 2 innings for wolfie!
kemp is back to swinging at junk again.
doesnt even move the runner.
'Dre absolutely owns Haren. Think of Haren as a Slump-Buster.
Kemp owns him too, but hasn't shown it yet tonight.
Nic - Haren is a tough pitcher with tons of movement. It isn't like Kemp has crap numbers this year.
Of all the guys I could have up in this situation, Brad Ausmus wouldn't be my first choice.
are you watching the game? that ball was in the dirt before it crossed the plate.
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Orlando's amazing catch is on the main page.
Nic - One bad swing at a pitch from a guy who is nasty isn't exactly regression to the old Kemp.
he did it in two at bats already in this game.
o dog looks like he is being eaten by the seats in that picture.
Nic - He's hitting .307 with a .856 OPS and has been the best defensive CF in baseball. He has upped his BB rate, lowered his OSwing%, while keeping his Ks steady and is actually on pace to K less this year. Give him a break.
well, the defense and pitching have picked up, but were gonna need some runs. come on blue!
18 pitches the last 3 innings for wolf! we aren't winning but its nice to see him dominate! I can only hope he does this Sunday!
you are right, i am wrong.
The offense is definitely in a coma right now. Can't wait until the 9th again for a rally.
is wolf set to pitch on sunday?
This is pretty much Wolf's MO. 1 or 2 bad innings, usually related to hanging something, then cruise. The offense beyond Ethier does need to figure Haren out soon.
I can't see why Wolf was pulled?
Oh now this is interesting.
Wolf is a good hitting pitcher who is now cruising and has only made 75 pitches. Why PH now?
I agree Dusto
Not to let Hoffman ground out anyway! Let Loretta give it a shot. But why pull Wolf for Hoffman? I still hate Joe Torre!
i think they were hoping to generate some offense with a leadoff runner. Haren thought better.
Joe Torre: waste of a good manager!
make sure you get to the stadium early, Dust. the star wars intro's for the home and visiting team is probably one of my favorite things about going to dodger stadium.
Is there a Star Wars intro? wow!
yeah, its not a big production or anything. They play star wars music for the intro lineups. I always thought it was clever.
They use the Throne Room music for player intros.
are you kidding me.
dan haren has more hits than the dodgers.
Dan Haren really can hit.
Dusto - Building on that, Wolf is probably the Dodgers' best hitting pitcher with Stults hurt, and is facing a RHP. It makes even less sense.
you know the games not going well when Vin's talking about shaving.
It is amazing how much movement pitches get at Dodger Stadium. I wonder if anyone has done a study on that since the advent of Gameday.
why do i always get the opposing ace when i go to games. Thursday Cole Hamels, Rats!
Since there's nothing better to talk about, did anyone see Conan last night?
i did, i actually liked it alot.
Nic - At least Cole has hardly been an ace this year.
he makes clippers jokes now instead of knicks jokes.
Yeah, going back to Torre pinch hitting for Wolf, Why? I can't figure it out. Its not like Wolf was struggling. At best Hoffman is a pinch runner/defensive replacement. But certainly not a pinch hitter. He's not who I want up there to get on base anyway. Wolf was only at 75 pitches and could have very easily gone the distance based on the way the Snakes offense has been swinging so freely. Its time, despite winning, to examine with greater detail the faults of a cruddy manager.
It is amazing how much the Weaver Brothers pitch alike, just with Jered being significantly better.
That's because the Clippers are a joke.
true, too bad the dodgers are hardly hitting right now.
Catchers can't cover their heart?
thats probably been the best GBA all year.
The other thing to look at is the fact that Haren is a beast on RHB. Wolf may well have been the better hitter in that situation.
I think this song should only be played in the 70s at a Flyers game.
i think the clippers should trade the number one draft pick to the lakers in exchange for a year of free rent.
If I know Donald Sterling, he'd do it to save the money.
im actually hoping that wolf follows his norm and gets a ND tonight.
maybe we could finally get a point guard.
NANCY BEA RULES!
Bill... eh. She could do better
looks like haren is getting a little pissed.
I like Conan's sketches more than his monologues. Especially Triumph.
Him.....
He must be funny.
Wow. 4 pitch BB for Haren.
i finally watched jimmy fallon the other night. I never though i would see a worse monologue than carson daly, but fallon took the cake.
Lead off walk.
yeah, haren is pissed. he is doing the peavy talk to himself thing
I have not been impressed with Fallon from what I've seen.
why do they make him do a mono? He looks totally akward up there.
I'm worried about King James
Dont worry Karina, Loney seems to be somewhat of a road hitter.
well, so much for haren getting shakey. maybe andre can get another HR
Get a hit when it counts Ethier!
Come on Ethier. Keep owning Haren.
wow.
damn, even with the first baseman bobbling the ball he was out.
Tron dominating the CarMax poll.
yeah, i just checked it. Loney always has a higher avg on the road. In some cases its like 80 points higher. thats a little weird.
oh well, its nice to have someone thats always hitting on the road.
im gonna find out where dan haren lives and egg his house tonight. West Covina aint that big of a city.
where was weaver on that one? loney could have injured himself.
A slide into first for the tag out. That's a touch unusual
Throw an egg for me...just kidding
haha, I'll throw a huevo just for you Karina.
kemp with another error?!
when it rains it pours.
Gracias, caballero!
gotta keep your head in the game.
Save the eggs for the huevos rancheros, NicJ:
Haren's parents, tired of the traffic down south, are planning to move soon from their West Covina home. That was a factor in Haren's decision too. --Oakland Tribune, 2006
"im gonna find out where dan haren lives and egg his house tonight. West Covina aint that big of a city."
So when he's traveling with the team, does he get to stay at home when playing against L.A.?
Some booing next time will do.
Haren's out! Comeback time!
And it begins. Kemp singles.
To Oakland? Oakland was the one place ive ever been that i was scared to walk around.
I was on tour a couple of years ago and i was walking around downtown oakland somewhere. When i came out of the food place it was dusk and the streets were totally empty. Haha, i ran back to the tour bus like three blocks.
“You can only ask your body to do so much,” said Sharapova,...
Not me, Maria. I'm not asking that much of your body.
Kemp with a single to leadoff the eighth, Dodgers down 5-1.
i was just waiting for a tumbleweed to roll down the street.
"Dodgers can't say they didn't hit in the clutch. There's been no clutch." —Vin
PHI 10, SD 5 bottom 7
SF lost
COL lost
it seems like the bloop shots from the bench that were falling last month just arent falling lately.
Now why the hell didn't they pinch Russ for Ausmus there?
vin always has a beautiful way of rubbing it in.
"I was on tour a couple of years ago..."
Nic, do explain. Are you a bicyclist? Rock star? Bus driver for a rock star?
BEAST MODE.
growl
Back to the Wolf thing again. If they hadn't PH for Wolf, they would have had someone with actual bat speed in Hoffman up to hit Pena.
wow, bison took a risk there. hope it pays off.
Beast Mode.
Cyclist, in was in the Tour De Oakland.
jk, band.
Nic - Hard on Matty tonight.
kemp at third, jp on first. Raffy up, two out.
Raffy HR right here.
Nic's an understudy for the Blue Man Group!
Nic, what band? Tobias and the Funky Funkes?
i originally thought it was some sort of support group.
Sax - I'd take a well placed swinging bunt at this point.
Come on nic, you gotta spill it
Gameday is getting ready to commit Hara Kiri.
says the blogger who publishes under the name "steve sax"
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