Happy May 24

I couldn't come up with a snappy title for this pregame post. But then I thought, "It's a pretty freakin' happy May 24 in Dodgerland at the moment, so any Dodger fans reading this are probably feeling like they're celebrating a holiday, too." And there's no reason to be paranoid about the party ending, considering starter Aaron Sele's tear since joining the team.

Aside from the actual hurling itself, which manager Grady Little praised for both his command of the strike zone and fastball, Sele's appearances prompt optimism since he tends to get run support. Little was asked if there's any correlation between a pitcher's performance and the runs that typically follow him, a question I've actually wondered myself. Why do some pitchers always seem to get spotted 9 runs while other guys practically have to put a gun to their batsmens' heads to get some love? As it turns out, the whole thing isn't just one big popularity contest. Little said that it mostly has to do with the pitcher you're matched up against. Depending on how the schedule shakes out, some guys get a consistently lucky draw while others inevitably find themselves against an ace or a guy having a career night. Fate, she is oft a bitch.

More reason to be happy. Brad Penny's visit to the back doc came out aces. Bad news would have been a particular bummer for Penny, since it's his 28th birthday today. And who would Jae Seo celebrate his 29th with if Penny was in a bad mood? It was only a precautionary visit, but you never know. They could have found some kind of slipped disc or learn that he was slowly evolving into a humpback (not sure what the exact medical term is). Penny will be making his next start as scheduled. For that matter, Little doesn't anticipate any changes in the rotation in the near future. Which prompted the usual question: Whither Odalis? For now, he's in the bullpen (and none too thrilled about it), but Little said Perez is keeping himself in shape and throwing. "One of these days, we're going to need him." The day can't come too soon, because the dude's looking a little sulky in the clubhouse lately.

But again, we're in happy thought mode. As is the case each day, Little was posed with the "who's gonna play where and get send up/sent down when everybody's healthy?" inquiry. "This is what I consider a great problem," smiled Little. He and his staff know they have some tough choices ahead, but "if the answers aren't made for us, then we'll make them."  Doesn't sound like a guy losing sleep to me.

FYI - Ethier being sat tonight in no way reflects punishment. Little just prefers the match up of Jose Cruz Jr. on Rockies starter Aaron Cook.

Tonight's Lineup
Rockies
Sullivan CF
Atkins 3B
Helton 1B
Holliday LF
Hawpe RF
Gonzalez 2B
Barmes SS
Ardoin C
Cook P

Dodgers
Furcal SS
Lofton CF
Garciaparra 1B
Drew RF
Kent 2B
Aybar 3B
Cruz LF
Martin C
Sele P

AK