Pregame Notes- Dodgers vs. San Diego (5.3)
Stuff to chew on before the first pitch tonight...
Don't look for Jonathan Broxton to pitch tonight. After throwing two consecutive days, including 20 pitches yesterday, he's unlikely to see action tonight. "We don't want to use the kid today," Grady Little says. Everyone else in the bullpen, including Takashi Saito (33 pitches Tuesday night) is okay to go. "We feel like the more he throws, the more effective he gets out there," Little says. Joe Beimel and Tim Hamulack are available, but Little says they may limit their action.
As for Beimel and Broxton, Little is happy with the contributions they've made so far in the pen.
Regarding Odalis Perez, who was cruising along last night until blowing up in the 5th, Little says (in his thick Carolina drawl not lacking in understatement) "we need him to be a little more productive. He didn't rule out the possibility that he would skip Perez's next start, scheduled for Sunday. One guy who won't be making it in his stead is Chad Billingsley, who is throwing tonight in Vegas and won't pitch again until Monday. Little said they wouldn't bring him up to throw him on short rest.
Of Jeff Kent, coming off a .143 road trip, Little says he's hitting the ball hard, but "he just needs a little better aim." He sees Rafael Furcal, who in a fun bit of symmetry also hit .143 on the trip, turning a corner. "He's getting ready to get on fire." Furcal's slump has nothing to do with health, Little says. "Furcal is feeling the best he's felt all year."
Jae Seo is facing the Padres for the second time in a week, shutting them out in 6 innings on the 28th. Nobody in their lineup has much exposure to him beyond Vinny Castilla, who hasn't fared well against Seo- 4 hits in 21 ABs.
Ceasar Izturis says he's about 2-3 weeks away from heading off for a rehab assignment, which he figures will be another three weeks or so. Right now, he's more focused on getting healthy. Izturis says he has a full range of motion.
"I just want to get healthy," he says. "I just want to be 100%." He says he hasn't had a setback in a while. As to where he'll play upon returning, it's up in the air. "You'll have to ask them," he says. Considering how frequently the Dodgers seem to hurt themselves, finding a spot may not be an issue.
Subscribe to this Blog | What is RSS?
Seo needs to slow down a bit. Every time he gets pounded it seems like he gets Odalisitis and starts to break down mentally. It feels like he still thinks he is competing for a spot. Seo, take it easy, man!! Just worry about your pitch location.
Broxton was hitting 98 the other day. Boy can throw. Once he gets his control down pact he will be great.
I don’t want to rush Bills into the bigs. No matter how bad our pitching is I don’t think we should bring him up into a situation where we “need” him. It was very apparent in spring training that he needs a bit more seasoning.
Perez is a sad story. All that talent is wasted because he doesn’t have the heart and the mind to match his abilities. Bad attitude, bad work ethic, bad pitching. It is too bad that we are stuck with him since no one in their right mind will trade for him unless we pay his entire salary. Thank you DePodesta, may we have another.
We need to sweep this series. We have to get something going at home. We have been playing horribly at Chavez and that needs to change. The Padres are horrible and there should be no reason for us not to sweep them.
Does anyone know when was the last time Kent finished April batting UNDER the Mendoza line?
Posted by: LoLo | May 03, 2006 at 06:13 PM
Lolo-
Little specifically said they don't want to bring guys up until they're ready to stay. I like that attitude. It's tempting to bring guys up, but it's not ideal. With that in mind, don't expect to see Billingsley until they're sure he's ready. That said, Little did say the reports on Billingsley have been great, and that he's "close." He also said that they expect Broxton and Either to hang around, assuming they play well.
Loney was an exception forced out of necessity. They didn't have much of a choice. It's not how they'd like to handle it, ideally.
I checked on Kent, but only could find splits going back to 2001 off hand. No sub .200s there.
Thanks for your support! Spread the word!
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 03, 2006 at 06:33 PM
A Dodger blog!? This is so awesome guys! I look forward to reading this every day all summer long.
I see Kent hitting a hot streak in the next couple games or so. Drew is doing great, hopefully he can stay healthy all year. If we can keep everyone off the DL we have a chance to be pretty good.
Keep up the good work AK and BK
Posted by: phil | May 03, 2006 at 07:04 PM
AK/BK
So how's this going to work? Is one of you at the game right now? Once the blog develops a strong following (it is inevitable) will you guys ever do live game blogs?
And by the way, great material to open the blog up with. Also, the blue background is definitely easier on the eyes than the gold.
Posted by: Mike S. | May 03, 2006 at 07:25 PM
Hey Michael,
We're actually both at the game now. As far as live blogs go, we're gonna feel that one out. We're not positive we're entertaining enough for baseball's slower motion to maintain nine inning's worth of hilarity (haha). But we're gonna eventually toy around and see how it goes.
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 03, 2006 at 07:30 PM
I’m sure most of the Laker blog will make their way over eventually. Getting those links up on the web page are essential.
I am glad that they are taking that approach with Bills. I think pitchers are the most susceptible to psychological scars, and I would hate to repeat the E. Jackson situation. Bills needs more seasoning and should not be called up under ANY circumstance. I think everyone will have to grab a straw and suck up our starting pitching for sake of the future. Besides, we are just buying time this year so that our #1-rated farm system can make their way to the big leagues and dominate for years (best laid plans, right?).
I am pretty sure that Kent has never struggled this bad so late into the season. If he has I’m sure it was at the beginning of his career. I personally think he is hurt, although he will never own up to it. He’s too good a hitter to be hitting this bad.
Kent and Furcal are the real reason we are struggling offensively. When your leadoff and cleanup hitters are batting under .200 it kills rallies. I’m sure that these guys will get it going soon and things will get better (crossing fingers).
Our bullpen on the other hand…YIKES!!! (Although Broxton will help)
I had an idea that I felt could help Cruz and Navarro. Why not have Mueller bat behind them. Then those two will get some pitches to hit. Right now our 7-9 hitters are automatic outs. (I’m sure Cruz will make it back to the lineup since I’m not convinced Repko can sustain this hitting, and Werth’s career is D-O-N-E)
Is it me or does Honeycutt suck as a pitching coach?
Posted by: LoLo | May 03, 2006 at 07:33 PM
AK,
I have a hard time believing that someone who wrote that Kwame should go to "finishing" school would not be able to keep the hilarity coming for 9 innings!
Posted by: Mike S. | May 03, 2006 at 08:32 PM
Trust me Mike, he's not that funny.
BK
Posted by: Brian Kamenetzky | May 03, 2006 at 08:35 PM
Mike S.,
That was a gem, huh?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 03, 2006 at 08:38 PM
That's gold, Jerry! Gold!
Posted by: Mike S. | May 03, 2006 at 08:40 PM
She's being mentored by Banya?
AK
Posted by: Andrew Kamenetzky | May 03, 2006 at 08:45 PM
Man the Dodgers pitching is killing them.
mike
Posted by: Michael C. Teniente | May 03, 2006 at 10:22 PM
More pitching problems . . . what a mess. Its time to fire their pitching coach cause he obviously isn't doing a good job. Pitchers who were fine last year are suddenly giving up five runs an inning this year?
Posted by: Dodger Fan | May 03, 2006 at 10:23 PM
What's up Dodger blog! Even though I'm not a die hard Blue fan, I will still support our LA providers. Great job on the Laker blog AK/BK - you will have many supporters on this site.
LA TIMES!! Pay these guys more money!!! I don't know how they do it, but they sure take care of business by getting posts up ASAP. Almost a live 24/7 blog. With lunch breaks, of course.
This will be the most interactive MLB blog to date. AK & BK actually listen, but they will stand by their point of view. Nice work guys.
Posted by: Maleke | May 03, 2006 at 11:04 PM
Nice job by the Dodgers to breathe life into my Pads. My Pads look like a real sad team this year. That is, until they played the Dodgers last night. I guess this is going to be another year of the Padres losing to everyone except the Dodgers.
Posted by: Rocky | May 04, 2006 at 08:57 AM
Great blog, just on my lunch. Well worth the read and will be back for more....
Posted by: Paul | June 06, 2007 at 08:31 AM