Calendar Check

The last day before the All-Star break has a very last day of school feel to it. You're there, but not a lot of work is getting done. Guys in both rooms, I'm sure, are looking forward to even a day or two of rest. (So are your bloggers, by the way.) That doesn't mean today's game isn't important, or that guys won't be playing hard. "They're professionals. They know what they have to do," Grady Little said. "They know when the break starts. It starts after the game today, it doesn't start anytime before."

That may be the case, but as much as the Dodgers run on the basepaths, I doubt any of them will ever move faster than they will after the game to get out of Dodge.

Kenny Lofton and Jeff Kent aren't in the starting lineup, and while both are theoretically available, Little hopes to give them another day off. "We're trying to hold off on it to make this break a little lengthier so they can get themselves back in good condition." He hopes both will be ready after the break.

Little hopes to get Brad Penny into the game for an inning, so he can stay on his regular work schedule. If he doesn't enter the game, he'll throw a hard session in the pen. Hendrickson is basically in the same boat. Don't be surprised to see either one in a relief role.

Little has his grandkids in town, so he won't get a chance to rest until Tuesday morning. "I think the first thing on our plan will be to stay in bed past 6:30 in the morning," he said. He's been getting plenty of early wake-up calls this week.