Rosters and lineups (and bears, oh my!)
The Dodgers have released their postseason roster, though it's not official until tomorrow morning:
Catchers: Russell Martin, Danny Ardoin.
Infielders: Casey Blake, Rafael Furcal, Blake DeWitt, James Loney, Nomar Garciaparra, Jeff Kent, Pablo Ozuna, Angel Berroa.
Outfielders: Manny Ramirez, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Juan Pierre.
Pitchers: Derek Lowe, Chad Billingsley, Hiroki Kuroda, Clayton Kershaw, Greg Maddux, Joe Beimel, Takashi Saito, Jonathan Broxton, Chan Ho Park, Ramon Troncoso, Cory Wade.
Note that Mark Sweeney has been left off, as has Delwyn Young. With the health questions surrounding Kent and Furcal, carrying the extra IF certainly makes sense to me, especially over DY. In the pen, I'm a little surprised to see Scott Proctor was left off, especially given the slump of Chan Ho Park late in the season, or perhaps Ramon Troncoso, who hasn't pitched many important innings this year. But overall, the logic behind the construction of the group seems reasonable.
They've also released Wednesday's lineup (again, subject to change):
Furcal, SS
Martin, C
Ramirez, LF
Ethier, RF
Loney, 1B
Kemp,
CF
DeWitt, 2B
Blake, 3B
Lowe, P
Furcal gets the start, and Loney and DeWitt will both play. Torre had said he wouldn't likely start Kent and Furcal on the same day, at at least for Game 1, that holds true.
BK
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No big surprises on the roster for me. I'd probably have gone with DY over Ozuna, but BK makes a valid point about the health of Kent and Furcal. If both become unavailable, this may prove to be a wise move. I'd also have maybe selected Proctor over Troncoso, but this is literally the last guy in the bullpen and is unlikely to be a big factor either way.
I like the line-up. I'd have flip flopped Manny and Ethier myself, but other than that, I'm good with it. After Ethier had so much success hitting in front of Manny, I'm curious as to why Torre would now go away from that, especially when the result is 2 lefties back to back after Manny, but on the whole I like it.
Posted by: OhioVic | September 30, 2008 at 05:22 PM
I thought Torre liked and trusted Scott Proctor. But I like the roster.
I can't wait for the game tomorrow, go Big Blue.
Posted by: Fresno State Dodger Fan | September 30, 2008 at 05:39 PM
I would have liked to see Ethier in front of Manny. That seemed to work. But I guess Joe feels Manny will get more pitches to swing at this way. Also Dewitt has been hot and walks a lot. I would haveliked to see him bat #2.
David
Posted by: David s | September 30, 2008 at 06:01 PM
Is this the first step on the road to DFAing Sweeney? Did Torre get the photos back?
Posted by: WBB | September 30, 2008 at 06:45 PM
No complaints. Ethier needs to bat behind Ramirez to provide protection and Martin appeared to get the hang of batting in front of Ramirez,
Posted by: Tom | September 30, 2008 at 06:51 PM
The only thing I would like to see diffrent is Manny batting 4th. My thinking is with JP out of the line up not making outs, I think we can chance Manny getting enough at bats from the four spot otherwise, WOW! what a lineup. Not many teams if any can put one together that has as much punch top to bottom.
Posted by: Ny Blue | September 30, 2008 at 07:41 PM
I foudn out that a while ago, I think sometime in June, that someone was asking where I am.....well I don't come on here much to make commen'ts anymore but I think I did come on once or something asking if anyone has heard me on Dodger talk? I call Dodger talk sometime's.
Anyway Martin should not be batting 2nd. Casey Blake should not be batting 8th. ANd I wonder, although im not sure, if Jeff Kent should be in the lineup? I mean he did hit a home run a little while ago?
Posted by: Aryan | September 30, 2008 at 08:58 PM
Oh swn... goodnight sweet prince!
Posted by: benzojones | September 30, 2008 at 09:13 PM
Aryan,
Did you come on KCAL 9 Money talk about a month ago? Some dude from the Valley, I think Sherman Oaks? named Aryan called in.. just wondering...
Posted by: Rob | September 30, 2008 at 11:23 PM
SCARY SCARY LINEUP.
All experts say the dodgers lineup cannot generate hits against the "mighty" cubs. If i was another team's fan, i would seriously fear this lineup.
Posted by: isaiah valeriano | October 01, 2008 at 09:11 AM
Ya I did come on Kcal lol......I wanted to make a prank call but it didnt work out that way lol
Posted by: Aryan | October 01, 2008 at 09:59 AM
Casey Blake-Is there any other player in the majors who in the course of a week or so, with no particular chabge in his performance, hits in both the 4 and 8 holes?
Posted by: uclart47 | October 01, 2008 at 10:11 AM
ARYAN:
WELCOME BACK. WE DEFINITELY MISSED YOU AROUND HERE.
And thanks for removing your all caps,
Posted by: SaMo | October 01, 2008 at 10:13 AM
anyone have any info on the 2 youngsters traded for Maddux?
Posted by: daninboulder | October 01, 2008 at 10:22 AM
is that the real Aryan, or is it imposter Aryan... but then again, am I really asking that question or am I imposter me... but then again how do you know if you are really you and not just someone who has done a really good job pretending to be you.
Posted by: benzo jones | October 01, 2008 at 01:37 PM
The only thing I don't like about this lineup is that it hasn't been played all year. On paper though, it is a thing of beauty.
Posted by: Dodger Dude | October 01, 2008 at 03:44 PM