Today's lineup
Guzman gets his first ML start and he’s in the cleanup spot.
Furcal, SS
Lofton, CF
Nomar, 1B
Guzman, 3B
Aybar, 2B
Ethier, LF
Cruz, RF
Alomar, C
Seo, P
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Inside the Dodgers 
I had a feeling Joel the Destroyer would be batting clean-up and starting tonight but I figured Kemp would be in place of Drew not Cruz. I figured with Jose’s family issues going on his mind wouldnt be focused enough to be on the field but I guess he wants to play. Now hopefully he’ll produce!
So we’ve benched the three men responsible for the 7 runs we scored yesterday (Kemp, Drew and Martin). Things that make you go hmm…
Kemp>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Cruz
Why isn’t Kemp starting over Cruz? Kemp is better, especially against righthanders. Cruz couldn’t hit the side of a red barn against rigthies.
They’re not gone !! They’re just a few feet away if needed !! I like this lineup. The Phillies are down and our guys are good !! Let’em play !!
Go Dodgers !!
Good to see the Destroyer getting the start, but cleanup?
Gary – how can you like this lineup? I mean, i’m all for being optimistic about the Dodgers but lets get real:
1. They have a kid making his first major league start in the cleanup spot.
2. Martin (17-4) as catcher is sitting out, which is understandable catchers need their rest.
3. No Drew or Kent (DL)
4. Sandy Alomar and his old knees behind the plate, If Philly gets runners on they will probably run all night!
Dont get me wrong, I hope the Dodgers smoke Philly tonight, but there’s not much to be excited about this lineup given the options the Dodgers have.
Grady does make me wonder sometimes…
I don’t understand why Cruz and Lofton are both in the lineup. Grittle is either nervous about winning too much or he is afraid of hurting someone’s feelings. I don’t know why we need to have two weak hitters in there when there are other options. Don’t expect much offense. Maybe Seo will throw a gem…
I think you have to give credit to the guys that got on base, like Derek Lowe hitting a double.
You watch Guzman make the most of this opportunity. He’s a talent to behold and will open a lot of eyes. Hopefully his won’t have stars in them. : )
Go Dodger Blue!!
I think Grady just wants to keep everyone involved,imagine if Cruz could get hot again, we’d have a good problem. Grady seem’s like he would prefer to give people a fair chance, which to me is refreshing. It let’s guys know u still believe in them. With all this great youth, there might not be room for everyone, a trade is imminent IMO. D-Train or Soriano maybe? I’ll keep dreamin’.
Drew is sitting so that he can play tommorow. You either sit him tonight or tommorow and he sat last Saturday (the nationally televised game). The same goes for Russ, he needs a break and if he played tonight he would sit tomorrow. I don’t understand giving both guys a rest at the same time however. I also don’t understand why Cruz is in there over Kemp. I will never understand starting Cruz against Righties.
Let’s hope Jeo can put forth a strong effort, he could really stabilize our rotation. I wouldn’t mind if we brought up Chad, to take a shot as our 5th SP. And going back to trades, don’t 4get about Odalis, Dioner, and perhaps even Cesar just to name a few. We’ve seen how aggressive Ned can be in free agency, now I would like to see his approach with trades.
Kenny Lofton is a weak hitter?
Warning track power is one thing, but when you hit line drive doubles and triples (he has 5 triples on the year), that’s not weak. You’ve got to have someone to get on base for those homers to mean anything anyway. The basestealing threat also can help break the other pitcher.
Grady also like rewarding people with days off. I wonder if they get ice cream.
I understand the rest factor. Drew and Martin have to rest since we havn’t had an off day as a team in a while. And both on the same day is a little strange – especially with Cruz in there over kemp and loftin. I think Cruz is a great guy to have on the bench right now but he’s not more than a spot starter in my opinion with all these talented kids. And im sure Guzman will be a great player, if he lives up to his hype. I just dont see why he’s batting cleanup with no protection – Aybar has played well but no one is scared of him…yet.
And as for trading for Soriano? Ya, just what we need, a middle infielder who strikes out alot. I hope we dont even entertain him. He would not do well in Dodger stadium. As for Willis, i’d like him but not at the price tag the Marlins are going to put on him, I’d rather see Billingsly called up.
And if Caeser doesn’t get his SS job back (provided his arm allows him to play the position) I will lose it. How does a gold glover lose his position…?
Alfonso Soriano at this point, about a third a way into the season, has 9 outfield assists. He’s got a gun for an arm, and he always tried to use it to compensate for how he comes up on grounders at 2nd. He’s also quite speedy, and he’s actually turned into a heck of an outfielder. And while he does strike out a lot, he also hits a lot of home runs. He seems to have accepted his position, and he’s good and hard-working.
“He would not do well in Dodger Stadium.” He’s in RFK! That place is huge (and the PA system is awful, but that’s something else entirely).
Izturis might get to keep his position if Furcal keeps going like he is. That was #12 on the season. But honestly, do you know what to expect when your shortstop undergoes Tommy John?
Alfonso can flat out hit, you could put him Yellowstone and he’s still gonna hit 30 bombs and swipe 30 bags. As a matter of fact I believe Soriano has the best shot at a non roid induced 40-40, on top of the ability to play 2nd and LF.
I love Cesar too, he’s a wizard with the glove which is why we should keep him. However, I think SS would be the one position he will have trouble with. The throw from the hole is going to be very tough for, while it’s Furcal’s strong suit. Furcal cover’s lots of ground and turns 2 with the best, if we change his position, he might let that affect his hitting(which is all he need’s).
Seo has got to go! Let’s give Chad a shot, Seo could be useful in the pen. Ari rained out tonight, if we win that put’s us in a tie for 1st!! And see Gagne back in the same night…Think Blue!
ned’s free agents maybe be doing, mostly well, but the trades, ouch. the met trade for seo looks bad, we had the set up man we needed. the trade to tampa bay got us blow save baez, and set up a save carter. for this we gave up jackson and a local kid named chuck tiffany. ned. stay with our home grow talent.please
Now that I think about it, maybe trades aren’t the best way to improve the organizaiton …
right, trades mostly get you guys other teams want to get rid of. broxton has a 1.oo era . kemp, wow, aybar, too trade him, dumb, he can hit.ethier, very solid, martin, guts to be better than laduca. guzman. more coming in chad and la roche.
we have the pitching we need coming up.trust our scouts and white. hey by the way, great picks on the top three picks by us, dodgers are you watching who we want.
Let’s be positive though. Watching Gagne on Gameday, he made Ryan Howard look dumb on that strikeout. His command was off, but I think it’s safe to say that there was more fear at the plate than on the mound. I got the feeling it wasn’t quite right though, not only without the save, but without Martin.
Ease off a bit on Guzman. Lineup I’d like to see tomorrow:
Furcal
Kemp
Nomar
Drew
Guzman
Aybar
Ethier
Martin
pitcher
While it’s only a drop to number 5, I really like Aybar-Ethier-Martin. That trio produces, and Guzman should come through soon enough.
this loss hurts because it just shows our weakness, seo, perez, beaz. injuries, having to rest drew so often, afraid to play too many rookies?
the young guys seem to make it happen, and we can win this divison with youth. Martin, Nomar, aybar fucal,guzman, Either, kemp, drew. backups saenz. izturis,navarro, sanez,kent,lofton, repko.
lowe, penny,?,?, billinglsey
gagne, saito, broxton, beimel
kuo.. go dodgers
patriot i think thats a great lineup. Kemp looks like he has tremendous power so maybe hitting him in the 5 hole while Guzman gets his big league shoes ready might be more wise – Ethier or Ayber look like more suitable 2 hole candidates in my opinion. I think Guzman is going to be a stud, but we’ve all been so spoiled by the performance of the kids thus far, lets not try and rush anyone. Ethier, Martin, Aybar..they all started hitting 7th or 8th, no pressure there. Clean up might be a little much at this stage.
Trades are not the answer. The system is. We dont need Soriano. Obviously he’s a great talent but with 5 middle infielders (Furcal, Izturis, Kent, Garciaparra and Martinez) and the kids in the outfield him, and his free agent contract are the last things we need.
The trades have definitely been disappointing. Apparantly we take setup men for granted in this organization, first Mota then Duaner, lets hang on to Saito and Broxton, what do you say Ned. Baez is off and on, so if the first 2 runners get on vs. him Grady MUST put him on a short leash. GREAT to see the freak back in action!
I wouldn’t be surprised if Odalis gets his place in the rotation back from Seo. We need to show other teams he can pitch, then trade him, dump the $$(probably eat it, most likely) and bring up Billingsly.
First things first lets go out and win another series tomorrow!
I Credit this loss to Grady …. Sorry I love the way you have brought the kids up and played them and the running game you have allowed but Danny Baez is a sore shoe to wear in a 2 run game in our favor. Broxton,Biemel,Saito to Gagne was my lead to Welcome to The Jungle. Seo or Perez hmmm tough call both are mediocre at best they Platoon ok might have left perez in for 1 more definatly with baez in the mix.I really Hated to see LA lose Tiffany as my bud knows his Dad at the cop shop and he had killer strikeout numbers.Furcal at SS ……..what 12 or 13 errors now dodger pitchers need soild defence to make chavez revine a pitchers park.
My Pathetic little observation is that we are lacking in middle infield defense and 39 million is lost to injuries over 3 years but come crunch time We have a starting line up in the post season of Lofton izturis drew eithier kent aybar repko martin pitcher. Either gets rookie of the year we win world series.
I Credit this loss to Grady …. Sorry I love the way you have brought the kids up and played them and the running game you have allowed but Danny Baez is a sore shoe to wear in a 2 run game in our favor. Broxton,Biemel,Saito to Gagne was my lead to Welcome to The Jungle. Seo or Perez hmmm tough call both are mediocre at best they Platoon ok might have left perez in for 1 more definatly with baez in the mix.I really Hated to see LA lose Tiffany as my bud knows his Dad at the cop shop and he had killer strikeout numbers.Furcal at SS ……..what 12 or 13 errors now dodger pitchers need soild defence to make chavez revine a pitchers park.
My Pathetic little observation is that we are lacking in middle infield defense and 39 million is lost to injuries over 3 years but come crunch time We have a starting line up in the post season of Lofton izturis drew eithier kent aybar repko martin pitcher. Either gets rookie of the year we win world series.
I was at the game tonight and I was sitting in aisle 8 in the reserve section. There was a MASSIVE fight between about 5-10 people and it literally took the security and police around 5 minutes to get there. I wasn’t offended by the fight personally, but I saw at least 4 rows of people get up and leave. Is all this new mlb security only there to protect the millionaire ballplayers and not us fans? I think this situation should be reviewed by the dodgers and stadium security so there will be faster response times to such incidents. This incident will not keep me from attending future games because I am a die hard dodger fan, but there were quite a few families with children that were visibly upset with what happened. There’s no reason that security couldn’t have gotten there sooner. Please look into the situation!!
Josh:
I have to comment about some of the activity at tonight’s game, there was an incident involving several fans in the infield reserve section that went on for several minutes, now because it involved at times 5-6 people, I can see why when the first security people got there, they waited for back up but it should not have taken so long, I am sure you knew well in advance that you were going to have a large crowd, therefore someone should have had the foresight to have extra security. Really, guys were punching each other and it almost turned into a mob scene.
It is easy for me to say but I think on Friday nights, you should think about a time curfew instead of an inning curfew for alcohol, there is no question that is the spark that lights the fuse.
Thanks for the forum.
Is it suddenly May 1st again?? Let’s see, bases loaded and nobody out: It must be Baez pitching again!! And Grady sticks with him even after two runs scored next… and then Baez walks the bases loaded.
And this was all set-up because Jae Seo can’t seem to pitch into the fifth inning or beyond any longer. I’d be happy to (gulp) have Perez in his spot right now. At least with him you know he’ll be good half of the time.
This is the line-up Im thinking we’ll see tomorrow. I think Aybar needs a day off if Ramon is healthy enough to play although I’d like to see Russ Martin hit higher than 8th and have a chance to bat in front of someone other than the P.
SS Rafael Furcal
CF Kenny Lofton
3B Joel Guzman
RF J.D. Drew
1B Olmedo Saenz
LF Matt Kemp
2B Ramon Martinez
C Russell Martin
Our biggest weakness seems to be the back of the rotation and the front end of the bullpen. I’m not to proud of those guys from TB and how I wish Duaner was still in a Dodger uniform. Trades are an option, I suppose, But which of the kids do you give up.
I say keep them all and get creative with some of the veterans that are sitting or should be. Bring Giovonni up.
I thought Odalis turned a good performance and that he could have gone another inning. He struck out two to get out of a jam, and that shouldn’t go unnoticed. Danys Baez needs a long talk with Honeycutt on how to deliver strike 3.
In regard to the incident on the reserved level last night, I checked with our stadium operations people and while we’re obviously hopeful that these things never happen at games, that isn’t something that we can control. However, I’m glad to hear that when they went back and checked the video, it was actually only about 15 seconds before our security and L.A.P.D. were on the scene. While it obviously feels much longer while something like this is going on, I can assure you that it does not take five minutes for our officers to arrive on the scene, as was suggested.
As you may remember from last year, we’ve now got uniformed police officers on site and I’ve been assured that on Friday nights, we are staffed accordingly. I’ve also been told that overall, the number of incidents like this have gone down in recent times and our response time has increased.
I will pass along the suggestions to the appropriate people here and again, we appreciate you taking the time to express your concerns.
Are you guys kidding Soriano will be a great addition to the line up today. Remember half of the Dodger line up right now are rookies. The are not all going to be batting like Matt Kemp or catching like Russel Martin. What happens when Kent and Izturiz and Miller come back Buy the end of July. Great infield Yes. Though outfield help still needed Loften is good but can’t play everyday. Injury prone JD Drew, now has a sore knee. Jose Cruz average player in Left. Your telling me you would not want Soriano. With the coaching staff the Dodgers have Soriano will be better here then anywhere. He is one of the best ball players available for possible trade. The Dodgers need to act on it getting to the playoffs is possiblity without him . Though you need a homerun hitter to get to the world series.
This is my line up:
1-Frucal-SS
2-Garciapara-1st
3-Soriano-LF
4-Drew/Cruz-RF
5-Kemp/Loften-CF
6-Kent-2nd
7-Aybar/Miller-3rd
8-Martin/Alamar-C
Any complaints!!
Yes the Dodgers may need to give a pitcher and a prospect to get him though for the next 3-5 years it will worth it. To see an exciting hitter again in LA.