Lineup and Repko
First off, here’s today’s lineup.
Furcal, SS
Lugo, 2B
Drew, RF
Saenz, 1B
Ethier, LF
Betemit, 3B (good to see Dodger Thoughts taking the Pearl Jam reference a step further)
Martin, C
Repko, CF
Maddux, P
I, for one, can’t wait to watch Maddux in a Dodger uniform tonight. It’ll be even more exciting when he throws at Dodger Stadium, which we expect will be on Tuesday, but TV will have to cut it for tonight.
To answer some of the questions out there: Yes, Nomar is with the team in Cincinnati, as is Bill Mueller. Nothing is really new on Mueller’s knee, Gagne’s back or Brazoban’s elbow. We’re hopeful that all three will be ready to go by Spring Training or shortly thereafter, but there’s just no telling. Brazoban’s Tommy John usually takes a year to come back from, so he’s more likely to be ready after the start of the season. Bill Mueller is still trying to find a surgical procedure that will allow him to play on his knee, which still flares up everytime he does anything overly strenuous to it.
Finally, I know there’s been a lot of talk about Repko and what his role will be and while I can’t speak for Grady, I can say that when Jason came back, Grady said he’d use him similar to how he used him at the beginning of the year which was primarily against left-handers. Hence why he’s in the lineup tonight (the fact that Kenny is 1-for-19 against Eric Milton certainly helped, too).
But, given that Kenny is batting .294 overall and has been very steady offensively all year, despite his occasional defensive issues, it would be hard to justify pulling him from the lineup altogether. He’s one of only four guys in baseball with a stolen base percentage at 89 percent or better (joining Ichiro, Jeter and the Reds’ Brandon Philliops) and he’s a veteran leader for a group of young players. I’m one of Jason Repko’s biggest supporters, but I also think that part of why he hit so well before getting hurt was that Grady was putting him out there primarily against lefties (.346 average vs. LHP, .278 vs. righties). Kenny, on the other hand, has been much better against righties with a .308 mark, compared to .224 against southpaws.
Finally, a happy 60th birthday goes out to Dodger third base coach Rich Donnelly. Let’s hope his present is a chance to wave his arm a lot tonight.
Inside the Dodgers 
Go Get em Maddux!
Making Dodger History tonight!
I was a little surprised to see Ethier in the lineup tonite. He has not missed a game since the all star break, and with a lefty going tonite?? Oh well he is young and is still getting timely hits.
No need to take Ethier out at this point (except for maybe one day off every 7 or 8) given how productive he’s been and that he’d convinced Little to let him try against lefties – and he’s been fine since. Nice lineup all told!
And thanks Josh, as always, for responding to all of our pestering questions with good grace.
If it doesnt get rained out that is … 😦
“Bill Mueller is still trying to find a surgical procedure that will allow him to play on his knee, which still flares up everytime he does anything overly strenuous to it.”
dons’t look good uh.wow.
Thanks for the news on Repko. That certainly makes sense. And yes, Ethier does manage to hit lefties, so it is all right to have him in there.
I think we might as well count Mueller out – which is sad seeing what a good player he is, but he has to consider life after baseball too, he will need a knee for that 😉
Gagne should consider that too – he’d like use of his back and elbow in his forties and beyond, no doubt!
Hope the team can put it together and Maddux can step it up now that he pitches for a contender. Go Blue!
1) Repko’s splits versus left-handers are phenomenal, but his defensive advantage over Lofton, as well as his speed, makes me think he might be just as good starting against right-handers. But Grady has run the offense pretty well, so I’ll give him credit there.
2) After Brad Penny scored from second on the throw from Ken Griffey Jr, Rich Donnelly probably thought it was Christmas. Facing Reds pitching one more night should make for a fine birthday present.
3) I really like this lineup. I have a lot of confidence in it all the way through.
4) Greg Maddux is 3-0 this year against the Reds, and the only difference in the Reds lineup is replacing Austin Kearns with the even more dangerous David Ross. It’s nice to know that the Dodgers can produce great catchers, but I really hope Ross waits until Cincy plays te Giants or the Diamondbacks before he hits 3 home runs in a game.
5) Grady said that he would do what he can to make the rotation work so Billingsley can start in Chicago. Chicago is only 20 minutes farther from Defiance, OH, than Cincinnatti, according to Mapquest. Nice to see that Grady would do that.
Ethier vs left handers: .344/.353/.375
Ethier vs right handers: .343/.395/.580
While not as powerful, he can still get the job done on the lefty pitchers.
“1) Repko’s splits versus left-handers are phenomenal, but his defensive advantage over Lofton, as well as his speed, makes me think he might be just as good starting against right-handers. But Grady has run the offense pretty well, so I’ll give him credit there.”
patriotacts425@comcast.net
I echo the same though, if Repko would play more against righties you just have to think he’d improve, plus the arm over Lofton.
“1) Repko’s splits versus left-handers are phenomenal, but his defensive advantage over Lofton, as well as his speed, makes me think he might be just as good starting against right-handers. But Grady has run the offense pretty well, so I’ll give him credit there.”
patriotacts425@comcast.net
I echo you’re thoughts
rain is daleying the game? I just noticed it wasn’t raining? (watching on the tube)
They just announced on the dodger radio station that it would be 30 min before the next “update” soo….. were looking at a 5PM PST game start at the earliest. Or atleast a 5PM update… Yuk, isnt it summer?
While it’s clearly not the popular opinion on this message board, I really hope Grady stays with the platoon in CF. Besides being a positive veteran presence in the lineup (especially with Nomar and Kent on the shelf), Lofton is a fantastic situational hitter and perfect for the 2-hole. Repko is not a good situational hitter, and he strikes out too much. As for the argument that he will get better against right-handed pitching if he faces it more, maybe…but we are in the middle of a pennant race! Don’t get me wrong, I love his hustle and D, but that can be very valuable off the bench as a PH/Defensive replacement. The platoon is working great, so why mess with it?
By the way, can somebody please make the rain stop?!!!
ttreto, ditto.
The Reds TV station said the delay was actually due to a lightning storm. However, there are thunderstorms in the area.
And so as not to leave him out, I loooooove Ethier! That sweet swing could hit anything thrown his way. Reminds me of Dave Justice. He and Drew should be flip-flopped.
any updates…are they goin to start this thing or what?
I wish it would rain here in the 209, tired of the heat(I work outdoors). Can’t wait to get this game going, good lineup to back Maddox. Greg hasn’t done well in Great American, 0-3 7+ ERA, however this year he is 3-0 against Cincy. I also like the platoon in CF, but I would like to see Repko in there more no doubt. I hope our pitchers have out their notebook evey time Greg hits the mound, maybe he can pass down that awesome 2 seamer he has, lights out to lefties. Gagne deserves to get another shot, while he hasn’t produced since signing his big deal, prior to that contract he was vastly underpaid. It was implied by an earlier post that Gagne used roid’s, I would say unless you have proof, keep your mean thoughts to yourself. Go Dodgers, 6 in a row would be sweet, especially sweeping the wildcard leaders.
they just announced 5 min ’till Dodger broadcasts!!!!! lets hope!!!!
Play ball, baby!!! And I see a young Shawn Green in Ethier. My hope is Loney turns into a Olerud type, he already has the glove. Does anyone know how Kemp is doing down there in Vegas, has he figured out how to hit a curve? It’s going to be interesting to see who we bring up when the roster expands. Let’s get this game rollin’!!!
2 RUN HOME RUN!!
By the Killer Tomatoe!!
Great way to start!!
Go Blue!!
Go MADDOG!!
SO GLAD WE FINALLY CHANGED THE MAIN BANNER ON THE ENTRANCE PAGE TO DODGERS.COM to Penny, Ethier, Furcal, Martin, and Saito!!! The expression of jubilation on Saito’s face is classic.I broke up with my girl for a while and guess what? The Dodgers went 13-14. Since getting back together, they’ve gone 5-0 and look primed to go 6-0. Colletti is a masterful dealmaker. AAAAAND hope for the Dodger season is still aliiiive!!! Goodbye line-ups with Jason Phillips slotted at the clean-up spot!!! Hello bright future for 2006 and beyond!!! I love L.A.!! WE LOVE IT!!
Hey Josh,
Has there been any discussion of Penny giving up #31 in favor of Maddux? Ive heard rumors Brad offered and Greg politely declined but haven’t seen it in print anywhere. Can you shed some light on the subject. Just seems wrong seeing Maddux wearing #36.
Anyone in Ohio have any insight on how much rain/what kind of delay we are looking at? This is a bummer, man.
This is a freakin conspiracy!
If this delay goes longer than 2o minutes, Maddox won’t get a shot at the no-no. I’m watching the game and in a matter of 5 minutes it was pouring, so hopefully it’s just a quickie. Greg looks masterful tonight aside from a couple walks, perhaps rejuvenated to be on a contender. Let’s hope the pen can hold on, because this game will be played out tonight it’s just a matter of when. I’m gonna go check Doppler!!!!! Go Dodgers!
I dont want to give false hope, but on Doppler- this looks to me very minor, should be gone pretty soon.
7:33, game on.
Let’s hope it’s minor and Maddox can give that no-no a shot. Wouldn’t that be something, as Vinnie likes to say. In his first game as a Dodger, Greg throws a no hitter. Only time will tell, please cooperate Mother Nature.
I’ve got Weather-Bug and here’s what it says about the Cincinnati area:
Now through 11:06 PM EDT August 03, 2006
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue to develop and move to the southeast across the tri state through 11 PM. Along with cloud to ground lightning…expect wind gusts to around 40 miles per hour…and rainfall amounts to around one half inch…with up to one inch in some isolated areas under the stronger storms. Motorist should look out for ponding of water on roadways… underpasses… And flood prone areas.
I can’t believe Maddux isn’t on the hill…. straight bush league manuver!
“I can’t believe Maddux isn’t on the hill…. straight bush league manuver!”
Nope… 46 minutes to sit after pitching six innings? That’s not good for his arm… not in the least. Good call Grady.
Maddux had won of the best debut’s ever.
Yep – don’t want Maddux to do something bad to his arm. He can pitch a no-hitter next game 😉
Well done, Dodgers – six straight wins got you 3 games gained on the league leaders. Six more and we may be tied for the lead – no time to let up now! But really good play month of August and of course the series before.
Whole team played well. Impressive debut. I’m thinking Russell Martin is quite a guy. Catching this icon who wants him to do differently than he ordinarily catches and he helps Maddux to six great ones. Way to go Russell.
Josh,
Whats the deal with Maddux wearing #36. I thought for sure Penny would be unselfish and give #31 up to Maddux when he came accross. Do you know if they discussed it or if Penny offered it?? What’s the deal??????????
Inquiring minds want to know.