Texas kids come home...

Good to see the K King Raul Mondesi leading off because he won't be getting on base swinging at sliders.

Actually Wandy might be a great matchup for him. I kinda like it now after thinking about it.

Wandy brings a fast, curve and change to the table.

This will be an interesting line -up - Matty first WOW!! It's about time to try somebody new LOL!!!

Great lineup. This should be our outfield everyday!

Excellent lineup

DY is not an everyday player.

If it's worth anything, this has to be one of the most intriguing lineups i've ever seen. Could Matt Kemp be the next Alfonso Soriano?

Hi! I'm Susan Sarandon and I'd like to speak to you on behalf of the CAI Foundation.

For those of you unfamiliar with CAI, it's the newest, most terribly frightening disease. It's Cranial-Anal Inversion, and it's affecting mill, um, thous, um hund, er, dozens of, um, well right now it's actually only affecting a couple of people in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, but those of us who care want to get this nipped in the butt, er bud before it spreads to the general public.

With me is Ned Colletti, General Manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and one of those unfortunate people who have been stricken with this terrifying new disease. Ned, could you give us an insight as to how dibilitating this can be?

"mphhmpdff, mphrmgsff mff mmphufff......"

Thank you, Ned! Please give generously. We need to halt this in its tracks.

Did anyone see who the first team we play after the AS Break is? If we can hold on and stay close, that will be an interesting series right after the break!

This is the best line-up I've seen Torre come out with all year sans Furcal.

Eric - guess then if Ned farts he'll blow his brains out.

I really do like this lineup. This might actually work :) And what do you know, Ethier in with a lefty pitching. I thought he would sit just for old times sake, but Torre's actually giving him a chance.
.
jnv - I am assuming the fires in the Big Sur/Monterey/Santa Cruz area are worse because of the wind they get from the coast, alot like those that suffer the same thing down in so-cal. My son has a tournament in Salinas/Monterey the weekend after next so I guess we will be able to see for ourselves.

Hey, Kemp might not be the best guy to lead off, but he can at least go 1-4 or 0-5 which is what slappy mcgroundout was doing.

LMAO!!!! eric - you are too much!! too funny!!!

One of the horrible symptoms of CAI is that those who have it have no brains to begin with, e. That's what enables the cranium to be inserted. If the brains are still there, CAI cannot take hold. Tsk, tsk.

Why couldn't Joe try this lineup before? I guess it's that CAI again. Maybe he pulled his head out for a brief moment.
LMAO!!! oh, eric - too funny!!!!

lol, hillariouis dodgereric.

Josh, suggestion for your blog: Can you place a number for each post, kinda like the way Weisman does it for his blog? Thanks

Against a righty this would not be good, but I don't mind Kemp against a lefty leading off.

I like this line-up and I like Ethier in the 7th spot. He's more productive there. He doesn't get a chance in the 2nd spot as Slappy was never on base that much and the 7th 8th and 9th place hitters haven't been on for him to hit behind, when he's hitting in the 2 hole.

This line-up might actually produce and score more than a couple of runs which is sorely needed. I will have to watch MLB.TV late as I can't watch the game at the regular time. I want to turn on the game and see some action tonight so you guys get us some runs.

I believe that is what is driving those fires along with the water drought. And there are so many fires the firemen are letting the fires in the isolated areas just burn and are focusing their attention on the populated areas.

Good point, scurtis. Kemp destroys lefties for the most part with troubles against righty breaking stuff.

Here's some typical Torre talking out his **** about who will lead off:

With Pierre and Kemp out, Torre started Jason Repko in center field and batted him leadoff. He said he might do that again Tuesday, with the only other leadoff alternative being switch-hitting Delwyn Young.

"He's the only other guy I would put up there," said Torre.

YEA, my Matthew is leading off!! He needs to work on no striking out as often and then he'll be awesome. Can some one give me a wrap up of las t night game? I was out :( sadly and had to catch the scores on my cell phone.

Boblee - you are so right!! Ethier is a doubles hitter and how can he drive in runs sitting at the top. And then you have the chance he hits one out too. I am so with you on this one, even though you are a Cowboys fan (jk). I do think, however, they had him in the 2 hole because of his patience (well he had patience until this group got a hold of him).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25453503
.

a link about the fires getting worse..
.

a lineup we've all been dying for... =)

I would like to have seen Repko in again tonight. He had a bad night just like Slappy had just about every night, why doesn't he get a chance?? I mean the guy had to fly to Texas yesterday after being called up for the first time this year, I am sure there were butterflies and nerves. And since when does Torre sit a guy after going 0-5??? I thought guys only sat after they hit HR's and went 4-4???? Is this part of the CAI again????

Pierre going on the DL is what pulled Joe's head out. That's what we all knew had to happen for someone else to get into the leadoff slot. That, or Furc coming back.

I like the lineup, too. Are we sure that Joe didn't fly back to be at Juan's bedside and it was Bowa who made out the lineup?

Amy - definitely looking forward to Matt leading just to see what somebody else could have been doing all along. Good to see you back :)
.
jnv - there are so many firefighters here in town, it feels like it should be a firefighters convention. I guess they have run out of hotel rooms in Mariposa and Oakhurst that the next spot is Merced. I am assuming Fresno is being used too, but still may be a little far for some areas.

Scott, yeah against a righty I would probably hit Russ or DY or hell even DRE!

Torre is such a worthless F*** coming to the National League. He doesn't know his own players because he can't relate to all the younger guys on our team, and he doesn't know Schidt about any of our competition in the league. Strictly a poster boy to suit Frank's delusions of grandeur and stupid enough in his antiquated baseball knowledge to suit Ned.

That's just plain how I feel about JoJo the Dodger clown.

Also FIRE NED NOW, if not sooner.

Amy - the game wasn't good - lost 4-1 with many chances to score but couldn't pull it off. Matt was out because of eye infection and that's about it.
.
The two most offensively deficient teams go toe to toe in a battle of the bats.
.
The above statement was from the rox website so I guess we can feel okay that they were referring to themselves and SD. Seriously, some teams are going through exactly the same issues. It really will come down to who can put their pitching and hitting together first, and that will determine who wins this division.

Wow. This is a nice lineup. Hopefully it puts up some runs tonight on Wandy who can be a tough lefty.

Tonight's lineup:

Kemp, CF

Young, LF

Martin, C

Kent, 2B

Loney, 1B

LaRoche, 3B

Ethier, RF

Maza, SS

Kershaw, P

Hmmm, something is different. I look to my right, and there is Andy McDowell...............

Now take that lineup, take out Maza, shift everyone down a slot and put Furcal in the leadoff spot:

Furcal, SS
Kemp, CF
Young, LF
Martin, C
Kent, 2B
Loney, 1B
LaRoche, 3B
Ethier, RF
Kershaw, P

Excuse me while just stare at that for a while.............sigh.........

jnv - I really thought they would start Repko over Ethier just because by now Ethier has got to be getting used to being sat when a lefty is pitching. Maybe it's Joe's condition LOL!!!

That's a pretty picture, Eric.

eric - thank you for letting us dream even if just for a little while :)

Thank you! It's sucks when we can't cash in runners. I miss Little Blakey- I am kinda bend over LaRoche starting over him. I'm glad that they rotate, but Andy doesn't do anything for me.

scott@whittiermailing It's actually Slappy Mc popout. All it took for Joe to try something different was to have his little Juan taken away. I hope this line up produces, I doubt it couldn't be worse than what we've been subjected to since Raffy left.

Dnel I am surprised as well, but I would like to have seen Repko in instead of DY just to see what he can do, I don't think yesterday was a good look at him considering what I stated above.
Eric that is a pretty line up, except for Dre hitting 8th. He's to good to be hitting that far down in the line up.

fire ned.... this is a great lineup... fire ned... when furc comes back this will be a good team... fire ned... kemp batting lead off is great... did i mention fire ned?

I like bear's succinct to the point analysis of the Joe Torre Era in Los Angeles.

jnv - I would have liked to see Repko, Kemp and Ethier. I pulled for Repko all last night and it was pretty upsetting to read in the media how some reporters treated him knowing he had just been brought up. He took it in stride though and said he felt he was just too anxious. Statistically, Ethier best spot has been 5th this year, but he has had some good days in the 7th hole too. I could see him batting 8th because they would have to pitch to him, especially if he leads off an inning or with 1 out because you are not going to go around him only to get to Furcal a batter later. The only time it doesn't benefit Ethier is with men on and two outs - they will walk him to get to pitcher. With maza and berroa in the 8th slot now -who's afraid of them.?

That is so true, our 8th hole has been exactly that.... A hole for some time now. Hopefully when Furk gets back and the "Fridge" comes back we can get something going. I hope Jones can find his swing and come back and provide the thump we need. I don't care if he bats .222 like last year as long as the balls he hits go over the fence!!

Dodge - so what you are saying is that you want Ned Fired
~ I am glad you cleared that up - very funny!!! LOL!!
.
very much agreed jnv :)

Did I miss something?? They've been forgetting about Berroa this week?

It looks like a lineup that should draw less complaints from the groundhogs.
But whatever the lineup- it's what they do against tonight's man of the night Wandy Rodriguez.
It would be great for Kershaw to get his first win in his hometown tonight.
Whatever -it's time to score some runs.
LET'S GO YA BUMS!!!!

go blue. its like a weight has been lifted. i don't know what to write.

You feeling OK Jungar??? I haven't seen you this calm since.......................................
Never!! LOL :-)

Hey Dnel, Have you seen Jhall around lately??? He seems to be missing???

Jungar - it's nice to see that you are happy for a change :) I can hear your sigh from up here in the valley.

No, we haven't and the mom in me is a little worried. enchanted hasn't heard from him either and I'm not sure about eric.

As you know I was away from the computer from last Thursday afternoon until yesterday, but I was looking over other threads and didn't see any comments from him???

When I heard about what happened to you, it makes you wonder if he is okay. I don't remember reading that he was going anywhere for an extended period of time, and the fact that enchanted doesn't know either is a little scary. He was gone for a day or two a week or so, and he was off a few days because of bad weather so I'm hoping for the best that it is something like that. Maybe eric has some insight.

Last jhall sighting was Sat night just before 11pm

WELL, SEEMS LIKE WE MIGHT LOSE THIS ONE TOO. AND SEEMS LIKE RUSS MARTIN ISNT GOING TO BE AN ALL-STAR THIS YEAR. HA OH WELL.

Thanks crash - it seems like it's been longer - hmmmm!

I am glad that he was around on Saturday, I thought it had been a week since his last time here. Your right Dnel, after what I went through last week It has kind of change my out look on things!!!

oops... *changed my outlook* LOL

Sorry to say, but it doesn't appear the Dodgers will be represented in the All Star game. Not enough fans went online to vote, or didn't vote enough times. It's unfair if Martin doesn't get in. He's better than the leading vote getters by leaps & bounds!
Aside from that, I'm rooting for Kershaw to get his 1st ML win in his home state.

jnv -I will hope for the best, but the mom in me is still worried.

Here's a link I found to a map of where the fires are.

http://www.kcra.com/sponsors/16644003/detail.html

Looks like this will be the first time we see the youth movement in full swing. This is almost what we wanted, let's see if the kids can take advantage.

As a wise man once said:
BELIEVE IN THE KIDS!!

so much for Raffy coming back - ugghhh!!!

I agree. Russell is an outstanding catcher and overall ball player. I dunno, there was so much excitement and buzz over voting last year that the fans got so into it. This year it seems like there is no hype and that ppl don't care as much. The fact that Martin is not even in the top 5 is ridiculous. Anyway, I know that I voted for him my max amount.

jj - only the starters for each league are picked by the fans. The rest of the team and the pitchers are picked by the coaches. Every team has to be represented, so Russ will be there for the Ds, and he's only deserving one IMO.

Way to go Russ!!!!!!!!!

Vast improvement over last night already!!

Believe it or not, I was just going to post a feeling I had that somebody would drive one out to left. Go Marty!

GO RUSS!!!!!!!! That's how you start a game!

YEAA Home RUN!!!!! GO RUSSY

RUSSELL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BETTER ALREADY!!!!!

DAMN! Kent just missed that one!

T W O RUNS
Thank to R U S S E L # 9

russell CRUSHED that ball! and kent just missed one too~

Will this be the first time Kersh has ever pitched with a lead??

What's wrong with Raffy? I thought he felt good after the game last night?

VOTING ENDS TOMORROW FOR ASG... KEEP VOTING FOR RUSSELL!!! :)

.
yayyyy! for his homerun! :)
.

You never know Andre Kemp or Loney might just get another homerun today too... =)

scurtis.. he woke up tonight with back stiffness and was sent back to LA to be re-examined =(

They reported that he woke up with a sore back - going back to LA :(

today, not tonight..

haha dnelly.. we even both put sad faces..

thinking alike LOL!!!

Will this be the first time Kersh has ever pitched with a lead??

By enchantedsunset@hotmail.com on July 1, 2008 5:12 PM
Report any abuse or spam

Nope. He's had leads before, just never had any big leads. Seems to be the same for most Dodger starters.

He has played his last game as a Dodger I believe.

Dnel, I know what you mean, I might not be a Mom but I am a Dad!! LOL I am out of here have a good night everyone and Lets get Kersh his first win!!!

You know what that means with Ferk... we're stuck with Slappy leading off for the next three years.

bye jnv - hear from you tomorrow :)

Wow Kemp batting lead I don't believe it but I rather have Martin there.

I am depressed.

enchanted - so what your saying is we need to really enjoy these next 4-6 weeks LOL! :)

Kersh just isn't ready yet. This could be a long game.

oh no, settle down kershaw..

Kent had a brain cramp there! They should have got at least one out on that play.

no jjriley, i don't think he could have made the play anyway. it was a nice stop..

ooh, andre ALMOST doubled him up.. that woulda been sweet!

I agree. Kersh isn't ready for the bigs. He should be in the minors strengthening his arm and building up innings. Right now he's a bit of a sideshow for Frank to bring in somemore fans to the stadium. The kid's probably going to be great, just not now.

he was hit hard, but got out of it cheaply

What I don't get is management will rush Kershaw who isn't really ready, yet Dre, Andy (now Blake) and especially DY who are ready usually have to scratch out playing time.

Ouch!

OUCH! That had to hurt!

I was just glad Andre hit the ball. He didn't strike out against a lefty and he got himself on base - good!!!

I just got online so good morning from Down Under.. nice to see we started well ... and I agree enchanted .. Kershaw will be good but he's up too soon for me as well. This is not a great ball park for him with that short porch in Left but it's great to watch his development.

Ausmus will somehow win the game now with a HR in the 8th.

enchanted ~ why are you trying to figure them out? remember CAI :) LOL!!!

G-Day Rodmky!

I bet Nomar plays SS tonight.

good morning rodmky :)

Sorry nells, I was having a sane moment. :)

AWESOME play from Loney there!

wow james! nice play!!

Great catch by Loney INCREDABLE
Got to be a webb gem.

yeah russ! crushing the ball today!

My Loney has a first name,
It's J-A-M-E-S
My Loney has a second name,
It's L-O-N-E-Y
I love to watch him every day
And if you ask me why I'll say
'Cause James Loney has a way
With H-I-T-T-I-N-G!

By leefink and martinloneykemp

Good AB from Loney there.

Nice going L O N E Y

alright james! follow up the good D with a clutch hit!

OMG Loney didn't grounded into a dp. I guess his family is watching. WTG Loney nice rbi single.

Damn this team hits into a helluva lot of douple plays.

Canada night & Russell Martin

Laroche!!! Seems to be grounding into alot of DP's.

Why couldn't we had Ethier batting ahead of Andy damn.

I am very proud of Andre hitting against those bad lefties. Good job!!!! :)

clutch hitting today!

Nice going Matt!

THAT'S something that Pierre couldn't do.

VERY NICE MATTHEW RYAN KEMP!!! ANOTHER RBI !!!

Team leading 44th RBI for K E M P.

There is something in having a guy following the pitcher that can hit the ball hard ... I know cable it's another shot at JP but at least it was positive ....

enchanted ~ who would have thought? Oh, we did think of it over and over and over again, but who are we - just fans who seem to know a lot more about this club than the people that are running it. :)

I agree nelly but don't get too comfortable because we know Joe is going to sit him against lefties as soon as Jones comes back.

rodmky - I know - I am just enjoying the time I have without JP in the lineup. LOL!!!!

That's horrible news about Astro's catcher - ouch!!! :(

Nice gapper from Kent!

Weird we get no walk with 11 hits yesterday and now we get 5. How funny what a day make

K E N T should be near .260 with that hit.

we are really hammering the ball today..

Wandy should had just walk Kent lol.

Kent is exactly at .260.

Get that runner in I hate seeing a runners at 2nd base with no out.

Oh well damn stupid slow dialup

hahahha Kershaw k's this former player in the dodger organization.

What was the official diagnosis of the Astros catchers injury?

dnelly, what was the update on the astros catcher? i missed it.. i'm guessing concussion?