Things to keep in mind during the freeway series

What difference does an off-day make! With the recent 7-3 record in the last ten Dodger games (with the opposite of 3-7 for the Angels), call me the bad guy, but I don't think the upcoming freeway series will be an sweep for the Dodgers. Here's my five reasons against an easy set and five for (what the heck!):

(1) Jeff Weaver was recently informed that he's number 1 candidate to get demoted to the bullpen if he does not succeed in his very next start. Yes, his next scheduled start is the series opener later tonight... Talk about some short-term adrenaline shot for Jeff.

(2) Jeff Weaver has some serious issues (in his mind, at least) with the way his demand of a three-year contract was handled last off-season by the Dodgers. Time for sportsman's revenge? Well, even if he does any damage - it's one game only.

(3) Game 1 starters and over- (Aaron Sele) and underachieving (Weaver). While it might not necessarily change tonight, I would not be surprised if Sele does not suddenly become more hittable, while Weaver keeps his game ERA well under 4.00.

(4) The Dodgers lifetime record against the Angels is 22-28. While I sure like to get it up to only three Ws of difference, historical data shows it does not have to be so obvious that we'll get there.

(5) Vladimir Guerrero, Tim Salmon, Orlando Cabrera own Sele (just check their OBP). Edgardo Alfonzo is the only historical threat to Brett Tomko (game 2 starter), while Derek Lowe (game 3) has trouble containing Salmon, Adam Kennedy and Chone Figgins. Again, I do not think Angels will crush every starter we throw at them. There's just enough data to surmise that, perhaps apart from Tomko, our series starters have had only reasonable success against some of the Angel hitters. Then again, the history does not need to repeat itself :)

Now onto more promising signs of things to come:

(6) Jeff Kent and Kenny Lofton are game-time decisions, but no serious damage is reported. If Lofton is kept out tonight, we lose a very competent batter against Weaver (.350 BA lifetime). To offset these potential question marks, Nomah is hitting Jeff all over the place (11-for-28, with 6HR and 12 RBI). And in the midst of a hot hot streak... :)

(7) Kevin Gregg and Ervin Santana have little history against our batting. I get the feeling that Andre Ethier / Willy Aybar are going to hit the rubber off baseballs of these guys. Did not include Russell Martin not too sound pretentious, but our young guns have a great chance to make a name for themselves locally. Russell did not know what the rivalry was all about -
great time to get acquianted with the *proper* way of handling the Angels series at Chavez Ravine.

(8) Former Angel reliever Kevin Gregg is not exactly the most durable arm around the West Coast. Hit him early and hit him plenty, be patient, take walks, foul pitches off and you just may see him off very soon. Last time out as a starter (9 May) Gregg was pounded by the White Sox (2.2 IP, 7 ER including 2 HR) and then promptly relegated to bullpen for two games. Time to send him there back again? ;)

(9) 6.35 that's the ERA on the road by Earvin Santana (G3 starter). It's still better than his current day game ERA, which is 6.43. Let me break the news for you- he's slated to start at 1:10 p.m. PT on Sunday :)

(10) All irrational "Go, Dodgers!" / "Believe in the Poncho!" arguments. Yes, they are not quantifiable, but sooo sexy nonetheless. My take: two out of three Dodgers.