Games 104-105 Dodgers vs Washington Nationals 7:5, 4:3

Yes, the Dodgers did manage to complete the sweep of the Nationals. Yes, I'm glad Alfonso Soriano took off with the rest of the Nats just after the third game was completed. Yes again - I do hope that the new look Dodgers will continue to amaze just as they did long two months ago in May.

On the other hand, I must admit the 2006 Dodgers have come a very long way from:

Cruz - Lofton - Drew
Mueller - Furcal - Kent - Loney
Lowe - Penny - Perez - Sele - Seo
Navarro - Alomar

to:

Ethier - Repko (Kemp) - Drew
Betemit - Furcal - Lugo - Garciaparra
Lowe-Penny-Maddux-Sele-Hendrickson (Billingsley)
Martin - Hall

I have have a little trouble adjusting, that's all. And when in the process you lose your fav Dodger (see below), things start looking dizzy.

At the same time, I willing to give the NEW Dodgers some benefit of the doubt. I will get used to them, one day :). Ok, I've vented. Now onto the game notes:

(1) Now that we obtained Greg Maddux as a bona-fide starter, we have the top of the rotation set (Lowe, Penny, Maddux). There are four candidates for the back two spot: Sele, Hendrickson, Billingsley and Elmer Dessens. Who do you think should take them? And, even more importantly, since we already have a starter-converted-tp-long-reliever Brett Tomko in the bullpen, what happens to the other two pitchers? Should they carry 12?

(2) Joe Beimel has been hittable almost every time out lately (as evidenced by his 0.2 IP, 2 hits, 1 ER, 2 BB for 3.74 ERA line in the second Nats game). Is it time to demote him and bring LHP Hong-Chi Kuo back again?

(3) Is it me or were the Dodgers making much better contact during the Washington series? Even when they made outs, they made the visitors earn them.

(4) I need ONE good reason for Grady playing Lofton over Jason Repko lately. Just one.

(5) Sure Wilson Betemit can't keep his Dodger pace up, but going 5-for-9 with a homer and two RBI will not gone unnoticed here.