What needs to happen
Ok, we're coming out of the Shea Stadium with the split against the NL-powerhouse Mets (strange, how it sounds, eh? ;)) and heading into the series at the Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs, starting on Tuesday.
In the meantime, the Padres (currently 1.5 games back from us) visit the Cincinnati Reds, who are in the thick of the chase for the NL Wild Card (3.5 GB from SD). Here's what needs to happen (and realistically) for the Dodgers to get a little bit of the breathing room during the upcoming weekend series against the Friars at Chavez Ravine:
The Dodgers are sending to the hill Derek Lowe, Brad "15 outs" Penny and Hong-Chih Kuo against the bottomish level of Cubs pitchers, namely Sean Marshall (5-9, ERA 5.29), Angel Guzman (0-5, ERA 7.23) and a pitcher to be announced. Taking two out of three is definitely NOT beyond the capabilities of this team.
Now, the Padres are facing Cincy for a three game set and have the following starting pitchers: Chris Young, Jake Peavey and Clay Hensley. Since Aaron Harang will pitch the finale of the set for the Reds, I'd image, they'be able to take at least one game away from the Padres.
All in all, if both NL West contenders take 2-of-3 in the upcoming series, the Dodgers will remain at 1.5 games ahead of the Padres and would need to split the weeend series to remain so. In the unlikely event that we lose out of three over the weekend, we'd be still only 1.5 GB of the Padres with San Diego having a more difficult schedule in front of them.
This is the remaining schedule for both teams *after* the weekend series at Chavez Ravine:
LA Dodgers: 3 x vs PIT, 3 x vs ARI, 3 x @COL, 3 x @SF
SD Padres: 3 x vs ARI, 3 x vs PIT, 3 x @ STL, 4 x @ ARI.
While the two first series virtually offset, the six away games at Colorado and San Fran are to me more winnable for the Dodgers than the seven away games at St. Louis and Arizona for the Padres.
Key thing for the upcoming series: keep at least the status quo with the Padres by taking at least two out of three from the hapless Cubs!
In the meantime, the Padres (currently 1.5 games back from us) visit the Cincinnati Reds, who are in the thick of the chase for the NL Wild Card (3.5 GB from SD). Here's what needs to happen (and realistically) for the Dodgers to get a little bit of the breathing room during the upcoming weekend series against the Friars at Chavez Ravine:
The Dodgers are sending to the hill Derek Lowe, Brad "15 outs" Penny and Hong-Chih Kuo against the bottomish level of Cubs pitchers, namely Sean Marshall (5-9, ERA 5.29), Angel Guzman (0-5, ERA 7.23) and a pitcher to be announced. Taking two out of three is definitely NOT beyond the capabilities of this team.
Now, the Padres are facing Cincy for a three game set and have the following starting pitchers: Chris Young, Jake Peavey and Clay Hensley. Since Aaron Harang will pitch the finale of the set for the Reds, I'd image, they'be able to take at least one game away from the Padres.
All in all, if both NL West contenders take 2-of-3 in the upcoming series, the Dodgers will remain at 1.5 games ahead of the Padres and would need to split the weeend series to remain so. In the unlikely event that we lose out of three over the weekend, we'd be still only 1.5 GB of the Padres with San Diego having a more difficult schedule in front of them.
This is the remaining schedule for both teams *after* the weekend series at Chavez Ravine:
LA Dodgers: 3 x vs PIT, 3 x vs ARI, 3 x @COL, 3 x @SF
SD Padres: 3 x vs ARI, 3 x vs PIT, 3 x @ STL, 4 x @ ARI.
While the two first series virtually offset, the six away games at Colorado and San Fran are to me more winnable for the Dodgers than the seven away games at St. Louis and Arizona for the Padres.
Key thing for the upcoming series: keep at least the status quo with the Padres by taking at least two out of three from the hapless Cubs!
posted by Harry | 4:46 AM
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