DodgerBlue32

Probable Pitching Matchups:

Game 1: Hiroki Kuroda v. Justin Germano
Game 2: Brady Penny v. Jake Peavy
Game 3: Derek Lowe v. Chris Young

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DodgerBlue32

This looks to be an exciting early-season series.

Hiroki Kuroda's debut will be quite intriguing - I was thoroughly impressed by him in the Spring, despite mediocre overall numbers... I feel that he can be a more than serviceable presence at the back end of the rotation.

Games two and three look to be good old-fashioned pitching duels - the Dodgers top two starters against the Padres top two starters (who were, statistically at least, the best duo in the majors in 2007).

I'm guessing the Dodgers will take two of three - one win will be tonight, and I'm not sure enough of the offense to predict the Dodgers roughing up either Peavy or Young... I'm just hoping either Penny or Lowe will be better.

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simpleman424

This should be a great series! Really interested to see how this one goes.

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If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. ~Dave Barry

When you play this game 20 years, go to bat 10,000 times, and get 3,000 hits, you know what that means? You've gone 0 for 7,000. ~Peter Edward Rose

I'm no different from anybody else with two arms, two legs, and 4200 hits. ~Peter Edward Rose

DodgerBlue32

Quite the pitcher's duel.

Kuroda looks very impressive, making only one real mistake, which was, obviously, the hanger that Giles knocked out. Neither pitcher is really allowing strong contact off the bat, though - this game will be decided on a mistake.

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DodgerBlue32

Three things:

1. Kuroda looked amazing tonight.
2. Billingsley had better not be thrown back and forth between the 'pen and rotation again.
3. Rafael Furcal may be the best shortstop this side of the NL East.

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DodgerBlue32

Tough loss today. Peavy looked absolutely terrific - I really think he's the best pitcher in the game, bar none.

I am very upset at Torre, though. Kemp was benched again, in favor of Juan Pierre - this is just nonsense. Juan Pierre is horrific, and does not deserve to start over someone as talented as Kemp. The fact that Kemp didn't at least pinch-hit for Pierre (especially with the game so close throughout) is infuriating.

Penny looked good after his horrific first, and Beimel and Troncoso looked quite good keeping the Padres from getting anything further. Furcal is still playing great, leaving me quite optimistic.

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DodgerBlue32

Juan Pierre... in the line-up... again.

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DodgerBlue32

The only negative I can take away from this game was Juan Pierre, once again, being in the starting line-up. I expected Dewitt to come back to earth... it bothers me a bit, but it was not unanticipated.

The bullpen was stellar again, allowing only one hit in 2 2/3 innings, Furcal continues to swing a hot bat, and Lowe was quite good. Martin also had a nice little game, so I'm hoping that he'll start to turn things around.

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Say 'Dodgers' and people know you're talking about baseball. Say 'Braves' and they ask, 'What reservation?' Say 'Reds' and they think of communism. Say 'Padres' and they look around for a priest.