Tonight's lineup: Ethier in, Jones and Pierre out
By the way, Joe Torre's next win will tie him with Joe McCarthy 2,126 for seventh place on the all-time list. ... Also, the Dodgers' game at Philadelphia on Aug. 24 has been picked up by ESPN for its Sunday Night Baseball telecast and thus will start at 5:05 p.m. West Coast time (8:05 p.m. Philly time). Ordinarily, this would give the Dodgers' beat writers an opportunity to engage in our favorite pastime, which, of course, is complaining about the hardships of our job. But in this case, it's a rare, four-game wraparound series, meaning there is NO early a.m. flight on Monday because there is another game in Philly on Monday night -- and after that one, the Dodgers go to DC, so that's a driving trip. So I'll save my complaining for another time when it is more warranted -- and that time WILL come, take my word for it.
Kemp, CF
Ethier, RF
Kent, 2B
Ramirez, LF
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Blake, 3B
Berroa, SS
Kuroda, P
Hopefully Joe is finally starting to get it. The numbers don't lie and we are a much better offensive team without Juan Pierre in the lineup. Joe Torre on the other hand either does lie or he just has no idea what he's talking about. The things he says about Pierre just blow my mind. Pierre doesn't get on base, he doesn't have good at bats and he isn't a major asset to this team.
Tony, I'd take a train from Philly to DC but that is just me.
I totally agree max_power.
Torre kisses vet as.s like I've never seen in my life. Ethier has gotten little chance to put anything together. He did in July, had a few tough games late, (literally two games), and he's back to part time duty . The best outfield is Manny, Kemp, & Andre. That's it. Fat chance seeing it this year the last two months. Torre will continue to stroke Pierre and Jones, and it will cost us a shot at the playoffs.
If the Dodger management is smart, and I'm not saying they are, they should consider putting Jones on waivers for the purpose of giving him his unconditional release. He's not going to get sufficiently better to help the club during the stretch run.
Pierre could have some value as a base runner if the Dodgers make it to the postseason but of course, he should not even be considered to start a game.
Generally, I think this is the lineup Joe should post everyday. Let these lineup gel to bring momentum during the next few weeks.