Dodgers 13, Rangers 6 ... and a major endorsement of Jason Schmidt
Joe Torre admitted after the game that the fifth starter's job is Schmidt's to lose, and that if he continues to show that he is healthy and that he can be effective the rest of the spring, he'll be the guy ... apparently, even if Eric Milton continues to pitch the way he did today (three scoreless innings, two hits). ... Juan Castro is now hitting .524 (11 for 21) after going 3 for 5 with a home run. Xavier Paul is now hitting .406 (13 for 32) after going 3 for 5 with a double and a triple. Going to be tough for him to make the club out of camp, especially if the Dodgers go with four OFs. But Torre said after the game that X clearly is a guy whose name will at least come to mind if the club needs to bring somebody up during the season. Chin-lung Hu had two hits today, as did Blake DeWitt. ... Claudio Vargas got knocked around, giving up three home runs and four runs on six hits over 2 1/3. ... Dodgers improve to 6-6. At home against the D-backs tomorrow, and then, on Wednesday ... an off-day. A real, live, honest-to-goodness off-day, with no B game, no intrasquad, no simulated game, nobody throwing a bullpen and nobody taking live batting practice on the minor-league side. Joe Torre is my hero.
So it looks like if Schmidt, doesn't feel too sore tomorrow he'll just keep pitching as he is now during spring training and when it's over he'll be the 5th starter. This is regardless of how anyone else does.
I guess the same goes for Kuo.
In other words, barring injury or they really get batted around, the jobs are their's,
Not what I would call a "stellar " performance, but I guess after this long and that many millions, beggars can't be choosers?
Ps. Tony? Do you ever frequent the bar in the lobby of the Renaissance Hotel ? The blond bartender that works nights has an AMAZING body, especially when in a bikini.....
Im just sayin.
Realist
Does anybody know what schmidtie hit on the gun?
sick_boy,
According to Gurnick, Schmidt hit as high as 91, but mostly hovered around 87-88. For a first outing that sounds encouraging, but only time will tell. I was at the game, and even before reading Gurnick's piece, I was mostly satisfied with what I saw. I'm hopeful that he will be able to do a decent job at the start of the season, and progress gradually as the season wears on.
It the offense lives up to its promise and provides the pitching staff with the support it needs, then a gradual return to form by Schmidt would be a huge plus.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090309&content_id=3952314&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
It's funny how people dismiss the Dodgers' rotation, yet believe Arizona 'upgraded' theirs with Jon Garland (and his 14.54 spring ERA).
I know all GMs make mistakes and injuries are out of their control, however when a GM is about to spend 36mil for two years on an aging 31 yr old center fielder, you would think they would have done due dilligence on Andruw Jones' work habits, personal makeup and character, etc (maybe they only do this stuff in the NFL draft)...it seems everyone missed the boat on the impact his leaving Atlanta would have on his performance...and this whole thing about him insisting 'that he played better when he was heavier"...who knew?
Obviously not the Dodgers and Ned.
I know all GMs make mistakes and injuries are out of their control, however when a GM is about to spend 36mil for two years on an aging 31 yr old center fielder, you would think they would have done due dilligence on Andruw Jones' work habits, personal makeup and character, etc (maybe they only do this stuff in the NFL draft)...it seems everyone missed the boat on the impact his leaving Atlanta would have on his performance...and this whole thing about him insisting 'that he played better when he was heavier"...who knew?
Obviously not the Dodgers and Ned.