Buzz: Who starts on Friday?

Joe Torre has not named his starting pitcher for Friday’s game in Atlanta, although he’s expected to do so today.

Basically, Torre and the Dodgers are still deciding if Jason Schmidt is up to the challenge. Unless they make a trade for a starter, Schmidt is on target for the Friday start, but after his brutal outing Sunday they may decide to go in another direction.

On a positive note, Schmidt did say his bullpen session Tuesday was one of the best he’s had in awhile. With all due respect, though, would you expect him to say anything else?

Barring a trade, if the Dodgers opted to not use Schmidt, the next logical choice would be Jeff Weaver.

Postgame: Cardinals 10, Dodgers 0

The Cardinals beat the Dodgers 10-0 tonight to give the Dodgers their first three-game losing streak of the season. For a full recap and boxscore click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

Chad Billingsley was masterful in his first five innings of work, walking two and allowing only one hit, but he truly imploded in the sixth, issuing four walks (two intentional) and giving up three singles while being charged with six runs.

Adam Wainwright wasn’t fooling the Dodgers, but he navigated out of jams with incredible consistency in eight innings of work, stranding nine runners. He got better as the game went on, retiring the last eight batters he faced.

The 3-4-5 hitters in the Dodgers order went 1-for-11 on the day, including two strikeouts from Manny Ramirez.

ETC…ETC:

Brent Leach continued to struggle in relief, allowing four batters to reach base while retiring none. He was charged with three runs.

There was an 80-minute rain delay that pushed the start of the game back from 5:15 P.M PST to 6:35.

The Dodgers had been 10-0 in games in which they had a two-game losing streak this season. This is the first time since August 30, 2008 that the Blue have lost three in a row.

Joe Torre was non-committal today of his Friday starter. It would be Jason Schmidt’s turn in the rotation but he struggled his last time out. Jeff Weaver could make the spot start.

ON DECK:

Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.96) and Joel Pineiro (9-9, 2.95) are scheduled to start tomorrow at 5:15 P.M. PST.

Pregame: Dodgers at Cardinals

Tonight’s lineups:

Dodgers
1. Furcal, SS
2. Hudson, 2B
3. Ramirez, LF
4. Ethier, RF
5. Blake, 3B
6. Loney, 1B
7. Martin, C
8. Kemp, CF
9. Billingsley, P

Cardinals
1. Schumaker, 2B
2. DeRosa, 3B
3. Pujols, 1B
4. Holliday, LF
5. Ludwick, RF
6. Rasmus, CF
7. Molina, C
8, Ryan, SS
9. Wainwright, P

Also, Jay Johnstone of 1981 World Series fame will be at the ESPN Zone at L.A. Live tonight signing autographs for fans. The ESPN Zone is hosting a Dodgers viewing party for the game, starting at 5 p.m, featuring an all-you-can-eat buffet complete with unlimited Dodger Dogs for $10. Check it out?

Postgame: Cardinals 6, Dodgers 1

The Cardinals beat the Dodgers in the first game of a four-game set in St. Louis, 6-1. For a full recap and boxscore click here.

THE BARE ESSENTIALS:

Randy Wolf threw his sixth consecutive solid start, throwing six innings and giving up two runs, but took the loss to fall to 5-5. By comparison, Wolf made 18 starts in 2007 with a 4.73 ERA and was 9-6. This season, he’s made 22 starts with a 3.43 ERA.

The Dodgers had at least one hit in every inning and 11 in all, but could muster only one run. The Cardinals also had 11 hits but produced big hits, going 3-for-8 with RISP.

Chris Carpenter, operating almost strictly in the high 80’s with his fastball, threw seven strong innings, although he allowed 11 baserunners. Carpenter is a good example of a starter getting older and losing MPH on his fastball but still being effective — although Carpenter is younger and has a bit more left in his fastball than the Dodgers’ Jason Schmidt.

ETC…ETC:

Every hitter in the Dodgers lineup had at least one hit. Rafael Furcal went 3-for-4 with the lone RBI, raising his average to .263.

Manny Ramirez struggled, going 1-for-5, grounding into two double plays and striking out once. He left 5 men on base.

Left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo made his first appearance since April 29 tonight, throwing a scoreless inning.

Jeff Weaver was fined an undisclosed amount today by MLB for hitting Hanley Ramirez with a pitch in the sixth inning of Sunday’s loss to the Marlins.

ON DECK:

Chad Billingsley (10-5, 3.72) and Adam Wainwright (11-6, 2.95) start tomorrow at 5:15 P.M. PST.