Tony, was it you who stated a few days ago that Furcal was almost certain to bat in the leadoff spot even when Pierre was in the lineup? What happened there and why have they dropped him to 2nd with Pierre leading off? I'm kind of surprised.

Maybe that's Joe Torre talking. What has he done with Matt Kemp? He's the only one who's been losing time? Doesn't he have the most upside of any outfielder?

Yes, that is exactly what Joe said, I believe it was before the second game of the season when Pierre was batting seventh. I brought it up after the game with Joe, and he said he just wanted to put Juan in a comfortable spot, and that Furcal is the same no matter where he hits (that does have SOME validity given that Raffy went 2 for 3 with a double and is hitting .435). Joe also said he'll probably play Pierre over Kemp tonight against Dan Haren, but that he might not be hitting in the leadoff spot.

I think the Dodgers wanted to try and exploit the fact that they could run on Young today.

Its early but when all is said and done Kemp will have far more ABs than JP.

No cause for concern just yet.

This is typical of this team, Good Pitch, no hit.
If they can use more discipline, more patience and less anxiousness at the plate we can wipe out the past 20 years. They have to stop the first ball swinging. Someone should teach them that a walk is as good as a hit. It's time to start from single A ball on up and let them know that although pitching is the most important thing, IT'S NOT THE ONLY THING..

Prior to the last two games, against two of the better, if not best 1-2 combinations in the game, the Dodger hitters have been showing good patience, especially DeWitt, Ethier and Loney. Problem is, you will come up against a guy like Peavy, who is rarely wild and once he is ahead 0-1, it is very difficult to do much with. Young is another guy who pounds the strike zone and doesn't get any easier once he is 0-1.

I am expecting better against Haren, tonight. After watching Haren in his opener, I think the Dodgers will be very patient as he is no longer pitching in a pitcher's park like the Oakland Alameda Coliseum. I feel he can be had, I just pray that Loaiza can keep his stuff down or it could be a slugfest.

Many of the comments I've read about the Dodgers hitting thus far come equipped with the caveat that we've face extraordinary pitching (Cain, Lincecum, Peavy, Young) and it's true. But that being the case, perhaps when we discuss our pitching we should add the note that this 1.70 era is against the Giants and the Padres -- not known for their stellar offense.

Not to put a damper on appreciating our pitching. Just to stay realistic.

Call it realistic if you want...I call it more of the same whining and complaining that never ever stops. The team is 4-2 people!

"Whining and complaining"? Not even close. You want that, go to the Dodgers.com boards.

Assuming Pierre starts tonight, that will give him four starts to Kemp's three. Someone needs to clue Torre in here.

Kemp needs to play 155 games this year and jerking him around is BS. Torre is fiddling with the line-up like it is September, let the dang kids play. Pierre can pinch hit and run, that is it.

Whining and complaining was not directed at this board specifically but instead towards everything I open or listen to these days: web, radio, paper, etc...

As for clueing Torre in, please get real and stop thinking you know something more than a HOF/4 time WS-winning manager does.

He has a plan, even if you or I don't understand it, and so far the plan has resulted in a 4-2 record including 2 of 3 on the road vs. the Padres (who have historically give the Blue Crew trouble.

I am not a fan of Pierre's weak fly ball outs but I am less of a fan of watching Kemp flailing away at low sliders off the plate. He needs to pay attention to his hitting coach and quit trying to pull the ball. He did well when he started to hit outside balls to right field. Maybe he needs a reminder each time he goes to bat.