Chris Capuano may have hope to make the Dodgers’ playoff roster after all. The team’s fifth starting pitcher, who suffered a mild groin strain Sept. 6, will likely receive an audition for a postseason role in the bullpen.

If Capuano (4-7, 4.34 ERA) doesn’t suffer any setbacks during a bullpen session today, he’ll be pitching in some capacity soon afterward.

“We want to see what he looks like in the bullpen but there’s still a possibility of him starting for us again moving forward,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “(Capuano has) pitched out of the pen before, so obviously if you get (to the postseason) you don’t use five starters. We do have to see if there’s going to be a value there.”

Continue reading “Capuano to audition for postseason spot in bullpen” »

Take your pick of numbers spiking throughout the Dodgers’ organization this season: TV ratings are up 42 percent from last year, the payroll is a record $220 million and merchandise sales are up 50 percent from a season ago.

Attendance totals appear headed for the largest turnout for any major league team since the New York Yankees drew 3.77 million fans during the 2010 season – but Dodgers fans will pay a price for it.

Among the rising numbers next season will be ticket prices.

Included in the Dodgers’ announcement Thursday that 2014 season tickets went on sale was the fact that front-row seats between the bases will increase by $30 per game while rows two through eight will increase by $20.
Continue reading “Dodgers lead league in attendance, but fans will pay the price for it next year” »

The Giants were mathematically eliminated from the postseason Wednesday night thanks to the Cincinnati Reds’ victory over the Cubs. Now all that’s left is to avoid joining the 1998 Florida Marlins as the only defending World Series champions since 1903 to finish last in their division a season after claiming the title.

Of course, the Marlins imemediately dismantled the team that won the 1997 World Series behind series MVP Livan Hernandez and a lineup that included Edgar Renteria, Moises Alou and Bobby Bonilla.

The last-place Giants entered Thursday 19½ games behind the Dodgers in the National League West, but only the division leader and second-place Arizona Diamondbacks are out of reach.

Continue reading “Will Giants be second defending champ since 1903 to finish last the next season?” »