Game 1 - NLDS

Watching the Dodgers systematically dismantle the Cubs tonight was something that can not be taken lightly. After the Dodgers sputtered along for 4 listless innings, Ryan Dempster gave them the pick me up they needed by loading the bases and serving a fastball to which James Loney promptly banged over the Left/Center field Ivy covered wall for a grand slam. Derek Lowe looked like the same Derek Lowe that helped carry the 2004 Red Sox to a championship, throwing 6 strong ininngs of 2 run ball.

Even Broxton looked good tonight which is surprising since recently he's been hit harder than Sarah Palin on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?" Manny also added a golf shot, as did Russel Martin in the ninth. Let's not get carried away though, while this is the first series lead the Dodgers have had since 1988, it's still only one game. The good thing is now they have the home field advantage. They looked flat the first 41/2 but really started to knock around the beleagured Chicago pitching staff after that.

Carlos Zambrano goes up against Chad Billingsley tomorrow in the late game and it should be great. I will say this, though, Rafael Furcal looked off, like he wasn't ready to play. Perhaps, he shoud be relegated to bench duty with Jeff Kent and let Angel Berroa play SS. Just a thought. Other than that the lineup was great, the pitching was phenomenal, Lowe, Wade, Broxton & Maddux (Mad Dog closed...weird). Let's hope the Dodgers keep this barrage of hitting up & sweep the Cubs out of the playoffs.

Weekly Roundup

There hasn't been much baseball news this week. I'm working on getting those lineups to you by Sunday, but here are a few tidbits.

• Jeff Kent wants blood testing in baseball, including the playoffs & his mustache.
  
• Luis Gonzales is close to signing with the Marlins. A guy that rips young players all season is gonna go to a team with the largest triple A payroll in baseball? Way to end a career.
  
• The Brewers want Eric Gagne to make a statement about using 'Roids.
  
• Dodgers signed LHP Matt Riley, RHP Alfredo Simon and OF George Lombard to minor league contracts and invited them to spring training.
• First mini camp was held yesterday & quite a few players showed up.
  
• And it's one month and 3 days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training in Florida. Valentine's Day!!! Love will be in the air with pitchers and catchers (insert joke here).
  

Jeff Kent is coming back

Yes, Jeff Kent's agent Jeffrey Klein informed the Dodgers that Kent will grace us with his presence according to Ken Gurnick. I was hoping he'd come back and earn that $9 million the Dodgers are paying him.

Rumors

• The Dodgers have an interest in Tony Clark. Dylan Hernandez also notes that the Dodgers' talks for Erik Bedard have stalled because the Orioles want to see what happens with Miguel Cabrera first. Instead of pursuing talented young players. Colletti seems determined to turn us into the Giants. A worthless bunch of aging veterans.
  
• Ned Colletti expects Jeff Kent back & I expect his mustache to come back sometime after that.
• The Dodgers have a great bit of interest in Hiroki Kuroda & could be right behind the Mariners, according to the L.A. Daily News. They scouted him quite a bit last season & while the Mariners sent GM Bill Bavasi and manager John McLaren out to meet with him his preference is said to be Los Angeles.
  
• This from Jon Heyman @ SI, The Dodgers also have what it would take to land Cabrera, and like their neighbors 45 minutes down I-5, also have money left over from their truncated run at A-Rod. But the Dodgers have been reluctant to surrender their better prospects: outfielders Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier, first baseman James Loney, third baseman Andy LaRoche and pitchers Chad Billingsley and Clayton Kershaw.
• I've said it before and I'll say it again DO NOT TRADE KERSHAW!!!