Dogged Pursuit of Truth

A nice compare-contrast of the Trolleywreck's '04 division winning squad and the '05 version. Summarizes my point quite nicely. Names like Choi, Ledee, Erickson and Valentin have to give Dodger fans peace of mind.

The Pads (5-4) and Dogs (6-2) hook up in LA this weekend for their first head-to-head series of the season. So someone here will have bragging rights come Monday. Look for Friday's game to feature the offenses as two junkballers (Woody Williams and Derek Lowe) are on the hill. I expect Adam Eaton to turn in another sterling performance in Chavez vs. Scott Erickson on Saturday. He always seems to pitch extremely well in LA.

In my opinion, the key matchup will be Sunday's finale. Tim Redding will be dealing against Jeff Weaver. Redding was acquired at the end of spring training after having fallen out of favor in Houston. He looked fairly solid in his first start against Pittsburgh despite less-than-spectacular defensive support. He was throwing 92-mph gas, but looked a little wild in the strike zone. For a #5, that's a tolerable combination. But I also expect Friars pitching coach Darren Balsley to work the same magic with him that he has worked with Eaton, Jake Peavy and Scott Linebrink. A solidified tail-end of the rotation in the form of Redding would do wonders for a team that continues to look like it might struggle on offense.

Anyway, here's to hoping for a great series, no injuries and a victory by the good guys.

I'm off to CT. See you Monday.

PS- Happy Tax Day.