Dodgers Hobble into Houston

Dodgers @ Astros
5:10pm
Game 1

The Dodgers Desperately Need Some Vitamin C to Stay Healthy

After the usual weekend of losin', the Dodgers continue to trudge on despite the multitude of injuries adding up. Uribe, Blake, Thames, Kuo, Broxton & Hawksworth are already sitting on the disabled list, and yesterday's game sent two more players, Ethier and Big Rod, back to the dugout early with injuries. Jon Garland has complained of a blister on his thumb, and new word is that Hiroki Kuroda noticed a bloody cut on his finger during the game yesterday. Both pitchers had disappointing starts. Garland made a comment that Big Rod and him weren't on the same page as far as pitch selection and that accounted for the less than stellar results. We all know Big Rod is not the best catcher, but like Don Mattingly said, the pitcher has the last word on the mound. We will keep you updated on the injury front.

The Dodgers are now 6 games below .500 and in fourth place. The Houston Astros are even worse and are 13 games below .500 and in last place in the NL Central division. That doesn't mean anything though when it comes to the Dodgers actually winning this series. The last time the Dodgers won a series was two weeks ago in Pittsburgh when they won 2 of 3 games after the 4th game of the series was canceled due to rain. Actually, that has been their only series win in May so far.
Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.09), a Texas native, will go up against Bud Norris (2-3, 3.93). Kersh is 1-1 with a 4.76 carer ERA against Houston. Last outing Kershaw was dishing out singles like they were going out of style against the Giants.

While injuries and losses have caused us to essentially chalk up this season, there has been a few bright spots lately. Jerry Sands' bat is heating up, and James "Groundball" Loney has a little 8 game hitting streak going on. Rafael Furcal has rejoined the team, and Casey Blake is expected to return shortly after a rehab assignment.

Lineup:

Furcal 6
Miles 4
Loney 3
Kemp 8
Gibbons 9
Sands 7
Navarro 2
Mitchell 5
Kershaw 1

Wow, this lineup is full of holes. First of all Ethier, Carroll, and Barajas are not in the lineup. Ethier and Barajas reportedly will not be going to the DL, but are sitting out tonight and I'm unsure if they are available at all. Miles is back in the lineup after suffering a rib strain. Luckily Hit Machine is at shortstop, because I doubt Miles will get to many balls (not like he does anyways). Gibbons is playing in right field for Dre. Let's hope that darn Texas wind doesn't mess with his contacts and the retractable roof is closed at Minute Maid Park for his sake. Mitchell will be at third base, and the utterly useless Navarro is behind the plate. Navarro only has 3 hits and is hitting .115. *shudder*
So Kemp is the lone player hitting anywhere close to .300 in this lineup, so don't expect much ya know hittin'.

They say "Everything is Bigger in Texas." Well, that doesn't apply to our lineup. Let's hope for the best! Go Blue:)