Home is Where the Runs Are?

Chris Capuano (9-2, 2.60) vs. Chris Young (1-1, 3.42)

Lineup:

Gordon SS

Herrera 3B

Rivera LF

Loney 1B

Van Slyke RF

Kennedy 2B

Treanor C

Gwynn CF

Capuano P

The Dodgers haven’t scored a run in 30 innings. For the first time since moving to Los Angeles, the Dodgers were shutout for an entire three-game series by the Giants. I don’t like to share. I especially don’t like to share first place, but the Dodgers and Giants are now tied for first place in the NL West. If the Dodgers lose again tonight and the Giants win, San Francisco will take sole possession of first place. The Dodgers are finally home from the disastrous road trip on which they only managed to win one game in Anaheim. Tonight they will begin a four-game series with the New York Mets for the first meeting between the two teams this year. The thing is, the Mets aren’t terrible. Yesterday they scored 17 runs, yes 17 RUNS in their defeat of the Chicago Cubs. As you can see from the lineup, the Dodgers have optioned Ivan DeJesus to AAA and recalled Scott Van Slyke who is in right field for the injured Ethier. James Loney is the cleanup hitter….and I have nothing good to say about that so I will say nothing at all. It looks like Ethier may not be DL-bound. 

To make matters even worse for the Dodgers, Andre Ethier was pulled from the game Wednesday after suffering a left oblique strain after a check swing. He is scheduled to undergo a MRI today, and we will keep you posted on the test results.

In a surprising yet refreshing announcement this morning, it was reported that the Dodgers have signed Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig. The multiyear deal is reportedly 7-years at $42 million. The 6’3″ 210 pound Puig is a 21-year old prospect outfielder and 5-tool player. The contract must be signed, physical passed, and approved by the MLB by Monday in order to avoid the new rules set forth by the CBA which will limit spending on international prospects. It’s good to see that the Dodgers are investing in international talent again. We will take a closer look at Puig in a forthcoming post.

As for tonight’s matchup, Chris Capuano will go to the mound to face his former club.

He’s never defeated the Mets, but he hasn’t started against them since 2007. He is 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA against the Big Apple team in his career. Cappy has been fantastic at home this season, and he is 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA at Dodger Stadium so far in 2012. Of course Cappy and the Dodgers will have to keep David Wright at bay since he’s hitting .800 with a homerun in his 5 at bats against Cappy. Capuano’s last win was also the Dodgers last win against the Angels in Anaheim. Chris pitched 7 innings allowing 1 run on 7 hits. He will be vying for his 10th victory and a possible chance to show his stuff for an All-Star nod (which he rightfully deserves).

The Mets will counter with right-hander Chris Young. Young is trying to complete a successful comeback after missing 13 months since undergoing right shoulder surgery. He’s started four games for the Mets thus far, and he has fared pretty well with two quality starts. Against the Dodgers in his career, Young is 2-5 with a 4.02 ERA. Unfortunately Andre Ethier has given Young plenty of trouble, and the injured outfielder has hit him to the tune of .455 with 4 homeruns and 7 RBIs. Juan Rivera also has one homerun against him.

We’ll also get to see Jerry Hairston Jr.’s brother Scott Hairston tonight as the brothers’ respective teams battle it out.

Tune to Prime Ticket at 7:10 pm for game one versus New York. Hopefully we will score some runs. Keep the blue faith, Dodger fans!