Where’s the Peace + Love in San Francisco? Dodgers Wrap Up Last Road Game

Edinson Volquez (0-2, 4.30) vs. Tim Lincecum (10-14, 4.44)

Dodgers Lineup:

After the loss last night in San Francisco there was some awful news to report. A Dodger fan was apparently stabbed to death after the game near AT&T Park by rival Giants fans after a verbal altercation. The man who died was identified as 24-year old Jonathan Denver. The previous night, the Giants had just held a fundraiser for Bryan Stow. What a sad story, and it really never needs to happen. Fortunately most fans may smack talk opposing team fans, but it almost never resorts to violence or potentially murder. The rivalry always brings out the worst in people, and one bad apple can sour the rest. I’ve never felt in danger or threatened while attending a Dodger game. I went to college in downtown L.A., and I often had late classes. I never felt threatened once. In large urban cities, there is going to be violence. It just sickens me that the violence stems from something to do with the Dodgers. We don’t know the whole circumstance with these two groups of people. Perhaps the City of San Francisco should expand the security perimeter during these Dodgers-Giants games, but they cannot prevent every altercation. Fans must find a way to peace. Like the peace & love flowing the streets during the 1960’s in San Francisco, it may be time to revisit that lifestyle in contemporary standards and get along with the fellow human being. Ok, end rant.

More bad news. I’m sorry.

Don Mattingly said that Andre Ethier may not be available for the NLDS next week due to his ankle strain. Ethier was examined by doctors in Los Angeles on Wednesday, but flew back to San Francisco to join the team Wednesday night. The tests showed that Ethier’s ankle is improving, but it is not fully healed yet. He is unable to run at full speed on the base paths as of yet. This will be a big blow to the Dodgers if Dre is unable to play in the first round of the playoffs. He has filled in admirably at center field this season with the absence of Matt Kemp. Even though the Dodgers have three other outfielders, Ethier is an integral part of this team on and off the field. There is still eight days before Game 1 of the NLDS, so let’s remain optimistic that Ethier can heal enough to play in October. Ethier is my favorite current Dodger, and I’d honestly be crushed if Ethier can’t play in the playoffs.

Game three pits reclamation project Edinson Volquez versus Tim Lincecum. Volquez,

Edinson Volquez or Carlos Marmol get a spot on the postseason roster? Photo: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

who has been working with Rick Honeycutt since being signed by the Dodgers, will be vying for a playoff roster spot tonight. Volquez  has shown glimpses of a better Volquez. With the Dodgers, he is 0-2 with a 4.30 ERA in 5 games (4 starts). He’s made 4 wild pitches as a Dodger, but he has struck out 22 in 23 innings. If Volquez doesn’t squeeze into the postseason roster, he may be in the running to earn a spot in the Dodgers rotation next season or at least be invited to Spring Training to try to win the spot. Last time out against the Padres he lost, but his start was promising after going 6 1/3 innings and allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and 4 walks. His last win in the Majors was back in August when he still was a Padre. He is 2-2 with a 5.92 ERA versus the Giants in his career. The right-hander has made 6 starts at ATT&T Park, and he is 1-1 with a 4.26 ERA there.

Tim Lincecum will make what could perhaps be his last start as a San Francisco Giant. Lincecum, 29-years old, is a free agent after this season. Lincecum has been a Giant for 7 years, and he has been integral in all of their postseason appearances during that span. Lincecum even threw a no-hitter earlier this season in what perhaps was his swan song as a Giant. Wouldn’t it be the strangest thing to see Lincecum pitch in a different uniform? Most people felt that way about Brian Wilson as well, but I sure do think he looks good in Blue, don’t you?

Lincecum will be making his 32nd start of the season. He has 187 strikeouts (12th in

Will the Giants re-sign Lincecum? Photo: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

the league). The Freak is 9-6 with a 2.93 against the Dodgers over his career. Lincecum won against the Dodgers during their first meeting back in April at Dodger Stadium. Timmy lost in June at Dodger Stadium, but he won in the last clash at Dodger Stadium this month when the Giants won three of four in the disastrous series. Adrian Gonzalez has notoriously had trouble against Lincecum and so has Matt Kemp. Unfortunately Andre Ethier is the one Dodger who has given Tim trouble in the past. The injured outfielder is hitting close to .300 with 2 homeruns and 6 RBIs against the lefty.

After the Dodgers wrap up this San Francisco series, they will return home for the final three-game series of the 2013 season against Colorado.

Tune into Prime Ticket at 7:15 p.m. for the final Dodgers-Giants game of the series, and bring your peace + love back here for the postgame recap!

Go Blue!