Updated Dodgers Lineup: vs. Giants

After two consecutive heartbreakers where the San Franciscan catchers came up with walk-off homeruns off the Dodger bullpen, the Dodgers will be trying to avoid a probable sweep at the hands of their foes. Yesterday the Dodger offense led by the return of Dee Gordon was productive, and the epic fifth inning rally was quite a memorable frame. Yet the pitching wasn’t able to corral the aggressive bats of the Giants, and the World Champs ultimately honed in on struggling Dodger closer Brandon League in the bottom of the tenth inning. After a back and forth swapping of lead changes throughout the lengthy game, it was none other than Guillermo Quiroz who blasted the winning shot off League. Quiroz who? I had never heard of Quiroz before last night, but I think we all will now know the name. League has been ineffective to say the least, but it was also Don Mattingly‘s questionable choice to have League pitch a second inning instead of bringing in the best relief pitcher out of the pen, Kenley Jansen. Mattingly also blundered earlier in the game by asking resident Giants masher A.J. Ellis (who hit a homerun earlier in the game) to bunt in a key situation. Of course the bunting backfired and spurred the inevitable double play.

May 4, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Guillermo Quiroz (12) celebrates after hitting a walk-off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the tenth inning at AT

This evening in a nationally televised game, the Dodgers will try to stave off a three-game sweep at AT&T Park. They will have Hyun-jin Ryu on the mound who has been nothing short of spectacular in this his “rookie” season for the Dodgers. Last time out against the Rockies, Ryu struck out a career high 12 batters in six innings of work. He only allowed 2 runs on 3 hits in the win against the Rox. On April 2nd Ryu lost to the Giants after allowing 1 run on 10 hits with 5 strikeouts and a walk in 6 1/3 innings pitched at Dodger Stadium during his MLB debut. The southpaw has struck out 46 batters in 37 2/3 innings pitched thus far which is tops for rookie pitchers. Ryu has pitched better and better as the season has progressed. His dominance has been one of the few bright spots so far during this frustrating start to the season.

Matt Cain will be countering Ryu, and the right-hander is still looking for his first win on the year. Cain has had a rough start to the season, and he has already allowed nine homeruns. Last time out against Arizona, Cain allowed

Hyun-jin Ryu has the second most strikeouts on the Dodgers with 36. Photo: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

4 runs on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and 4 walks over 6 innings in the no-decision. He allowed three homeruns in the fourth inning of the game against the D-backs. Cain is 4-8 with a 3.27 ERA in his career against the Dodgers. Adrian Gonzalez has plagued Cain in the past, and Gonzo is hitting .400 with 4 homeruns and 12 RBIs against him. Andre Ethier has also given Cain a hard time, and Dre is hitting .435 with a homerun against the struggling righty. Cain faced the Dodgers on Opening Day where he allowed 4 hits and struck out 8 over 6 shutout innings in the no-decision.

The Dodgers will need to utilize Dee Gordon’s speed, capitalize on Ryu’s dominance, and take advantage of Cain’s struggles in order to avoid the sweep. The Giants’ starters have not won a game since Barry Zito‘s win back on April 21st against San Diego.

Mark Ellis will not play today, and Monday will finally come the decision whether he is headed to the DL. The second baseman has been sitting out with a quad strain. Adrian Gonzalez, who suffered a stiff neck after colliding with an umpire, was unable to play the last two games. Gonzo, who has had much success against Cain, should be back in the lineup today. Jerry Hairston Jr. said he tweaked his groin last night, but he insists it’s “minor.”

Tune into ESPN at 5:00 p.m. for the finale of the series between the rival Dodgers and Giants. We will have our postgame coverage following the game. The Dodgers will return home to play the D-backs tomorrow night.

Opening Night of the 2013 Major League Baseball season opened with a Texan rodeo of sorts. Yet this time the calf had the bull by its horns as the newly American Leagued Houston Astros overtook the Texas Rangers at Minute Maid Park. It was a dreary Easter evening here in Los Angeles on the eve of Opening Day L.A. It was still nice to watch some honest-to-goodness baseball while I was partaking in some honey ham and chocolate bunnies.

I hope the Dodgers weren’t eating too many Cadbury Cream Eggs on Sunday night since they will have to battle their most-hated foes this Opening Day.

This will be Matt Cain’s first Opening Day start. The Giants have previously started Tim Lincecum on Opening Day in the previous four seasons. Last season Cain was very successful and went 16-5 with a 2.79 ERA and 193 strikeouts in 32 games started. He pitched a perfect game, and he helped the Giants clinch their second World Championship in just the past three years. Cain has a career record of 4-8 with a 3.41 ERA against the Dodgers. At Dodger Stadium, Cain has a career 3.05 ERA with a 2-2 record in 11 starts. Adrian Gonzalez has historically hit Cain very well, and he has a batting average of .400 against the right-hander with 4 homeruns and 12 RBI. Andre Ethier has also hit him well, and he has a .435 average versus Cain with a homerun and 4 RBI. Justin Sellers, who presumably will be starting at shortstop, has never faced Cain.

Clayton Kershaw will be making his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Dodgers. Last season Kershaw was battling a bout of the flu. Even though he didn’t have the strength to pitch past the third inning, the lefty persevered to push himself as far as he could which led to the Dodgers’ eventual victory. Kershaw has always dominated the Giants. In his career, he is 8-4 with a 1.37 ERA against the pumpkin colored foes. He has struck out 127 Giants in just 118 innings pitched. He’ll have to watch out for the usual pesky players including Pablo Sandoval who is hitting .276 against him as well as Angel Pagan and Marco Scutaro. Kershaw will be looking to commence another Cy Young worthy season with the Dodgers when he takes the mound Monday afternoon. Last season Kersh went 14-9 with a 2.53 ERA and 229 strikeouts over 227 2/3 innings pitched. He finished second to R.A. Dickey for the N.L. Cy Young Award. Kershaw also very competent at the plate, and he hit .207 last season.

Happy Opening Day, Dodger fans! Photo: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

All eyes will be on the Dodgers as they try to live up to the high expectations that such a huge payroll brings with it. The Dodgers watched the Giants go on a unprecedented tear last season as they won six postseason elimination games. The Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in the World Series, and Dodger fans were  frustrated as they witness another San Francisco celebratory parade. Even though the Giants dealt with an injury to Pablo Sandoval and a 50- game suspension to Melky Cabrera, the Giants used their pitching prowess and aggressive style to win when it counted.

Bruce Bochy explained how the Giants fought back to take it all last season:

“It’s something that happens over time. It’s like a player whose success usually feeds off his own success. Teams, I believe, are the same. They figure out a way to win, and it’s contagious. You know how to win and how to deal with other things. When you’re going through a tough time, a stretch all teams are going to have, you don’t overreact.”

Don Mattingly, who goes into his third season as skipper of the Dodgers, will be trying to prove to the new ownership that he can manage this team to the postseason. This is Mattingly’s final contract year, and the owners will not be settling for another second place finish.

Brandon Belt‘s infamous comments about the Dodgers’ chemistry this offseason caused quite a stir. Many naysayers still question whether the Dodgers can cohesively produce enough this season to overtake the Giants in the N.L. West. $200 million doesn’t guarantee a World Series ring, and the Giants can attest to that after winning with players like Scutaro and Pagan.

The Dodgers will need to remain healthy, and the offense cannot be stagnant. Every game counts, and the Dodgers will need to have a big April in order to secure a top spot in the West.

Scott and I will be at beautiful Dodger Stadium tomorrow, and we will be bringing you extended Opening Day coverage. Stay tuned for a complete recap of the day’s events and the game. If you are attending Opening Day and would like to come say “hi” we will be sitting in the Lower Reserved Level, Section 56 Row C.

If you are watching from home, Vin Scully will greet you at 1:10 p.m. on Prime Ticket.

Go Blue!