LA Dodgers @ Philadelphia Phillies

5/12/09

Los Angeles Dodgers (22-11, 1st in NL West) @ Philadelphia Phillies (15-14, 3rd in NL East)

LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-2, 4.91 ERA) @ RHP Chan Ho Park (0-1, 6.67 ERA)

Clayton Kershaw:
Last Start (5/6, vs WAS): 5.0 IP, 1 ER, 5 Ks, WIN
Against Philadelphia: 0-1, 8.10 ERA, 1.70 WHIP

Chan Ho Park:
Last Start (5/6 @ NYM): 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 5 Ks, ND
Against LA: 2-1, 4.74 ERA, 1.62 WHIP


Projected Dodger Lineup vs. Park:
1. SS Rafael Furcal: 8-22 (.364), .440 OBP, 2 2B
2. 2B Orlando Hudson: 3-11 (.273), .385 OBP
3. RF Andre Ethier: 0-3, 1 K
4. 1B James Loney: Never faced
5. C Russell Martin: 1-2
6. CF Matt Kemp: 0-1, 1 BB
7. 3B Casey Blake: 0-2, 2 Ks
9. LF Juan Pierre: 12-25 (.480), .536 OBP, 2 2B, 1 3B

Projected Phils Lineup vs. Kershaw:
1. SS Jimmy Rollins: 2-5, 1 2B
2. CF Shane Victorino: 0-5, 2 Ks
3. 2B Chase Utley: 2-4, 2 BBs, 1 HR
4. 1B Ryan Howard: 1-5, 1 BB, 1 2B, 2 Ks
5. RF Jayson Werth: 1-5, 2 Ks
6. LF Raul Ibanez: Never faced
7. 3B Pedro Feliz: 1-2
8. C Chris Coste: 1-4, 1 BB, 2 Ks


HOT
Russell Martin: 8 for his last 13, 1 2B, 6 BBs
Juan Pierre: 9 for his last 16, 3 2B, 4 R, 4 RBI, 2 BBs
COLD
James Loney: 7 for his last 41, 1 XBH in last 10 games, 0 BBs
Andre Ethier: 2 for his last 22, 0 XBH, 1 RBI

HOT
Jayson Werth: 6 for his last 10, 2 HRs
Ryan Howard: 5 for his last 16, 4 2B, 1 HR
COLD
Chase Utley: 3 for his last 19, 6 Ks (though 2 HRs)
Shane Victorino: 0 for his last 13, 1 BB

The Dodger offensive numbers have been good since Manny's incident, with the only cold guys (Ethier and Loney) really struggling in the middle of the order, which has made it look like runs are a bigger need. Like the Dodgers (who have lost 3 of 4), the Phils are in a little slump as well (losing 4 of 5), but come home.

LA needs to take advantage of Chan Ho Park on the mound... and it would be very nice to see Ethier and Loney break out of their slumps in a perfect setting. Given Pierre and Furcal's success, I wouldn't be surprised if Torre goes with a similar lineup today as he did Sunday. It is noteworthy that Park came off a very good performance in New York, but he has struggled at Citizens Bank.

On the flip side, Kershaw has gotten pounded by the Phils in limited appearances. But, you figure, a lineup full of lefty power guys (mean high number of Ks) is the type of lineup that Kershaw can really do well against if he's on his game. He can't pitch like his last outing, but he can still do damage. Just be weary of those guys 3-6... especially the righty Werth, who has taken advantage of being sandwiched between an MVP and a guy who has hit 9 HRs.

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