Los Angeles Dodgers

"Maybe next year." That's what the fellas in Brooklyn say whenever their beloved Dodgers fall short and that's what yours truly says now that his beloved Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the running for the World Series. As others in Los Angeles say to some effect, "At least Laker season starts soon" and yours truly says, "There's also plenty of Manchester United football to be played" and what a time to reflect on that thought just as United visit Anfield for a big clash against Liverpool.

A couple of decent match-ups today, like say, Zach Duke versus Matt Cain, but I am going to dip back into the Dodgers at Cardinals well.

Dodgers (62-38) @ Cardinals (55-48), 8:15pm
  LAD: Clayton Kershaw (21, LHP, 8-5, 2.96)
  STL: Joel Pineiro (30, RHP, 9-9, 2.95)

Baseball-Reference.com

C.C. Sabathia is on the mound today for the Yankees versus Scott Kazmir (what ever happened to that guy?). Mark Buerhrle fresh of his perfect game, draws Scott Baker and the Twins, and you never know what you are going to get from Baker, good, great, or bad. Jair Jurrjens versus Ricky Nolasco, Cole Hamels versus Dan Haren. Heck we have a number of solid match-ups today. But Billingsley versus Adam Wainright stands out the the best of the bunch to me. What say you?

Dodgers (62-37) @ Cardinals (54-48), 8:15pm
  LAD: Chad Billingsley (24, RHP, 10-5, 3.72)
  STL: Adam Wainwright (27, RHP, 11-6, 2.95)

Baseball-Reference.com

A test? More like a pop quiz.

Tonight's matchup could be particularly uncomfortable since the Cardinals will be starting the type of dominating ace the Dodgers will have to beat to win a short playoff series. Plus Chris Carpenter, who is 3-0 with a 1.86 earned-run average in July, has never lost to the Dodgers in five career starts. And he's just the first of three pitchers with at least eight wins and an ERA under 2.96 the Dodgers will face.

"We're going to face good pitching on this trip," Torre said. "If we have hopes of going to the postseason, that's what we're going to have to deal with."

Los Angeles Times

I really hope you didn't waste a transaction on the guy.

The Jason Schmidt Show doesn't figure to have anymore episodes. The pilot had a rough start, but a unexpectedly solid finish, but the story arc has run its course. The final nail in the coffin was a three inning performance today during which Schmidt gave up five runs (four earned), in an eventual 8-6 Marlin win. Schmidt gave up five hits, including three doubles and a home run.

Jason Schmidt worked his butt off to get back to the major leagues. He should be commended for that. He absolutely deserved a shot to pitch int he major leagues. Yet, after two starts, it is painfully clear that Schmidt simply doesn't have the stuff to get major league hitters out consistently. With a changeup only a few miles slower than his fastball -- which was only in the 85-87 range to begin with -- Schmidt just doesn't miss any bats. It was a nice story, but it should be all over now for Schmidt in Dodger blue.

True Blue LA

Is "None of the Above" an option?

With Chien-Ming Wang likely unable to join the rotation again this season, Mitre will be a staple at the back end until he proves unworthy of the spot. Schmidt and Pedro could fall apart at any second because of age, but at 28 years of age, Mitre isn't nearly the injury risk.

We are in no way suggesting that Mitre will be a Fantasy stud going forward, but with owners already snatching up Pedro and Schmidt in 37 and 40 percent of leagues, respectively, we think it would be a much safer and more bountiful decision to grab the newest Yankee. With Mitre owned in just 16 percent of leagues, you can prove to your friends that you can look passed the glitz and glamour of once-great names and make the smart Fantasy move.

FantasyNews.CBSSports.com

day to day they say ..

Manny Ramirez is day-to-day after X-rays on his left hand were negative. Ramirez was hit on the side of the hand by Homer Bailey to lead off the third inning and left the game immediately after. He was replaced in the lineup by Juan Pierre.

PE.com

Hear Hear!

The NL Worst. The NL Weak Division. We've heard it all. After a 2007 NLCS matchup pitting two West teams, we hoped that would change, but a brutal 2008 revitalized that reputation. With San Diego set to field an epicly bad team coming into the 2009, the division's reputation didn't get better in the eyes of many. Times have changed. Don't believe what your TV says. The Mets and Phillies can eat my shorts. Outside of the AL East and their monstrous payrolls, the best baseball is being played in the West. Here's some fun factoids for you:

* 9 teams have 50 wins. 3 are in the AL East, 3 in in the NL West, and one each in the AL West, NL East, and NL Central.
* 7 teams have a run differential of +40 or more. 3 are in the AL East, 3 in in the NL West, and one in the NL East.
* 4 teams have 30 home wins. 2 are in the AL East, 2 in the NL West.
* 3 teams have at least 27 road victories. 2 are in the NL West, one in the NL East, and NONE in the AL East.
* 6 NL teams were .500 or better in interleague. 3 of those are in the NL West.
* T3 of the top 4 teams in the NL by win percentage are in the West.
* The best team in MLB is in the NL West.

Purple Row

Yes, Jason Schmidt won his first game back, but Simers' notes here, gives us some idea of what his radar gun readings were looking like last night. Lets just say .. not good.

He's put so much time into trying to find "command" of his pitches, and maybe another mile or so on his fastball, while waiting to see if his arm will remain attached. Time to really test it.

First batter up, Willy Taveras, 14 years old when Schmidt made his major league debut. First pitch, 80 mph for a strike followed by an 82-mph strike. The scoreboard calls them changeups. We might find later they're fastballs. The third is clocked at 81, the fourth at 81, the fifth at 80, the next at 83 before registering an 87, someone joking a soda can must have fallen from the upper deck in front of the radar gun.

The inning mercifully ends with the Reds only scoring three runs, Schmidt never throwing anything harder than 87 and disappearing down the runway leading away from the dugout. No indication if he will keep going -- down the runway or back onto the field.

Los Angeles Times