Fade the Dodgers in this AZ series

[madflacker]

The Dodgers have some of the easiest outs in baseball in their offensive lineup right now.

Even with Furcal on fire, Rusell Martin, Garciaparra and Kent are all strikeout / double-play prone. Then you get down to the bottom of that lineup with Loney / Pierre / and the pitcher spot - and that spells at least 3 offensive innings that are guaranteed goose eggs.

They are supremely out-gunned offensively against the D-Backs. I see them getting swept in this series.

Thoughts?

(disclaimer: I am a Giants fan - which either means I'm severely biased, or really have a deep appreciation for what a crappy offensive team looks like. Draw your own conclusions).

[ChuteBoxe]

No way in hell they get swept. They might lose the series, I'm not saying that, as the DBacks are one of the best teams in baseball RIGHT NOW, and their offense is really clicking. The Dodgers are off to their typical slow start, and Joe Torre is known for his slow starts with the Yankees. Baseball probability says though, that the Dodgers will not get swept 6 games in a row against the DBacks, especially being favored, and at home.

[madflacker]

Will the Dodgers score more than 3 runs tonight?

I don't think so. I just don't see where those runs would come from, with this lineup. Easy to see - conversely - where AZ gets 4-5 runs with their lineup / momentum right now.

Yes, Dodgers typically slow starters. Also prone to 10 game stretches where they can't seem to scratch out more than 2 runs per game. I think this is early days of one of those stretches.

Sweep? Probability-wise seems like a stretch, per your analysis. But seems like AZ even money against completely inept offense is great value (-101 Haren tonight), even if on road.

[ryanXL977]

az wins tonite
aweep? i highly doubt it

[twtb19]

I don't know about a sweep on the road in LA, but I do like their chances to win tonight as the road dog and the series.

[madflacker]

No way in hell they get swept. They might lose the series, I'm not saying that, as the DBacks are one of the best teams in baseball RIGHT NOW, and their offense is really clicking. The Dodgers are off to their typical slow start, and Joe Torre is known for his slow starts with the Yankees. Baseball probability says though, that the Dodgers will not get swept 6 games in a row against the DBacks, especially being favored, and at home.

Sorry - I screwed the pooch on this one. Who would have thought Haren would walk so many and throw 100 pitches in 5 innings.