The season is on the line for the Dodgers this week. They trail the San Diego Padres by six games and they have the unenviable task of having to battle three other teams to get to first place in the National League West.
The Dodgers open a three-game series tomorrow night in San Diego and after Thursday move on to San Francisco for a weekend get-together with the Giants. Six crucial games and L.A. has to win at least four of them to move up.
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add Dodgers: If their fans needed any more proof that the club is cash-strapped by the McCourts divorce, the clincher was when Dan Haren was traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Angels on Sunday. Haren would have given the Dodgers that big arm that they need to stay with the Padres and Giants. And, he is a good hitter. This bonus would have allowed Manager Joe Torre some flexibility in the lineup when Haren pitched.
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add Haren: Although they lost three out of four to the Rangers over the weekend, it's obvious the Angels think they can pitch their way into the playoffs. And there's time to acquire a big bat before Sunday's trading deadline.
Much was made in the L.A. papers about the Angels giving up too much for Haren, that being left-handed pitcher Joe Saunders and three promising minor league prospects. You can't get something for nothing, and if statistics are any measure of success, then Haren is twice as good as Saunders. The right-hander from Pepperdine, who is the same age as Saunders, 29, holds a 2-1 edge in innings pitched and almost a 4-1 advantage in career strikeouts. The acquistion of Haren should offset the disappointing performance so far by Scott Kazmir, who was acquired in a trumpeted deal last year from Tampa Bay.
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