A question was asked to me by my newfound friend Jaq from http://atlbravesfan.mlblogs.com about one of my pictures from my recent trip from Atlanta about the Braves 14 consecutive division titles and the question was , if not for the current format of post-season play of 3 rounds, the LDS, LCS, and the World Series, if I thought the Braves would have won more than 1 World Series title ? 

That’s a good thought, though I feel the flip side to that would be how many teams that failed to make post season play under the old 2-divison format could have won World Series titles if the Wild Card had been in effect back then, especially since there have been 4 wild card qualifiers who have won the World Series, ( Marlins 1997 and 2003, Angels 2002, Red Sox 2004 ) .  And if we really want to go back in history, how many 2nd place finishers would have won if it wasn’t just the league champions who qualified for post-season, which, back in the day, was the WS? 

After a promising start on the road trip in which the Blue would drop 2 of 3 to the ‘Stros, the Dodgers head down south this weekend to do battle with the Friars.  While the Dodgers have started off slowly, the Friars have had their own struggles as well.  The Friars cant seem to get any kind of offense going in their home digs, which has been a huge outcry of the team since PETCO opened in 2004.   The Friars have already been swept at home twice this season, by Colorado and recently by the D-Backs.  The Dodgers hope to add on to the Friars struggles this weekend as Jay Seo looks for his first win of the season against the Padres rooke Chris Young. 

NOTES

The Padres our currently 3-9 at PETCO this season, 1-7 against NL West teams, with the Rockies and D-Backs pulling off 3 game sweeps.  The  lone NL West victory was an  Opening Day win over the Giants.

Chan Ho Park will be making his first start against his former mates this Sunday when he faces off against Derek Lowe.

The right center field fence, once at 411, has been moved in 9 feet to 402 to help reduce triples and to cut down on runners scoring from 1st base on doubles.  From the faithful I spoke with during the WBC, they expect the changes to contribute 5 extra home runs at picher friendly PETCO.

AND NOW FROM THE 1ST BASE DUGOUT

PADRE POSTINGS

http://padrespostings.mlblogs.com

AND FOR YOUR FARM REPORT

INSIDE THE DODGERS

http://insidethedodgers.mlblogs.com

The Dodgers kick things off on the road beginning with a 3 game series tonight against the defending NL Champion Houston Astros at the Juice Box, aka Minute Maid Park.  Tonight’s probables arguably could be the prime pitching matchup of the series as Derek Lowe faces off against Andy Pettite.  These two should be very familiar with each other,  having faced each other during their Red-Sox/Yankees days.  Lowe is coming off his best start of the season against the Cubs, going 7 innings, allowing only 1 run .  Pettite, though off to a slow start, is 2-0 lifetime against the Blue.  Houston, despite injuries to key players Brandon Backe and Jeff Bagwell, and the absence of the Rocket, are off to a hot start and are sure not to repeat last season 15-30 start of the season.  Houston, regarded by many this season as a team with a lot of question marks , currently is atop the NL Central with a 13-5 record. 

Notes

Jose Cruz Jr., son of former Houston Astros outfielder and current 1B coach Jose Cruz, holds a lifetime average of .419 ( 18-43 ) against Pettite .

Roof at MMP, weather permitting, is expected to remain open for the 3 game series.  The roof was a hot topic during last years WS .  Despite of the wishes of the Astros and it’s fans, MLB ordered the roof open for games 3 and 4 of the WS.

AND FINALLY FROM THE 1B DUGOUT…

STROS ‘BRO

https://strosbro.mlblogs.com

As a blogger, it is always great when we get a chance to look at others work and read up on the sport we all love from diffrent POV’s.  Here are some I’ve found from fellow NL West division bloggers that can hopefully be of interest.

THE GIANTS AND BEYOND

http://ezeisberg.mlblogs.com

PADRE POSTINGS

http://padrepostings.mlblogs.com

THE COORS EFFECT

http://coorseffect.mlblogs.com

AZ DIAMONDHACKS

http://azdiamondhacks.mlblogs.com

More blogs from around the circuit to come.

In an attempt to visit the other opponents blog for their POV, I’ve just returned from NO RESERVATIONS. NO RESERVATIONS is a blog from an Atlanta Braves fan who hopes to see his team win a 15th straight division title. His concern about the pitching staff of his team echoes many of our own pitching issues as well. But it’s only 3 games into the season, so i’m not to concerned. The site is noreservations.mlblogs.com. Next Opponent…Philadelphia Phillies

Before I elaborate on my topic, I would like to introduce this new category, FROM THE FIRST BASE DUGOUT, which, we Dodgers fans know, is the visitors dugout in our temple we know as Dodger Stadium.  Every now and then, I read other bloggers from other teams, as well as to search for other ideal topics, and if I see anything interesting, I will recommend it here as well.  Right now, I have just returned from a visit to The Giants and Beyond and left a friendly word about our starting pitching staffs.  I am hoping that the editor their and I can engage in a friendly rivalry between our respective favorite teams.  After all, the Dodgers/Giants rivalry should limited to just the field, right?  The only thing I ask is that if visiting his site, or any other fans site, that if you are going to post something that could lead to debate, do it with class and be respectful of others opinions, even if it’s a Giants fan….LOL.