You have two teams that are generally stingy about giving up runs and loathe to score them. Add to that a fully rested K-Rod, Shields, Speier, Street, Duchscherer, and Calero. Add to that the fact that both teams are really struggling to score runs right now—even for them. Add to that a missing Milton Bradley and a missing Vlad Guerrero.
All I’m saying is that if there was ever a time to bring the infield in in the second inning, or to play for one run in the third inning, you’re looking at it. Knowing baseball, of course, tonight’s final score will be 9-8.
The starting lineups, faced by righties Chad Gaudin and Jered Weaver:
Matthews
Izturis
Cabrera
Anderson
Kendrick
Kotchman
Hillenbrand
Napoli
Willits
Stewart
Swisher
Chavez
Piazza
Walker
Crosby
Buck
Kendall
Ellis
