Yardwork: Dodgers Are Off to Best Start Since 1981
By Tim Ryan
The powerful pulse behind the impressive start quite clearly stems directly from the feel-good vibe of Magic Johnson and the new ownership team, though I prefer to credit budding thespian Don Mattingly and his calming, subtle approach. Unlike Joe Girardi, Mattingly is the owner of exactly one binder, and that’s just so he has a convenient place to house all of his takeout menus.
Baseball’s always more fun when the Dodgers are good, and I say that because comments such as that one tend to annoy fans of small market, irrelevant teams.
For the games below, I’m going to list one debateably relevant stat from each duel and then figure out my roster of food purchases for tomorrow afternoon’s game at Yankee Stadium. Why? Because it’s Friday, that’s why.
Reds 3, Nats 2, 10 innings — Jayson Werth went 2-for-5. So you’re tellin’ me there’s a chance.
Tigers 7, Rays 2 — Brennan Boesch went 2-for-4 with 4 RBIs. Of course he did. Detroit’s getting it from everyone so far.
Twins 10, Angels 9 — Albert Pujols has zero home runs and an OPS of .612. It’s obviously time to panic. I guarantee he busts out of it in a big way at Yankee Stadium this weekend.
Cubs 8, Brewers 0 — Zack Greinke was an ugly, 18-car pileup: 3.2 IP, 8 ER. Ouch.
Giants 4, Rockies 2 — Jamie Moyer’s comeback has been phenomenal in the sense that it’s been in no way phenomenal.
I love attending baseball games primarily because it allows us to eat terrible things and not give a shit. Tomorrow’s edible rotation: hot dog, sausage and peppers, hot dog, sausage and peppers, with some adult beverages sprinkled throughout. Rinse, wash, repeat.
Two notes from last night’s Yankee “welcome homer” dinner in midtown: Nick Swisher is one hell of a nice guy. He took time with every single person who came up to him, and did so with such a genuine flair. Such a refreshing approach. Freddy Garcia, on the other hand, hates life. Not a happy camper.