"I'm not 100%, but I can go and perform." That is a direct quotation
from LA starter Odalis Perez, who returns from the DL tonight after
dealing with shoulder tendinitis. Let's just say that it is not an
enticing prospect to have your best starter return from injury at less
than full strength in the oxygen-devoid air of Colorado, especially
when he has had difficulty at Coors Field through out his career
(6.90 ERA, .344 BAA, 10 HR in 44.1 IP). The Dodgers offense is
anemic and will only get worse now that J.D. Drew is out indefinately
with a broken wrist. Jeff Francis seems to have turned the corner and
has an impressive line over his last 3 starts (19 IP, 16 H, 5 ER, 5 BB, 20 K),
including a three-hit performance at St. Louis last time out. The Rockies
are 6-2, +$455 while scoring 7.8 runs per game versus lefties at home.