Wake-up call: Joe Torre, Matt Stairs, Cleveland Browns
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First things first: Pitching, pitching, pitching. Before the Dodgers began the playoffs, we heard how great the Dodgers starting rotation is. Now it’s how thin the bullpen is. There are two pieces worth reading today. One is The Times’ T.J. Simers, who calls out the real culprit: Joe Torre, who pulled starter Derek Lowe so early. Too early, T.J. says. The second is ESPN’s Jorge Arangure Jr., who paints a vivid but grim picture of the Dodgers clubhouse after the game and points out that this bullpen had been pretty much perfect (and not all that long ago, like maybe on Sunday). He weakens it by calling Torre’s decision merely ‘curious.’ Sorry, but T.J. nails that one. Then there is Bill Plaschke’s take. Game 5 is Wednesday.
Dewey beats Truman? History buffs know that headline well. But, no the Cleveland Browns really did beat Eli Manning and the N.Y. Giants last night. And by a score of 35-14. James Walker of ESPN breaks it down to three things the Browns learned from this game, including that they are still in it (with a 2-3 record). Really? Now, that’s optimism. More fun, however, is how crazy Cleveland is going. The front page of the Plain Dealer says it all. Is it possible, though, that Eli simply had a bad game?
Biggest surprise? Besides Torre pulling Lowe when he did, it would be Tommy Bowden leaving as coach at Clemson. But with the senior quarterback being benched and then taking potshots at Bowden in the media, it had to be a quagmire. Still, it is the middle of the season, Bowden’s 10th.
Biggest shock? Maybe the news that Jack Johnson, the Kings’ talented young defenseman, did indeed injure his shoulder in Sunday’s game and will be out two to three months. Tonight they play the Ducks at Staples Center. Both teams are 0-2 so tonight will help one of them in the Pacific Division standings.