This weekend marks the beginning of the final six weeks of the baseball season and a crucial set of games for playoff contenders. Looking at the rest of August for Lasorda’s Lounge favorites:
Dodgers, Padres, and the Art of Mutual Loathing
Having lost the first two of three to a mediocre Angels team (a win tonight would be nice…) we enter the weekend series with San Diego, a team that feels they were robbed last year and that believes in themselves this year, especially now that they share the division lead. After the Padres at home The Azul get four in Colorado, which could be a trap series if they don’t keep up the intensity because, guess what? We get the Padres next weekend too, down at PetCo. Every one of those games will be sold out. LA vs. SD has become one of the better rivalries in the game. The Dodgers close out August at home against a sneaky good Cincy team and the Dbacks, who always play us tough.
I like having a fierce rivalry so close to home, it’s about time the Padres stopped being a doormat and started caring. But as a Dodger die-hard it’s an interesting shift. The looks I get from people wearing Padres gear have been curious. I’m used to awkward pauses and sideways glances from dudes in Giants gear; lately, those guys just look away in shame. But Padres fans, they look me square in the eye and smile, as if they want to take something from me. As if they care.
Good for you, Padres fans. Welcome to adulthood.
The Mets Are Coming. Hide the Cheesesteaks.
Your GO METS! comments have been working. The Metropolitans are five games behind the Phillies with six weeks ago, very much within striking range and certainly in the playoff picture. Tyler McGill’s return from the IL later this month should help them as they close out August with Seattle this weekend, then the Braves twice, Washington, Miami, and a big series with Philly Aug. 25-27.
From Cy Young to long sigh in Atlanta
This season has not been kind to the Braves. Spencer Strider may be tipping pitches and 2024 Cy Young winner Chris Sale is about to return from a broken rib. They have the Guardians this weekend before the White Sox, Mets, Miami, and Phillies to close out August. On the upside my namesake might be the NL Rookie of the Year.
Pirates Eye Spoiler Role, Fans Eye Football Season
Aside from Paul Skenes’ dominance (ignore his last start against the red hot Brewers), Pirates fans haven’t had much to look forward to this year. They are 29 games below .500 and 25 games behind in the NL central. But they have an opportunity to redeem themselves and play spoilers this month to contenders Cubs, Blue Jays, and Res Sox, with stops in Colorado and St. Louis.
baldwinhere 