It's Your Party, You Can Cry If You Want To... Later.

So, let’s see, my bank was bought, my pilot is in danger of being shelved and, following the first Presidential debate, some stupid fence sitters are now leaning toward McCain. Not only that, but terrorism, war, hunger, disease and injustice still linger throughout the world. But, it’s all fine because the Dodgers are Western Division Champs. Let’s party.

The Dodgers lost to the lowly Dads Thursday night, then celebrated in their clubhouse as if Derek Lowe had just thrown a perfect game in Game 7 of the World Series shortly after curing cancer and achieving peace in the Middle East. Guys, great job. You won a 5 team division, and one of the lousiest in the history of divisional play, I might add. I definitely feel some letting loose, some subdued celebration was in order, but come on. It was way overboard. It was downright inappropriate and I’m surprised Joe Torre let it go as far as it did. It looked as if they were done playing and somehow knew they’d won their last game. They should get over themselves and start taking care of business. They have a lot of work left to do. Besides, they’re the Los Angeles Dodgers. That little achievement of winning the West should be expected every year. You don’t party like it’s 1999 just because you won a weak division. Then, everyone’s lit up and wiped out and they go out and lose to the Midget Giants in 10 innings last night. That’s horrible. I think it’s extremely important that they end the regular season with some momentum. They lost Thursday night, they lost last night and with Lincecum pitching tomorrow afternoon, it’s likely they’ll lose that game as well. Ending the season with 83 lousy wins is no big deal. If they lose tonight and tomorrow, they’ll be entering the playoffs with a 4 game losing streak! And, with the Brewers and Mets tied for the Wild Card with one game left to play, there’s a reasonable chance they’ll have to open up in Wrigley against the mighty Cubbies. That spells 3 and out to me. And tomorrow, there’s gonna be a “rally” at the Ravine? A “rally?” The Dodgers used to win the West practically every year when it was a tough 6 team division and they didn’t have any stinkin’ “rallys.” They went to the playoffs, took care of business against Philly or Pittsburgh or Montreal or New York, and then it was on to the World Series. Frank McCourt and his rallys. Jeez. Here’s an idea. Let’s have a “You’d Better Re-Sign Manny Or Else Rally. “

A big part of the reason they lost last night was that stupid instant replay call on that so-called home run by big, fat Bengie Molina. The ball did NOT hit the top of the wall, it hit the top of the SIDE of the wall, beneath the home run eave that runs at a slant along the top of the wall. How can you blow an instant replay call?

Has anyone noticed that Jonathan Broxton can no longer get through an inning without allowing at least one run to score? Without Hong Chi Kuo, who won’t be available for at least the first round of the playoffs with a sore elbow, this bullpen is in serious trouble. Everyone looks bad except Corey Wade. They need bullpen help, but I wish the venerable Torre would get over his strange man love for Scott Proctor and cut him loose. He’s a huge liability and should never be allowed to step on the mound during the post season. Here’s hoping Furcal is healthy enough for the starting job and Kent can keep up his hot hitting coming from the bench. It’s going to be interesting to see who they decide to keep for their 25 man playoff roster. Here’s how I think it should go:

1) Furcal
2) Martin
3) Ethier
4) Manny
5) Loney
6) Blake
7) Kemp
8) DeWitt
9) Pierre
10) Kent
11) Garciaparra
12) Berroa
13) Sweeney
14) Lowe
15) Billinsgley
16) Kuroda
17) Maddux
18) Kershaw
19) Wade
20) Beimel
21) Broxton
22) Saito
23) Park
24) Johnson
25) Ardoin

It’s kind of a toss up between Delwynn Young and Sweeney, but with Pierre, I think you have enough outfielders. Still, you can replace Sweeey with Young and I wouldn’t cry in my soup. Sweeney’s been terrible this year. So, that means guys like Young (or Sweeney) and Pablo Ozuna and Proctor don’t make the roster. Neither do young McDonald, Hu, Repko, Stults or Troncoso. (Thank god for that. Troncoso should be released or sent back to "A" ball.)

They’ll be playing either the Eastern Division Champs, the Philadelphia Phillies, who clinched this afternoon, or the Cubs, depending on the outcome of tomorrow’s games involving the Mets and the Brewers. If they both win or they both lose, they’ll end the regular season in a flat-footed tie and they’ll face off at Shea for a one game playoff on Monday. Revered baseball analyst, Peter Gammon actually feels the Cubs AND THE DODGERS are the 2 best teams in the NL. Wow. What’s he been smokin’? Thanks, Peter. Must be that hometown Boston/Manny sentiment coloring his better judgment. Still, anything can happen in the post season.

Clearly, the Dodgers and their fans would rather play Philly, but no matter who they play, they’re going to have to win a game today or tomorrow or both to have a reasonable chance. Just my gut talking to me, that’s all. Go Blue.