Dodgers Begin Cactus League Schedule Armed with Pitching, Defense, a Bison, and Hope

This has been one of the most quiet springs in recent memory. There has not been much activity going on. Most of the roster spots are all but set, the last spot in the bullpen not withstanding. However we have made it. The Dodgers begin their Cactus League schedule today at 12:05 PM against the White Sox. The Dodgers start the exhibition season armed with solid pitching, defense, Matt Kemp, and new hope.

Most of the spring we looked at pictures of the Dodgers running, exercising, and practicing with minimal news worthy headlines. Kershaw had a mildly stiff back. Shane Lindsay pulled his lat, Alfredo Silverio was in a car accident, and Dee Gordon took a grounder in the lip  requiring a few stitches. We also discussed Juan Uribe‘s weight and the ongoing sale of the team. No big deal of course, just the typical happenings, bumps and bruises of spring training. Otherwise most of the talk has been about the sale. With that being said, the Dodgers will play their first exhibition game of 2012 this afternoon, and on Tuesday we will have our first look at the 2012 Dodgers during the first televised game of the year.

Today’s game will be on radio only. The Dodgers will start their first season on their new radio flagship of KLAC 570AM, which is an all sports format radio station. Charley Steiner and Rick Monday will man the radio booth again for the Dodgers. Vin Scully, the greatest broadcaster in sports history begins his 63rd season as the voice of the Dodgers, and our guide throughout the season. Scully will call all Dodger home games and division/inter-league road games, blessing us all with another year of his beautiful voice. The Dodgers will continue to televise games on Prime Ticket and KCAL channel 9, while Jamie Jarrin, Pepe Yniguez, and Fernando Valenzuela will man the Dodger’s Spanish radio network. Steve Lyons, and Eric Collins will also return for another year on Prime Ticket.

The Dodgers will play 34 exhibition games, 15 at Camelback Ranch, one at Angels stadium, and two at Dodger Stadium. Chad Billingsley will start the first game for the Dodgers, and the White Sox will counter with Philip Humber. Generally at this early stage in spring training, the starters only pitch two or three innings. The starting pitchers work up their stamina slowly until opening day. I’ll have a special post after the game with a recap. I will do the best I can despite the game being on radio only. The game will also be available on the MLB network I believe if you have a subscription. You can find the Dodgers complete spring schedule on our front page, or you can also find it on the Dodgers main site.

Oh by the way, Kershaw, in his final tuneup before spring schedule, made 23 pitches in the Dodger’s intrasquad game on Sunday. Kershaw whiffed five batters in the simulated game. Clayton Kershaw will start both opening days, in San Diego on April 5th and the Dodger Stadium opening day April 10th against the Pirates.

Remember the first couple of weeks of games are a bit hectic and confusing. All of the minor league players are in camp with the big club, and we will be seeing players we are not familiar with. This is normal, and as we inch closer and closer to opening day the team will start to resemble the roster we will see on opening day.

Baseball is finally back. I feel excitement that only a blue man can feel at the start of a long journey that has yet to be decided. I hope the Dodgers can make the playoffs. I hope the Dodgers win the pennant. I hope the Dodgers win the World Series…..I hope… Only 30 more days until opening day. One more month until we hear the five most beautiful words ever spoken. IT’S TIME FOR DODGER BASEBALL!…Go Blue