Dodgers Out of First, Can Climb Back On Top Tonight

When the Dodgers had just a two game lead on the Padres, LAist was shocked at the air of confidence that locals had that the Blue Crew were going to just cruise into the playoffs without a care in the world.

Well yesterday the other shoe dropped and so did the Dodgers when San Diego continued their dominance over LA with a 2-1 victory, extending their season series lead over the home team to 15-5, including owning us 9-2 at Chavez Ravine.

The Dodgers only find themselves a half game out of first place and tonight they face the Padres again and if Brad Penny can win his first game this year against San Diego then LA can regain their rightful place on top in the NL West.

Penny is 16-8 this season but two of those losses were against the Pads who shelled him for 6 earned runs in each of his last two starts against our neighbors to the south.

Meanwhile Jake Peavy is struggling this year (after having two unbelievable sub 3.00 ERA seasons) and finds himself with a deceptive 9-14 record. Two of his wins, however were against the Dodgers. Peavy is has an ERA of just above 4.00 and will reach 200 K's for his second season in his short five-year career.

Keep your eye speedy shortstop Rafael Furcal who has had a hit in each of the last three games against the Padres including a dinger on Saturday of Woody Williams, and is 3 for 7 against Peavy this season including a homer.

Monday night baseball in LA just might be the best thing on tv tonight, so make sure you don't forsake it while being distracted by all the season premieres being shown on network television.

AP photo by Francis Specker