Less than a week ago, Brad Penny was released by the Boston Red Sox and was put on waivers. He found his destination within hours of the Monday deadline. After four seasons with the L.A. Dodgers, you kind of get the hang of playing your division rivals -- the San Francisco Giants. But now he'll be on the other side of the fence as far as the rivalry goes and he can't wait. He says he'd love to pitch against his former team and looks forward to facing those he once called his teammates. With the Giants season schedule nearing it's end and playoff hopes still at large, the two teams will meet two more times this season for a 3-game series in each city.
As odd as I found this signing, I thought who better to pick up than Brad Penny? Considering he knows the N.L. West very well. Not to mention we basically got him for peanuts. But despite not having pitched since August 21st, Penny made his Giants debut one to remember. Coming into tonight's game, Penny hadn't gone into the 8th inning since June 25th of 2007. Tonight he reached that mark in shutout fashion. Penny looked nothing like the pitcher who went 7-8 with a 5.61 ERA for the Red Sox. Instead he looked like the 2-time All-Star that won 16 games for the Dodgers just three seasons ago. & If Penny can continue to pitch like he did tonight, the thought of Randy Johnson not being able to pitch out of the rotation won't be as scary as it once was.
& While the Giants were busy introducing their newest arm, the Dodgers added a few pieces of their own to the puzzle. Left handed slugger Jim Thome and Righty Jon Garland. Sources say the Dodgers jumped at Thome to block the Giants from acquiring him. But being a former DH for so long and moving to the National League won't help. Thome reminded Dodgers GM Ned Colletti before he signed that he can't play first base. Which will give the Dodgers some pinch hitting power off the bench.
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