Here We Go Again

For the first time in what seems like a month the Dodgers find themselves playing in a west coast friendly time slot, with everyone's favorite announcer getting the call. Last week's ho-hum attitude has faded, and in it's place lies an eagerness to make it home in time for the first pitch. The high volume of sub-plots surrounding today's action sparks an excitement that has been dormant during the current road trip. All of the following are in play:

• The Dodgers can clinch the NL West Division with a victory, while a Colorado loss would also accomplish the same.
  
  
• Chad Billingsley's playoff role is on the line today, and so to are those of Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla. A solid start by Bills, on the heels of last week's six inning, one hit performance, would seemingly be enough for him to be named the fourth starter in place of Garland.
  
  
• Atlanta is putting together a mini run for the Wild Card, winning their last seven games and pulling within two of the Rockies. Wouldn't it be nice to see the Dodgers knock out Jim Tracy when the Rockies come to town to conclude the season?
  
  
• A Dodger win nets me $260 for my NL West Futures bet back in March. Playoff tickets here we come!

But at least for tonight, let's forget those other story lines and shower in champagne.