NewsHoffman set to face offseason suitor
Milwaukee (44-41) vs. Los Angeles (54-31), 7:05 p.m. CT
By Adam McCalvy / MLB.com
07/09/09 7:01 PM ET
MILWAUKEE -- The Dodgers and Brewers are set to square off in a matchup of Trevor Hoffman's offseason suitors. The Brewers won the bidding, of course, and Hoffman has delivered 19 saves in 20 opportunities. But the Dodgers have been the better team so far this season, and they carry first place in the National League West into Friday's opener. For both teams, it's the final series before the All-Star break. "[The Brewers] pursued me a lot harder than L.A.," Hoffman said. "I think they were pretty comfortable with 'Brox' [Jonathan Broxton] being their guy, and that's fine. There was such a small window where they were in it. I understand that the coverage might have been different, but for me, it was probably 72 hours where they were involved. "You picture yourself in different uniforms, different places, and ultimately there is a frontrunner that comes out of it. That was Milwaukee." The Brewers emerged as that frontrunner for Major League Baseball's all-time saves leader by offering $6 million plus incentives, plus assurances that Hoffman would be the closer. In Los Angeles, Hoffman may have pitched as a setup man to Broxton. Also key to Hoffman's decision was a chat with Brewers head athletic trainer Roger Caplinger, who assured Hoffman that the team would adapt to his very specific training regimen. Incoming Brewers manager Ken Macha also joined the pursuit by placing a call to Hoffman. Macha was surprised when Hoffman picked up the phone on the first try. "I've called other guys. I called [CC] Sabathia," Macha said, referring to the free agent who spurned the Brewers for a megadeal with the Yankees. "So I'm 1-for-2." Did Macha expect Hoffman to sign with his home-state Dodgers? "I don't know," the manager said. "I'm just glad that it worked out." At the time, it was portrayed in the press as more of a back-and-forth between the Brewers and Dodgers, and many observers believed Hoffman would lean toward L.A. because it was right up the road from his San Diego-area home. He was coming off 16 Hall of Fame-caliber seasons with the Padres. "My agent said at some point, 'Hey, you need to start thinking about L.A.," Hoffman said. "But that happened quickly. This has been a good fit for me." Pitching matchupMIL: RHP Braden Looper (7-4, 4.78 ERA)
Looper gets the call for Milwaukee's series opener against Manny Ramirez and the Dodgers. He limited the Cubs to two runs on six hits in six innings on Independence Day despite working without the good command of his fastball. He has a 4.68 ERA in 24 career appearances against the Dodgers, all but one of those games in relief. The lone start was a win last Aug. 11, when Looper limited L.A. to one run and four hits in six innings. He's been much better this season at home (4-1, 4.03 ERA in 10 starts) than on the road (3-3, 6.06 ERA in seven starts). LAD: RHP Chad Billingsley (9-4, 3.14 ERA)
Billingsley let a fourth chance at a 10th victory slip away. He took a two-hitter into the ninth inning in San Diego, but by the time fellow All-Star Broxton got the third out, a five-run lead had been blown. Billingsley struck out five without a walk, but also allowed a pair of homers and hasn't won since June 14. He's 2-0 lifetime against Milwaukee. Tidbits
Bill Hall is expected back in Milwaukee on Friday after he spent Thursday at home in Mississippi tending to a death in the family. ... With games against the Dodgers looming, the Brewers have yet to face only the Nationals and the Padres. Those two teams have the fewest wins in the league. ... Macha is a bit worried that Monday's State Farm Home Run Derby could mess with Prince Fielder's swing, so he gave the first baseman some advice. "My advice to Prince is line drives are a good thing," Macha said. ... Right-hander Dave Bush, on the disabled list with a triceps injury, is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment at Class A Wisconsin on Friday night. Tickets are available through the Timber Rattlers' Web site. ... The Brewers are letting fans vote for the next installment of "Miller Park Movies," scheduled for August 7-8. To see the choices and to vote, click here. Tickets
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• Saturday: Brewers (Mike Burns, 1-2, 5.57) vs. Dodgers (Jeff Weaver, 5-2, 3.32), 6:05 p.m. CT
• Sunday: Brewers (Yovani Gallardo, 8-6, 2.95) vs. Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw, 6-5, 3.27), 1:05 p.m. CT
Adam McCalvy is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
