Mike Scioscia's tragic illness

Congratulations, James McDonald

 I know there’s still nearly two more weeks until Opening Day, and anything can happen. But I don’t care - I don’t mind being the one to put the supermegajinx out there and call this competition over, with a triple knockout in the 8th round.

Ladies and gentlemen, your new fifth starter: James McDonald.

What makes me so confident? Today’s triple whammy, baby!

Exhibit A:

We just got word that pitcher Claudio Vargas is experiencing some elbow discomfort. Not clear yet how serious it is, but it sounded kind of minor.

Let’s see, bum arm + terrible outing yesterday + 8.22 spring ERA = you’re done.

Exhibit B:

Starter James McDonald pitched three scoreless innings, with two hits, three strikeouts and two walks to become the frontrunner for the fifth spot.

That’s another good outing for McDonald, and just in case you thought he still had competition…

Exhibit C:

Eric Milton’s audition for the fifth starter’s role didn’t go nearly as well as James McDonald’s. Milton was roughed up for six earned runs in 2 2/3rds innings pitched Thursday against the Rockies. Five of the seven hits he allowed were extra base hits, though it should be noted that two of the hits seemed to be affected by the wind. Either way it wasn’t a great outing.

I’d say “yet another nail in the coffin” for Milton, but isn’t he entirely made of nails by this point? He had a golden opportunity to take this job, and completely blew it.

Say it with me now, friends: the youngest, most talented member of this competition actually won despite being opposed by plenty of “savvy vets”. Doesn’t that just sound nice?