Texas Two-Step

The Dodgers' first two games against the Astros continued to illuminate key themes as the trading deadline nears. First of all, Chad Billingsley gave more indication that the youth movement is in full effect and the best thing that Ned Colletti and Grady Little can do is stay out of the way and let the kids continue to amaze.

Billingsley has been pegged for years as a future ace, and while he has been at times unspectacular since getting to the majors last year, he has a career ERA of 3.61 and is only getting better. His complete game, 5-hit win on Monday was his longest, most efficient outing yet, and there is no reason to believe he won't continue to be a strong fourth option (if Randy Wolf returns to pre-injury form), if not assuming the third starter's role behind Penny and Lowe.

Billingsley's complete game provided the Dodgers with a win, but also gave the bullpen a rest. On Tuesday, however, it became painfully obvious, again, that starters won't be able to throw complete games every night, and as solid as he's been, Rudy Seanez is not a dependable late inning guy for a World Series contender.

Bullpen Issues

It seems as though Grady Little's expectations for any "starter" not named Penny, Lowe, or Billingsley (or Wolf when/if he's healthy) are five innings and three or fewer runs allowed. Hendrickson gave the team that on Tuesday, but Seanez continued his recent struggles by allowing two inherited runners to score and giving up a grand slam to Craig Biggio on the night he announced he will retire after the season.

The solution to the pitching issues may not be as simple as getting healthy, unfortunately. I have already voiced my support for Octavio Dotel for a mid-level prospect or two, but there may be support within the organization.

Eric Hull, who made his MLB debut and pitched two hitless innings, seems like he might be a viable bullpen option for the near future. He had a 3.18 ERA in 51 innings playing in Las Vegas, the most hitter-friendly park in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, so it's not unreasonable to hope he could help the Dodgers' bullpen that could be classified as anything from weary to simply not that good aside from Beimel, Broxton and a healthy Saito.

Another option that I'm sure Colletti and Little have in their thoughts is Jonathan Meloan, as evidenced by his recent promotion to Triple-A. He has been on the Dodgers' radar ever since a strong showing in the 2006 Arizona Fall League, and his ascension has continued to this point. His stats at Double-A Jacksonville certainly merited a promotion to Las Vegas -- 2.18 ERA, 19 saves, 70 strikeouts in 45.1 innings pitched -- and could soon make him a legitimate option for Little late in games. According to Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein, Meloan's fastball touches 97 mph and he has a plus-plus curve. At the very least, he could get a call-up to gain some experience and eat some innings to give the geezers like Tomko, Seanez and Saito more rest.

Red Flag for Russ?

In Ken Gurnick's game story on Tuesday, he attributed Russell Martin's departure from the game after the eighth inning to "tightness in his buttocks." Martin wouldn't call it an injury, but it raises a larger question about whether or not Little is making enough use of Mike Lieberthal as a way to give Russ rest. Just a thought...