So what happens if the Dodgers are ahead late in a tight game tonight? The question was posed earlier today in the comments, and I didn’t even really think about it until I went and looked at the bullpen counter – Javy Guerra & Kenley Jansen have both pitched in each of the last two games. There’s nothing that says you can’t use a guy for a third night in a row, though thanks to Monday’s day off ahead of two solid starts by Clayton Kershaw & Chad Billingsley, the bullpen has four guys (Scott Elbert, Todd Coffey, Jamey Wright, Josh Lindblom) who haven’t pitched since Sunday. Mike MacDougal hasn’t actually been seen since Saturday, which is probably a big part of why this week has been so great.

With Ted Lilly due to come off the disabled list on Saturday, Lindblom is almost certainly going to go down – even though that’s unquestionably the wrong choice – so I wouldn’t mind seeing him get a chance in a high-leverage situation should one arise. There was a mention on the Isotopes radio broadcast this afternoon that Michael Antonini had been held back from his start last night and was briefly told he was going to the majors, but clearly that passed quickly because he later entered the game in relief and threw five innings. That would seem to indicate some sort of issue with Elbert – since Nathan Eovaldi would be the next starter in line, and an Elbert absence would leave the pen without a lefty – but we’ve heard absolutely nothing to indicate that Elbert (or anyone) is dealing with an injury.

Chris Capuano is backed by the regular lineup as James Loney gets back into action, still seeking his first hit of the season.