Dodgersclub.com | Los Angeles Dodgers News, dodgers Scores, Game Recaps & Commentary - <div>Let's wake up, everybody! Games in April count every bit as much as games in August and September. And yes, we have big races going on that we can follow throughout the season. Take a look:</div><p></p><h4>Washington vs. Washington</h4><p>New ballpark be damned, the Washington Nationals are still a horrible ballclub. Their record, like their hips, don't lie. The Washington Nationals are 9-17, the same record as their opponents in this matchup, the Ron Washington-led Texas Rangers. Each team can brag about shaky pitching and poor clutch hitting, but only the Rangers can own their club record for most losses in April. The previous high of 15 happened three times. The 2008 Rangers also matched the 1982 squad for the worst start after 23 games since the team moved to Texas in 1972. Here's a race to watch all season long or until Ron Washington loses his job, whichever comes first.<p><div class="storyPoll"></div><p><h4>Joe vs. Joe</h4><p>While neither Joe is faring as poorly as Tom Hanks in "Joe Versus the Volcano," you know that I'm not the only one tracking the Joe Torre Dodgers versus the Joe Girardi Yankees. As of this date, it's the Yankees at 14-13 over LA, 12-13.<p><h4>Manny vs. Junior</h4><p>When you mention Manny Ramirez you must acknowledge that most of the time it results in Manny versus reality, but in the case I have him in a home run milestone duel. Manny and his 496 homers versus Junior Griffey and his 597 homers. Who will reach his respective milestone first?<p><h4>Manny versus Manny</h4><p>Last season Manny had career lows with 20 homers and 88 RBI. I say the 2008 version of Manny (the one in a contract year) has those numbers by the All-Star break.<p><h4>Phil Hughes vs. Ian Kennedy vs. Clay Buchholz</h4><p>Yes, there must be at least one Yankees/Red Sox rivalry going on, and this seems like as good a one as any. Here are three pitchers who are not quite ready to pitch in the majors throwing for teams that feel that their offenses are good enough to compensate. So far, Phil Hughes is 0-3 with a 7.85 ERA; Ian Kennedy is 0-2 with a 8.53 ERA; and, the clear leader, Clay Buchholz, is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA.<p><h4>Frank Thomas vs. Jason Giambi</h4><p>Frank is back in Oakland, which means this battle of the over-the-hills can resume. The Big Hurt is hitting .197 with 3 homers and 14 RBIa while Jason "I'm so sorry" Giambi has five homers and 11 RBIs with a .167 batting average. Saying goodbye to this contest is David "Big Papi" Ortiz, who is now up to .177 with four homers and 20 RBIs.<p><div class="in_info_box"><h3>Read more at...</h3><div class="in_info_box_content"><p><p>This was a great race between two closers to see who can accumulate the most blown saves. They were tied at four apiece before Corpas was demoted.<p><h4>B.J. Upton vs. Justin Upton</h4><p>B.J. is hitting .289 with two homers, 18 RBIs and four stolen bases. Justin Upton is way in the lead here with five homers, 14 RBIs and a .323 batting average (zero stolen bases). B.J.'s given name is Melvin Emmanuel Upton; I don't want to know how he got his nickname.<p><h4>Detroit Tigers vs. 1,000 runs</h4><p>For those of you had picked the Tigers to generate a 1,000-run offense, you must be pretty worried. Well, as long as there are pitching staffs like that of the Texas Rangers, there is always hope. Detroit is up to 130 runs in 26 games, while the Diamondbacks lead all teams in scoring with 153.<p><h4>Brandon Webb vs. Barry Zito</h4><p>Can Webb actually win more games than Zito loses? Webb has six wins and Zito has six losses. This should be great.<p><h4>Cubs vs. White Sox</h4><p>The first place White Sox are 14-10. The first place Cubs are 16-9. May 23, 2004 is the last time the Cubs and White Sox were in first place at the same time this late into the season. The last time these teams met in the Series? In 1906, when the White Sox topped the Cubs, 4 game to 2.<p><h4>NHL Playoffs vs. Apathy</h4><p>Who cares? Really, who cares?<p></p>

Let's wake up, everybody! Games in April count every bit as much as games in August and September. And yes, we have big races going on that we can follow throughout the season. Take a look:

Washington vs. Washington

New ballpark be damned, the Washington Nationals are still a horrible ballclub. Their record, like their hips, don't lie. The Washington Nationals are 9-17, the same record as their opponents in this matchup, the Ron Washington-led Texas Rangers. Each team can brag about shaky pitching and poor clutch hitting, but only the Rangers can own their club record for most losses in April. The previous high of 15 happened three times. The 2008 Rangers also matched the 1982 squad for the worst start after 23 games since the team moved to Texas in 1972. Here's a race to watch all season long or until Ron Washington loses his job, whichever comes first.

Joe vs. Joe

While neither Joe is faring as poorly as Tom Hanks in "Joe Versus the Volcano," you know that I'm not the only one tracking the Joe Torre Dodgers versus the Joe Girardi Yankees. As of this date, it's the Yankees at 14-13 over LA, 12-13.

Manny vs. Junior

When you mention Manny Ramirez you must acknowledge that most of the time it results in Manny versus reality, but in the case I have him in a home run milestone duel. Manny and his 496 homers versus Junior Griffey and his 597 homers. Who will reach his respective milestone first?

Manny versus Manny

Last season Manny had career lows with 20 homers and 88 RBI. I say the 2008 version of Manny (the one in a contract year) has those numbers by the All-Star break.

Phil Hughes vs. Ian Kennedy vs. Clay Buchholz

Yes, there must be at least one Yankees/Red Sox rivalry going on, and this seems like as good a one as any. Here are three pitchers who are not quite ready to pitch in the majors throwing for teams that feel that their offenses are good enough to compensate. So far, Phil Hughes is 0-3 with a 7.85 ERA; Ian Kennedy is 0-2 with a 8.53 ERA; and, the clear leader, Clay Buchholz, is 1-2 with a 4.08 ERA.

Frank Thomas vs. Jason Giambi

Frank is back in Oakland, which means this battle of the over-the-hills can resume. The Big Hurt is hitting .197 with 3 homers and 14 RBIa while Jason "I'm so sorry" Giambi has five homers and 11 RBIs with a .167 batting average. Saying goodbye to this contest is David "Big Papi" Ortiz, who is now up to .177 with four homers and 20 RBIs.