The Dodgers have not said whether Kuroda will end up on the 15-day DL at this point – they could make it retroactive to June 13th, thus minimizing the time he misses on the roster if the injury is minor. However, Torre and Colletti seem determined to use releiver to manage Kuroda’s absence at this point.

At least Derek Lowe and the Dodger bats seem to be performing (albeit against the lowly Cincinnati Reds) – the boys in blue scored six runs on nine hits while Lowe went 5 1/3 innings with only one run, three hits, two walks and six strikeouts on the board.

Maybe there is hope…

Likewise, the Dodgers coughed one up to the Mets at the end of this last series thanks in part to some mediocre pitching from our old friend Brad Penney. Tonight, it’s Derek Lowe’s turn on the mount. Lowe, who is 2-2 with a 3.66 ERA, was credited with the loss on Sunday in Colorado, as he allowed five runs and six hits in five innings. Here’s hoping he can manage a bit better against the Astros.

Houston is starting a fresh face for this season as a starter- right-hander Brian Moehler. This is the first start for Moehler since September of 2006 when he was with Florida. In place of the injured Wandy Rodriguez, Moehler may have his work cut out for him as he has struggled out of the pen this season for the Astros, pitching to a 7.04 ERA without recording a decision.

The Dodgers definitely need to bring their bats tonight – particularly because the Astros have Lance Berkman in their stable and he is on fire as of late. Berkman, who had two hits and an RBI in Thursday’s 8-3 loss to Washington, has reached base 17 times in his last 20 plate appearances. The 10-year veteran is hitting .813 (13-for-16) with two home runs and seven RBI in the last four games.