Right-hander Chad Billingsley will make his first start of 2013 today.

Of course, it didn’t help that our bullpen fell apart (starting with Ronald Belisario, whom I don’t believe gives a flying fart), but stranding nine runners while playing a less-than-stellar team was what killed the Dodgers yesterday. There was no need to be playing catch-up the whole game (until the 8th when the wheels came off the bus). There were opportunities galore in the early going for the Dodgers to get a commanding lead. They couldn’t do it. That has been a recurring theme this season so far.

Now about Belisario. In my opinion, he almost always exhibits a disdainful air whenever he takes the mound. He can be very good, or he can be just awful, but I get the feeling, eh…, he doesn’t really care either way. An L is just as good as a W when you know you’re getting paid no matter what.

Today’s starter for the Dodgers, Chad Billingsley, usually cares too much. He is making his season debut on the mound, and his whole heart will be into it. “The Boy From Defiance,” as Vin Scully likes to call him (referring to Bills’ Ohio hometown), hurt his elbow in August after the best stretch of his career: a 6-0 run with a 1.80 ERA. After missing the end of the season, he opted for physical therapy instead of surgery. Today, he will pitch as if his life depends on it. That’s just the way he is. That’s why I like him so much.