On this Dodgers trip, pitchers are first (round picks)

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PHILADELPHIA -- The Dodgers began a three-day streak today that may be unique in baseball history.

Philadelphia’s starting pitcher today was World Series MVP Cole Hamels, the first of three first-round draft picks the Dodgers are scheduled to go up against in as many days.

On Friday in Miami, the Marlins’ Chris Volstad, the 16th selection in the 2005 draft, is scheduled to pitch against Los Angeles, while on Saturday the Marlins are expected to start Andrew Miller, the sixth overall pick in 2006.

Hamels, a high school star at Rancho Bernando, was the 17th player taken in the first round of the 2002 draft.

But then the Dodgers aren’t exactly slouches themselves when it comes to starting pitching. Beginning with Chad Billingsley, who opened today’s game, three of the Dodgers’ next four starters were also first-round picks. Billingsley was taken 24th in 2003, while Jeff Weaver, Saturday’s scheduled starter, was the 14th pick in 1998, and Sunday’s starter Clayton Kershaw was drafted seventh overall in 2006.

-- Kevin Baxter

At left, Marlins pitcher Chris Volstad. Credit: Jerry Lai / US Presswire; at right, Marlins pitcher Andrew Miller. Credit: Joel Auerbach / US Presswire