I’m really digging this Phillies series because they’re forcing me to learn about players I’ve never heard of. Yesterday, it was Adam Morgan. Today, it’s Severino Gonzalez, who has been recalled from Triple-A for the fourth time this season to make the start. (This was supposed to be old friend Kevin Correia, but he was DFA’d earlier this week. Too bad.)
Phillies
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Dodgers
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7:10 p.m.
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Los Angeles
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CF
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Revere
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CF
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Pederson
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2B
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Hernandez
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2B
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Kendrick
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3B
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Franco
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1B
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Gonzalez
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1B
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Howard
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C
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Grandal
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LF
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Asche
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LF
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Ethier
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RF
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Brown
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RF
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Puig
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SS
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Galvis
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SS
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Rollins
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C |
Rupp
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3B
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Callaspo
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P
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Gonzalez (R)
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P
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Greinke (R)
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Gonzalez, 22, has had himself quite the interesting 25 big league innings. 25 whiffs and five walks, well, that’s really good. Four homers allowed, less so, and I don’t even know where to start with a .432 BABIP. That’s how you end up with numbers like “his FIP is a decent 4.12, but his ERA is 8.28(!)” Which is to say, he’ll hold the Dodgers to one run over six innings and then immediately lose his job to Aaron Nola after the break.
That said, even if that half-joking prediction comes through, it may not matter. Zack Greinke hasn’t allowed a run in his last 27.2 innings, and even though there’s some good fortune included in that — think about how many times you see a run score merely on a sequence of an infield grounder, and error, and a sac fly — it’s obviously a whole lot more than luck that’s fueling a MLB-best 1.48 ERA. He’s really, really, really good, and I’m ever more fascinated to see what happens when (not if) he opts out after the year.
Anyway: On to news! It appears someone read my post about Alex Guerrero‘s (lack of) trade value!
Alex Guerrero also out early doing extra work at 3B and 2B. Hasn't started at 3B since May 24. Hasn't payed 2B since AAA last year #Dodgers
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 9, 2015
I still don’t think we ever see him play the middle infield.
Carl Crawford is in the lineup for Triple-A Oklahoma City tonight as he continues to rehab that oblique injury — Joe Wieland starts that game, his first since June 18 — but the real question is, who starts on Saturday? Won’t be Eric Surkamp. Not that he started before. Won’t be Brandon Beachy, either:
Mattingly said Brandon Beachy will not start for #Dodgers Saturday. He's scheduled to pitch in Colorado on Sunday. No starter announced.
— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) July 9, 2015
Could it be the long-awaited debut of Zach Lee?
Don Mattingly said Zach Lee is a candidate to start Saturday. Or at least be the long man in a bullpen game
— Eric Stephen (@ericstephen) July 9, 2015
Well, sure. Anything’s possible. Who doesn’t shudder at the thought of hearing “bullpen game” again?
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