Dodgers @ Nationals July 19, 2015: Cy Young Showdown

Zack Greinke! Max Scherzer! Greinke! Scherzer! Grierzer! Sheinke!

Dodgers
Nationals
10:35 a.m. PT
Washington D.C.
CF
Pederson
3B
Escobar
2B
Kendrick
2B
Espinosa
1B
Gonzalez
RF
Harper
LF
Ethier
1B
Robinson
C
Grandal
C
Ramos
RF
Puig
LF
den Dekker
3B
Callaspo
SS
Desmond
SS
Rollins
CF
Taylor
P
Greinke (R)
P
Scherzer (R)

This is possibly the pitching matchup of the year, and I know that sounds odd to say considering that Clayton Kershaw threw yesterday, not today. But it’s pretty clear that these two are the two co-leaders in the NL Cy Young chase, and while I don’t want to say that the one who performs better today should be instantly guaranteed the award, well, yes, that is precisely what I’m saying.

It is, of course, brutally hot in Washington today, so that might make it a little harder for the starters to go deep into the game. Here in New York City, the heat is oppressive — if you never hear from me again, know that I died playing softball this afternoon and cursing the sun god — and it’s not any better a few hundred miles south, making this Bill Plunkett tweet completely appropriate:

Dangerous heat conditions aside, there’s roster news. As expected, Zach Lee heads back to Triple-A after a one-day stint as the 26th man, never having appeared in a game. Carl Crawford‘s rehab is over and he’s expected to be activated tomorrow in Atlanta, which leads to a fascinating question of how roster space is made. Enrique Hernandez always seemed like the obvious option because he has options, but that was always flawed because he’s the only one who can back up Jimmy Rollins at shortstop — and Don Mattingly referred to him as Joc Pederson‘s primary backup in center, too. It could be a pitcher, but they have 12 now and very, very rarely go with 11.

Most, I expect, want Alberto Callaspo gone, but I have a difficult time seeing that until Hector Olivera is ready, because you can’t have Justin Turner playing seven days a week. We’ve talked a lot about Alex Guerrero and how he has little trade value, but I also can’t see him simply being allowed to opt out if they try to send him down. So, as bizarre as it might seem, could it be Scott Van Slyke, who still has an option left? He’s been one of the best backup outfielders in baseball for two seasons now. He also has a .278 OBP since May 1. This roster is so weird.

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About Mike Petriello

Mike writes about lots of baseball in lots of places, and right now that place is MLB.com.