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:

Thoughts and prayers for @alannarizzo today. Sideline reports from the surface of the sun during game broadcast.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 19, 2015

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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