Dodgers Ready To Show Their Birdatude In Rubber Game Against Washington

Dodgers Lineup vs. Washington

*As expected the Dodgers placed Josh Beckett on the DL with a groin strain and activated Zack Greinke, and Crawford sits the last game before an off-day.*

Ross Detwiler-2-3 vs. Zack Greinke-1-0

The Birdman Zack Greinke will make his return from the disabled list for the Dodgers in the rubber game of the three game series against Washington. Greinke is returning after making only one rehab assignment after suffering a broken collar bone at the hands of San Diego thug Carlos Quentin’s cowardly and unprovoked attack last month.

Greinke heals really frickin fast, and I am very surprised to see him coming back this soon. Most Dodger fans are a bit apprehensive about him pitching only about a month after he had a metal rod inserted into his collar bone, but so be it. The truth is we really need him back. Greinke coming back is a huge boost to the pitching staff. The Dodgers have sorely missed him. Welcome back Zack!

Can Greinke show his Birdatude tonight in his first start returning from the DL?- Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Greinke’s mound opponent tonight will be left hander Ross Detwiler. The 27 year old lefty has gotten off to a great start this season. In seven starts he is 2-3 with a 2.53 ERA. He’s whiffed 23 and walked eight In 42.2 innings pitched. Despite his low whiff totals, he’s only allowed three home runs, and keeps the ball on the ground.

Detwiler is 1-1 with a 3.10 ERA in four games against the Dodgers, and 1-0 at Dodger Stadium. He’s held lefties to a .226 batting average against, but has struggled in road starts in the past. (4-16 4.09 career marks on the road.) The Dodgers have not hit him well in the past, posting a .233 (10 for 43) mark against him, with two home runs. Matt Kemp, and Andre Ethier are both 3 for 10 against him. Ethier, and Adrian Gonzalez have hit the two home runs.

For Greinke, this is his third start of the 201 season, and he is 1-0 on the year. Before he was attacked Greinke had whiffed ten batters and walked only one in 11 innings. Greinke has done well against the Nationals. Greinke is 2-0 2ith a 1.93 ERA in two games against Washington. He’s whiffed 15 and walked one in 14 career frames against Washington.

Some other notes before I sign off for the afternoon. Last night Matt Kemp extended his hitting streak to 12 games after singling and scoring a run in the bottom of the third off Dan Haren. Bison was batting in the two-spot for the first time since 2010. I remember former manager Joe Torre used to bat him there a lot, you know back when the Dodgers were actually competitive.

Washington is dealing with injury concerns of their own in this series. Outfielder Bryce Harper is still on the mend after his crash into the outfield wall in the first game of the series. He had to receive some stitches and reportedly had a concussion. He is ok, but we doubt we would see him in this final game. Former Dodger Jayson Werth, also know to us as Werth-less is still battling an injury of his own, and is not expected to be in the lineup for tonight. But don’t hold me to it though.

Ross Detwiler looks to even his books against the Dodgers in tonight’s rubber game-Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Tonight’s game is broadcast on Prime Ticket and starts at 7 PM. Stacie will have the recap and analysis after the game. So be sure to check back over here once it’s over. The Dodgers need a win to take the series. Let’s hope Birdman flaps his wings tonight and shows the Nats his birdatude! Oh and one more thing, the Dodgers apparently inked pitcher Jonathan Sanchez today to a minor league contract.

According to sources, the contract is pending a physical. If you remember, the 30 year old once pitched a no-hitter, but succumbed to injuries and lousiness over the last few seasons. He was terrible with the Royals, and then started the season with the Pirates. He was so terrible with the Pirates that they were forced to release him. He was 11.85 ERA in five starts kind of terrible. He also was suspended for six games for throwing at Cardinal’s first baseman Allen Craig. He once had a 3.75 ERA with the Giants from 2009-2011. Let’s hope this is just a move for Albuquerque fodder, and that he never finds his way into the Major League rotation this season. But knowing the Dodger’s injury luck, Chris Capuano will likely have one of his arms amputated or something, and I’m sure we’ll see Sanchez and his unfathomable ERA in the Dodger rotation by next week. Please tell me I’m wrong. And please tell me he’s not going to replace Josh Beckett. I wouldn’t put it past the Dodgers though. They’ve made stupid decisions like this all season long. Anyways, enjoy the game, and Go Blue!