Dodgers Face Another Rookie In Game Two

Dodgers Lineup @ Philiadelphia-5-24-14

Gordon 2B

Puig RF

Hanley SS

Gonzalez 1B

Crawford LF

Ethier CF

Turner 3B

Ellis C

Haren P

Dan Haren-5-2 vs. David Buchanan-0-0

The Dodgers used a perfect combination of Clayton Kershaw’s excellence, solid defense, (one throwing error not withstanding), and good relief pitching to take game one. This afternoon they’ll look to secure a series victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

We should see Hanley Ramirez back in the lineup at his familiar shortstop position. I would expect the normal lineup today. The Dodgers have been putting forth great effort lately. They’re trying their best. The bullpen is starting to settle down, and I’m hoping the results will follow. I think they will. The club just has to keep winning series. If Jansen and Wilson can get their acts together than the Dodgers will be in business. The bats have perked up recently as well.

Haren is looking for his sixth win and second against the Phils- Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

Thank god we don’t have to face Cliff Lee today. I don’t want to see anyone get hurt, but I am glad as heck that we don’t have to see him again. Lee is the number six Dodger villain of all time. I’ve about had enough of him to last me a lifetime. The Dodgers will have to face another rookie instead, we’ll get to that in a minute. The Dodgers seem to have faced a boatload of rookies this year already.

Today they will give the ball to right hander Dan Haren. The socal native had a bumpy start last time out against Arizona. Allowing five runs, four earned on ten hits in six innings to take the loss. As usual he did not walk anyone. But he was too much around the plate. That seems to be his only real issue. He’s allowing too many base runners. However his impeccable control is a breath of fresh air. Haren is 5-2 this year with a 3.18 ERA. He’s whiffed 41 and walked just nine in 56 innings.

He’s never pitched well against the Phillies, or in Philadelphia. Against the Phillies he is 1-4 with a 4.67 ERA in nine starts. He has a 9.2 whiff per nine rate against the Phils, and has issued just 15 free passes.At Citizens Bank Park he is 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in three starts. He’s allowed 12 earned runs and 23 hits in those three starts.

The numbers do not look good. The Phillies are batting .271 (42 for 155) with an .871 OPS and six home runs against Haren. The main guy to watch out for is Marlon Byrd. He’s batting .500 (12 for 24) against Haren with four doubles and two home runs. Howard has two off them of Haren, and Dominic Brown and Chase Utley have also hit home runs.

Philadelphia will counter with rookie right hander David Buchanan. The 25-year old is replacing the injured Cliff Lee. The veteran was originally scheduled to pitch today but was placed on the DL with a sore elbow.

Buchanan is making his major league debut this afternoon. He was originally drafted by the Mets in the 2009 draft and then I guess didn’t go pro until 2010, when he was drafted again by the Phillies. Buchanan is 6’3, 200 pounds and has been pitching for the Independent League’s triple-A club the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. Over there he is 5-1 with a 3.98 ERA in nine starts. He’s allowed 10.4 hits per nine this year for Lehigh Valley, and posted a whiff rate of 6.9.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Over his minor league career, Buchanan is 35-27 with a 3.98 ERA, and a 2-1 strikeout to walk ratio. He had a good spring training along with a strong start to the season down in Lehigh, which led to the Phillies choosing to give him a look while Lee is out.

The scouting report tells us that Buchanan throws hard with a fastball in the 94-96 range. He has a plus curve, and can also add in a slider. He’s still developing a changeup. He has fringy control, and has some kind of funky delivery that can be deceptive to hitters. His curve tends to be an out-pitch for him, and he induces more grounders than fly outs. He also does a good job at limiting home runs. At the time the Phillies drafted him in 2010, he was ranked as the 21st best prospect by Baseball America.

Stacie will have the postgame for you after the game. You can catch the game at 12:05 PM. Hopefully the weather will not interrupt this game too. Mother nature has not been kind to the Dodgers this year.

Prediction- Carl Crawford gets two more hits. The Crawman is batting .357 (15 for 42), with two home runs against Philadelphia in his career.

Go Blue!