Beckett Versus Yohan Flande in Series Finale

Stacie was right to be scared of Dan Haren pitching in Coors Field. It wasn’t pretty, and led to an 8-7 loss in the third game. The Dodgers will look for a series win in the finale on Sunday afternoon. Josh Beckett will counter rookie left hander Yohan Flande.

Dodgers Lineup @ Colorado-Game 4

Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Gordon 2B

Puig RF

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp LF

Van Slyke CF

Uribe 3B

Butera C

Rojas SS

Beckett P

Josh Beckett-5-5 vs. Yohan Flande-0-1

Beckett had a rough time out in his last start, allowing five earned runs in five frames against the Indians. His hip has been bothering him, and if he’s not healthy today, then we may be in for a long afternoon. Otherwise, Beckett has been outstanding this season. He has a 1.90 ERA in his last eight starts. Overall he is 5-5 with a 2.37 ERA in 16 starts. He’s whiffed 93 in 98.2 innings, and walked 29. Beckett has allowed just 6.6 hits per nine.

Beckett has faced Colorado once this year, getting a no-decision back on April 25. Beckett is 5-3 with a 3.86 ERA in ten starts against Colorado. At Coors Field he’s posted a 3-1 record with a 3.82 ERA in five starts.

Colorado hasn’t done much against Beckett. Hitting just .250 (18 for 72) with two home runs and a .444 slugging percentage. Troy Tulowitzki is hitting .455 with three doubles, and a home run, but he’s been battling a sore groin.

Colorado will counter with left handed rookie Yohan Flande who will be making just his third major league start. The Rockie’s pitching staff is in shambles. It’s been so bad, they had to trade for Jair Jurrjens, who got lit up like a Christmas tree in the first game of the series.

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Flande is 28-years old and from the Dominican Republic, and his name sound like a dessert. He was originally signed as a free agent by the Phillies in 2004, and didn’t make his MLB debut until this year with Colorado. He’s made two starts this season. Posting an 0-1 record, and 6.10 ERA in a little over ten frames. He was unable to make it past the fifth inning in either of his starts.

I don’t understand this whole personal catcher thing. I think any major league catcher should be able to catch any major league pitcher. I also think that Drew Butera is no more adept at catching Beckett than A.J. Ellis. The whole “personal catcher” thing is kind of stupid. But it’s something I can live with. Hanley Ramirez takes a day off as Miguel Rojas gets penciled in at shortstop.

This just in minutes ago, but the Dodgers have placed Erisbel Arruebarrena on the 15-day DL with a you guessed it, a right hip flexor strain. I can’t believe it but half the roster has sore hips. What the hell, so the club is forced to call back up that Bum Carlos Triunfel.

The Dodgers are trying to stay in first place. They lost a game to the Giants thanks to Haren’s pathetic pitching. Their lead is back to just a half game. The Giants are playing San Diego later this afternoon.

The all-stars are being announced later today, and we should know which Dodgers will represent the National League in the midsummer classic. Obviously Clayton Kershaw, and Yasiel Puig are shoe-ins. Dee Gordon, Josh Beckett, and Zack Greinke all deserve spots as well.

After the game the Dodgers have Monday off, and then will fly to Detroit to face the Tigers for two days. Let me tell you guys, that will not be easy. After that series the Dodgers return home to face San Diego for a four game set, and then the all-star break. Time flies when you’re having fun I guess.

Game Time – 1:10 PM

Go Blue!