Birthday Boy Kevin Correia Battles Ageless Wonder Bartolo Colon in Series Finale

The Dodgers are now a season high 17 games above .500 after Saturday night’s 7-4 win over the New York Mets. The Dodgers had Adrian Gonzalez drive in five of the seven runs and Zack Greinke’s elbow seems to be fine, as he threw seven innings to earn his thirteenth win. The Mets are going to be the Mets. And they sure Mets’d all over the place last night.

Dodgers Lineup vs. New York

Gordon 2B

Puig CF

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp RF

Hanley SS

Ethier LF

Turner 3B

Ellis C

Correia P

Bartolo Colon-11-10 vs. Kevin Correia-7-13

The Dodgers gained a game back on the Giants and now lead them by 4.5 games. Oh and Hanley Ramirez is due to be activated today. Hanley has been on the disabled list with a strained oblique muscle. He injured it on a check-swing back in Milwaukee on August 9. Say goodnight Carlos Triunfel.

Update– It’s Arruebarrena who gets optioned not Triunfel. Lord help us. I mean I know everyone comes back up in a week when rosters expand, but come on Dodgers.

The Dodgers will look to sweep the Mets today on the final game of the home stand. After the game the Dodgers will have an off-day on Monday, and then open a two game series at Arizona starting Tuesday night.

The Dodgers will give the ball to the birthday boy Kevin Correia in the series finale. He’ll face ageless wonder, and portly Dominican Bartolo Colon as the Dodgers look for their fourth straight home win.

Happy Birthday Kevin!-Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

You could say this is ironic, because Adrian just wrote about the Mets putting the 41-year old right hander on waivers the other day. Apparently the Mets are looking to dump him. Adrian was suggesting the Dodgers pick him up. I guess some people feel like the Dodgers should. Not sure if that would be a good idea or not. He’s still owed another ten million dollars for the final year of his contract next season. And he’s like really really old and stuff. (Analysis)

I can’t believe he’s still pitching to be honest. Colon has been pitching since 1997. He won a Cy Young award in 2005 with the Angels. He’s pitched with Cleveland, Montreal for a half a season, four seasons with the Angels, Boston, Chicago, a season with the Yankees, two seasons in Oakland, and now finally with the Mets. Colon’s career numbers are pretty amazing. He’s won 200 games, and pitched in 435. He has a career 3.94 ERA, 35 complete games, twelve shutouts, and 2,075 strikeouts. he’s been suspended for juice, and done everything during his 17 year career.

The funny thing is, the guy can still pitch. The three-time all-star is 11-10 this year, with a 3.85 ERA. In 24 starts he’s whiffed 125 and walked just 21 in 161 frames. He’s still got that great control. He’s got a 5-1 strikeout to walk ratio, and a 3.39 FIP. He’s done good work this year.

In his last start he lost to Washington despite allowing just one earned run on six hits over seven innings with eight whiffs. He hasn’t faced the Dodgers this year, but has limited experience facing the boys in blue.

Welcome Back Hanley-Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Colon has pitched in just six games against the Dodgers. That’s surprising considering how long he has been pitching, although most of the time in the American League. Colon is 1-4 with a 6.61 ERA against the Dodgers. Only seven walks allowed in 31.1 innings pitched points to his good command. Colon has pitched two games at Dodger Stadium in which he is 1-1 with a 6.39 ERA.

The Dodgers are hitting .246 (17 for 69) with three home runs against Colon. With Carl Crawford only hitting .167 (6 for 36) against Colon, it’s no surprise to see him sit for the second straight game. Andre Ethier will get another start in left field. Ethier is 3 for 4 with a home run against Colon. Adrian Gonzalez is 6 for 18 (.333) with two home runs.

OMG he’s fat-Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers will counter with birthday boy Kevin Correia. The veteran right hander is turning 34 today, and what better way to celebrate your birthday? The perfect birthday gift would be a win.

Correia is 2-0 with the Dodgers, and 7-13 overall this season. He has a 4.87 ERA in his 25 starts. Correia is 2-5 with a 4.01 ERA in 13 games against the Mets. Correia has only faced four Mets hitters. Those Mets are hitting .500 (21 for 42) against Correia. Although Wright has nearly half of those hits. David Wright is 13 for 17 (.765) with three home runs, three doubles, and six runs driven in. Daniel Murphy is 6 for 15 as well. The only other Mets to have seen Correia at all is Ruben Tejada with eight at-bats, and two at-bats from former Dodger pitcher Dana Eveland.

Remember the broom depot should be having their annual midnight sale later tonight. All customers on the east coast will get a special 10% pitty discount.

We’ll have all the action after the game, so sweep yourself back over here to catch our recap. Let’s get that sweep boys.

Game Time – 1:05 PM

Go Blue!