At 10:10 p.m. tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-45), who are clawing their way back into playoff contention in the National League West, will get their shot to chop down the top team in the division, the Arizona Diamondbacks (47-41). The game can be live streamed here; Dodgers fans can listen in on 570 Fox Sports LA, while Diamondbacks fans can tune in to AZ Sports 620.
The Dodgers surge back into the playoff conversation has been sparked by rookie Yasiel Puig, who has been in headlines not only for his stellar play, but for the divisive concept of Puig being added to the NL All-Star team.
In 32 games Puig has set MLB ablaze, batting .409 with eight home runs, 19 RBI and five stolen bases while flashing a cannon right arm in right field and the ability to smash into outfield walls for the benefit of his team.
He is the most electric player in baseball right now, looking like a Cuban version of Mike Trout with each passing day. Still, baseball's old-schoolers believe inserting him into the All-Star game after so brief an MLB stint would be disrespectful to those who have played all year.
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon said it would be "a joke," and NL manager Bruce Bochy didn't select Puig, leaving that decision up to the fans. All Puig can do is continue playing hard, and hitting the cover off the ball, which he'll have an opportunity to do tonight against Arizona's Randall Delgado (1-2, 3.67 ERA).
The Dodgers will counter with Zack Greinke (6-2, 4.30 ERA) who was involved in a brawl the last time these two teams met. Ian Kennedy threw at Greinke's head, inciting the benches to clear and leading to multiple fines and suspensions.
Cody Ross of the Diamondbacks said the brawl hasn't been forgotten, but contending for an NL West crown trumps any sort of beanball war. "We've got more important things to worry about than buzzing somebody or fighting."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.