The Dodgers faced the Phillies in LA, and were uncharacteristically thumped in the first 3 of 4 games, giving up 29 (!) runs in those 3 games. Since then, they have won 7 straight, including 3 against those same Phillies. Gonsolin ( 1.63 ERA) starts for the Dodgers on Sunday. He has arguably been their best pitcher this year, showing great consistency, giving up less no more than 2 runs a start, with 3 shutout appearances mixed in.

The Phillies are 1 -6 since that rude outburst against the Dodgers, and after scoring all of those runs in three games, have managed only 12 in the 7 games since. Eflin (3.90 ERA) starts for the Phillies and the verdict on him is “pretty good”, with 3 real quality starts in 6 appearances, including his last one. The Dodgers do have previous experience with, and considerable success against Eflin.

The Dodgers offense has been on a tear the whole season, but are particularly potent just now with a vicious .879 OPS. The Phillies have plummeted all the way to the bottom of the barrel in their last 7 games, hitting just .194 with a miserable .501 OPS. Playing against Gonsolin and the Dodgers’ bullpen is not a good place to expect to turn things around. The Dodgers are tough on righties and formidable on the road. I am on the Dodgers to extend their winning streak on Sunday.