I dreaded matchups with Gio Gonzalez once the Nats acquired him last December in a many-headed deal with the Athletics. Better, I thought, that he prosper quietly in the land of the 10:10 p.m. starts in the far-flung western slopes of the baseball empire rather than press the bruise that was the December 6, 2006 debacle that sent him and Gavin Floyd to the White Sox for Freddy Garcia.

Well, he's not so much pressing a bruise this season as much as pounding a ballpeen hammer into it, again and again. And again. So tonight we have Mr. New Hotness against Mr. Old and Busted Roy Halladay. Here's hoping that fraud, guile, and veteran clubhouse presence can help the Phillies clinch this week of Should Of Been 2012 Playoff Baseball with a Should Of Been Starter.

I'll be having an ironic pregame Phillies Wall of Fame induction ceremony in my mind for FreddyG as this one unfurls. It will be set to the music attached for your entertainment pleasure below. The rest of you: comment ahoy.

Roy Halladay

#34 / Pitcher / Philadelphia Phillies

Height: 6-6

Weight: 230

Bats: R

Throws: R

Born: May 14, 1977

Gio Gonzalez

#47 / Pitcher / Washington Nationals

Height: 6-0

Weight: 205

Bats: R

Throws: L

Born: Sep 19, 1985

Duran Duran - Rio (via emimusic)