Former Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley returned to Chavez Ravine and pitched the best game of his short Philadelphia Phillies career and also got his first win as a member of the Philadelphia Phillies. It was Billingsley's first win in over two years as he has been battling arm problems. The Phillies gave him a chance after the Dodgers bought out his contract earlier in 2015.
I always liked Billingsley when he was with the Dodgers. He was a first round draft pick by the Dodgers in 2003 and made it to the Dodgers in 2006. He compiled an 81-61 record with the Dodgers but after a career high 16 wins in 2008, he never really fulfilled the potential that many Dodgers brass and fans thought he had. When Clayton Kershaw came along, I believed that Billingsley-Kershaw would be a righty-lefty tandem that would be second to none in the National League.
That belief never materialized as Billingsley finished his Dodgers career with an 81-61 record and a 3.65 ERA and then the arm problems began after he pitched in two games in 2013. He didn't pitch at all last season and he ended up getting a chance with the Phillies, beginning in their minor league system this season and working his way back to the majors. I wish him all of the success in the world.
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