Tag Archives: Clayton Kershaw

Jul 03

Game 81, 2015

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Mets at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, ESPN

This game marks the halfway point of the season. If anyone had told me back in spring training that Clayton Kershaw would have a losing record at this stage of the year I’d have laughed out loud. But Kershaw, who starts tonight, does indeed have a 5-6 record with a 3.20 ERA, mostly because his team has averaged 2.6 runs of support in his last five starts, and he’s gotten three runs of support or fewer in 11 of 16 outings this year.

He’ll face Mets’ rookie Noah Syndergaard, who gave up one run in eight innings in his last start. Overall he’s 3-4 with a 3.59 ERA.

Lineup when available.
Tonight’s #Dodgers lineup vs. Mets:
Pederson CF
Kendrick 2B
Turner 3B
Gonzalez 1B
Puig RF
Ethier LF
Grandal C
Rollins SS
Kershaw P

Jun 27

Game 76, 2015

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Dodgers at Marlins, 1:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

The Dodgers’ lefty Clayton Kershaw (5-5, 3.33 ERA) gets the start against the Marlins’ Tom Koehler (5-4, 3.76 ERA). Kershaw’s last start was a quality one, but all three runs he gave up came on home runs, which he’s given up more often this year than in the past. He may catch a break, though, because Giancarlo Stanton may be sidelined after he hurt his left hand in Friday’s game. Koehler missed his last start with a stiff neck, but his previous one was a good one in which he held the Yankees to one run and three hits over seven innings.

Puig’s torn callus may have healed enough to let him start. It was well enough to let him pinch-hit on Friday and stay in to play the field after that.

Lineup when available.

Jun 22

Game 71, 2015

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Dodgers at Cubs, 5:05PM PT, TV: WGN, SPNLA

This the first time the Cubs and Dodgers have played each other this season. The Dodgers send lefty Clayton Kershaw out to face the Cubbies’ lefty Tsuyoshi Wada. Kershaw is 5-4 with a 3.29 ERA. He’s given up as many home runs this year as he did all of last year, which hasn’t helped. On the other hand, his last five appearances have been quality starts. He’s struck out double-digit batters in his last three starts and five of his last seven. Wada is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in six starts. He played nine years in Japan before signing with the Orioles in 2011, but he’s had injury troubles including Tommy John surgery, which has made for a slow start to his American MLB career. He’s 34 years old.

Lineup when available.

The only notable thing about this lineup that I see is that it’s Turner’s fourth consecutive start, something Mattingly has said he’d prefer not to do. Ethier’s undoubtedly out of the lineup because the Cubs’ starter is a lefty. Rollins’ absence may be just a needed day off.

Jun 17

Game 66, 2015

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Rangers at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN, FSSW

It’s a battle of lefties. Clayton Kershaw (5-3, 3.21 ERA) starts against the Rangers, the team he grew up following. The team from Texas counters with Wandy Rodriguez (3-2, 3.03 ERA). This will be Kershaw’s first time pitching against the Rangers, while Rodriguez has a 5-5 record with a 2.64 ERA in 12 career starts against the Dodgers as an Astro and a Pirate.

The Dodgers activated Scott Van Slyke from the DL and placed Chris Hatcher on it with a shoulder strain.

Lineup:

Joc Pederson gets a rest, as does André Ethier.

Jun 12

Game 61,2015

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Dodgers at Padres, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, FSSD

Clayton Kershaw v. Odrisamer Despaigne. Kershaw is 5-3 with a 3.36 ERA and on a roll: in his last three starts he’s given up two runs over 22 innings. Despaigne is 3-4 with a 4.72 ERA and has been susceptible to the home run ball (8 in 12 starts); he’s also averaged over 13 hits allowed per nine innings in his last seven outings.

The Dodgers are 6-3 against the Padres this season, which is good. They’re 10-15 on the road this season, which is not.

We may get in-game reports (if Petco Park has Wi-Fi) from Bob_in_Vegas, who discovered his scheduled trip to San Diego coincided with the Dodgers’ games there.

Late news: Hector Olivera has been promoted to OKC. The Dodgers acquired Ronald Torreyes from Toronto for cash and DFA’d Darwin Barney to make room on the 40-man roster for him.

Lineup when available.

Jun 06

Game 56, 2015

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Cardinals at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

Kershaw goes for win number five on the year and 103 for his career. He’s coming off a win in his last outing, in which he went 7 innings and gave up 2 runs to the Rockies. He’ll be facing Jaime Garcia, who’s 1-2 with a 2.70 ERA after getting a late start on his season, pitching his first game on May 21. He had season-ending surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome last summer and then had to open 2015 on the DL.

Lineup when available.

Notice Mr. Yasiel Puig is in right field. He was reinstated from the DL earlier today and young Mr. Schebler was optioned back to OKC. Adrian gets the day off, as does Ethier. In André’s case it’s probably due to the Cards’ Garcia being a lefty.

Jun 01

Game 50, 2015

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Dodgers at Rockies, 5:40PM PT, TV: SPNLA

Clayton Kershaw takes the mound in hopes of continuing his ERA’s downward trend while getting his fourth win. He’s 3-3 with a 3.86 ERA. Kershaw is 7-3 lifetime at Coors Field in 16 starts with a 4.78 ERA and he’s given up 12 home runs there, more than in any park except Dodger Stadium. His opponent is Kyle Kendrick, who started the year off horridly but who has been improving in his last four starts. He’s 2-6 with a 6.38 ERA, which looks awful but is markedly better than the 8.73 it was on May 3. He’s gone at least seven innings in three of those last four games.

Lineup:

May 26

Game 45, 2015

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Braves at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA, SPSO, ESPN

Clayton Kershaw hasn’t yet found his Cy Young form this season. He’s posted a record of 2-3 with an ERA of 4.32, roughly two runs per game higher than his norm. On paper the Braves should be a team he’d be happy to face, as they’re collectively hitting a chilly .151 against him. He’ll face Julio Teheran, who’s got a 4-1 record and a 3.91 ERA.

Apparently there was a lot of discussion between the Dodgers and the Braves during which the Dodgers offered Juan Uribe for up to three minor leaguers, but it fell through when the Braves’ utility infielder Alberto Callaspo vetoed the deal for as-yet-unknown reasons. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement a player who signs a contract as a free agent can reject a trade if it’s before the calendar date June 15. There’s some speculation about his refusal to be sent to LA at the article behind that first link.

Offloading Uribe to a place where he could play regularly is a laudable goal, but for another reserve infielder? I suspect the Dodgers really wanted the three minor leaguers, several of whom were reportedly pitchers.

Lineup when available.

May 21

Game 40, 2015

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Dodgers at Giants, 12:45PM PT, TV: SPNLA, MLBN, CSN-BA

This is a marquee matchup on paper. The Dodgers send out their ace Clayton Kershaw, who is a three-time Cy Young winner, MVP and four-time ERA title winner. The Giants send out last year’s NCLS and World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner, who was the best pitcher in baseball for the last three weeks of last year. When they’ve faced one another Kershaw’s had the statistical edge but the Giants have gotten the win in three of four games (thanks to foultip in the comments to Game 39).

Kershaw’s off to a rocky start (for him) this season, with a 2-2 record and a 4.24 ERA. Bumgarner is 4-2 with a 3.20 ERA so far in 2015. In his career Kershaw is 8-2 with a 0.97 ERA at AT&T Park.

Ryu had surgery this morning. They found and fixed a partial labral tear in his left shoulder. He should be back next spring.

Lineup when available.

May 15

Game 35, 2015

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Rockies at Dodgers, 7:10PM PT, TV: SPNLA

Clayton Kershaw goes for victory number 100 for the fifth time. His last time out he was roughed up (or nibbled to death) by the Rockies for five runs in 5 1/3 innings. He didn’t figure in the decision as the Dodgers recovered to win 9-5 at Coors Field. His opponent will be Eddie Butler, who pitched and lost the rain-shortened game last week, also at Coors.

The Dodgers could activate Kenley Jansen as early as today. Whether he’s immediately thrown into the closer role is up in the air.

Sports Illustrated has a nice story about the Dodgers’ defense and how it’s improved, particularly with Joc Pederson in center field.

Lineup when available.