Game 2, 2016

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

The Dodgers began their quest for NL West domination with a 15-0 shutout of the Padres yesterday, the largest Opening Day shutout by any team in Major League history. Clayton Kershaw got off to a superlative start (but that’s not surprising anymore, I guess), going seven innings, striking out nine, giving up no runs and only one walk.

Today is another day, and so we see Scott Kazmir go for the Dodgers against James Shields of the Padres. Kazmir faced them once last year as a member of the As and went five innings, giving up three runs, two earned, getting a no-decision for his troubles. Shields started four games against the Dodgers last year and pitched well, going 1-0 with three quality starts.

Lineup when available.

61 thoughts on “Game 2, 2016

  1. Two “Old friends” will be playing for the Iowa Cubs this year, Tim Federowicz and Shane Victorino. Victorino is currently rehabbing an injury in Arizona so will not play on opening day tomorrow.

  2. Went to bed before the game even started for you guys, but was glad to wake up to another goose egg for the Dodgers!

  3. Utley on yesterday’s slide:

    “I think any time you can try to get in the line of the throw, the
    better chances you have of being safe,” Utley told ESPN.com Tuesday. “We
    were taught that in spring training, and obviously I was taught that a
    long time ago. It was definitely emphasized this spring training here.”

  4. Woo-HOO!!! Kazmir was brilliant. So was the pen. KJ! And how fun to see Puig and Seager do so well.

  5. I wish Kazmir could have gone one more inning. Just like I thought Kershaw could have pitched in the 8th last night.

    • Gotta make that pen earn its money. Clayton if he goes 230 innings will earn about $139,000 per. If Kenley goes 77 innings he makes $139,000 per. For Howell, he would need to go 45 innings.

      • Does make you realize how much more valuable starters are than relievers.

        • Of course, most relievers would be happy to effectively take a pay cut and pitch more innings as a starter.

  6. The “single” against Scott made it easier to pull him at this point.

    • Apparently saved his energy by throwing 86 mph fastballs in spring training.

        • It is for me as I listen to MLB Gameday audio. Is it the new guy on tv? How does he seem?

          • I think he’s fine – young guy, but has clearly done his homework. I am relieved to have Steiner-free baseball.

          • I watched it a few times and can see why there would be some comments about it. Chase rounds third and is initially running on the outside of the foul line. About half way down the line he switches over to the inside of the foul line. It appears that he is attempting to run towards (into?) the catcher at the front side of the plate – as opposed to away from the catcher at the uncovered back part of the plate. It seems to suggest that Chase was looking less to avoid the catcher/tag and instead trying to have contact with the catcher – presumably to dislodge the ball or to at least get between the throw and the catcher.

          • I get that but it doesn’t exactly negate that it may have been an intentional slide into the catcher. Can you think of a reason why Chase would be running/sliding into the catcher rather than away from him?

          • At this point I don’t even care about what he has a right to do or not. I’m curious as to why not try and take a path that leads away from the catcher as opposed towards or through the catcher. Why go break down the front door when the back door is wide open?

          • Similar play at the plate tonight at the Pirate/Cardinal game. Molina leaves an alley to the plate and the runner slides right at the plate rather than trying to slide away, and nobody said a thing about it. The runner was also out.

          • Maybe the question is not whether it is a dirty slide or not but rather whether it is an effective slide or not!

  7. The Internet is a buzz about a dirty slide by Utley at home plate. Did anyone see what happened?

    • It was perfectly innocuous, going straight for the plate, didn’t even come close to taking out catcher, who tagged him with little effort. With a hook slide, though, he might have avoided the tag.

        • The slide should have one that avoided the tag. He looked like he thought he would be out so he tried to disrupt the catchers ability to throw to where Ellis was running.

          The catcher totally gave Utley a path to home and Utley still managed to slide where it would be the easiest place for the catcher to make the tag.

          If Puig had done that Roberts might have taken him out of the game.

          • I agree completely. About Chase’s slide that is. Not sure about the Puig part.

          • I am not sure about the Puig part either. He gets beat up for his sliding and base running decisions so I through that in.

    • Well that’s not going to happen. What emotions do you have about 3-0?