Showdown At Dodger Stadium
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 3:47 PM PDT
in Dodgers Game Previews
Email
PrintThe Dodgers-Marlins series at Dodger Stadium starts with a wonderful pitching duel. Clayton Kershaw, with his excellent fastball and curveball, takes on Josh Johnson in the opener.
Kershaw has allowed 18 runs in his last 14 starts, good enough for a 1.89 ERA since May 1. The last time he faced the Marlins, he didn't give up a hit until the eighth inning. Kershaw has pitched exactly as many innings as a starter this year (106.2) than he did last year, so let's look at how he has progressed:
| Year | GS | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | K | ERA | FIP | WHIP | BA/OBP/SLG |
| 2008 | 21 | 106.2 | 107 | 51 | 51 | 11 | 51 | 100 | 4.30 | 4.07 | 1.481 | .263/.344/.405 |
| 2009 | 19 | 106.2 | 70 | 35 | 35 | 5 | 60 | 104 | 2.95 | 3.41 | 1.219 | .193/.308/.287 |
Fun fact: Clayton Kershaw has yet to allow an unearned run in his major league career.
Josh Johnson has given up more than three runs in only one of 19 starts this season.
Tonight marks the first of 20 games in 20 days. The Dodgers last had a 20-in-20 stretch from April 21 to May 10, when they went 12-8.
The Dodgers have one of the best offenses in baseball (7th in MLB at 5.0 runs/game, 8th in MLB with a .336 wOBA), so its no surprise they have a well-balanced attack. Here's a look at the pace for runs and RBI for each regular:
| Player | R | RBI |
| Martin | 68 | 48 |
| Loney | 80 | 99 |
| Hudson | 97 | 84 |
| Blake | 85 | 97 |
| Furcal | 85 | 44 |
| Manny | 82 | 95 |
| Kemp | 95 | 94 |
| Ethier | 92 | 101 |
The Dodgers are on pace to have seven players score 80 runs or more, which would tie the 1899 and 1953 teams for the club record. Only the 1951 Dodgers had six players with 80 or more RBI, which this club is on pace to do. The 1953 Dodgers, perhaps the greatest team in franchise history, were the only ones with five players with 90 RBI.
Hanley Ramirez leads the majors with a .370 road batting average.
Hong Chih-Kuo is scheduled to pitch again tonight with Inland Empire, and could be called up very soon.
Tom D'Angelo of the Palm Beach Post was intrigued by Bill Plaschke's column today, so he decided to compile a list of the top home runs in Marlins history. Hint: the top pick was off a current Dodger. I'm also fairly certain the name of the person who hit the top Marlins' home run was not misspelled.
Get your guesses in for today's "Clogging The Bases" here.
Game Time: 7:10pm
TV: Prime Ticket
71 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Marlins lineup
Tonight’s Marlins lineup, per beat writer Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald:
bonifacio, lf
helms, 3b
ramirez, ss
cantu, 1b
uggla, 2b
ross, cf
paulino, c
carroll, rf
johnson, p
Dodger lineup
per Josh Rawitch:
Furcal, SS
Hudson, 2B
Manny, LF
Ethier, RF
Blake, 3B
Loney, 1B
Martin, C
Kemp, CF
Kershaw, P
I also like Mark Langill’s top 10 homers more than Plashcke’s.
Weird…I do like that Pedro Guerrero’s 15th HR in June 1985 got a mention at least though. I remember that being a big deal to me when I was in my dad’s car as he hit it.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:19 PM PDT up reply actions
We did that gig here
I’ll have to look it up but I remember writing a post about the best LA Dodger home runs. It was one of the few threads that got more then one comment.
I didn’t see the Ferguson 1980 game 162 HR live, but I always loved seeing the highlights of him flinging his batting helmet as he rounded 3B.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
One of fondest memories
As I’ve said here many times, that weekend was the best weekend of Dodger baseball I’ve ever experienced and I only heard it on the radio.
What is your son's name
my niece went to college in Mexico last spring with a kid who played baseball and football with Clayton.
Sam; he has never been to Mexico
I suspect your niece was with Cole Franklin or Josh Meredith or Layne Walker.
by seesdifferent on Jul 24, 2009 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Thanks, I'll check with her.
She came back from Mexico just in time to watch his first Dodger game at my house. She was interested because of the friend she met in Mexico and is now a big Dodger fan. The two biggest Dodger fans in my family are the told oldest nieces of my brothers.
Meredith is the grandson of Cowboy Don Meredith
Franklin went to Furman and transferred somewhere, and Walker to Texas A and M, both played college baseball.
by seesdifferent on Jul 24, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
not sure what you mean
we moved to Nor. California when Sam graduated as he and his sister were both in school here. Always liked the Dodgers more than Giants, esp when Clayton signed. Never followed Dodger blogs til recently, just happened on this one, seems like the best one.
by seesdifferent on Jul 24, 2009 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions
That is what I meant
was curious how you found our blog. Just assumed you were still in Texas and wondered if you googled Clayton and found us that way.
Patience is for those who die waiting for something to happen
Wow
He looks WAY different in that picture from how he does now.
by Brendan Scolari on Jul 24, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
yeah, it's funny cause Vin calls him 'lanky'
maybe compared to Bills he’s lanky, but he’s a big boy and always has been. Not chubby any more, but not thin either.
by seesdifferent on Jul 24, 2009 4:45 PM PDT up reply actions
speaking of big, MILB.com has Hong-Chih Kuo listed at 6’1", 240 lbs. I had no idea he was that large.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions
He would, I doubt he understands anything about the economics of baseball
and how much someone like Clayton is actually worth.
And who gives you a better chance to win.
Pete Fox is saying that Kershaw deserves a chance to do it because he’s been doing it for the whole year.
The guy who is with Fox and Martinez just said he’d dump the steady girlfriend for the hot girl who will leave you in a second.
I don't even get what that is supposed to mean
Considering how good Kershaw already is.
by Brendan Scolari on Jul 24, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
A. Martinez is the kinda guy who thinks Kershaw is going to implode more than Halladay would.
Which might be true. But you don’t trade him just on that basis.
Nice progression for Clayton
Hope we see a winning pitching duel tonight. Nothing worse then a FireWorks crowd getting worked over by a Billingsley Blowout like last Friday. Taking two 10 year olds to the game tonight because they won an auction to go to a game with my wife who was their teacher. Should be fun, I hear one of the kids is a huge Dodger fan which is nice because sometimes they have no clue what a baseball is.
Nice…be sure to educate them about Elvis. All the songs during fireworks are by The King.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions
My mom loved Elvis. I remember he listening to a bunch of records of his all the time.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
speaking of ESPN radio, the update guy keeps saying “the Rays got perfect gamed yesterday.”
I guess that’s one way to say it. For some reason it doesn’t sit well with me.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
W W V S S
What Would Vin Scully Say? Certainly not that phrase, something more like “The Rays were the victims of Mark Buerhle’s perfect game gem last night.”
Probably something more than ’YESSSSS!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!" :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:35 PM PDT up reply actions
I wonder if a guy like Haeger just travels with a special catcher’s mitt, for his catchers to use.
I have never had the pleasure of wearing an oversized catcher’s mitt.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Who would catch Haeger if he gets promoted?
I would assume A.J. Ellis catches him most of the time.
But would Ausmus do it?
Eyechart flaming people on twitter is kinda funny, and is the sort of stuff that would never be published.
Because its twitter, and he’s not famous enough.
I saw a few of those…funny stuff. Must be part of his rehab :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Who will be the first baseball player
to head to the DL for carpal tunnel related to texting like Zumaya and Guitar Hero?
That’s where Sue Falsone comes in…preventative therapy, man! :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I forgot to note…Kershaw has began with at least five scoreless innings in six of his last seven starts.
I think A. Martinez took steroids (which he openly talks about on radio) just in case he ever got to fight Josh Suchon. :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Are you suggesting noted karate expert Jim Gott ever lost a fight? :)
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions
I think the jinx was canceled out by my misuse of began/begun.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
or, more accurately, I just now noticed.
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Odd comment from David Ely at Dodgers.com
LAD: LHP Clayton Kershaw (8-5, 2.95 ERA)
Kershaw just keeps getting better. In his last seven starts, all won by the Dodgers, he’s 5-0 with a 0.63 ERA. And he’s even able to do it when he has less than his best stuff, as he showed against the Astros. Lacking consistency with anything off-speed, he threw enough strikes to walk only one and pitch ahead in counts, allowing only two hits in seven scoreless innings.
FLA: RHP Josh Johnson (8-2, 2.74 ERA)
Johnson looked like he was going to have another outstanding start his last time out. The right-hander held the Phillies to just one hit, a Chase Utley single in the first, over his two innings in a game that was called after a 90-minute rain delay. Johnson was very effective with his pitches, throwing 21 of 30 for strikes. The Marlins ace has not faced the Dodgers yet this season, but if he throws the way he has all year, he will make Friday a long night for the National League West leaders.
David Ely didn’t get a ‘special for the Dodgers’ tag so I guess the Dodgers hired him to help Ken Gurnick.
Anyway, Ely claims that Kershaw’s breaking balls weren’t working in his last start? Did he not see the freaking curveball?
I seem to remember Kershaw saying that he didn’t have his best stuff that night (after the game), but I don’t remember specifics.
I know Torre laughed when someone told him Sunday that Kershaw said that the night before. Torre asked who said that, and when told Kershaw was the one who said he didn’t have his best stuff, Torre just laughed and said, “Good for him.”
by Eric Stephen on Jul 24, 2009 5:16 PM PDT up reply actions
David Ely has a twitter account.
Kershaw feature online now. http://tinyurl.com/nb5u7p … eff Mark Buehrle’s perfect game for bumping me off mlb.com main page.about 20 hours ago from web
Still, its nice that somebody in the Dodgers organization is twittering. Couldn’t find an account from Gurnick.
Vicente Padilla of the Rangers has tested positive for swine flu. Yet he’s scheduled to make his next start! :)
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on True Blue LA
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
- Benches clear at Fenway as Red Sox-Rays rivalry heats up
- Keeping good company: Albert Pujols becomes fourth-youngest player to hit 450 home runs
- Giancarlo Stanton misses cutoff man, and Logan Morrison is thankful he did (Video)
- Snoop Dogg delivers memorable first pitch at U.S. Cellular Field
