Clayton Kershaw has allowed zero runs in seven of his last 11 starts. Yet he has only won three of those seven games.
Dan Haren can empathize, as he posted a 1.89 ERA after three starts this year yet an 0-3 record to show for it. Haren has five "tough losses" this season, which are losses despite pitching a quality start. However, Haren over the last few weeks has been merely human, allowing 17 runs (16 earned) in his last 23 innings.
Tonight, the two starters face off in Arizona as the Dodgers and Diamondbacks open a three-game series at Chase Field in Phoenix. The Dodgers have a 32-13 record against the NL West this season.
Since May 1, Kershaw has an MLB-best 1.87 ERA, and over his last four road starts has allowed only one run on 13 hits and 13 walks in 27 innings.
Weird stat of the day: Haren has not been removed mid-inning in any game all year. The last time he handed the ball to his manager and made the lonely walk back to the dugout was last August 9, a span of 32 starts.
Rafael Furcal has reached base in 23 straight games, matching his longest streak of the season. Over those 23 games, Furcal is hitting .301/.354/.417 with 17 runs scored.
After having an amazing two-month stretch during which he allowed only one run over 34.1 innings, Guillermo Mota has really come crashing down to Earth. In his last eight appearances, Mota has allowed runs in five of them, compiling a 9.95 ERA. Over that stretch, opposing batters have been licking their chops to the tune of .345/.441/.759 against him.
The Dodgers expect Orlando Hudson, limited to one pinch at-bat over the final two games in San Francisco with a strained groin, to return to the starting lineup tonight, so says Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Today, Mark Loretta turned 38 and Juan Pierre turned 32 years old.
The Dodgers just finished their second stretch of 20 games in 20 days. Here's a quick overview of each 20-game set, with the stats courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com:
| Dates | W-L | RS | RA | BA/OBP/SLG | ERA | FIP | WHIP |
| April 21 - May 10 | 12-8 | 102 | 87 | .274/.362/.393 | 4.15 | 3.87 | 1.344 |
| July 24 - August 12 | 8-12 | 89 | 88 | .286/.350/.402 | 3.83 | 3.85 | 1.319 |
We are having our first True Blue LA day at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, September 19 against the Giants. If you are interested, please post a comment here.
Get your guesses in for "Just A Bit Outside" here.
Game Time: 6:40pm
TV: KCAL