The Dodgers try to salvage a game at Miller Park on a Thursday getaway day, and will send their best to the mound to try and get it done. Clayton Kershaw faces the Brewers in search of his 15th win of the season. Sure, pitcher wins might be overrated but the statistic isn't going anywhere, and Kershaw is racking up wins at a rapid rate.
Here is the list of Dodgers since 1980 to win 15 games before September:
Dodgers To 15 Wins Before September |
||||
Pitcher | Year | Date | Team Game | Season Wins |
Orel Hershiser | 1988 | Jul 31 | 104 | 23 |
Fernando Valenzuela | 1986 | Aug 4 | 105 | 21 |
Ramon Martinez | 1990 | Aug 9 | 109 | 20 |
Fernando Valenzuela | 1982 | Aug 10 | 114 | 19 |
Fernando Valenzuela | 1985 | Aug 21 | 117 | 17 |
Ramon Martinez | 1991 | Aug 20 | 119 | 17 |
Jerry Reuss | 1980 | Aug 20 | 119 | 18 |
Hideo Nomo | 2003 | Aug 22 | 127 | 16 |
Bob Welch | 1982 | Aug 24 | 127 | 16 |
Tim Leary | 1988 | Aug 27 | 129 | 17 |
Kevin Brown | 1999 | Aug 30 | 131 | 18 |
since 1980 |
It is worth noting that Nomo won his 15th game of the season in game number 124 in 1995, but because the season started late thanks to the strike of the previous season the game was on September 8. Today is game number 123 for the Dodgers this season.
The Dodgers haven't had a pitcher win more than 16 games since Chan Ho Park won 18 in 2000. The last Dodger to win 20 games was Ramon Martinez in 1990.
Kershaw leads the National League with 193 strikeouts. He needs seven punchouts to become the first Dodgers pitcher with back-to-back 200-strikeout seasons since Chan Ho Park did so in 2000-2001.
Today's Opponent
Sylmar High School graduate Marco Estrada takes the mound for Milwaukee on Wednesday, making his sixth start of the season. Estrada, who turned 28 last month, has also pitched 28 games in relief this season, and has averaged nearly a strikeout per inning while walking less than three batters per nine innings. He is 3-7 with a 4.46 ERA this season, joining Kameron Loe as the only Brewers with a losing record with more than one decision, but Estrada's peripherals suggest some bad luck (3.68 FIP, 3.66 xFIP, 3.81 tERA, 3.24 SIERA). FanGraphs tells us Estrada has thrown his fastball (91 mph on average) just 53% of the time, relying heavily on his changeup (22.3%) and curve (21.7%).
Lineups
Dodgers | Brewers | |||
LF |
Gwynn |
RF |
Hart |
|
SS |
Sellers |
CF |
Hairston | |
RF |
Ethier |
LF |
Braun |
|
CF |
Kemp |
1B |
Fielder |
|
1B |
Rivera | 3B |
McGehee |
|
3B |
Miles |
SS |
Betancourt |
|
C |
Barajas | C |
Lucroy |
|
2B |
Carroll | 2B |
Wilson | |
P |
Kershaw |
P |
Estrada |
Game Time: 11:10 a.m.
TV: Prime Ticket