:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4045624/124984503.jpg)
Now that Clayton Kershaw is in the lead, either outright or tied, in all three pitching triple crown categories in the National League, let's check back in with Matt Kemp, who still has a shot at the batting triple crown.
Here are the stats through three completed early games (Astros/Reds, Brewers/Cubs, and Padres/Rockies) on Wednesday:
| Batting Average | Home Runs | RBI | |||||
| Jose Reyes | .331 | Albert Pujols | 36 | Matt Kemp | 113 | ||
| Ryan Braun | .330 | Dan Uggla | 35 | Ryan Howard | 113 | ||
| Matt Kemp | .321 | Matt Kemp | 34 | Prince Fielder | 112 | ||
| Joey Votto | .31349 | Mike Stanton | 34 | Troy Tulowitzki | 105 | ||
| Hunter Pence |
.31282 | Prince Fielder | 34 | Ryan Braun | 104 | ||
Kemp needs a Jerry Sands-like run (16 for 30) over the last eight games to get to a batting average of .332, so he likely needs a slump from both Reyes and Braun to capture the batting title.
Kemp is at or near the top in a few other counting stats as well:
| Runs | Total Bases | Stolen Bases | |||||
| Matt Kemp | 104 | Matt Kemp | 320 | Michael Bourn | 56 | ||
| Ryan Braun | 104 | Ryan Braun | 319 | Matt Kemp | 40 | ||
| Justin Upton | 102 | Justin Upton | 311 | Drew Stubbs | 38 | ||
| Albert Pujols | 99 | Joey Votto | 306 |
Cameron Maybin |
38 | ||
| Joey Votto | 98 | Fielder / Pujols | 299 | Emilio Bonifacio | 38 | ||
Kemp is nearing uncharted territory here, as the Dodgers almost never lead the league in offensive categories. The last Dodger to lead the National League in...
- Batting average was Tommy Davis, at .326 in 1963
- Home runs was Adrian Beltre, with 48 in 2004
- RBI was Tommy Davis, with 153 in 1962
- Runs was Brett Butler, with 112 in 1991
These are the only Los Angeles Dodgers to lead the league in these categories. Davis led the NL in batting average in both 1962 and 1963.
No Los Angeles Dodger has ever led the league in total bases. Duke Snider was the last Dodger to do so, with 378 total bases for Brooklyn in 1954.
The last Dodger to lead the league in steals was Davey Lopes, with 63 swipes in 1976.
Tonight's Game
Dana Eveland and Ryan Vogelsong face off for the second time in 12 days.
Game Time: 7:10 p.m.
TV: Prime Ticket