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Matt Kemp & The Triple Crown

Matt Kemp is closer than you might think to the triple crown.
Matt Kemp is closer than you might think to the triple crown.

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

MLB Gameday