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Clayton Kershaw has already stopped a four-game losing streak when he started a week ago in San Francisco. Today he will not only try to end a three-game losing streak that started on Wednesday but also a 11-game regular season losing streak to the Diamondbacks that started last season.
To do that, Kershaw and the Dodgers will have to best right-hander Zack Godley. Today’s starters faced off on April 3rd in Arizona with Godley picking up the win after pitching seven scoreless innings. Kershaw gave up two runs (one earned) in six innings and took his second loss of the season.
Six days off is not normal
Since 2011, Kershaw’s first Cy Young Award winning season, he has made 22 starts with six or more days of rest between games. That is out of 210 games started, so just slightly more than 10 percent of those starts.
But if you examine those 22 games, you won’t find too many that match today’s situation.
- Eight of those starts are Kershaw’s Opening Day starts.
- Six were his first starts after the All-Star Break.
- Six were either his first game back from the disabled list or being held back due to injury
- One start in September 2013 was pushed back because the Dodgers wanted to give Kershaw extra rest as they were approaching the playoffs.
- The last start was Kershaw’s last start in 2016 and that one was set up to get ready for Game 1 of NLDS.
This is the earliest six-days or longer rest start Kershaw has made that was not related to Opening Day.
Not many run-scoring opportunities
In 2015 and 2016, the Dodgers ranked 13th and 12th, respectively, in the National League in total plate appearances with runners in scoring position. The Dodgers improved in 2017, placing 4th in the National League in total plate appearances with runners in scoring position.
Was that improvement short-lived? The Dodgers are currently 15th this year in the National League in total plate appearances with runners in scoring position.
Game info
Time: 1:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA