True Blue LA - Game 162: Dodgers 5, Giants 1Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2012-10-04T11:16:21-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/32151712012-10-04T11:16:21-07:002012-10-04T11:16:21-07:00Dodgers season finale tidbits and notes
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Catching up on some loose ends and random Dodgers tidbits from Wednesday's season finale.</p> <p>With the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a>' season now complete, here are some final notes from Wednesday's finale.</p>
<p><span>Alex Castellanos</span> hit his first major league home run, a solo shot in the eighth inning. Castellanos was the fifth Dodger to hit his first major league home run in 2012, as he joined <span>Dee Gordon</span> (May 1), <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> (May 20), <span>Elian Herrera</span> (July 5), and <span>Luis Cruz</span> (July 20). After the game, the fan who caught the home run ball traded it to Castellanos for a signed bat.</p>
<p>Among catchers with at least 80 games behind the plate in one season, the .373 on-base percentage by <span>A.J. Ellis</span> was <a href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/vASga" target="_blank">15th best in the 129-year history of the Dodgers</a>. Ellis finished 11th in the the National League in OBP.</p>
<p><span>Matt Kemp</span> ended with more home runs (12) in his 23 games in April then he did in the rest of his season (11), in 83 games.</p>
<p><span>Andre Ethier</span> led the Dodgers with 79 runs scored in 2012, the first non-strike season that didn't see a Dodger score 80 runs since 1989, when Eddie Murray led the club with 66 runs.</p>
<p><span>Matt Guerrier's</span> MLB record streak of consecutive seasons with exactly one save ended at six years, as the reliever did not earn a save in his 16 games pitched this season.</p>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> (eight) and <span>Kenley Jansen</span> (two) combined for 10 strikeouts on Wednesday, the 44th game by the Dodgers this season with 10 or more strikeouts. The only seasons that the Dodgers had more such games were 2003 (47), 2010 (46), and 2011 (45). The Dodgers were 32-12 (.727) in those games this season.</p>
<p>Of the eight relief pitchers that made the Dodgers opening day roster, the only one to remain on the active roster all season without interruption was <span>Jamey Wright</span>, who made his seventh consecutive team as a non-roster invitee to spring training. Technically Jansen never went on the disabled list, but he did miss over three weeks in September with an irregular heartbeat and only avoided DL time because a move was unnecessary with expanded rosters.</p>
<p>Elian Herrera played the final five innings of Wednesday's game in left field. His final tally of games played on the season was 22 games in left field, 20 games at third base, 13 games at second base, nine games in center field, seven games in right field, and two games at shortstop.</p>
<p>Kershaw's RBI single in the fifth inning was the first run batted in by a Dodger pitcher in 44 games. The previous pitcher RBI came on August 15, also driven in by Kershaw.</p>
<p>The Dodgers did in fact allow under 600 runs, coming in at 597. It was the first time the Dodgers allowed under 600 runs since 2003, and just the second time in a non-strike year since 1989.</p>
<p>The 25 pitchers used by the Dodgers tied the 2009 and 1998 teams for the most used in a season in franchise history.</p>
<p>The 50 players used by the Dodgers were their most since 2006, but three shy of the club record, set in both 1944 and 1998.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2012/10/4/3455126/dodgers-notes-season-finaleEric Stephen2012-10-04T06:02:12-07:002012-10-04T06:02:12-07:00The value of Clayton Kershaw
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<figcaption>Harry How - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Despite dealing with a right hip impingement during the final month of the season, Clayton Kershaw allowed four runs over his final five starts.</p> <p>The only time <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> seemed bothered by his right hip impingement on Wednesday was when he was asked about it by reporters after the game, a 5-1 win by the <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> over the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>.</p>
<p>"I don't feel like talking about it," Kershaw said of his hip injury. "We can talk about baseball."</p>
<p>Luckily there was plenty of baseball to converse about, as Kershaw pitched eight innings for the second straight start. He allowed one run and struck out eight, ending his season on a high note with a win.</p>
<p>"It's just Clayton, just competing. A lot of guys wouldn't want to pitch today, but Clayton just loves to pitch so much," said manager Don Mattingly. "It's just fun to watch him pitch."</p>
<p>Kershaw led the major leagues with a 2.53 ERA, his second straight season doing so. He led the National League with a 1.023 WHIP, his second straight year of doing that. He fell one strikeout short of tying <span>R.A. Dickey</span> for the NL strikeout lead, and <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/early-lead/wp/2012/10/03/adam-greenbergs-magical-second-at-bat-was-worth-the-wait/" target="_blank">didn't have the advantage of facing Taller Eddie Gaedel</a>.</p>
<p>Kershaw was more excited about his RBI single, which tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth inning, which helped him to a final batting average of .207 on the season. "I needed it. It kept me above .200 for the year," he joked.</p>
<p>His 2012 season wasn't quite as good as 2011, but Kershaw came reasonably close.</p>
<p> </p>
<table align="center" border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2"><tbody>
<tr bgcolor="#157dec">
<td width="100"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Year</b></font></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><font color="#ffffff"><b>BF</b></font></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><font color="#ffffff"><b>H</b></font></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><font color="#ffffff"><b>HR</b></font></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><font color="#ffffff"><b>UIBB</b></font></td>
<td align="center" width="50"><font color="#ffffff"><b>K</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2011</td>
<td align="center">912</td>
<td align="center">174</td>
<td align="center">15</td>
<td align="center">52</td>
<td align="center">248</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td align="center">901</td>
<td align="center">170</td>
<td align="center">16</td>
<td align="center">58</td>
<td align="center">229</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p>Kershaw's win was his 14th of the season, 33% less than he had last year. But he also pitched in a major league high five games of seven innings or longer with one or zero runs allowed and no win. The deflated win total doesn't change Kershaw's stature in the clubhouse.</p>
<p>"It's kind of what we talked about during spring training, with him going out and really throwing the ball well but not getting the same support, but he was really the same as last year when he won the Cy Young Award," Mattingly said. "He won't win the award (this year) because he doesn't have enough wins,but he's as good as anybody in the game."</p>
<p>"Obviously I'm personally and professionally biased but he's the Cy Young. He's the best pitcher in baseball. Well, him and <span>(Justin) Verlander</span>. Those two guys are in a separate class," said catcher <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, who got a rare day off on Wednesday.</p>
<p>"It's just so funny how, wins don't mean as much anymore. I mean they <i>do</i>, but (starting pitchers) don't have any control over them," Ellis said. "It's like the whole <span>(Miguel) Cabrera</span>-<span>(Mike) Trout</span> debate; I think people are starting to understand what value is, and how to measure it."</p>
<p>For Kershaw, though the Dodgers fell short of the postseason, the strong finish of winning seven of eight games, outscoring their opponents 45-14 during that span, bodes well for 2013.</p>
<p>"There are a lot of expectations, that's for sure. It's good to have these nine games as a basis of how we can play. That's how we should play for 162," Kershaw said. "We have pretty much all the starters back next year, so it should be pretty interesting."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2012/10/4/3453250/clayton-kershaw-what-hip-injuryEric Stephen2012-10-03T18:53:49-07:002012-10-03T18:53:49-07:00Clayton Kershaw ends season in style
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The left-hander struck out eight in eight innings to close out his 2012 season, leading the major leagues in ERA for the second straight year.</p> <p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> was medically cleared to pitch for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in their series finale, and the left-hander wanted to start the season finale even though it was a meaningless game. Then again, if you could do what Kershaw could do, wouldn't you want to do it as often as possible?</p>
<p>Kershaw allowed one run in eight innings on Wednesday as the Dodgers beat the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> 5-1, to finish their season with 86 wins.</p>
<p>Kershaw led the major leagues with a 2.53 ERA, the first Dodger to lead the league in ERA in consecutive years since Sandy Koufax (1962-1966).</p>
<p>Kershaw led the NL with a 1.023 WHIP, the first Dodger to lead the league in WHIP in consecutive years since Koufax.</p>
<p>Kershaw struck out eight to finish with 229 strikeouts, just one behind <span>R.A. Dickey</span> for the league lead.</p>
<p>Kershaw even had an RBI single in the game. Not a bad way to end his season.</p>
<p><span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> singled to extend his hitting streak to 15 games, which will carry over into next season.</p>
<p><span>Kenley Jansen</span> recorded the final three outs of the season for the Dodgers to preserve the win, with two strikeouts. Jansen finished the year with a career high 99 strikeouts, just shy of <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/2012/9/25/3394014/kenley-jansen-strikeouts-dodgers">the elusive century club</a>.</p>
<h3>Wednesday's Particulars</h3>
<p><b>Home Runs</b>: <span>Alex Castellanos</span> (1), Juan Rivera (9)</p>
<p><b>WP - Clayton Kershaw (14-9)</b>: 8 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, 8 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>LP - Clay Hensley (4-5)</b>: 1 IP, 2 hits, 1 run</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2012/10/3/3452106/clayton-kershaw-capperEric Stephen2012-10-03T14:29:26-07:002012-10-03T14:29:26-07:00A.J. Ellis has been durable in his first full year
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<figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>A.J. Ellis qualified for the batting title this season, something that doesn't happen all that often for catchers.</p> <p>As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> head into their regular season finale against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>, the focus turns to a man who isn't even playing today.</p>
<p><span>A.J. Ellis</span> has 505 plate appearances, which means he qualified for the batting title this season. That may not seem like that big of a deal, but it carries more weight when considering that Ellis is one of <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/qnn4V">just eight major league catchers</a> to do so this season, and he is fourth in the majors in both games and innings caught.</p>
<p>Ellis is only the ninth Los Angeles Dodger catcher to qualify for the batting title, something that has been done by the team just 20 times in their 54 years in the city.</p>
<p>But he isn't starting on Wednesday, the regular season finale. On the 182nd day (well, 227th day since pitchers and catchers reported to spring training), Ellis rests, with <span>Tim Federowicz</span> catching <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>. It's the first start of the season for Federowicz, who caught one inning and had one plate appearance since his Sept. 1 promotion to Los Angeles.</p>
<p>"The great thing about Clayton out there is that <i>he'll</i> let <i>you</i> know what he wants to do out there," Ellis said, not worried about putting Kershaw in the hands of Federowicz. "He's not going to give up the keys that easily."</p>
<p>Even though Kershaw has battled through a hip impingment, Ellis is not surprised that he was adamant about pitching on Wednesday, even though the game means nothing for the Dodgers' now dead playoff hopes.</p>
<p>"It's not surprising. It's in his makeup. It's who he is. He said, 'I get paid to pitch. It's my day to pitch, so I'm going to go out there.' I think there is some personal satisfaction too that it's against the Giants," Ellis said. "I'm really excited to see how today goes."</p>
<p>With the exception of Tim Federowicz, the Dodgers will send the regular lineup out there against San Francisco, though manager Don Mattingly said he might remove a few players as the game goes on. Asked if Kershaw had any limitations in his final start.</p>
<p>"I spoke with (Dodgers CEO) Stan (Kasten), and he said no more than 150 pitches," Mattingly joked.</p>
<h3>Starting Lineups</h3>
<p><u><b>Giants (94-67)</b></u></p>
<p>Pagan CF (S)<br>Scutaro 2B <br>Sandoval 3B (S)<br>Posey C<br>Pence RF<br>Nady LF<br>Belt 1B (L)<br>Arias SS<br>Vogelsong P</p>
<p><u><b>Dodgers (85-76)</b></u></p>
<p>Ellis 2B<br>Ethier RF (L)<br>Kemp CF<br>Gonzalez 1B (L)<br>Ramirez SS<br>Victorino LF (S)<br>Cruz 3B<br>Federowicz C<br>Kershaw P (L)</p>
<p><b>Game Time</b>: 4:15 p.m.</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_10_03_sfnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2012/10/3/3450388/a-j-ellis-mr-durableEric Stephen2012-10-03T10:14:56-07:002012-10-03T10:14:56-07:00Clayton Kershaw has Sandy Koufax in his sights
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<figcaption>Christopher Hanewinckel-US PRESSWIRE - Presswire</figcaption>
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<p>Clayton Kershaw has a chance in his final start to reach a trio of personal milestones last accomplished by Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> have one more game left, which means one more opportunity to watch <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> pitch. Even though Wednesday's game against the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a> has no playoff implications, Kershaw will still take the mound, with medical clearance.</p>
<p>Kershaw has a chance to make some personal history on Wednesday. He is nine strikeouts behind <span>R.A. Dickey</span> of the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Mets</a> for the National League lead. Should Kershaw catch or pass Dickey, he will be the first Dodger to lead the league in strikeouts in consecutive seasons since Sandy Koufax in 1965-1966.</p>
<p>In 32 starts this season, Kershaw has struck out nine or more batters seven times.</p>
<p>Entering the final day of the regular season, Kershaw leads the NL with a 2.58 ERA, and <span>Cliff Lee</span> is the only other pitcher in the top 10 to pitch on Wednesday. But even if Lee pitches a nine-inning shutout his ERA would decrease from 3.12 to 2.98, which would leave Lee in eighth place, nowhere close to the top.</p>
<p>Dickey is second in the league with a 2.7347 ERA, with 71 earned runs allowed in 233⅔ innings. For Kershaw to remain tops in the league, he would need to...</p>
<ul>
<li>Allow three runs or less</li>
<li>Allow four runs in one inning or longer</li>
<li>Allow five runs in 4⅓ innings or longer</li>
<li>Allow six runs in 7⅔ innings or longer<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p>Kershaw led the NL with a 2.28 ERA in 2011. Koufax, who lead the league in ERA from 1962-1966 is the only Dodger to lead the league in ERA in consecutive seasons.</p>
<p>Kershaw's 147 ERA+ is currently second to <span>Johnny Cueto's</span> 151. For Kershaw to reach a 151 ERA he would need roughly a 2.51 ERA, given the current park factors listed by Baseball-Reference.com. In order for Kershaw to get there on Wednesday he would need to either pitch six or more scoreless innings or allow one run in 9⅔ innings or longer.</p>
<p>Kershaw also leads the league with a 1.033 WHIP. In order to stay ahead of second place <span>Matt Cain's</span> 1.040 WHIP, Kershaw would need to allow...</p>
<ul>
<li>Zero or one hits/walks</li>
<li>Two hits/walks in ⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Three hits/walks in 1⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Four hits/walks in 2⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Five hits/walks in 3⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Six hits/walks in 4⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Seven hits/walks in 5⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Eight hits/walks in 6⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Nine hits/walks in 7⅔ innings or longer</li>
<li>Ten hits/walks in 8⅓ innings or longer</li>
</ul>
<p>Kershaw led the league with a 0.977 WHIP last season. Koufax (1962-1965) was the last Dodger to lead the league in WHIP in consecutive seasons.</p>
<p><b>Game Time</b>: 4:15 p.m.</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: Prime Ticket</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_10_03_sfnmlb_lanmlb_1&mode=gameday">MLB Gameday</a></p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2012/10/3/3449434/clayton-kershaw-sandy-koufaxEric Stephen