True Blue LA - June 17: Rangers 5, Dodgers 3Where The Dodger Dogs Are Always Grilledhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/49563/truebluela_fav.png2015-06-18T00:03:47-07:00http://www.truebluela.com/rss/stream/86014082015-06-18T00:03:47-07:002015-06-18T00:03:47-07:00Slow starts leading to frustration for Dodgers
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<img alt="Yasiel Puig led off Wednesday's game with a double, but was stranded in scoring position." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/fqm39285C72Jru8jiCmcxAMf45Y=/0x31:2480x1684/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46562612/usa-today-8642400.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yasiel Puig led off Wednesday's game with a double, but was stranded in scoring position. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- The key word for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in Wednesday's 5-3 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> was frustration, the byproduct of a three-game losing streak.</p>
<p>"This was probably the most frustrating game I've ever pitched, all things considered," said <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, who struck out 10 but allowed four runs in six innings for the loss.</p>
<p>"The way I pitched, the hits that they got, just different things," he explained. "Not being able to go deep into the game, getting two outs after a first hit to the pitcher then almost getting out of the inning."</p>
<p>Kershaw left after needing 107 pitches to get through those six innings. The big blow was the two-run home run by <span>Joey Gallo</span> in the third frame, but Texas also tacked on runs in the second and fourth innings, and put another runner on in the sixth.</p>
<p>"There was a lot of traffic on the bases, a lot of it because we didn't help him defensively," said catcher <span>A.J. Ellis</span>. "It was a grind. As physically tired as he was after six innings, he was mentally tired as well, having to make big pitch after big pitch for six straight innings."</p>
<p>The Dodgers fell to 3-3 in interleague play.</p>
<p>"He looked frustrated at times out there," manager Don Mattingly said. "Clayton tonight is really a picture of us as a team, with the frustration and not playing as well as we're capable of."</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="4">Dodgers offense, 2015 </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><u><b>Innings</b></u></td>
<td><u><b>OPS (NL rank)</b></u></td>
<td><u><b>Runs/game (rank)</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1-3</td>
<td>.762 (2nd)</td>
<td>1.26 (12th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>4-6</td>
<td>.791 (3rd)</td>
<td>1.70 (4th)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>7-9</td>
<td>.743 (1st)</td>
<td>1.31 (3rd)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>The Dodgers rallied for three runs in the sixth inning on Wednesday, the earliest they have scored in any of their three losses to the Rangers the last three days. On Monday the Dodgers didn't score until the eighth inning, and on Tuesday they went until the ninth before scoring twice to tie it.</p>
<p>"We got a few big hits to get us back into the game. We're still fighting," Ellis said. "It says a lot about this team. We keep fighting for nine innings, but right now it's hard to finish the thing off."</p>
<p>The Dodgers have scored three total runs in the first five innings of their last six games, including never before the sixth inning in any of their last four contests. But they have scored 12 runs from the sixth inning on, rallying to tie or lead in the eighth inning or later three times during that span.</p>
<p>The opponent has scored first in the Dodgers' last five games. On the season, the Dodgers are 14-24 in such games. They are 23-5 when scoring first.</p>
<p>"Dodger baseball for us is getting a good start, and playing from out in front. We haven't done that a lot lately for a while. We've been playing from behind a lot. We've been able to come from behind and do a nice job," Ellis explained. "But for us it's getting a lead, having our starting pitchers go deep in the game, and find a way to get the ball to Kenley Jansen. We're not doing a very good job of that right now."</p>
<h4>Up next</h4>
<p><span>Zack Greinke</span> takes the ball for the Dodgers in the series finale on Thursday night, with <span>Anthony Ranaudo</span> getting the call from Triple-A to make a spot start for the Rangers.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/18/8803129/dodgers-slow-starts-frustrationEric Stephen2015-06-17T22:28:54-07:002015-06-17T22:28:54-07:00Rangers drop Dodgers again
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<figcaption>Stephen Dunn/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- Joey Gallo and <span>Prince Fielder</span> homered for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a>, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> dug themselves too deep a hole in a 5-3 loss on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, the Dodgers' third loss in as many nights to Texas.</p>
<p>Manager Don Mattingly was looking for a spark at the top of the lineup with <span>Joc Pederson</span> sitting, hitting <span>Yasiel Puig</span> batting first, and it seemed to pay off with leadoff doubles by Puig in the first inning and <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> in the second. However, both were stranded in scoring position.</p>
<p>The Rangers got a leadoff double of their own in the second by Fielder, a late addition to the lineup after <span>Kyle Blanks</span> was scratched. Texas brought him home with a single and pop fly that dropped in shallow center field, the latter a rare 8-4 force play, and a run-scoring one at that.</p>
<p>After we got to hear Blackstreet's 'No Diggity' as Kershaw's new at-bat music in the second inning, Gallo left no doubt in the third inning, crushing a ball well into the upper half of the right field pavilion for a two-out, two-run home run and a 3-0 Rangers advantage.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><span>Joey Gallo's</span> 3rd-inning HR was calculated at 439 feet, 2nd-longest HR <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> has allowed in his career (<span>Ryan Spilborghs</span>, 441 feet)</p>
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/611379087525806080">June 18, 2015</a>
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<p>Texas tallied another run in the fourth inning, thanks to <span>Adam Rosales</span> resourcefully advancing on the bases after Kershaw seemed to get him out. First, Rosales struck out, but a passed ball by <span>A.J. Ellis</span>, and Ellis subsequently not finding the ball allowed Rosales to reach. Kershaw then picked him off first, but first base umpire Marvin Hudson called a balk, saying Kershaw stepped toward home plate while throwing to first.</p>
<p>A single to center by <span>Rougned Odor</span> brought home Rosales for a 4-0 lead. Kershaw struck out 10 in his six innings, but those four runs hung him with the loss, as snapped an impressive streak at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<blockquote align="center" class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Clayton Kershaw gave up 4 runs, ending streak of 30 straight home starts allowing 3 runs or fewer (2nd-longest in modern era) via Elias</p>
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/status/611392763314180096">June 18, 2015</a>
</blockquote>
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<p><span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> was cruising with that lead into the sixth inning, when the Dodgers suddenly found life. <span>Justin Turner</span> singled to right field, then Van Slyke - in his first game off the disabled list - homered to left center to cut the Dodgers deficit in half.</p>
<p>The Dodgers pulled to within a run on a double by <span>Enrique Hernandez</span> and a pinch-hit single by <span>Alex Guerrero</span>, giving Guerrero nine RBI this season as a pinch-hitter and chasing Rodriguez. A walk to Puig put the tying and go-ahead runs on base with one out, but Joc Pederson (pinch hitting for <span>Chris Heisey</span>) struck out and <span>Adrian Gonzalez</span> grounded out to first base to end the threat.</p>
<p>Fielder added a solo shot off <span>Josh Ravin</span> in the ninth inning to give Texas an insurance run.</p>
<p>With closer <span>Shawn Tolleson</span> unavailable after pitching three straight days, Rangers rookie <span>Keone Kela</span> pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his first major league save.</p>
<h4>Wednesday particulars</h4>
<p><b>Home runs</b>: Scott Van Slyke (3); Joey Gallo (5), Prince Fielder (11)</p>
<p><b>WP - Wandy Rodriguez (4-2)</b>: 5⅓ IP, 9 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks, 1 strikeout</p>
<p><b>LP - Clayton Kershaw (5-4)</b>: 6 IP, 5 hits, 4 runs (3 earned), 1 walk, 10 strikeouts</p>
<p><b>Sv - Keone Kela (1)</b>: 1 IP, 1 walk, 1 strikeout</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/17/8802747/joey-gallo-home-run-clayton-kershaw-dodgers-rangers-recapEric Stephen2015-06-17T18:42:43-07:002015-06-17T18:42:43-07:00Rehabapalooza to shift to OKC
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<img alt="Pedro Baez begins a rehab assignment on Friday night with Triple-A Oklahoma City." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WLCNhdGpjOKbcNHZpSmv0Pn5ykY=/0x17:3460x2324/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46561356/usa-today-8542898.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Pedro Baez begins a rehab assignment on Friday night with Triple-A Oklahoma City. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> have been heavy on minor league rehab assignments of late, and that will continue through the weekend, with several pitchers at various stages in the process.</p>
<p><span>Paco Rodriguez</span> will start on Wednesday night for Class-A Rancho Cucamonga, and is expected to throw an inning or so. This is the second rehab game with the Quakes or Rodriguez, who last pitched for the Dodgers on May 29, on the DL with a left elbow strain.</p>
<p><span>Pedro Baez</span>, on the shelf with a strained right pectoral muscle since May 13, will begin his rehab assignment on Friday with Triple-A Oklahoma City, who will be hosting Memphis. Joining Baez in OKC will be <span>Brandon League</span> and <span>Joel Peralta</span>.</p>
<p>League, who pitched five games for Rancho Cucamonga, will pitch Friday then at least one more game during the weekend. League said he would pitch one inning Friday, then two innings Sunday, <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/stevedilbeck/status/611326258786365440">per Steve Dilbeck of the LA Times</a>. League has yet to pitch for the Dodgers this season.</p>
<p>Peralta pitched two games for the Quakes, and will pitch on back-to-back days for Oklahoma City, Friday and Saturday. He last pitched on April 23.</p>
<p>It is reasonable that all three of Baez, League and Peralta could be ready for activation at some point next week, which means decision time. Right now, only <span>Josh Ravin</span>, <span>Yimi Garcia</span> and <span>Adam Liberatore</span> have options in the bullpen, though that number will probably increase by one on Thursday, when the Dodgers are expected to go back to a seven-man bullpen, with <span>Daniel Coulombe</span> or <span>Matt West</span> the most likely to get the call.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/17/8801995/dodgers-rehab-assignments-pedro-baez-brandon-league-joel-peralta-paco-rodriguezEric Stephen2015-06-17T17:28:19-07:002015-06-17T17:28:19-07:00Puig bats leadoff vs. Rangers
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<img alt="Yasiel Puig bats leadoff for the first time this season." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/9wIDsrpEiV2j9BqNyn0kL-5InvI=/0x0:4808x3205/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46560976/usa-today-8606445.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Yasiel Puig bats leadoff for the first time this season. | Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> return home after a 2-3 road trip and two straight losses, hoping for some home cooking against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> at Dodger Stadium.</p>
<p>Or maybe even a run in the first seven innings of the game might be nice, something denied them on Monday and Tuesday in Arlington.</p>
<p>The Dodgers are 25-10 at Chavez Ravine this season, second-best home record in the majors (The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> are 26-7 in St. Louis). They are only 12-18 on the road, even though they have outscored their opponents (117-115) away from home.</p>
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<h4>Starting Lineups<br>
</h4>
<table class="sbnu-legacy-content-table" border="0" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td colspan="2" bgcolor="#bd1021" width="125" align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Rangers</b></font></td>
<td colspan="2" bgcolor="#1e90ff" width="125" align="center"><font color="#ffffff"><b>Dodgers</b></font></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Choo (L)</td>
<td>RF</td>
<td>Puig</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Andrus</td>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Heisey</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Gallo (L)</td>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Gonzalez (L)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1B</td>
<td>Fielder (L)<br>
</td>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Kendrick</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Rosales</td>
<td>3B</td>
<td>Turner</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2B</td>
<td>Odor (L)</td>
<td>LF</td>
<td>Van Slyke</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>C</td>
<td>Corporan (S)</td>
<td>SS</td>
<td>Hernandez</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>CF</td>
<td>Martin (L)</td>
<td>C</td>
<td>Ellis</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>P</td>
<td>Rodriguez (S)</td>
<td>P</td>
<td>Kershaw (L)</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<span><b>Location</b>: Dodger Stadium<br> <b>Time</b>: 7:10 p.m. PT<br> <b>TV</b>: SportsNet LA, MLB Network</span>
</div>
<p><span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> is on the mound for the Rangers, so with a left-handed pitcher <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> gets the start in left field, freshly activated off the disabled list. Van Slyke is 6-for-21 (.286) with no home runs against left-handed pitching this year, but with four walks and a hit by pitch has a .423 on-base percentage against them.</p>
<p>In his career, Van Slyke is a .269/.368/.511 hitter against southpaws, with 13 home runs in 258 plate appearances. He has never faced Rodriguez.</p>
<p><span>Jimmy Rollins</span> is 8-for-18 (.444) with a home run and a double against Rodriguez, but he gets the night off in the midst of a 5-for-41 (.122) slump. <span>Kiké Hernandez</span> starts at shortstop for the Dodgers.</p>
<p><span>Joc Pederson</span> gets the night off as well against the lefty, with <span>Chris Heisey</span> starting in center field and batting second. Heisey is 7-for-23 (.304) with a double three home runs against and Rodriguez, tied for his most homers against any pitcher, but the two haven't faced one another since 2012.</p>
<p><span>Yasiel Puig</span> shifts to the leadoff spot for the 39th time in his career, but the first time this season.</p>
<p>"We've been a little stagnant offensively," Mattingly said. "We thought it was a chance to get some spark out of the top of the order. It's just something a little different."</p>
<p>Mattingly said the club has talked about shuffling the lineup but wouldn't commit to Wednesday's change as being more than a one-day thing. For instance, Pederson will start Thursday, and has batted leadoff in his last 43 starts.</p>
<p>"I don't expect to talk about tomorrow's lineup yet," Mattingly said.</p>
<p><span>Clayton Kershaw</span> has never faced Texas in his career, but three current Rangers have at least 10 plate appearances against him. <span>Kyle Blanks</span> is 4-for-22 (.182) with a home run and seven strikeouts against him, and was originally slated to start at first over <span>Prince Fielder</span>, who is 2-for-12 (.167) with a home run and two walks. But Blanks was a late scratch with achilles tendinitis in both his left <i>and right</i> legs, putting Fielder back in the lineup, batting cleanup.</p>
<p>Leadoff man and right fielder <span>Shin-Soo Choo</span> is 1-for-6 (.167) with three walks and a hit by pitch (.500 on-base percentage) against Kershaw.</p>
<p>Kershaw is 2-for-6 (.333) with an RBI against Rodriguez, one of just three left-handed pitchers against whom Kershaw has multiple career hits, joining <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> (3-for-12) and <span>Cole Hamels</span> (2-for-5, walk).</p>
<p>Kershaw's RBI against Rodriguez came on <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN201108130.shtml">a suicide squeeze bunt in 2011</a>, when Rodriguez was with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/">Astros</a>, one of just two career runs batted in against lefties in his career. The other was an RBI single against <span>Jason Vargas</span>, then with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Mariners</a>, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN200906260.shtml">in 2009</a>.</p>
<h4>Rangers move</h4>
<p>Texas announced on Wednesday it will recall right-handed pitcher <span>Anthony Ranaudo</span> to start against the Dodgers on Thursday, pushing the rest of the Rangers' starting rotation back a day. The Rangers have a club record 12 straight quality starts for their rotation heading into Wednesday's game.</p>
<p>The Rangers will announce a corresponding move on Thursday.</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/17/8799981/dodgers-rangers-starting-lineupsEric Stephen2015-06-17T16:51:11-07:002015-06-17T16:51:11-07:00Van Slyke, Hatcher swap spots on DL
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Y9-kCxpNKVIL1D-zCg7gd8Uln9U=/0x33:2256x1537/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46556894/GettyImages-473102764.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Stephen Dunn/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dodgers</a> on Wednesday activated <span>Scott Van Slyke</span> from the disabled list, and placed <span>Chris Hatcher</span> on the DL with a strained left oblique.</p>
<p>Van Slyke missed 17 games with left mid-back inflammation, and is hitting .264/.313/.402 with two home runs and six doubles in 34 games this season.</p>
<p>He played three minor league rehab games with Class-A Rancho Cucamonga over the weekend, as designated hitter Saturday, left field on Sunday and first base on Monday. Van Slyke was 4-for-11 (.364) with a home run, a double and a walk with the Quakes.</p>
<p>Van Slyke returns to the Dodgers with good timing, with southpaw <span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> starting for the <a href="https://www.lonestarball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium, just the 11th time the Dodgers have faced a left-handed starting pitcher this season.</p>
<p>Only the <a href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Cubs</a> and <a href="https://www.talkingchop.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Braves</a> (nine games each) have faced fewer left-handed starters this season than the Dodgers. The average major league has faced 16 southpaw starters so far this season.</p>
<p>Van Slyke is playing left field and batting sixth.</p>
<p>Hatcher said he felt something in his side during his appearance on Sunday in San Diego. After first trying rest, Hatcher had an MRI exam on Wednesday morning.</p>
<p>"I wouldn't say it's painful, but it's uncomfortable," Hatcher said. "The oblique is one of those things that if you don't get rest you'll make it worse."</p>
<p>The DL move is retroactive to Monday. This is Hatcher's first career trip to the disabled list.</p>
<p>"Part of this is wanting to be careful with him, not allowing to keep pitching with it," manager Don Mattingly said. "We're hoping it's close to 15 days."</p>
<p>Mattingly said Hatcher's oblique strain isn't as severe as that of <span>Carl Crawford</span>, who last played April 27. Crawford was initially thought to miss 21-30 days but is currently on the 60-day DL and expected back close to June 27, the first day he is eligible to return.</p>
<p>The Dodgers currently have 14 position players and 11 pitchers, but Mattingly said the club plans to add a reliever, perhaps as soon as Thursday.</p>
<p>"We definitely need another reliever. We're going to have to get back to normal," Mattingly said. "We know we could do it for a day, with Kershaw going."</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/17/8776705/scott-van-slyke-activated-dodgers-chris-hatcher-obliqueEric Stephen2015-06-17T11:40:06-07:002015-06-17T11:40:06-07:00Kershaw racking up strikeouts
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<img alt="Clayton Kershaw has eight or more strikeouts in nine of 13 starts in 2015." src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/S-eKKlZjDWiXaKIBd0JN8DHzmbM=/0x54:2419x1667/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46557704/usa-today-8583110.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Clayton Kershaw has eight or more strikeouts in nine of 13 starts in 2015. | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>LOS ANGELES -- The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> return home beginning Wednesday night, hoping to turn the tables on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Rangers</a> by throwing their best two pitchers in this two-game interleague series. <span>Clayton Kershaw</span> takes the mound in the opener at Dodger Stadium, almost exactly one year after making history.</p>
<p>On June 18, 2014, Kershaw struck out 15 and walked none in his no-hitter against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>, and Wednesday marks day number 365 since his masterpiece.</p>
<p>Starting with the no-hitter, Kershaw is 20-4 with a 2.03 ERA in his last 31 starts, with 280 strikeouts in 230 innings.</p>
<p>There have only been <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/KQGPM">six pitching seasons with even 250 strikeouts in Dodgers franchise history</a> — four by Sandy Koufax, one each by Dazzy Vance and Don Drysdale — and none since Koufax struck out 317 batters in 1966.</p>
<p>This season, assuming the Dodgers continue to use off days for extra rest rather than to shuffle the starting rotation, Kershaw is on pace for 20 more starts. If he continues at his current rate (an absurd 8.61 strikeouts per start, slightly lower than his 8.85 mark in 2014), Kershaw would finish with 284 strikeouts this season.</p>
<p>Among Dodgers, only Koufax has reached that strikeout stratosphere.</p>
<p>Kershaw struck out a career-high 248 batters in 2011, and averaged 237 strikeouts per year from 2011-2014. He led the National League in strikeouts in 2011 and 2013, finished one behind the leader in 2012 and three behind in 2014.</p>
<p>With 112 strikeouts so far in 2015, Kershaw trails <span>Max Scherzer</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Nationals</a> by one.</p>
<p>With 88 more punchouts this season, Kershaw would join Koufax and Don Drysdale for most 200-strikeout seasons in Dodgers history with six, and would join Koufax as the only ones to do so six <i>consecutive</i> years.</p>
<div class="sidebar">
<table border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="2" align="center">
<tbody>
<tr>
<th colspan="5">Highest strikeout rate, Dodgers history* </th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><u><b>Pitcher</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>Year</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>IP</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>K</b></u></td>
<td align="right"><u><b>K rate</b></u></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Eric Gagne</td>
<td align="right">2003</td>
<td align="right">82⅓</td>
<td align="right">137</td>
<td align="right">44.8%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Eric Gagne</td>
<td align="right">2002</td>
<td align="right">82⅓</td>
<td align="right">114</td>
<td align="right">36.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Eric Gagne</td>
<td align="right">2004</td>
<td align="right">82⅓</td>
<td align="right">114</td>
<td align="right">35.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b>Clayton Kershaw</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>2015</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>87</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>112</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>32.1%</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left"><b>Clayton Kershaw</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>2014</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>198⅓</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>239</b></td>
<td align="right"><b>31.9%</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Hideo Nomo</td>
<td align="right">1995</td>
<td align="right">191⅓</td>
<td align="right">236</td>
<td align="right">30.3%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Hong-Chih Kuo</td>
<td align="right">2008</td>
<td align="right">80</td>
<td align="right">96</td>
<td align="right">29.7%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Jonathan Broxton</td>
<td align="right">2007</td>
<td align="right">82</td>
<td align="right">99</td>
<td align="right">29.6%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sandy Koufax</td>
<td align="right">1965</td>
<td align="right">335⅔</td>
<td align="right">382</td>
<td align="right">29.5%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="left">Sandy Koufax</td>
<td align="right">1962</td>
<td align="right">184⅓</td>
<td align="right">216</td>
<td align="right">29.0%</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td colspan="5" align="left"><i>*minimum 80 innings; Source: <a target="_blank" href="http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=all&stats=pit&lg=all&qual=80&type=1&season=2015&month=0&season1=1884&ind=1&team=22&rost=0&age=0&filter=&players=0&sort=7,d">FanGraphs</a></i></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
</div>
<p>Since making his major league debut on May 25, 2008, Kershaw's 1,557 strikeouts are <a target="_blank" href="http://bbref.com/pi/shareit/5qQou">one behind Felix Hernandez of the Mariners for the most in baseball during that span</a>. Hernandez also starts Wednesday night, against the Giants in Seattle.</p>
<p>Kershaw has struck out 32.1 percent of batters faced this year, even higher than his 31.9-percent mark in 2014. Among Dodgers with at least 80 innings pitched in a season in the 132-year history of the franchise, the only higher strikeout rates were achieved by closer <span>Eric Gagne</span> in his sublime peak from 2002-2004.</p>
<p>Wednesday night is Kershaw's first career start — home or away — against the Rangers, the closest thing there is to his hometown team. Texas is one of five non-Dodgers teams Kershaw never faced, along with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.camdenchat.com/">Orioles</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a>, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Blue Jays</a>.</p>
<p><span>Wandy Rodriguez</span> starts for the Rangers, the 11th time the Dodgers will have faced a left-handed starter this season. Six of those games will have been against Kershaw (the Dodgers are 2-3, with wins over the Rockies and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a>, and three losses in <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> starts).</p>
<h4>Game info</h4>
<p>Time: 7:10 p.m. PT</p>
<p>TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network</p>
https://www.truebluela.com/2015/6/17/8780483/clayton-kershaw-strikeouts-dodgers-rangers-previewEric Stephen