Archive for the ‘Clayton Kershaw’ Category

Home On the Range

Posted by Drew Fairservice under Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers on Nov 22, 2012

Clayton Kershaw is a really good pitcher. He won the Cy Young award in 2011, judged to be the best pitcher in the National League thanks to his gaudy line of 233 innings pitched, 21 wins, a strikeout-to-walk ratio near 5 and a 2.28/2.47/2.84 ERA/FIP/xFIP line. Terrific.

Kershaw posted nearly identical numbers in 2012, only falling short in the win department. He still managed 227 innings, a 3.63 K/BB rate and his “line” looks like 2.53/2.89/3.25. Still awesome. He finished second in Cy Young voting to R.A. Dickey, whose season was terrific (as is his backstory.)

The 2011 Cy Young race was close (though the voting suggests otherwise), as Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee posted incredible seasons for the Phillies. My personal pick for top pitcher that year was Halladay, as Kershaw has the advantage in home ballpark and quality of opponents.

Clayton Kershaw is a dominant pitcher both in spacious Dodger Stadium and on the road, too. In 2012, he allowed just a .250 wOBA on the road, second best in baseball. A terrific demonstration of that he is no one-trick pony – he can bring it in any environment.

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Kershaw To Start Against Reds Tonight

Posted by Darren Kritzer under Cincinnati Reds, Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers, News And Notes on Sep 23, 2012

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have pitcher Clayton Kershaw back on the mound against the Cincinnati Reds after no setbacks were reported from his recent throwing program.

Kershaw, who last pitched September 11th against the Arizona Diamondbacks, was examined this week by a hip specialist after some feared he may be lost for the year. It was determined the Dodgers ace could return to the mound without risking damage to his ailing right hip.

This is good news for a Dodgers team that currently sits three games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for the final Wild Card spot in the National League. On the season, Kershaw has recorded a 2.70 ERA, 2.95 FIP and 3.21 xFIP.

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Kershaw May Miss Start Of Next Season If Surgery Required

Posted by Darren Kritzer under Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers, News And Notes on Sep 17, 2012

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times, Dodgers opening day starter, Clayton Kershaw could miss the start of next season if surgery is required on his right hip. Kershaw, who currently leads all National League pitchers in strikeouts with 206, was scratched from his second start in over a week due to lingering pain in his hip. He is scheduled to see Dr. Bryan Kelly in New York on Tuesday, at which time a decision on whether surgery will be required will be made.

Already without Chad Billingsley for next season after Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers would likely look to trades or free agency to find a replacement for opening day, as only starters Josh Beckett, Ted Lilly, Aaron Harang and Chris Capuano are under contract for next season.

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Kemp, Kershaw Expected Back Tuesday

Posted by Darren Kritzer under Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers, Matt Kemp, News And Notes on Sep 10, 2012

The Los Angeles Dodgers had a rough weekend in San Francisco. Not only did they lose two out three games to the Giants, they were without Matt Kemp for both weekend games because of a shoulder issue, and they were forced to scratch staff ace Clayton Kershaw from his Sunday start with a hip injury. The good news is the team is expecting both players back in the lineup on Tuesday night in Arizona.

Kemp, who has had two separate stints on the Disabled List due to hamstring injuries this season, injured his shoulder in a game August 28th against the Rockies. Since the incident, he has only three hits, one of them being a home run. Kemp received a couple of injections in his left shoulder Sunday and needed a few days to recover. On the season, he has a .315/.382/.548 line with 18 home runs in 85 games.

Kershaw, who was scheduled for the Sunday night start against Barry Zito, was a late scratch by manager Don Mattingly after the lefty experienced pain in his hip. When asked about the injury, Kershaw said he felt good enough to pitch, and reiterated it wasn’t his decision not to pitch. The Dodgers have listed him as the scheduled starter now Tuesday against Ian Kennedy. The two-time All-Star owns a 12-8 record with a 2.79 ERA, 2.94 FIP and 4.9fWAR in 29 starts this season.

The Dodgers sit 1.5 games behind the Cardinals for the final Wild Card spot in the National League with the Pirates, Phillies and Brewers still in the mix. Yes, the Phillies and Brewers are only six games back of St. Louis, the same team that was in this situation last year, and we all know what happened there.

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Pizza Lovers Will Be Watching The D’Backs In L.A.

Posted by Darren Kritzer under Arizona Diamondbacks, Clayton Kershaw, HardBall Talkin', Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug 30, 2012

For all those Phoenix residents who love the combination of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Papa John’s pizza, tonight may be your lucky night.

What’s odd with this promotion is the fact that the D’Backs are on the road. Most organizations traditionally offer these types of deals to fans when the team is at home. The other thing I find rather interesting is the timing. Arizona faces the tough task of going up against Dodgers ace, Clayton Kershaw. This season, the Dodgers ace is ranked second in the National League with 183 strikeouts, and has posted a 2.84 ERA, 2.89 FIP and 3.21 xFIP with a 4.7fWAR.

Oh by the way, tonight is also Vin Scully bobblehead night.

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URL Weaver: The What About Clayton Kershaw Edition

Posted by Dustin Parkes under Clayton Kershaw, Link Dump, Los Angeles Dodgers on Aug 28, 2012

The Blue Yankees, the Yankees of the West, the Pacific Coast Yankees. For years, the New York Yankees have been the top spenders in baseball, but 2,500 miles away, there’s a new organization embracing its status as a big market club by showing a willingness to spend, spend, spend.

Jonah Keri, writing for Grantland, suggested yesterday that the Los Angeles Dodgers, armed with the probability of an outrageously lucrative regional television contract, could be the first team in baseball history to operate without concern for a budget. Dollars per win above replacement analysis reveals that while the team has overpaid in terms of finances in several of its most recent transactions, it’s not so much of an overpay as to suggest financial irresponsibility. However, the point shouldn’t be lost that the Dodgers are doing something differently than any other club in baseball as evidenced by their lack of concern for the luxury tax which governs even the Yankees.

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