Clayton is Far From Done

If you happen to think “this” is what Clayton Kershaw happens to be right about now, then you might as well pack it all up and go home. It’s hopeless. In April, Clayton was named the NL Pitcher of the month. Clayton had a great month, going 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.76 WHIP. He allowed opposing batters to hit just .175 off of him and struck out 41 in 38.0 innings pitched.

Then, last night, he gave up 4 runs on 8 hits in 4.2 IP and walked 5 and I immediately hear:

“Let’s be real about things, this is who Clayton Kershaw is nowadays.

He is no longer an Ace, and hasn’t been for a couple of seasons, as the various injuries and innings pitched have taken their toll on him.

He is still a very good Pitcher, but no longer Elite. He is a #3.
It is not realistic to expect him to pitch like an Ace any more. He is still my favourite player but let’s get some perspective. The Dodgers will struggle in the Post Season unless they can pick up someone to pair with Julio in the shorter series.

I’m not being negative, I’m really enjoying the season so far, but we need another top-end Starter.“

Just to be clear, that was not Clayton Kershaw who went 5-1 with a 1.89 ERA and 0.76 WHIP? That was not Clayton Kershaw who allowed opposing batters to hit just .175 off of him and struck out 41 in 38.0 innings pitched in April? Because if it wasn’t him, then I would say the Dodgers should make some other plans. How in the hell did he win the pitcher of the month in April? Smoke and mirrors? OK, I am being silly, because we all know it was him.

We also know that Yu Darvish, the Padres’ Ace, has a 3.19 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP for the season, while Kershaw has a 2.53 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. But you can’t have it both ways! If Kershaw had a bad game last night, so be it! Does that mean he can’t have another good game…. ever? Clayton was simply not hitting his spots last night, so that means he will never hit his spots again. I think that is BS! Clayton gave up 8 ER in April, 4 of which were in a single game on April 8th when he also gave up two home runs.

Clayton is a man; he is not perfect. He makes mistakes and has some good starts and some bad starts. He was not great last night. The Dodgers are trying to manage his workload this season, which may or may not include sitting out some games. Julio is the Ace. Either Gonsolin or May slots at #2 (it’s up to one of them to seize the spot – so far it has not happened!). Kershaw slots at #3 with Gonsolin or May at #4 and Gavin Stone at #5.

Gavin Stone has four pitches, but does not use his curve much since it tracks like a changeup. If Gavin can land his fastball, changeup, and slider, he does not need another pitch. Less is more for a pitcher who masters the changeup.

Every pitcher in history to ever walk up onto the mound is capable of throwing a fastball. It’s almost too classic. It’s a given. A guarantee. A no-brainer. Everyone can do it!

No matter the experience, level or throwing practice of any given pitcher, they know how to throw a fastball. They know the grip and the rip!

But how many of them have truly mastered the fastball’s kid brother: the changeup? The answer, is “Very few!”

The off-speed pitch is one of the most difficult to hit in the game, because it looks just like a fastball, and makes you look foolish for thinking it was, as you screw yourself into the ground!

When breaking down the best changeup pitchers in recent memory, we have a solid group of future Hall of Famers who have all destroyed batters throughout the years.

The best one may be Tom Glavine, who was the last pitcher to win 20 games in three consecutive years. World Series MVP. A standout in one of the greatest rotations in MLB history. How did he do it all? Changeup.

What helped Tom Glavine be so dominant for so long was the level of command and comfort he had with his pitching arsenal. Even as his career began to wind down and the velocity was no longer there, Glavine would alternate between changeups and fastballs on the corners of the strike zone. You try guessing which one to swing on. Of course, Pedro Martinez commanded the changeup as well as anyone in the modern game.

Gavin Stone has an advanced understanding and “feel” for the changeup, and depending upon how Noah Syndergaard progresses with his mechanics will determine how much of Gavin Stone we see in the rotation. Of course, he is at OKC, but he is just a plane trip away at any given moment.

Rants & Raves

• I do not see Miguel Vargas ever moving to 3B. He is taking to 2B like no player I have ever seen. He simply “commands” the position, like it is his spot alone.
• Michael Busch may move to the Hot Corner next year unless JDM needs surgery this year. Then Max could go to DH and Busch to 3B.
• I’ll say one thing about Bobby Miller – He can really look bad! It seems there is no middle ground with him.
• Landon Knack is pitching like there is no tomorrow (5.1 IP 1 ER, 5 K’s 1.50 ERA)
• Jon Rooney is taking to relieving like a pig to sloop!