The Kershawshank Redemption
If anyone had a question about who the Dodgers Ace is, it was resoundingly answered last night with Clayton s dominance!
That’s the first time I have ever used that line. OK… that’s a lie! I have used it 6 to 10 times, but it never gets old. I have two favorite movies: The Shawshank Redemption and The Last of the Mohicans. Last night it was the Kershawshank Redemption and he may be one of the Last of the Mohicans. Clayton is showing that he is on a mission. What a game he pitched! 8 IP, 3 H, 1 BB, 13 K’s… and he picked off the only batter he walked. If anyone had a question about who the Dodgers’ Ace is, it was resoundingly answered last night with Clayton’s dominance!
Andy McCullough of The Athletic wrote this about Clayton:
“To see Kershaw perform at this level is remarkable, given how his stuff had degraded in recent years as he recovered from back injuries in 2016, 2017 and 2018. It is a credit to Kershaw for the work he did in the offseason both on his own and at Driveline, looking to rebuild velocity and regain the sharpness on his breaking ball. He looks more dominant than he has in years.”
Pedro Moura wrote this:
“Kershaw’s velocity was up from his last start of the regular season, and he freely used both his slider and curveball. When all three of those pitches are working, he is great. Even with just two, he has been good, but not this good. This was the first time any Dodger starter had worked into the eighth inning all year, and the first time in five years anyone has managed eight scoreless innings in the postseason.”
Clayton is learning to adapt and Pedro Moura of The Athletic explains what he did differently last night and how it yielded positive results. It’s an interesting read. Here’s a telling comment from Clayton:
“Maybe, in years past, I’ve been known to be pretty stubborn, so I just kind of do the same things no matter what in between starts, no matter how I’m feeling,” Kershaw said. “I think that might not be the best idea at times.”
The Dodgers didn’t put on an offensive exhibition, but they didn’t have to. The best pitching staff in the NL (by almost 1 run a game) allowed Zero runs in the two game sweep. They did score 7 runs, which was 5 more than Milwaukee. Milwaukee scored 247 runs during the 2020 regular season, while the Dodgers led all of baseball with 349 runs scored – one more than Atlanta.
Of course, some of you will lament the lack of offense and point to Max Muncy’s struggles or wonder why so many RH hitters were in the lineup? They won! That’s all that counts. These are the playoffs and even if the Brewers had Devin Williams, unless he could hit, it would not have been enough.
Patience Grasshoppers
Many of you wanted to bury Kenley Jansen, but do you even realize that Josh Hader had a higher ERA than Kenley this season? Some of you want to boot Kenly off the roster. HELLO! Kenley may not be what he once was, but he is still TOP TIER among all baseball closers… and he is the Dodgers’ closer. To suggest that Dave Roberts should remove him as a closer is beyond silly right about now.. Sorry… but the truth hurts!
Now, I guarantee Doc will have others warming up in the bullpen when Kenley is pitching and his rope will be short. I think Kenley’s issues are his mechanics… hopefully Prior, McGuinness and Bard can help him fix it. I have seen it before – his mechanics get out of whack and he loses 3-5 MPH velocity. There is;t a lot of time to fix it, which is why the leash is short.
This is indeed a strange season, as now the Dodgers head to Arlington, Texas to play the Rangers. What… they aren’t playing the Rangers? Well, who are they playing? We don’t know… either San Diego or St. Louis – both teams have and ERA of 7.00 in these playoffs. Bring it!
“If you would have told me the first time I’d ever pitch in Texas would be in the Division Series against somebody that’s not the Rangers, it’s like it’s the craziest thing ever. It’s going to be weird. I live 10 minutes from the team hotel. I’m going to be staring at family through a glass wall.”
Since, the next game is not scheduled until Tuesday, I could see Clayton getting that start as well – that would be his 5th day, but I think that depends upon Buehler’s blister. If the Dodgers could steal the first couple of games, it’s possible they could rest Striker in the NLDS to let the blister settle down.
I think the roster will be substantially the same. Sorry Alex Wood – we hardly knew ya. Props to several players:
- Austin “Freaking” Barnes – remember when many of us (me included) wanted him gone? Clayton is glad he is not gone.
- Bazooka Graterol – He got the save and you just love his openly joyful attitude!
- Mookie Betts – He just sets the tone.
How About Some Music?
The latest from The Boss:
R.I.P. Helen Reddy and Mac Davis. Enjoy Helen singing a song written by Mac Davis.
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Discussion (63)
Disagree, not disagreeable
My one major gripe about last night’s game is the announcing team that ESPN runs out there. Perez is about as insufferable as they come. The play by play guy is ok. But that mousy little squirt, Tim Kurkjian, is very annoying. He told the same story at least 3 times last night. Just totally a nerd. And to hear them talk, Counsell is the closest thing to a total baseball genius they have ever seen. There is clearly a east coast bias with these guys, or a Midwest love. Perez is sitting in his den in Florida doing the game, and the same with the announcers. The only guy in Dodger Stadium is a guy who covers the Dodgers and his insight to the team was pretty good. There will be fans at the World Series. Tickets are going on sale. They are going to allow 11,500 fans per game at the new park in Arlington. Woodruff got the old heave ho after he left the mound last night. He was complaining about a pitch to Barnes he thought was a strike, but was clearly off of the plate. Bottom of the lineup, and Mookie got it done last night. Middle of the lineup, not so much. But nice hustle by Pollock on his grounder that could have been a double play had Gyorko not clanked it.
Two of my favorite movies as well Mark. The Last of the Magicians because Kersh was pure magic last night! I don’t remember the last time he had such command of both his slider and curveball. Granted the Brewers are not the modern version of the 27 Yankees But he was brilliant none the less! You make a great point of having Kersh start off the next series so Buehler only has to go once. If that blister goes off then our chances go way down.Neither team scares me next round. The Pads just have no starting pitching and they’re not lighting up our pitching staff which they would have to do. Cardinals are just a blah team.
I have only one word for Clayton Kershaw this morning “magnifique”. Kudos also to Barnes, Mookie, Taylor and Graterol. Very very good article, Mark. Thank you.
Great matchup in Chicago today. Darvish against Sanchez
For all the Roberts bashing on this site, can we agree he made the correct moves yesterday? Or are some of you going to say, “yes but a broken watch is correct twice a day“?
My prediction, and I usually don’t do that, the Cardinals are going to beat SD today. I think their pitcher, Flarherty, that’s probably the wrong spelling, shuts down the Pads. We can only take em as they come. Pads or Cards, no matter who it is, the path to the big dance has 2 more stops before they even get there. Lets not have a heart attack because the games were close. Lets just be happy they are not playing today. And get ready to see what sort of adjustments they make to the roster. Floro back? Gore off? We will see.
We scored 7 runs in two games against a broken team. Last night we were 6 for 29 with 12 K’s. 5 singles, and a ground ball double just out of reach of the third baseman. The Padres scored 9 in 3 innings last night. Set a record for home runs after the 6th. Gotta love that.
The Dodgers quietly won two games against a team they should beat. I hope the bats are louder in the next series.