The Truth About Clayton

It is both wonderful and sad to watch Clayton Kershaw pitch. It’s wonderful that the G.O.A.T. is still pitching, but it’s sad to see what he has become. Last night, he threw six pitches that were 90.0 – 9.5 MPH. If he had 2-3 more MPH on his fastball, his margin for error would be much greater, but there’s no more left in his tank. His UCL is likely hanging by a couple of strands, so when he does not have “pinpoint location” (like last night), he is very hittable. Typically, no pitcher has his best stuff every time they pitch (maybe it’s like 25% of the time that they do); however, with velocity and movement, they can compensate and mitigate the damage. Clayton is pitching with no margin for error… and last night is typical of what we will see going forward.

His ERA currently stands at 3.62 – I hope he can lower it, but it will be challenging. Blake Snell’s next start will likely be with the Dodgers. Glasnow, Yamamoto, Snell, and Sheehan make up the “Big Four.” Kershaw is #5 and May is #6. Dustin has some trade value and no future with the Dodgers. He is an innings eater, and some team will want that with the hope of “fixing him.” I think he gets traded. Justin Wrobleski is a LHP and slots nicely into the rotation.

I could see a couple of minor trades at the deadline…. including May, but the Dodgers have plenty to win and in fact, are much better than last year… even if Mookie doesn’t get fixed. Donovan makes some sense, but I will be surprised if the Dodgers gut the farm. I won’t post much during the week, but I do have some time on the weekend. I will be in Cincinnati on Wednesday evening for the game.

My Red Sox Fan Meathead son-in-law is coming over this afternoon to watch Buehler and May serve up HR balls. 😉 He’s actually a great son-in-law, and he’s also going to the Dodgers-Reds game with me.