Dodgers Beat the Streak: Return of Clayton Kershaw
By Jason Reed
Clayton Kershaw is making his second comeback from the disabled list for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the red-hot Jacob DeGrom.
Clayton Kershaw was initially set to undergo a rehab assignment with the Oklahoma City Dodgers. Instead, Kershaw is getting the starting nod today against the New York Mets and the red-hot Jacob DeGrom.
In that rehab start, Kershaw was initially only supposed to throw four innings or 75 pitches, whatever came first. Since he is now skipping that assignment, it is unclear how long his leash will be against the Mets.
Dave Roberts and the rest of the Dodgers coaching staff is sure to keep a keen eye on Kershaw, who injured his back in his first return from bicep tendonitis.
When it comes to the Mets, they are giving the ball to DeGrom, who is toe-to-toe with Max Scherzer for the best pitcher in the NL this season. Hits are going to be a premium for the Dodgers, who need to get a great start out of Kershaw to stay in the game.
This is going to make it tough for Dodgers Beat the Streak hitting streaks, which had some success on Friday.
On Friday, Sarah went with Matt Kemp, who went a pretty boring 1-4 in the contest; still enough to extend Sarah’s streak. I went with Cody Bellinger, who I predicted would have a pretty big home run in the game that shifted the contest.
Well, he sure had that, as Bellinger’s grand slam in the sixth inning put the Dodgers up 4-0 and gave the team a comfortable win.
Sarah’s pick — Current streak 3: Yasmani Grandal
Alright, so lately I have been all about battery mates. To me, one of the coolest aspects of baseball is the dynamic between pitcher and catcher. They have to be totally in sync. Last year, Yasmani Grandal and tonight’s starter, Clayton Kershaw, were.
In 142.1 inning with Grandal behind the plate last season, Kershaw worked his way to a 1.96 ERA. I think it’s safe to say that’s the Kershaw we want pitching tonight.
So, like my prediction with Austin Barnes last week, I think that Grandal is going to have a solid night at the plate. Though the Dodgers will face an elite pitcher in Jacob deGrom tonight, I think they’ll be able to get to him, hopefully launching homers on their way to another win in NYC.
Jason’s pick — Current streak 2: Chris Taylor
It is no secret that Jacob DeGrom is having a lights-out season for the New York Mets, even though the Mets are not rewarding DeGrom with anything in the win column.
What may be lesser known is that Jacob DeGrom excels against the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers current roster is hitting .182 against DeGrom as a unit with 22 strikeouts in 88 at-bats. In six starts against the Dodgers, DeGrom has a lifetime 3.62 ERA.
There is just one Dodgers hitter that is hitting better than .250 against DeGrom: Chris Taylor. The sample size is small (2-3) however, Taylor did take DeGrom yard in one of those hits. When it comes to pure track record, Taylor is the hitter to pick.
Next: Time to consider Manny Machado
I do not think we will see another home run out of Taylor tonight. However, Taylor will play a key role in the Dodgers manufacturing a run. After a walk or lazy single, the Dodgers will get a runner over to scoring position and Taylor will come to the plate with two outs. That is when Taylor is going to deliver the hit of the game.