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Dodgers Send Clayton Kershaw to the Hill Tuesday Against Pittsburgh

By Sarah Maninger

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches a ball go foul while Nick Hundley #5 of the San Francisco Giants looks on in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: Justin Turner #10 of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches a ball go foul while Nick Hundley #5 of the San Francisco Giants looks on in the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium on June 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images) /
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After an offensive outburst against the Pirates on Monday, the Dodgers send Clayton Kershaw to the mound against Pittsburgh.

Okay, I have a question; how is Clayton Kershaw 1-4? I mean sure, he hasn’t been getting too much run support, but that stat just doesn’t look right. It’s been a long time since Kershaw was not the strongest starter in the Dodgers‘ rotation, but here we are. Statistically, Ross Stripling has been notably better than Kershaw, earning the title of the ace of the rotation in this season’s first half.

Don’t worry, Kershaw still is, and always will be, our ace. Ross Stripling isn’t going to replace him, but can we just take a moment to let the fact that Stripling has been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far actually sink in?

Amazing job so far, Chicken Strip. You’ve got Dodger Nation in your corner.

Kershaw, however, is the guy the Dodgers need tonight. Better yet, he’s the guy they want on the mound. Kershaw day is always a good day, no matter how it ends.

Speaking of good days, the Dodgers sure had one yesterday, including the two guys Jason and I picked to get hits. Both of us chose pretty reliable hitters, Max Muncy and Yasiel Puig, but you never know what’s going to happen. Thankfully, we knew where this game was headed by the third inning. Max Muncy, who’s hit about a million homers this season, deposited one in the pavilion, and Yasiel Puig hit a double and beat out a couple of solid throws to get on at first and knock in 4.

It’s no doubt that Monday was amazing. It was the kind of offensive outburst that this team wants to repeat as much as humanly possible. Now, as we venture into Tuesday, here’s who Jason and I think will get a hit against Ivan Nova and the Pirates.

Jason’s Pick: Current Streak-1: Matt Kemp

I was unable to witness the Dodgers’ 17-run massacre of the Pittsburgh Pirates last night as I was sleeping to catch an early flight home from Orlando. It felt weird going to bed just as the game started at 7:10 p.m. PST.

Thus, I am unable to really pick apart how each player did in their at-bats and how they looked overall. Because of that, I am going with the bat that was just waiting for June to end, and the hottest bat again on the team, Matt Kemp.

Kemp has collected eight hits in his last nine at-bats with five runs, two home runs and eight RBIs. A pace like this is obviously unsustainable, however, Kemp is seeing the ball well and has gotten his timing back down.

I do not expect another head turning performance like the two games he had the last two nights. However, Kemp getting at least one hit seems to be a surefire selection.

Sarah’s Pick: Current Streak-2: Justin Turner

I think we can all agree that last night was wild. It was bonkers, and it was the kind of thing that doesn’t happen often. Every Dodger who was in Dave Roberts‘ starting lineup got a hit, many got multiple hits.  Last night was the kind of game that even fans of teams in the American League on the other side of the country hear about.

Justin Turner got two hits and scored two runs last night, and I predict he’ll get on base again tonight. He has been really consistent, especially lately, and isn’t the kind of player who can stay quiet for long.

Next: Dodgers Trade Candidate: Raisel Iglesias

I think that last night was the start of something, for Turner, and for the entirety of the Dodgers’ offense. With the Dodgers 1.5 games out of first, let’s hope it was.

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