Clayton Kershaw may have clinched the pitching triple crown barring an out of order appearance by Ian Kennedy in the next three games. He finished the season first in Wins (tied), ERA and strikeouts. His record puts him in strong contention for the Cy Young Award. However, it is not an absolute lock. He trails the Phillie’s Halladay and/or Lee in several other stats including WAR for pitchers, Bases On Balls per 9 IP, complete games and shutouts.
One area where Kershaw is head and heals above his peers is his commitment to an orphanage for vulnerable children in Lusaka, Zambia. He promised to donate $100 for every strikeout he pitched this year. Finishing with 248, Clayton will donate $24,800 out of his $5oo,ooo salary, almost 5% of his check before taxes and other deductions. It is like Hiroki Kuroda making a $595,200 donation. This is one of the best stories of the year.
Matt Kemp did not make much progress in his quest for the Triple Crown. Entering today’s game, Kemp is tied with Albert Pujols for the league lead in homers with 37, he leads the league in RBIs with 120, and his batting average of .324 is third in the league, seven points behind Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun. Kemp needs to go 7 for 14 in his last three games to raise his average to .32836 and three home runs to reach the elusive 40/40 club. If Ryan Braun goes 2 for 14 in his last games, he will finish just below Kemp at .32807.
Dana Eveland, who will probably be pitching his last game as a Dodger, goes up against Daniel Hudson tonight.
This Day in Dodgers History
September 26, 1997 – In a 10-4 win over the Rockies, Dodger catcher Mike Piazza hits the longest home run in the history of Coors Field. The 28-year old backstop’s sixth-inning blast travels 496 feet and hits the left center field billboard between the scoreboard and Rock pile.
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Barring any late inning relief pitching or a fill in start by Ian Kennedy, I wouldn’t mind seeing Kersh pitch a couple innings to prove who’s best outta Kennedy and Kersh, but only if Ian pitched vs. us.
If the situation called for it of course..
🙂
I’m predicting Matty will have a great series in Arizona. A much easier ball park to get hit & homers. I just hope Gibson isn’t a chicken shit and pitches to him. Not crazy about the Dbacks and, wouldn’t put it past them to pitch around Matt.
Kersh should win the Cy Young but, I don’t trust the voters. Hopefully they will go on his stats and, not what team he plays for.
The success of Jansen and the rest of the Dodgers bullpen in stranding inherited runners is a major reason why Kershaw will likely win the ERA title.
Here’s a breakdown of how the leaders rank after Sunday in the Triple Crown categories.
Wins: Kershaw’s 21st Sunday tied Arizona’s Ian Kennedy for most in the National League. No other pitcher has 20. Kennedy won’t start again the rest of this year, and since Arizona has secured a playoff spot and Kennedy’s tabbed for the Game 1 NL Division Series start, it’s unthinkable that he’d pitch in relief to get his 22nd win.
Strikeouts: Kershaw fanned six more Sunday, giving him 248 this year. The next highest is Cliff Lee with 232 strikeouts, so he would need 17 strikeouts in his final start Monday to catch Kershaw.
ERA: Kershaw finishes the year with a 2.28 ERA. Roy Halladay pitched six scoreless innings Sunday, lowering his ERA to 2.35. Lee enters his final start Monday with a 2.38 ERA, and even nine shutout innings would only lower it to 2.29. It would take 10 2/3 scoreless innings for Lee to catch Kershaw.
If Kershaw comes out on top of all those categories, he’ll owe a big thank-you to Jansen, who was once Kershaw’s catcher in the minor leagues.
Kershaw allowed a solo home run to Aaron Cunningham in the fifth inning, and took a 6-1 lead into the eighth inning. He allowed a double, a flyout to deep left, and a triple made it 6-2.
Jansen entered the game, and struck out the next two batters to strand the runner at third. If that runner had scored, then Kershaw’s ERA would be 2.31, or 0.03 higher. In that scenario, Lee could catch him with seven scoreless innings Monday night.
It wasn’t the first time Jansen saved Kershaw’s ERA. In Kershaw’s previous start, Jansen stranded two runners in the eighth inning, and overall was 5-for-5 this year in not allowing Kershaw’s runs to score.
Overall, Kershaw departed his 33 starts with 18 runners on base this year.
If all 18 runners had scored, his ERA would be 2.97 this year.
If none of those 18 runners scored, his ERA would be 2.08 this year.
That gap of 0.89 runs is the difference between first and ninth in the league in ERA.
As it turned out, only five of those 18 inherited runners came around to score. They came in back-to-back starts—June 4 and June 9, at Cincinnati and Colorado—as Scott Elbert and Mike MacDougal couldn’t put out the fires.
The other 13 runners did not score.
So barring 10 2/3 scoreless innings from Lee on Monday, those stranded runners will give Kershaw the ERA title.
And barring 17 strikeouts from Lee on Monday, that will give Kershaw the strikeout title, the pitchers’ Triple Crown, and most likely, sometime in November, the Cy Young Award
INF Eugenio Velez is 0-for-36 this year and 0-for-45 dating back to May 18, 2010. Manager Don Mattingly says he needs to keep giving him a chance to get a hit. If he doesn’t get a hit this year, that would be a record for most at-bats in a season without a hit. The 45 straight hitless at-bats have tied Bill Bergen and Craig Counsell (for the record by a non-pitcher.
• RHP Kenley Jansen now has the highest strikeout per nine inning ratio in baseball history. By striking out the only two batters he faced Sunday, Jansen has whiffed 93 batters in 52 innings, a 16.01 ratio that would beat Carlos Marmol’s record of 15.99 set last year.
• RHP Chad Billingsley took a one-hit shutout into the fifth inning Saturday, then gave up three runs (two earned) in his final start of the season. Billingsley’s strikeout rate dropped for the fourth straight year (9.0, 8.2, 8.0, 7.3). His walk rate climbed from 3.2 to 4.0 this year. His hit rate climbed for a third straight year (7.9, 8.3, 9.0). His innings dropped for a fourth straight year (200 2/3, 196 1/3, 191 2/3, 188).
By The Numbers: 2—Rank of RHP Chad Billingsley for most walks in the National League this year. The only pitcher with more walks in the NL is Jhoulys Chacin (86). Billingsley and Tim Lincecum have each walked 84. Gio Gonzalez leads the AL with 88 walks.
Quote To Note: “Definitely not what I wanted. But I was healthy through the year for the first time in a long time, made every start. The outcome wasn’t quite what I want … It’s a matter of how the ball feels coming out of my hand. I really struggled with my arm slot, trying not to cut the ball, staying on top to get backspin. It was a fight that lasted through the year.”—RHP Chad Billingsley, reflecting on his 2011 season that saw him go 11-11 with a 4.21 ERA.
Chad really need to get his act together next season.
Chad also needs a new pitching coach.
….and, a new owner & GM.
…and a set of cashews.
( ( 😉 ) )
Maybe Chad is a headcase and need to get traded.
Shad, I think you’re onto something there…
We’re going to need Billz to have a much better season next year if we are going to be legitimate contenders. Also, Ethier and Loney are going to need to step it up. Yes, I’m pretty sure that Loney will be back. Billz is 27 now and turns 28 next July. Next year is a make or break year for him in my opinion. I don’t think he is ever going to become an ace as many felt he had the talent to be. Too bad Ned signed him to near ace money already. I’m not even very optimistic that he will become a legitimate #2 starter at this point. I’m hopeful that he at least developes into a real good and solid #3 innings eater. Like you’ve all stated, I also think he would benefit from a different pitching coach or perhaps a change of scenery. I’d unload him in a New York minute for a nice bunch of top drawer prospects or an established big bat position player.
Anyway, gonna be an interesting series with the D’Backs. Some bad blood and they are still playing to try and wrest home field in the first round of the playoffs from the Brewers and not to face the Phillies right away. After the Punkarra bullshit, I’ve got no use for them.
Go Dodgers!!!
Lineup
Gordon ss
Sands rf
Kemp cf
Rivera lf
Loney 1b
Miles 3b
Ellis c
Sellers 2b
Eveland p
Check out the fantastic rookie hazing pictures at Vin Scully is My Homeboy!
They are fantastic photos…very funny!
LMAO!!! Now that is some funny stuff. I’m liking this bunch of youngsters. Definately some keepers.
They all seem to get along too…I hope they see fit to give them some serious attention….would love fo them to play with the 2012 Dodgers.
Evidently, Frank’s been changing the Dodger logo. Frankly (no pun intended) I think it looked cleaner and more stylish the old way.
Leave it to Frank to fuck something else up.
http://www.sportslogos.net/blog/2011/09/25/dodgers-change-logo-nobody-notices/
Even though it doesn’t look like much of a change…a change it is, indeed…..Frank does like fucking up the Dodger tradition!
Sorry I used a bad word….but, Frank pisses the hell out of me! He is a giant piece of shit!
Hell yeah Tru!!!! There aren’t words bad enough to describe Frank.
Glad to see Matty named NL Player of the Week….next stop MVP!
Clap…Clap 🙂
Lets hope he is the NL player of the last three games. It could turn his great season into a dream season.
It sure would!
Braun taking the night off…..needs rest 😉 Reyes, 1 hit so far.
OK. I’m curious to see what Eveland brings tonight. Maybe one of our pitchers will nut up and bean Punkarra!!!
Go Matt!!! Go Dodgers!!!!
I’ll bet somebody does! I saw the hghlight where Lincescum hit Upton in the head yesterday. Timmy beans a lot of batters and nothing ever happens to him.
Gordon….double!
I will be a big fan of the pitcher that beans that bastard!!!
Its really a shame when you have a Cy Young pitcher and an MVP player and surrounded them with the absolute crap Ned did, especially in the first half of the year. And its only by injury that they finished with the team they did. Otherwise we’d still be seeing the Uribes, Blakes, Thibbons and Garlands and this team would be 20 games under .500. Will Ned ever learn that younger is better? I’d be willing to bet over this offseason it’ll just be more of the same.
Maybe, he finally got a brain and figured out that youth works. Oh, wait, I’m talking about Colletti!
It’s fucking Ned. He won’t make the connection.
….and, McCrook is too dumb to figure out he’s a poor excuse for a GM.
No doubt!! Hard to tell which one is dumber!!
Love that movie…Dumb & Dumber 😉
BISON…..YAY…..123 RBIs, too boot!
MVP…MVP…MVP!
Nice start.
Vinny says Reyes has 2 hits tonight and, with Braun sitting, they are tied for BA.
Whew…Eveland survived the first inning nice and clean.
Wah-Hoo!!! MVP!!!
Loving that Beckshit’s Red Sox are losing big time!
Heh, heh,,,,Me too!!
He drives me crazy! It takes him 5 freaking minutes to throw the damn ball!!
Okay!!! I was on the wrong thread wondering where everyone went – lol!!!
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Let me do this again!!
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WAY TO GO MATTHEW RYAN KEMVP!!!!
LMAO!!!!!
Uh, oh….Braves lost. Cards are losing right now too but, they still have a few innings to go. I hate the Cards!
I can accept the Cards, but I absolutely can’t stand the Braves. Any team that has the audacity to call themselves “America’s Team” really gets my panties in a bunch. That’s why I can’t stand the Cowboys either.
I don’t like the Braves either! It’s not necessarily the Cards as a team…..I can’t stand LaRussa!
Go Redskins!!! Beat the Cowgirls!!!
For sure! Who the hell made the Cowboys Americas Team?!
I don’t care for that phrase either, and also dislike both teams. Both were just marketing ploys from Tex Schram & Ted Turner to try & gain popularity.
Ever notice how many times we’ll have a big inning (big for us is 3) and after that its like they go into their prevent defense and hope to hang on?
I’m really afraid that Ned’s gonna think Eveland can really pitch.
The same guy who thinks Uribe & Velez can hit! 😉
….as well as Thames & Gibbons!
Touche` Trumom!!!
Good evening all.
Nice to find out tonights game is a freebie on MLBTV!
Matt’s still got a chance to do 40/40. In the BA race, he’s going to need ALOT of help.
Reyes had a big night. He passed Braun. Matt almost needs a hit every time up…however, I’d settle for 40/40 😉
Hi’Ya VL. I think 40/40 is doable. He’s not going to catch Braun and/or Reyes for the batting title.
Braun & Reyes are hitting .334…Braun had a pinch hit single.
Ten points is quite a stretch with just two to go.
He’s still the MVP in my opinion.
I think so too!
I am recording two shows for my wife so I had to stop the recording of the Dodger game. I thought I could watch the free MLBTV broadcast but it said I am in the blackout area and can only get the audio feed over the Internet. I hate the concept of regional blackouts.
Rally time…..Skinnyswag is on base!
I don’t think 3 runs is enough for us.
LOL!! I tend to agree with you Tru!!
See….here goes the lead!
Hmmm….a fastball in the 80s….isn’t that a change-up?! 😉
Yep, this guys not likely to get thru a lineup three times with his stuff.
DAMN!!!
Eveland’s making an attempt for a Billz impersonation. . .
I was just thinking the same thing 🙂
Hi, Sparkleplenty. Nice to see you.
Hey Tru! Been having intermittent internet problems but I’m here for now, at least. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Had a very good day. Thanks for asking.
Hi’Ya Sparks.. Are you watching the game free on MLBTV?
He sure is!
Whew!
WHEW!! WTG Lindblom!!!
Great pitching there. Saved Eveland’s bacon.
Love bacon 😉
Me too 🙂
What’s happening – game was kinda dragging so I did a little more workstuff.
Hey Sparks & VL!!
Back just in time for a rally.
Clap….Clap
Hi Beav!!
Nice job Lindy!!! Ya think Dildon has finally figured out that McDooDoo, Hawkshit, and Grrrearend suck with inherited runners?
Good outing for Eveland. A love letter for Beav. LOL!!
I’m sure Ned is drooling…
I’m sure he is… and Ned will block Eovaldi in the process.
Ned signs the type of players that other GMs package in trades to get better prospects.
OUCH!!
Braves & Cards both lost.
Yay!! I hate the Cards worse than the Braves. I’m with you Tru, I don’t care for LaRussa.
It’s that shifty eyed bastard Bochy that I despise! No more worries about him this year since that team from the north is out of the playoff picture! 😉
He is a piece of work! Can’t stand him & that’s why he is with the perfect team 😉
I have the same feeling about the cock eyed Shanahan too, but I have to root for him by default tonight against the C’boys! LOL
YAY…TATTOO!
Tattoo!
And now in to give the Snakes a chance, Matt Guerrier.
Let’s hope that McDoo doesn’t become McDon’t!!
Meaning I don’t want to see him!!
James is sure flashing the leather nicely!
I know you guys aren’t crazy about James but, he’s got a great glove and, don’t you think it’s odd he has never won a Gold Glove? He’s a better defender than Pujols & Howard.
LOL!!! I was just thinking the same thing. And a much better glove than Fielder.
For sure!
And, of course, he plays on the West Coast for the Dodgers who nobody on the East Coast sees!
Pujols is just a red pubic hair better defensively than Howard & Fielder. Loney surpasses them by leaps & bounds with the glove.
Red?! 😉
Yep. The thinnest I can think of next to frog hair. LOL
( 🙂 )
Actually, Loney has hit and fielded his way off the shit list.
Also, for not whining and bellyaching when things aren’t going his way or he doesn’t get what he wants.
Nice play by Loney. Again. I’m beginning to think we’re gonna need Loneys glove at 1st with all the journeyman and young infielders we are probably going to have next year. He saves alot of infield errors.
He sure does! I really hold my breath when Dee throws sidearm – ya never know where the ball is going to go.
No kidding..
Flashbacks of Sax when he had his yips back in the day. .
Shee-yit!!! Grossman blew it!
Crap, crap, crap!!!! BTW – The ESPN announcers certainly didn’t hide who their favorite was in that game – geez!!! sigh 😦
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GO DODGERS!!!!
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The Cowboys are the NFL’s version of the Yankees in the eyes of ESPN. Blah!!
I hardly ever watch ESPN anymore.
Wow! So Guillen is gone from south Chi-town. Go figure. Didn’t see that coming. . .
That is surprising!!! WOW!!!
They were talking about that on Intentional Talk today & Millar thought for sure he’d go….Chris Rose thought he’d stay. A new stadium & new team, I can’t blame him.
His going to Florida?
Yep….he wanted to be with the Marlins.
Ozzie ought to shake things up down there in Florida with that laid-back crowd.
I bet he will. Hell, the fans will come just to see him!
Wow!!
Uh oh!!!
Nate isn’t looking too great!
Ditto from his last appearance. Can’t find the zone. Lack of work & signs of rust?
Yep…if you don’t use it, you lose it!
Well, shit…….
More like…WTF! 😉
Not good at all. C’mon Elbert, get the job done!
Please, let’s not give the D-Backs any more gifts – they don’t deserve it.
Ooooohhhh NOooooooo! It’s McShit!!!
Kaboom!
I really hate when he comes in with runners on base. He NEVER does well in that situation.
Business as usual!
Can we resume breathing now?
Nope!! P.U.F.F.!!!!!!
LOL
:))
Good Grief!!! Fu-Q Punkarra!!!!
Jhall – How are the Buckeyes doing these days? I haven’t seen too much college football yet.
They’re 3-1, but haven’t really played anyone and they haven’t looked so good. Losing our coach and 3 year starting QB is taking its toll. Also the suspended players aren’t back yet. They’ve got a lot of growing to do. Thanks for asking.
Yea – tough off season for them, but they will come back as the powerhouse they are known to be. All the great teams do.
Yeah, they’ll be back… Quite possibly even better. Like USC, they will rise again. I think we’ll go 8-4 this year. Not great, but not bad. Thanks for the kind words.
WTF, Aaron!
Shit! Miles was napping!
Yep, had his head in his ass.
Javy time!
C’mon Javy!! Nail down a winning season for us!!
It’s Javy time!!!!
Someone MUST work with Gordon – his throwing is atrocious!
Damn…you too, Dee! Good grief!!
You really need to tighten up your defense!
Double freaking damn!!!
WTF GORDON?
Thank-you, Javy!
Whew! I swear Javy has ice in his veins!!!
Him and Jansen, too.
Yeah, the kid is alright. Damn Gordon needs to work on his defense.
Glad we got the win, but it sure was tough.
WAY TO GO DODGERS!!!!
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What does Javy say?
Fu-Q….Broxton who!!!!
LOL!!!
I like 🙂
Javy loves you gals!!!!
I’ll bet the gals love him too!
…..and we like Javy 🙂
…..and, Dre; Matty; James; Kersh and Kenley too!
Awww, c’mon. No lovin’ for Uribe? LOL!!!
EWWWW……Uribe & Velez 😉
Nope!!!
It’s supposed to be fantasy….not a nightmare 🙂
I’m going to have nightmares for sure, now!
LOL!!! Goodnight girls. I hope you have pleasant dreams..
Goodnight Jhall!!!
Whew-Hoo!!! Winning season!!! Damn bullpen and defense did their best to give this one away.
If Dee’s the ss next season, they’re almost going to have to put in someone as a defensive replacement in the late innings.
I think it’s a mental thing.
Paging Doctor Bruja!
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