Pardon me while I try to type this and dodge the firebombs and peanut shells coming at me from all directions. I know I brought it upon myself. To suggest anyone other than the sacred Kershaw should start a monumentally important Dodger game is the highest offense possible. It’s blue blasphemy! It’s like suggesting the Pedro Martinez trade was a good deal.
I know Clayton Kershaw has been the greatest pitcher this generation has ever seen. But I’m not talking about over-his-career Kershaw, I’m talking about today’s Kershaw. I’m talking about the pitcher that’s been sliding away from his past superhero numbers and is looking very human this season. For example, Clayton has never given up more than 16 home runs in a season. We’re not even at the All-Star break and he’s already surrendered 13 long balls.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying Kershaw is washed up – not by a long shot. That’s not what this is about. What I am saying here is that Alex Wood is the Dodgers’ best pitcher in the starting rotation. He’s unconscious.
The incredible southpaw is 7-0. He’s won 10 consecutive starts. He’s got a 1.90 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP. Wood is solid. In fact, he’s dominating every opponent, whether home or away. He’s the first Dodgers pitcher in 32 years to go this deep into a season without a loss. Orel Hershiser holds the Los Angeles record at 11 consecutive winning starts in 1985.
Wood had a stint on the Dodgers 10-day DL late last month, but that move stemmed from caution after he experienced shoulder soreness. It was described as “benign inflammation” and he was cleared to start yesterday against the Reds. Wood didn’t skip a beat and he stepped back into the mix right where he left off.
Alex Wood beat the Reds in their homer-friendly park, and he needed just 89 pitches to do it. He even picked up an insurance RBI with a clutch two-out hit in the eighth. Later in the inning, the Reds snapped his consecutive scoreless innings streak at 33, on a home run.
Earlier I mentioned Kershaw has surrendered 13 dingers this season. How many has Alex Wood given up? Just two.
Yup. If the whole enchilada was riding on one game, I’d hand the ball to Mr. Wood.
Oscar Martinez
I was born in the shadow of Dodger Stadium and immediately drenched in Dodger Blue. Chavez Ravine is my baseball cathedral, Vin Scully was the golden voice of summer all my life, and Tommy Lasorda remains the greatest Dodgers manager ever. My favorite things are coffee, beer, and the Dodgers beating the Giants. I also blog about my baseball card hobby at All Trade Bait, All the Time.
Follow Me:
“Yup. If the whole enchilada was riding on one game, I’d hand the ball to Mr. Wood”. That’s a bold statement!
538 has an article which points to the baseball itself for the surge in HRs.
It would make sense. Right now he is the best pitcher in the rotation. Yet I doubt that he would get that shot. Especially if it was on short rest. For the series to go 7 a few things have to happen. Now if the NL wins the All Star game and game 7 is a home game in LA, out of respect to the man, Kershaw is getting that start. It varies as some teams use 3 starters in the Series and some go to 4. More out of necessity than anything else. I would, especially if CK had to pitch the clincher in the NLCS, pitch Wood in game 1 of the Series. A lot depends on how long the NLCS goes. Is it a sweep, or a 7 game marathon. How much time off between the end of the NLCS and the opener of the Series. Wood would absolutely make sense in game 7 if Kersh had to pitch game 6 to stay in it. So many scenarios. Guess we will just have to see how it all works out. Got to win the division first, get home field for the playoffs, and go from there. I think home field is a must. Series with the Cubbies may have been different had they had to play 4 in LA. By the way Oscar………DUCK!
I won’t offer chin music- I’ll just quietly take Kershaw in any situation.
Bellinger fastest in mlb history to 19hr
Will probably be the fastest to 20 too.
Won’t be the fastest to 150. Or 300.
He’s almost 22. Mel Ott had 80 before he turned 22.
Pujols passed Ott on the RBI list. Moved to #10.