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Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Kershaw: The Anti-Venom

D-Backs @ Dodgers
Game 3
7:10pm

Clayton Kershaw (18-5, 2.36) vs. Daniel Hudson (16-9, 3.41)

.500 didn't last long, did it? Last night Mattingly was pushing his luck once again by allowing struggling Bills to pitch as long as he did. Bills actually settled down a bit after the disastrous first inning, but Donnie's luck would run out in the 10th inning when he had Javy Guerra pitch a second inning. Remember, Guerra had pitched three games in a row and he also has a cracked fingernail. Walkapalooza™ commenced, and the D-Backs took it in 10. Why not bring in someone else after let's say the second walk? Once again we witness Donnie's lack of meltdown prevention and lack of skills in pitcher management. I'd also like to see Jansen close instead of Guerra. Jansen has been blowing away batters, so why not see if he can move into that role. Guerra has pitched well this year after picking up the Broxton blown arm pieces, but he still has been sketchy at times. I can see Jansen as our future closer, so why not put him in that situation a few times here at the end of this season to give him some experience in pressure filled moments.

We might as well shut down Bills and Kuroda for the rest of the season and instead start the Three Es: Eovaldi, Eveland, or Ely. Why risk injury to these guys? Obviously Bills has a possible injury. His velocity is down, and we all know what that usually means. The Dodgers have claimed it's a mechanical problem. Kuroda has a neck issue. I guess this is the year of the rusty neck. Casey Blake, Ted Lilly, and Kuroda have all had issues with their necks. Hopefully Donnie will rest some guys during these last meaningless games. The D-Backs have all but clinched the division.

Well, there's one good thing that came out of last night's loss. We blocked Kennedy from picking up his 20th win. Clayton Kershaw will go to the mound tonight in hopes of picking up his 19th victory thus eclipsing Kennedy in the Cy Young race. Kersh has a much better ERA and more strikeouts than Kennedy. Daniel Hudson will pitch for the snakes, and he's not too shabby himself with 16 wins on the season. He's coming off a complete game last Friday against the Padres.

Let's not let these slithery snakes sweep us at home. Arizona's magic number is only 6 now for the Division clinch.

They have also released the tentative schedule for 2012. The Dodgers will begin the season on the road in San Diego for a four game series starting April 5th, 2012. The Dodgers will also travel to Seattle for Interleague Play in June. This is the first time since 1998 that we will play in Washington. They will also have series vs. the White Sox, Angels, and A's in Oakland.

News around the Majors:

The Filthies have clinched the NL East. Sigh.

Mariano Rivera needs one more save to tie the all-time record. 601 saves will tie him with Trever Hoffman.

Lineup:

Gordon 6
Gwynn 7
Kemp 8
Loney 3
Miles 5
Sands 9
Barajas 2
Carroll 4
Kershaw 1

Once again Sellers is not in the lineup. Why not put him at third a few more times instead of the range deficient Miles?

Let's skin those snakes! Go Blue!

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