After the Los Angeles Dodgers eliminated the San Francisco Giants from any shot at the National League West division in a 6-3 win, they now look to take the series on Wednesday in an afternoon start at Dodger Stadium
The Dodgers withstood another home run Lewis Brinson and coasted to NL West victory on the shoulders of Tyler Anderson and his seven strong innings with just three runs allowed. Their 38-14 division record is the best in baseball, and the Dodgers hold an overall record of 93-42 to go along with a +294 run differential.
Kershaw takes the mound on Wednesday for his 17th start of the season and his second since coming off of the 15-day injured list because of lower back pain. In his last outing on the road against the New York Mets, Kershaw shook off some first-inning rust and settled in for five frames, allowing just one run while striking out six.
On the season, Kershaw is 7-3 with a 2.59 ERA, a 0.97 WHIP, and a 2.70 FIP. This year has been another chapter in the storied career of the 34-year-old, who continues to build himself up for another postseason run with the Dodgers.
In his career against the Giants, Kershaw has flatout dominated. He holds a 24-15 record with a 1.99 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP in 371 innings against the Dodgers’ longtime rival. However, in his last start against them, he allowed four runs on five hits in 4.1 innings.
Prior to going on the IL, Kershaw had his worst stretch of the season, begging the question of his back being the reason for the rough stretch.
The Giants counter with Alex Cobb, who enters with a 5-6 record, 3.58 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 2.84 FIP.
In the second half of the season, Cobb is 2-2, but has an ERA of 2.83 and a FIP of 2.61 in 47.2 innings pitched. His two most recent starts yielded 12 innings of shutout baseball, including 14 strikeouts.
Mookie Betts is a player to watch, as the Dodgers right fielder is batting .303 with two home runs and six RBI in 33 at-bats against the right-hander. The Dodgers as a whole this season hold the best record versus right-handed starters at 65-29.
Justin Turner added to his hitting streak, which now stands at 15 games, the longest active stretch in all of baseball.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Trea Turner
1B: Freddie Freeman
DH: Max Muncy
3B: Justin Turner
CF: Trayce Thompson
LF: Joey Gallo
2B: Chris Taylor
C: Austin Barnes
Giants lineup
CF: Lewis Brinson
2B: Wilmer Flores
DH: J.D. Davis
3B: Evan Longoria
SS: Thairo Estrada
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
1B: David Villar
C: Austin Wynns
LF: Luis González
Are you following Dodger Blue on Instagram? It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
