Kershaw Will Try To Turn Dodger Season Around Amidst Media Frenzy

Dodgers Lineup vs. Milwaukee

Clayton Kershaw-4-2 vs. Yovani Gallardo-3-3

This just in, Magill optioned, Lilly activated. The bad decisions keep coming. But yeah everyone order those World Series tickets now!

The Dodgers begin a three game series against the Brewers in Milwaukee tonight, amidst rumors of Don Mattingly’s impending doom. Let the record show that I don’t think Mattingly will actually be fired right now, because it’s too early in the season. However if the Dodgers get swept again, or lose two of three, he may get fired before the Dodgers return home. At least that’s what a lot of people are saying at the moment.

Help us Kershaw!-Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Regardless of the fire storm, the games must go on, and there is one tonight at Miller Park. The Dodgers will give the ball to their ace Clayton Kershaw to try and turn their fates around. Kershaw is the only Dodger that should deserve any praise this year, expect for Gonzalez maybe. Kershaw is on his way to wining another Cy Young award. He is 4-2 and leads the league with a miniscule 1.40 ERA. He has 67 whiffs and only 17 walks. Kershaw has had trouble against the Brewers, but has pitched well at Miller Park. Against the Brewers the lefty is 3-3 with a 3.92 ERA in seven starts with 44 whiffs. At Miller Park, Kershaw is 2-0 with a 0.64 ERA. Kershaw has only allowed one run at Miller Park in his career. One! Milwaukee does have a .262 (22 for 84) average against Kershaw, but no home runs. Ryan Braun is 5 for 19 (.263 against Kershaw, and Rickie Weeks is (.444) 4 for 9 with three doubles. The always dangerous Carlos Gomez is 4 for 7 with three RBI.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Yovani Gallardo (49) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fourth inning at PNC Park. The Pittsburgh Pirates won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Milwaukee will counter with their ace right hander Yovani Gallardo. The 27 year old has struggled this season. He has a 3-3 record, and posted a 4.50 ERA. His strikeouts are down, (36), and his walks allowed (20), and hits per nine (9.7) have all gone up respectively. He is still able to keep the ball in the ball park though, only allowing four home runs. Gallardo is 1-3 with a 6.21 ERA against the Dodgers, but has posted a record of 41-19 and 3.37 ERA at Miller Park. The Dodgers are hitting .274 (34 for 124) against Gallardo with two home runs. Adrian Gonzalez is hitting .364 (4 for 11) with a home run versus Gallardo. Juan Uribe has hit the other home run, and is hitting .273 against the young right hander.

In case you are wondering, Scott Van Slyke is ok, after fouling two pitches off of his leg yesterday. X-rays were negative, and he is listed as day-today, but the Dodgers don’t expect him to miss any time.

Game time is at 5 PM and televised on KCAL. Join us after the game for our recap and opinions. Could this be Don Mattingly’s final series as Dodger manager? Many people seem to think that it is. I doubt it, but if the Dodgers get swept again, he may not be back. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. Go Blue.