The Dodgers Saved the Best For Last on Kershaw Sunday

The Giants began the series by starting their ace. The Dodgers end the series by starting their ace. Game 1 was a lopsided 9-0 shutout by the Giants. Game 2 was a lopsided 17-0 shutout by the Dodgers. Game 3 will most likely be a narrow one-run game between the two N.L. West rivals. With a series win against the Giants, the Dodgers are looking to be up by three games on Sunday night. If the Giants prevail, then they would pull within one game of Los Angeles. Either way, the Dodgers are ensured to leave San Francisco still in first place.

Clayton Kershaw (18-3, 1.67) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (5-3, 3.62)

Lineup: 

Gordon 2B

Puig CF

Gonzalez 1B

Kemp RF

Ramirez SS

Crawford LF

Uribe 3B

Ellis C

Kershaw P

Saturday’s triumphant slaying was a memorable Dodgers-Giants game. While Game 1 was quite disappointing, the Dodgers made up for their series opener defeat by sparking fireworks in the Bay. Zack Greinke instilled eternal hope as he not only shut down the San Francisco offense, but he also hit a beautiful two-run homerun. It reminded me of the homerun by Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day 2013. The homerun was majestic and brought with it a sense of excitement for what is to come.

Sep 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers Alex Guerrero (7) Roger Bernadina (18) and JocPederson (65) celebrate their 17-0 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Beating the Giants, especially at AT&T Park is always a hoot, but there’s something extra special about beating them down 17-0. Even Chris Perez was on point with a scoreless frame of work. You know things are sort of magical when the starts align and Chris Perez doesn’t allow a run. Alex Guerrero collected his first base hit. Yasiel Puig was on base like every inning. Hanley is hitting well. Matt Kemp was the star of the night by not only driving in 3 runs but also making a fantastic throw to home plate to mow down Angel Pagan.

Angel Pagan is annoying, and so are the rest of the “Gigantes.” I wonder if they will ever wear that alternative uniform again?

Clayton Kershaw is starting. Clayton Kershaw is starting.

Kersh leads the N.L. in ERA (1.67), tied for first in wins (18), he’s first in opponent’s batting average (.188), first in WHIP (0.82), and he’s third in strikeouts (210).

Kershaw will be vying for his 19th win on Sunday and the Dodgers’ 85th win. Watching Kershaw this season has been incredible. He fought back from an early season injury, and he has shown how fierce his competitiveness truly is. After a hiccup in Arizona, Kershaw has gone on a reign of dominance. He has won four in a row, and he has pitched 8 innings or more in his last 6 starts. Last time out against San Diego, Clayton pitched 8 innings and allowed 1 earned run on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts. He is 1-0 against the Giants this year with a 1.69 ERA in 2 starts. Overall in his career, Kershaw is 12-5 against the Giants with a 1.40 ERA in 24 career games. He’s been excellent at AT&T Park, and he is 7-2 with a 0.69 ERA there in 11 games.

Buster Posey is the only current Giant to have hit a homerun off Kershaw.

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The Giants will send out right-hander Yusmeiro Petit for the finale. This will be his tenth start this season for the Giants. He is 1-3 with a 4.83 ERA against the Dodgers over his career (12 games including 4 starts). Last time out he beat Arizona after pitching a complete game. He only allowed 1 run on 4 hits with 9 strikeouts and no walks. Four Dodgers have hit a homerun against Petit in the past: Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez.

Prediction: Clayton Kershaw tries to keep pace with Zack Greinke while collecting a base hit.                  

Scott Elbert is back! I was so excited to see Elbert back in action. We hadn’t seen the left-hander since 2012 before he had a myriad of surgeries. He’s one of the longest tenured Dodgers on the team coming up in 2008. Elbert pitched a scoreless eighth, and he will be a great addition to the Dodger bullpen going down the stretch.

Rivalries are renewed. History repeats itself. The Dodgers look to repeat the offensive offerings they had on Saturday behind Kershaw on Sunday. With the Giants breathing down their necks, the Dodgers were quick to pounce back on Saturday. With Kershaw going to the mound on Sunday, the odds are highly stacked in favor of the Dodgers. The key to Sunday’s game will be clean defense and aggressive hitting.

The Dodgers need to drive home the fact that they are the defending N.L. West champions who will not be beaten by a Panda, a Posey or any of the pumpkin-colored jerseys.

Go Blue!