Why the Dodgers Won the West

The Kershaw/Greinke Duo

The numbers here speak for themselves. The Dodgers have had Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke pitch consecutive starts 28 times this year.

They have lost both starts just twice.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Other than that both pitchers will finish in the top 3 in Cy Young voting, as Kershaw continues his historic run and Greinke makes his return to the ‘best in the business’ conversation. On the year Kershaw has thrown 229 innings en route to a 2.16 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 294 strikeouts. If Kershaw can find another 6 K’s in his next start he would become the first pitcher to reach the 300 strikeout mark since Curt Schilling in 2002. Greinke meanwhile, has compiled a 1.68 ERA, with a 0.85 WHIP and 192 strikeouts in 31 starts.

Greinke can opt out of his contract at the end of the year (I personally don’t think he will) so this duo can’t be relied on forever. Kershaw is locked up until 2020, while potential superstars Julio Urias and Jose De Leon are waiting in the wings.

In any case with a tandem like this, its tough to have a bad year.

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