Dodgers Braves Game Two Preview

The Dodgers send Clayton Kershaw to the hill in game to against Atlanta.

Yesterday’s game was a nice look at what the future has in store for Dodger fans. People get scared when we talk about the future because it seems like that implies punting the now, but when a 22-year-old rookie shortstop hits three home runs, a 25-year-old rookie outfielder hits a home run and a 28-year-old rookie pitcher allows two runs in 6.1 innings.

Unfortunately, the rest of the offense still struggled, which meant all four of the homers were solo shots. Kenta Maeda struggled early on and his pitch count was high all game, but he kept the Dodgers in the game. The bullpen has been great of late, and three relievers combined for 2.2 one-hit innings, with the lone hit coming off Kenley Jansen.

The Dodgers look for the series victory today with Clayton Kershaw on the rubber. That’s a pretty good recipe, as Kershaw might be having the best season of his career. His 1.56 ERA leads the majors and would be the lowest of his career by .21. He’s even been “unlucky”, as his 1.51 FIP is just unheard of. Of the 309 batters Kershaw has faced this season, 105 have struck out and five have walked. Kershaw has reached double digit strikeouts in seven of his 11 starts (one of the other four was only a nine strikeout performance), and he’s gone at least seven innings in all of his starts. He threw eight innings of one-run ball in Atlanta back in April, which was his first double digit strikeout performance of the season.

Mike Foltynewicz was supposed to start for the Braves but was scratched yesterday with elbow soreness, so Bud Norris will get the start today. Norris started five games back in April, but his last 12 appearances have come out of the bullpen. In his five starts, Norris posted an 8.74 ERA and allowed four or more runs in four of his five starts. He threw seven innings in his first start, but failed to get past the sixth in any of his other four starts. He allowed 22 runs in 22.2 innings as a starter, but since being moved to the bullpen he’s allowed four runs in 18.1 innings.

Howie Kendrick gets the start in left with Trayce Thompson in right. Carl Crawford is on the bench, and while Scott Van Slyke is active and pinch hit yesterday, he remains out of the starting lineup. A.J. Ellis also catches Kershaw. Otherwise, it’s a pretty normal lineup. Justin Turner remains in the three hole because he gets on base, according to Dave Roberts (via Bill Shaikin). He’s not wrong, technically.

Next: What to do with Justin Turner

First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PST and will be shown on Sportsnet LA.