Dodgers: Three Takeaways From Friday’s Comeback Victory

Shaky Kershaw is still a quality starter

Friday night, Clayton Kershaw did not have his “A” game but he still gave the Dodgers a quality start.  The ace left-hander went six innings allowing three runs, on two home runs, while striking out six Padre batters.  The start leaves Clayton with a very solid 2.77 ERA to begin the 2019 season.

Throughout his career, when Kershaw does not have his best stuff he still battles and his “bad” starts are better than most pitchers’ good starts.  Friday was more of the same as the Padres came out swinging and former Dodger Manny Machado blasted a two-run shot against Clayton.  In the third inning, Hunter Renfroe hit a line drive off the back of Clayton but he stayed in with no ill effects.

Despite not having his signature command, Kershaw still managed to puzzle the Padres’ lineup outside a couple of home runs.  He even got a few swings and misses on curveballs that bounced prior to making it to home plate.  It was yet another reminder that Clayton is still one of the best pitchers in the game, even with he is without his best stuff.

Chris Taylor is ready to shake off his slow start

With A.J. Pollock healthy, many fans were ready to jettison Chris Taylor back into the minor leagues.  Then Pollock underwent surgery for an elbow infection and now CT3 is as important as ever.  Taylor is the lone right-handed bat in the outfield while Enrique Hernandez mans second base.

Last night, Chris went 2-4 including a home run and he also made a nice diving catch in centerfield to thwart a rally.  Over his last seven games, Taylor is now hitting .250 with an impressive .500 slugging percentage.  It appears that Taylor is waking up from his slow start just in time to help make up for the loss of A.J. Pollock.

Along with an above average bat, Chris Taylor gives the Dodgers one of the best utility players in baseball.  Bat aside, he is still a very valuable member of the 2019 Dodgers and he will stick with the team all season, regardless of his performance.

Austin Barnes is flexing his muscles against right-handed pitching

Overall this season, Austin Barnes has had an okay year with a .218/.326/.749 OPS.  The numbers are not eye-popping but it does show that Austin is a big league catcher offensively.  His numbers against right-handed pitching is even better.  Against righties, Austin has connected for all four of his home runs with none coming against a southpaw.

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For the season, Barnes has a .259/.368/.517 slash line against right-handed pitching which is pretty impressive, especially for a starting catcher during a time when catching is at a premium.  Austin has hit an even .100 against lefties, but Russell Martin has gotten the bulk of the starts against lefties which should continue going forward.

What Austin Barnes has been able to do is impressive, giving the Dodgers quality defense behind the plate and a solid bat against right-handed pitching.  Austin is one of the best pitch framers in baseball and also a very agile and quick at blocking balls in the dirt.  He showcased both of those skills on Friday night.

Rather than trading for J.T. Realmuto, the Dodgers chose to ride the Austin Barnes revival tour in hopes that he could bridge them to Will Smith/Keibert Ruiz.  So far he has done a solid job, and all the offensive fireworks he provides are just a bonus.

While he isn’t the Dodgers’ catcher of the future, Barnes is still a very good catcher and a great fill-in option until Keibert Ruiz and/or Will Smith are ready.  Out of all the spots in the Dodgers’ lineup, catcher is the weakest link offensively, but the way Barnes has been mashing righties, that could change very soon.  Much like CT3, Austin Barnes is awakening offensively.