Dodgers: Who is the Dodgers’ game two starter in October?

MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 14: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - AUGUST 14: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch in the third inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 14: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers delivers a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 14, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The case to make Kershaw the game two starter in October

As if there really needs to be an explanation to start the generation’s best starting pitcher in game two of a playoff series, well here it is.  Clayton has been as consistent as ever this season even as he pitches with less velocity than his prime.  Kershaw has made 21 starts this season, and he has made it through the sixth inning 21 times.

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Kershaw sports a 2.63 ERA at the moment which is lower than his 2018 ERA.  He has the fourth-best ERA in baseball and will likely be one of the NL finalists for the Cy Young even though the award should go to his teammate Hyun-Jin Ryu, barring a late-season collapse.  Although he has struggled in October, it’s not like Clayton hasn’t had his moments in the postseason.

Clayton has been better at Dodger Stadium and has a lower home ERA than Walker Buehler.  His home ERA sits at 2.26 compared to 3.14 on the road.  Oddly enough, Kersh has allowed a lower opponent’s average on the road which is .203 compared to the .228 average he allows at Chavez Ravine.  So who should start game two for the Dodgers, Buehler or Kershaw?

The answer is Clayton Kershaw.  Despite Walker Buehler’s road struggles, you trust his stuff anywhere and up until this point, Kershaw has been better and more consistent this season.  Kershaw should get the nod for game two as he continues to be a lock for six innings an outing and has performed better than Buehler.

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Despite the discrepancy in his home-road splits, the Dodgers shouldn’t move Buehler ahead of Kershaw just because of Buehler’s road struggles.  Last October Buehler started game seven of the NLCS on the road, which means no situation on the road will scare him.  Meanwhile, the Dodgers know exactly what they’re getting in game two, from ole reliable, Clayton Kershaw.