Matt Hazlett (Getty Images)/Jill Weisleder (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Kershaw CCLVII: Kershawriots of Fire
Chase Utley, 2B
Corey Seager, SS
Justin Turner, 3B
Adrian González, 1B
Trayce Thompson, RF
Joc Pederson, CF
Howie Kendrick, LF
Yasmani Grandal, C
Clayton Kershaw, P
By Jon Weisman
Here on this broiling first day of summer, Dodger Stadium showcases a red-hot pitching duel between Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg.
Strasburg is in his seventh big-league season, and he’s on his way to it being his finest: 2.90 ERA (2.83 FIP), 1.07 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Kershaw, of course, has redefined remarkable: 1.58 ERA (1.64 FIP), 0.66 WHIP and 11.1 strikeouts per nine innings, plus that majestic 19.0 strikeout-walk ratio.
So far, the Nationals and Dodgers are each 13-1 when Strasburg and Kershaw start this season.
Strasburg is 10-0 with four no-decisions. In those 14 starts, he has left the game trailing twice and tied twice. The only time the Nationals have lost a game Strasburg started this season was June 4. Strasburg gave up three runs in 5 1/3 innings, but Washington tied the game in the top of the eighth — only to allow three runs in the bottom half.
The 27-year-old righty has allowed a season-high four runs thrice this season.
Kershaw’s bid for an unbeaten season ended with Giancarlo Stanton’s three-run homer in the top of the sixth inning April 26, putting Miami ahead to stay, 5-3. Kershaw hasn’t allowed three runs in any other game in 2016.
berkowit28
So Puig is not being activated today, after all?