Dodgers News: Honeycutt Says Greinke And Kershaw Push One Another
If Major League Baseball general managers were asked to put together the best one-two punch they could at the top of their starting rotation, chances are many would pick Los Angeles Dodgers starters Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke.
With four Cy Young Awards and one MVP trophy between them, along with the fact that one is a lefty and the other a right-hander, it would be difficult to argue against them. Since Kershaw and Greinke became teammates in 2013, no person has had a better vantage point into this elite duo than Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt.
Honeycutt, who has been with the Dodgers since 2006, gave several reasons why he believes Kershaw and Greinke are the best one-two punch on the Major Leagues, via Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com:
They have a lot of talent, for one thing,” said Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt. “It’s their work ethic. They push the envelope every day. Good people and good competitors rub off on each other, and it looks like they feed off each other.”
Honeycutt also explained Greinke being impressed by Kershaw after signing with the Dodgers:
As soon as Zack got here, he saw how good Kersh is. Early on he would say, ‘I heard about this guy, but I didn’t know he was this good,'” said Honeycutt.”
While Kershaw has largely led the Dodgers’ pitching staff over recent years and is coming off a historic season, it’s Greinke who has been more impressive thus far in 2015. The right-hander heads into Saturday’s start with a 5-0 record, 1.52 ERA, .185 batting average against and 39 strikeouts in 47.1 innings.
Kershaw earned his 100th career win Friday night and largely downplayed the accomplishment while explaining the obligation he feels to his teammates and organization. For as much success as the duo has had in their time with the Dodgers, what lies ahead after the 2015 season is unknown as Greinke, who turns 32 on Oct. 21, can opt out of his contract at the end the of season.
[divide]Clayton Kershaw Discusses 100th Career Win
I hate that opt out clause. If I am an owner. And I sign a player at fair market value no way do I put that in a contract
Dumbest idea ever from the ownership side. I would consider it only if the option was mutual.
The way Greinke is playing now, and if he continues playing this way through the end of the season, we have to do everything in our power to keep him a Dodger.