Editorials

Freeway Series Preview: Clayton Kershaw, Andrew Heaney Square Off Once Again

Richard Carson-AP Photo
Richard Carson-AP Photo

The Freeway Series continues at Anaheim one night after a game that featured 14 relievers, 23 runners left on base, and 12 runs scored. Fortunately for the Los Angeles Dodgers, they were able to pull out the win after nearly four hours of play.

Although Zack Greinke uncharacteristically gave up two home runs and watched his earned run average creep up to 1.68, the Dodgers enter play Tuesday with a comfortable 8.5-game lead in the National League West.



Next up on the mound for the Dodgers is left-handed ace Clayton Kershaw. The 27 year old is coming off one of the best performances of his career against the San Francisco Giants where he struck out 15 and threw a career high of 132 pitches.

Not far behind Greinke, Kershaw has a 2.18 ERA, 2.03 FIP, and 0.897 WHIP. The reigning NL MVP seems to be gaining steam as the postseason approaches. Kershaw has won seven out of his last 10 starts with a 0.90 ERA over that stretch.

Meanwhile the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim start rookie Andrew Heaney for a second time against the Dodgers this season. The young left-hander is 6-2 with a 3.18 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, and gave up just two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings when he faced the Dodgers at Chavez Ravine.

Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal is out indefinitely with a shoulder inflammation, which paves the way for A.J. Ellis to get another start. Corey Seager is back at shortstop with Jimmy Rollins nursing a finger issue on his throwing hand.

With a left-hander on the mound, the Dodgers’ outfield is full of right-handed bats in Justin Ruggiano (left field) who also leads off, Chris Heisey in center, and Scott Van Slyke in right field; Van Slyke is coming off a four-hit, four-RBI game.

Dodgers Lineup:

LF: Justin Ruggiano

2B: Chase Utley

3B: Justin Turner

1B: Adrian Gonzalez

RF: Scott Van Slyke

SS: Corey Seager

C: A.J. Ellis

DH: Alex Guerrero

CF: Chris Heisey

(P: Clayton Kershaw)

Angels Lineup:

RF: Kole Calhoun

CF: Mike Trout

DH: Albert Pujols

1B: C.J. Cron

SS: Erick Aybar

3B: David Freese

LF: Shane Victorino

C: Chris Iannetta

2B: Taylor Featherston

(P: Andrew Heaney)

[divide]

Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button