Kershaw, part dos
Under most circumstances, today's storyline would be how the Dodgers would attempt topping last night's offensive juggernaut amounting to a 16-10 win over the Colorado Rockies. Would James Loney double his pleasure and rack ten ribbies (remember, his career high is nine and came in the Sunshine State)? Would a challenge be issued between Loney, Jeff Kent or Russell Martin to become today's four hit guy, since the three sat on a trio of knocks? Would today end up the Bizarro-World version game and ALL of the scores would come courtesy of Andruw Jones, the only member of the starting nine (including pitcher Eric Stults) not to send a teammate across the plate (and how much longer the Dodgers can- and will- suffer through AJ's lack of production, since Juan Pierre is currently en route for an ahead of schedule Vegas rehab assignment).
But with Clayton Kershaw recalled to action and taking the mound, eyes
shift from the bats to the golden arm of a certain
20-year old wunderkind. Having seen him work just over a month with
the big club before (to the disappointment of some fans) getting sent
back to Double-A Jacksonville, the prized lefty is in rotation
again (in place of Eric Stults, now working in Sin City),
a spot he'll hold throughout the season if Joe Torre's visions don't
find reason for altering. His trip back to the Minors was indeed
prosperous, a 2-0 clip coming off eighteen innings of work (if you even
want to call it "work," since he was only getting tagged with a 1.00
ERA). But the Major Leagues, as Kershaw is well aware, remains a
whole different ball of wax. Mowing over Joe Q. MinorLeaguer ain't the
same thing as whiffing the Chipper Joneses of the world, thus everyone will be closing critiquing every pitch leaving
Kershaw's southern paw.
Obviously, Coors may not be the greatest park when it comes to evaluating a pitcher's prowess (lest we forget, the Dodgers gave up 10 during last night's romp), but once this series wraps, the rookie will throw in venues more friendly to his skill set. On those days, what are you looking for when judging optimistic progress on Kershaw's part? Control? The ability to go further than six innings (which he's only done once)? How quickly it takes for him to finally nab that elusive win #1? A different bit of criteria entirely?
Personally, I'm hoping to see Kershaw's appearances grow increasingly less labored. Even in games where he's provided the Dodgers a reasonable shot at a win, he's often had to work VERY hard, even during frames with no runs surrendered. I'm not expecting things to all of a sudden come easy. Kershaw''s young, very inexperienced and I happen to be a patient, realistic person. Developing into the talent everyone sees Kershaw as takes time. But I'd love to start seeing 60-ish percent of his frames on the hill come a little easier (as opposed to his first time up, where that was a 50/50 proposition at best). Should my particular goal come to fruition, I think a lot of his other issues will start surfacing less often.
What's your thought?
AK
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Another of these crazy announcements. Kershaw to stay here the rest of the year!!! Why?? We are in a pennant race shouldn't we go with our best starters? Why was Park demoted? Even Stults showed he was further along. The kid still needs to learn and let him learn at Las Vegas. Peirre is our leadoff man. AJ must come along. Sweeney needs AB's. LaRoche is our 3Baseman. Why don't I ever see Joe or Ned say we are going with those who produce the best?
David s
Posted by: DavidS | July 23, 2008 at 04:51 AM
BD -
I don't think he sucks I just think he needs an extra pitch.
Newsweek even had an article this week by some physics peeps on how the curveball is ineffective at Coors. Clearly Ned is a Time guy (or people).
Take away the Claws Curveball and what does he got... an "L" and an ERA over 5.00.
Someone on this board once suggested we "Joba-ize" him. I like that idea. Let him be electric in spurts. There is NO WAY that starting a KID in COORS was a good idea. Unless.... Ned was "Showcasing".
Posted by: benzojones | July 23, 2008 at 06:02 AM
Agreed Brooklyn, the Claw needs some seasoning. And AA wasn't going to give him any type of experience because he was blowing hitters by in that league. This was just the wrong place to put him into for his first callup start. I am sure he will be better in his next starts. What scares me is the offense all of a sudden being baffled by a 5-9 pitcher. Lets hope Flanders can actually make a decent trade for once rather than signing crappy FA players.
Posted by: poppinfresh | July 23, 2008 at 07:47 AM
Right on Brooklyn Dodger!!
I think the claw will be a very good pitcher given some time at the major league level. He did not suck when he was up before and he does not suck now.
Hey BD, I think you will see flashes of quality from Kershaw in the not to distant future!
Package
Posted by: Package | July 23, 2008 at 08:02 AM
This game got really ugly!!! why couldn't they core any runs?
Posted by: espie | July 23, 2008 at 08:41 AM