The Dodgers have a healthy lead atop the NL West and appear to be on a playoff collision course with the Mets, but how Los Angeles handles its two-headed monster on the mound will be very interesting.
Reigning NL MVP and Cy Young Award-winner Clayton Kershaw has returned to his dominant form after a rough start, while teammate Zack Greinke appears to be the likely candidate to succeed him as this year's Cy Young winner.
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It all sets up a fascinating situation for the Dodgers: Who should take the hill for Game 1 of a best-of-five NLDS?
It's nice to be able to choose between two aces, but in a short series against a team that is stacked with young arms in Matt Harvey, 2014 NL Rookie of the Year Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard, every decision will be critical.
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The Argument For Kershaw
Kershaw, 27, is already a three-time Cy Young Award winner and after a bumpy start this season, the reigning MVP has been flat-out dominant, including earning a victory in his ninth straight decision Monday against Colorado. Overall, Kershaw is 14-6 and leads the MLB with 264 strikeouts and 208 innings pitched, while ranking second in the NL in WHIP (0.89) and third in ERA (2.12)
Whether or not the Dodgers start Kershaw could depend on where the game is played as his numbers at Dodger Stadium (10-2, 1.40) are better than his road mark (4-4, 2.82). The Dodgers (83-61) lead the Mets (83-62) by a half-game in the race for home-field advantage.
Kershaw has faced the Mets twice this season and is 1-0 with a 0.56 ERA against them, with his better start coming at Citi Field. The five-time All-Star twirled a complete-game three-hit shutout against New York on July 23, fanning 11.
The one strike against Kershaw is his trouble in the postseason, where he is 1-5 lifetime with a 5.12 ERA.
The Argument For Greinke
While Kershaw struggled early on in the year, Greinke, 31, has been un-hittable throughout the 2015 season. The right-hander leads the majors with a 1.61 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, while he's first in the NL in average allowed (.190) and third in wins (17).
Though Greinke is a righty, his numbers against left-handers are better than Kershaw's. Greinke has held lefties to a .183 batting average, while they've hit Kershaw at a slightly better .191 clip. With Daniel Murphy, Lucas Duda and Michael Conforto all capable of doing damage, getting lefties out will be major.
Against the Mets, the 2009 Cy Young Award winner went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in two starts this season, giving up two runs in 14 innings. In seven career postseason starts, Greinke is 2-2 with a 3.63 ERA in five series.
The Verdict
The Dodgers can't go wrong with giving either of these guys the ball in Game 1 of a short series, but Greinke has been more consistent this year and Kershaw's postseason history is troubling, so the right-hander should toe the rubber to start the NLDS.
|
Category |
Kershaw |
Greinke |
|
2015 Overall |
14-6, 2.12 ERA, 264 K, 0.89 WHIP |
17-3, 1.61 ERA, 182 K, 0.85 WHIP |
|
2015 vs. Mets |
1-0, 0.56 ERA, 16 IP, 1 CG, 1 SO, 8 H, 1 ER, 2BB, 18 K |
1-0, 1.29 ERA, 14 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K |
|
2015 vs. LHP |
.213 (9 HR) |
.198 (5 HR) |
|
2015 vs. RHP |
.191 (5 HR) |
.183 (7 HR) |
|
Road Numbers |
4-4 (2.82 ERA) |
9-2 (1.83 ERA) |
|
Home Numbers |
10-2 (1.40 ERA) |
8-1 (1.41 ERA) |
|
Career Playoffs |
1-5 (5.12 ERA) |
2-2 (3.63 ERA) |
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