Friday, September 19, 2014

Wrigley Field in Chicago

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Friday afternoon, Clayton Kershaw (19 – 3, 1.70 ERA) takes the hill for the Los Angeles Dodgers as they face Edwin Jackson (6 – 14, 6.09 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs.  Kershaw makes his 26th start as Jackson makes his 27th.

Clayton Kershaw notched his 5th straight victory in his last outing. Kershaw was masterful once again as he allowed just 2 runs on 7 hits through 8 innings of work.  He walked a batter and struck out 9. Kershaw leads the Nationals League in wins, ERA and complete games and seems destined to repeat as the NL Cy Young winner.  He is 8 – 1 in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Kershaw posted a 16 – 9 record with a 1.83 ERA in 33 starts. 

In 2013, Kershaw lost his only outing against the Cubs.  But Chicago is batting just .143 against him with 6 hits, a homer and 2 RBIs in 42 at-bats.

Edwin Jackson lost his 3rd straight decision his last time out.  In defeat, Jackson was torched for 7 runs and 8 hits (including a homer) in just 2.2 innings.  He walked 2 and struck out 2.  But that start was nearly a month ago as Jackson has been out with back problems.  His record in his last few outings is tough to look at though.  Jackson is just 1 - 6 in his last 10 trips to the mound.  In 2013, he was just marginally better as he finished the year with an 8 – 18 record and a 4.98 ERA in 31 starts.

Last season, Jackson lost his only start against the Dodgers.  In early August, he beat Los Angeles after holding them to 2 runs and 7 hits (including a homer) in 6 innings.            

Injuries to Watch

Los Angeles Dodgers

09/17/14 SS Hanley Ramirez Elbow "?" Thursday vs. Chicago Cubs
09/13/14 P Hyun-Jin Ryu Shoulder out indefinitely
08/07/14 P Josh Beckett Hip 60-day DL (8/4); out for season
08/06/14 P Chris Perez Ankle 15-day DL (8/4)
08/03/14 P Paul Maholm Knee 60-day DL (8/2), out for season
06/18/14 P Chad Billingsley Elbow 60-day DL (3/19), out for season
06/15/14 3B Chone Figgins Quad 15-day DL (6/14)
06/07/14 P Chris Withrow Elbow 60-day DL (5/21)
03/27/14 P Onelki Garcia Elbow 60-day DL (3/14)

Chicago Cubs

09/18/14 CF Arismendy Alcantara Hand "?" Thursday vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
09/03/14 SS Starlin Castro Ankle out for season
08/30/14 CF Justin Ruggiano Ankle 60-day DL (8/23), out for season
08/28/14 RF Ryan Sweeney Hamstring 60-day DL (8/26)
08/21/14 P Edwin Jackson Shoulder 15-day DL (8/21), expected to be acvtivated & start Friday vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
08/10/14 P Brian Schlitter Shoulder 15-day DL (8/9)
03/31/14 P James McDonald Shoulder 60-day DL (2/23)

Tony's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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