As of the 6th, only two teams have announced the starting pitchers for the first game of the division series starting on the 8th.
The defending World Series champion Houston Astros, who rested the first round and prepared for the LDS, and the LA Dodgers, who have advanced to the postseason for the 11th consecutive year.
All veterans were predicted to be starters in the first game. Houston’s Dustin Verlander (13 wins, 8 losses, 3.22) and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (13 wins, 5 losses, 2.46). The two veterans are future Hall of Famers who won three Cy Young Awards and MVP awards. Verlander is 40 years old and Kershaw is 35 years old.
The two also have stellar postseason careers. This is proof that he led the team into fall baseball as the ace on the mound.
Verlander played in 35 postseason games and started 34 of them. He boasted a high-level pitch even in his postseason stage, with 16 wins, 11 losses, and an ERA of 3.64.
In detail, the division series overwhelmed the opponent with 8 wins, 1 loss, and 3.08. In the League Championship Series, they have 7 wins, 4 losses, and 3.01. He is a dangerous pitcher even in the postseason. However, his World Series performance is weak. Last year, he fulfilled his long-cherished wish by becoming the first winning pitcher in Houston. He has 1 win, 6 losses and 5.63.
Kershaw has played in 38 games, 31 of them as a starter. Compared to his excellent performance in the regular season, the postseason is far less worthy of his name. Kershaw, who debuted in 2008, ranked first in ERA during the regular season five times. His career ERA is 2.48. Verlander’s career ERA in the American League was 3.24.
The Dodgers, who have advanced to the postseason for 11 consecutive먹튀검증 years, have the weakest mound of all time. Traditionally, it is difficult to manage the mound as the starter is responsible for at least 6 innings. Bobby Miller, who averages 161 km (100 miles), should be the first starter. However, he is a rookie with no playoff experience.
Coach Dave Roberts had no choice but to choose Kershaw. His overall performance against the D-backs is also very good. He stands out with 22 wins, 12 losses, and an ERA of 2.73. Last year, left-hander Julio Urias was selected in the first game of the NLDS. Urias ended up with the Dodgers due to domestic violence. Kershaw played in the second game against the San Diego Padres, allowing 6 hits and 3 runs in 5 innings and retired without a win or loss. The Padres won the game 5-3.
It is unclear whether he will be able to effectively stop the Arizona batting line, which is on the rise thanks to this year’s pitch. They are weak even in the postseason, and the pitch position needs to be changed when the third batting order returns. Manager Roberts has already implemented a mound operation against the Seattle Mariners where Kershaw pitches 4 innings and the bullpen takes over after rookie Emmett Sheehan pitches 3 innings.
Kershaw will become a free agent again after the season this year. His favorite choice is whether to go to his hometown in Texas or stay with the Dodgers. Manager Roberts subtly urged Kershaw to renew his contract, saying, “Kershaw will not leave the Dodgers.”
This is why living legend Kershaw’s performance in this postseason is so interesting.