Recap: Dodgers Honor Jackie Robinson Day With Kershaw Dominance
Plenty of Dodgers fans probably spent the last three or four days reflecting on what would make the team play better. On Jackie Robinson Day Sunday, with the sun in the California sky and picture perfect weather; all it took was Clayton Kershaw grabbing the ball. Kershaw was as dominating a version of himself as there is – he wasn’t letting the Dodgers get swept. The ace was indeed ‘the stopper’. Kershaw ended a three-game skid for Los Angeles and an eleven game regular season losing streak to the Diamondbacks.
Outstanding. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/8TsUKxNWZ9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 15, 2018
I have said recently that all Dodgers fans should take the time to savor Kershaw this season. You never know what can happen. He’s still in his prime, and in Dodger blue. I especially hope that people took the time to do that today. In spinning his masterpiece, he struck out 12 Arizona hitters. He allowed only two hits, and no walks. It was an incredibly gutsy effort, and vintage Kershaw. In all his element he put the team on his back and willed them when they could not find any semblance of footing.
The Offense Arrives
Finally the Dodgers struck first in this series, and things seemed to build off that. Chris Taylor had the biggest day at the plate with his third homer and three runs batted in. Yasiel Puig also had a two-run double and scored the first run of the day on a sac-fly by Kike Hernandez. The Dodgers had a 7-0 lead and seemed to operate with urgency at the plate. They wanted to stomp Arizona today, and it was obvious. Cody Bellinger added two singles and is at .309 on the young season. Much of this came against Arizona starting pitcher Zack Godley, who is a tough customer.
What’s Next?
The Dodgers play three night games in a row at San Diego, who are currently 7-10. It seems like the Dodgers have had so many off days to begin the season. I just want to see if they can get some momentum going and build off a big victory that was orchestrated by their leader, Kershaw.
The Dodgers welcome the Washington Nationals to Dodger Stadium next weekend in what will be an early season heavyweight fight. I’ll sign up right now for the Dodgers playing their best baseball in April in that series. The Diamondbacks have been a house of horrors for the Dodgers if you take away the 2017 NLDS. Arizona is 11-1 in their last 12 regular season games against the Dodgers. The next time these two teams meet is May 1st in Arizona.
Jackie Robinson Day
The real Dodger of the game is Jackie Robinson today. All of baseball honors Robinson on this day by wearing number 42 across baseball, in one of the league’s most powerful traditions. But Robinson was a Dodger. I’m not sure if if brought the Dodgers an extra sense of urgency or pride, but the importance of the day was not lost amongst the players.
.@TheRealMattKemp stopped by Jackie Robinson's statue this morning to see it for the first time. #Jackie42 pic.twitter.com/HHooB7H3uo
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 15, 2018
The Dodgers should always win on this day in the fashion they did Sunday. The true takeaways from today are that this team can still get it going against a quality starter, and Kershaw is as dominant as ever when he needs to be.
Now it’s time to make a charge towards .500 baseball. We have to crawl before we can run.
Looking at Cody Bellinger’s Career homer #41
Memo to Dodger management, ironically called “braintrust” – remember Sunday, April 15, when you decide what to pay Kershaw. He is the only one holding this team together now, the only Dodger earning his salary. ($16 million a year for Hill?)
I will not stop criticizing management until those two “geniuses” equip my team of 60+ years to win the World series this year. Get another real starter ($16 million a year for Hill?), get a setup reliever and more, and back up a truck to the bullpen – right now.
They will need bullpen help. I think we wait to see who emerges as a ‘seller’ in terms of other teams, and there will be options (like Cingrani last season among others).