Kershaw takes on Stout Cincinnati Line-Up Saturday

The struggling Los Angeles Dodgers will lean on their young phenom to get them back towards the top of the National League West. Clayton Kershaw has established himself as one of the best pitchers in the game, and only seems to get better with time. He will have a difficult task on Saturday when he takes on a loaded Cincinnati Reds line-up that can beat you with power and finesse.

Kershaw has a career earned run average of just over 3.00. He may not be a household name by many baseball fans, but MLB handicappers sure know who he is. He’s listed as a very small underdog despite the fact that the Dodgers are 5 games under .500, and that they are playing against one of the best offensive teams in the league. In his last outing, Kershaw shut down the hot-hitting Florida Marlins in a complete game shutout in which he allowed just 2 hits and struck out 10. He has the kind of “stuff” that can make the best of teams look foolish at the plate. It will take a big game on Saturday for Kershaw and the Dodgers to take down Joey Votto and a talented Reds squad.

Votto may not be getting a ton of headlines thus far in 2011, but his numbers are still impressive. He has just 7 homeruns at this point, however he is batting .338 and has an OPS above 1.000. There is no doubt that his power numbers will get better as the season wears on, and he will more than likely finish the year towards the top in the majority of offensive categories. Along with Votto, Jay Bruce and Brandon Phillips are contributing to the 3rd highest scoring offense in baseball. The problem for Cincinnati has been their pitching staff. Their team earned run average is well above 4.00, and their bullpen hasn’t been as solid as they thought they’d be. If the starters can go deeper into games and take some pressure off of their bullpen, this team has the potential to challenge St Louis for the National League Central.

Tune in Saturday as Clayton Kershaw faces the stout Cincinnati line-up in a classic battle of great hitting vs. great pitching.

 

Related posts:

1. Kershaw looks for 4th win against Lincecum
2. Kershaw and Nolasco in Battle of Young Guns
3. Wainwright and Kershaw Square off in Pitchers Duel Wednesday Night
4. Kershaw and Dodgers look to Take down Lincecum
5. Red Hot Diamondbacks face Kershaw Wednesday

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