The Dodgers and Red Sox kick off the 2018 World Series Tuesday night at 8 PM EDT in Boston. Fenway may be a bit cold and damp. Clayton Kershaw battles Chris Sale in a battle of strikeout artist aces. Both pitchers were a bit limited in their innings this season due to injuries, Kershaw thowing 161 1/3 innings, Sale 158, which means neither qualified for the ERA title. Both wind up in the top eight in the majors at a lower inning level.
Kershaw’s strikeouts fell this season. In the past two seasons he lost velocity on this fastball, and started throwing his slider more. In a way, he is becoming the crafty left-handed pitcher famous throughout the history of baseball. Unlike most pitchers who do not want to give up their style of pitching, Kershaw seems willing to embrace his decline and use his other weapons to continue to be successful. Kerhsaw’s post-season troubles often come on the road.
Sale managed to strikeout well over 200 batters in his 158 innings, showing pinpoint control. He walked just 34 batters, although he did hit 14. (Three Red Sox starters are in the top 20.) Sale strengths as a pitcher, few walks and few home runs directly challenge the Dodgers strengths as an offense.
Enjoy!
from baseballmusings.com https://ift.tt/2Se5tn0
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