Photo taken in 2015
Again, Clayton Kershaw, 3-time Cy Young winner, will start Dodgers opening day, the 9th time in 10 years. To start the first game in the new decade, Dave Roberts will have the best pitcher of the last decade on the mound.
Kershaw’s opening day record was very “Kersh”. In 8 starts, he took 5 wins and only 1 loss, the ERA is only 1.05. In 2012, he pitched only 3 innings against the Padres, which was the only time he didn’t finish at least 6 innings. It is indeed true that Kershaw is a great choice for the first day of the new season.
Tom Verducci indicated that Kershaw failed to register a swing-and-miss on 51 curveballs and sliders in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros. So I looked at the opponents’ swing-and-miss on the first Kershawday from 2011 to 2018. And it is pretty obvious, he did well on the opening day, at least 10% swing & miss in his 8 opening day starts.
Kershaw’s opening day record was very “Kersh”. In 8 starts, he took 5 wins and only 1 loss, the ERA is only 1.05. In 2012, he pitched only 3 innings against the Padres, which was the only time he didn’t finish at least 6 innings. It is indeed true that Kershaw is a great choice for the first day of the new season.
Tom Verducci indicated that Kershaw failed to register a swing-and-miss on 51 curveballs and sliders in Game 5 of the 2017 World Series against the Houston Astros. So I looked at the opponents’ swing-and-miss on the first Kershawday from 2011 to 2018. And it is pretty obvious, he did well on the opening day, at least 10% swing & miss in his 8 opening day starts.
Kershaw’s Opening day record
Season
|
Pitches
|
Swing & Miss (%)
|
2011
|
96
|
12.5
|
2012
|
39
|
10.3
|
2013
|
94
|
13.8
|
2014
|
102
|
16.7
|
2015
|
99
|
19.2
|
2016
|
96
|
13.5
|
2017
|
84
|
10.7
|
2018
|
91
|
19.8
|
Swing & Miss (Pitches)
Season
|
4-seamer
|
Slider
|
Curve
|
Changeup
|
2-seamer
|
2011
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
X
| |
2012
|
X
|
1
|
X
|
3
| |
2013
|
2
|
7
|
4
| ||
2014
|
Played in Australia, data not available on statcast
| ||||
2015
|
7
|
6
|
6
| ||
2016
|
6
|
4
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
2017
|
2
|
4
|
2
|
1
| |
2018
|
7
|
6
|
5
| ||
Kershaw’s fastball velocity drops from 2018, but he still manages to fool hitter. Entering the new decade, Kershaw looks ready from spring training games,
2 games
4.2 innings
8 strikeouts
How many swing and miss will we see in the very first game of this decade? The best pitcher of the last decade, the future HOFer will show
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