Pirates at Dodgers
Whatever worry cropped up during Matt Kemp’s poor spring were swept away over the weekend, when the MVP runner-up opened the regular season by batting .412 and hitting a pair of home runs to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 series win over the San Diego Padres. The Pittsburgh Pirates have a similar confidence thanks to a hot start by their star center fielder, Andrew McCutchen, and a series win over perennial contender Philadelphia.
The Pirates, who have not made the postseason since 1992, have had decent starts before, including last season, only to have their hopes dashed down the stretch. The Dodgers, who took six of eight from Pittsburgh last season, are breaking in new management and have an organizational optimism that did not exist during the Frank McCourt regime. Some of that is due to reigning NL Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw, who will get anther chance on Tuesday.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), FSPT (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Kevin Correia (2011: 12-11, 4.79) vs. Dodgers LH Clayton Kershaw (0-0, 0.00 ERA)
Correia was an All-Star last season but fell off sharply in the second half, posting a 1-5 record with a 7.68 ERA from July 9 through August 19 before being shut down. The veteran right-hander owns a 5-4 career record with a 4.41 ERA in 25 games - 11 starts - against the Dodgers. He has limited Kemp to 5-for-26 (.192) with one home run.
Kershaw got the start on opening day but was forced out after three innings due to illness. The 24-year old still managed to strikeout three while allowing two hits. Kershaw missed the Pirates last season and has never beaten them, going 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA in four career starts while striking out 20 in 20 total innings.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Dodger Stadium will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this season.
2. Kemp and Andre Ethier have combined for 16 RBIs already.
3. The Pirates earned walk-off wins on Saturday and Sunday, battling back from a three-run deficit in the finale.