Hyun-jin Ryu’s First Road Start Features Formidable Foe in Ian Kennedy

Hyun-jin Ryu (1-1, 2.13) vs. Ian Kennedy (1-0, 4.15)

Dodgers Lineup: vs. Dbacks

Where art thou offense? That’s the question plaguing Dodger fans so far during this early part of the 2013 season. Has the team left off exactly where they were last season? The lack of run production with runners in scoring position, the lack of offense in clutch situations, and the overall low amount of runs produced by this Dodger team is troubling and costing precious wins. Clayton Kershaw once again was the hard luck loser in last night’s game versus the D-backs, and this was a perfect example of how the Cy Young Award winner only notched 14 wins last season thus reflecting the lack of value wins and loss numbers have when using to rank a pitcher.

The red-headed Kennedy has dominated the Dodgers. Photo: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Yesterday, the Dodgers sat Carl Crawford, who has been a spark plug in the lead-off spot for the Dodgers. Expect him to be in the lineup today, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this translates to more runs. Jerry Hairston Jr., who is appealing his one-game suspension for the Thursday night brawl with San Diego, has looked downright awful at the plate since Spring. He has only one hit on the season so far. The Dodgers are going to need to play aggressive tonight, since they will be countering a tough pitcher in Ian Kennedy. Kennedy, like Patrick Corbin last night, has given the Dodgers trouble in the past.

Kennedy only allowed two runs to the Dodgers over 19 2/3 innings last season. He was 2-1 with a miniscule 0.92 ERA vs. the Dodgers in three starts. The Dodgers will need to have a solid outing from lefty Hyun-jin Ryu if they hope to defeat Kennedy and his slithery teammates. Ryu won his first Major League game last time out versus Pittsburgh. He allowed just three hits to the Bucs after surrendering 10 to the Giants in the Opening Series. Ryu, a strikeout pitcher, has 11 strikeouts on the season so far in 12 2/3 innings pitched. He’s walked just two which is reflective of his good control. This will be Ryu’s first start on the road at Chase Field. Ryu has gone 6 1/3 innings in each of his first two starts.

Ian Kennedy’s first start of the season went well for the right-hander as he struck out eight over seven innings against St. Louis.  Last time out in Milwaukee, Ian had more trouble as he allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits over 6 innings in the no-decision. In his career against the Dodgers, Kennedy is 5-2 with a 3.24 ERA. Skip Schumaker has hit over .400 against Kennedy in the past, and both Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp both have gone deep against him. Ramon Hernandez, the Dodgers new back-up catcher, has even hit a dinger against Kennedy. Even so, runs will be at a premium for the Dodgers this evening.

The game will air on KCAL at 5:10 p.m. Can the Dodgers bounce back after yesterday’s shutout? Join us after the game for our nightly recap.