Dodgers Pregame: Zack Greinke is 0-2 in Cinco De Mayo Starts

Clayton Kershaw didn’t want to talk after the disappointing 4-3 loss to the Brewers on Monday afternoon at Miller Park. Kershaw showed glimpses of his M.V.P. self through his 7 1/3-inning start, but his slider was ineffective in late innings spurning a troublesome eighth which allowed Milwaukee to strike against Kershaw and right-handed reliever Chris Hatcher. It was a bitter pill to swallow after Kershaw pitched well for the most part, and Joc Pederson started the game out with a bang with his seventh homerun of the season.

Zack Greinke (4-0, 1.93) vs. Matt Garza (2-3, 4.60)

I’m not sure whether Clayton Kershaw‘s pitching was affected by the jolt of that line drive which broke his teeth during Spring Training, or if his new baby girl is causing some sleepless nights at home. If you want me to write about Kershaw and his early season issues further, let me know in the comments. While the personal side could definitely affect an athlete, I think there is a more logical explanation for his so-called struggles.

His off speed pitches are not working at full force for the entirety of the game, and hitters are jumping on his first pitch more. I’m sure Clayton will make the necessary adjustments, and his competitive drive will certainly only push him to regain his reign of dominance. Also, it’s not exactly like he’s bad. Our exceedingly high expectations of Kersh are a bit unfair.

Lineup:

Pederson CF

Rollins SS

Kendrick 2B

Gonzalez 1B

Turner 3B

Ethier RF

Grandal C

Guerrero LF

Greinke P

Kersh’s rotation mate Zack Greinke has been pitching like an ace all season. The smirking right-hander will be on the mound Tuesday afternoon in familiar territory. Greinke pitched for Milwaukee from 2011-2012 before making a brief layover with the Angels. Zack will be going for his fifth win in a row. He beat the Giants last time out after going 6 innings and allowing 3 runs on 7 hits with 6 strikeouts and 2 walks on 110 pitches. He hasn’t pitched more than 7 innings this season thus far.

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Greinke has never got a win against the Brewers over his career. He is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 4 games (3 starts). The good news is that he’s been very successful at Miller Park, and Greinke is 15-2 with a 3.21 ERA in 26 games pitched in Milwaukee. Carlos Gomez, Adam Lind and Kris Davis have all hit a homerun against Greinke in the past, and Gerardo Parra has 8 hits in 26 at bats against him (.308).

Greinke also pitched on Cinco De Mayo last season… and lost. The Washington Nationals beat the Dodgers 5-1, and Greinke only lasted 3 innings after allowing 2 runs on 5 hits.

His first Cinco De Mayo start was way back in 2005. He also lost to the Chicago White Sox, but he pitched well.

Zack Greinke is 0-2 on Cinco de Mayo. Photoshop: Stacie Wheeler; Zack Greinke photo: Los Angeles Dodgers

The Brewers will send their veteran right-hander Matt Garza to the mound. He won his last start against Cincinnati after going 6 2/3 innings while allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with 4 strikeouts and 2 walks. Interestingly, this will be Matt Garza’s first career start against the Dodgers. Howie Kendrick, who played in the American League his entire career, has hit Garza well. He is hitting .583 with 7 hits in 12 at bats including a double and a homerun.

So far new manager Craig Counsell is 1-0 in his managerial career, but he will have to get by Zack Greinke and the hot hitting Dodgers in order to stay undefeated. Don Mattingly will hopefully stay in the game after being ejected on Monday night for arguing about the balk call on Kershaw.

The Dodgers are now 2-7 on the road, and they will need to travel with their offensive fireworks this season in order to win their third consecutive National League West title. Milwaukee is in last place, and the Dodgers should try to take advantage of these early season games to put them in the bank so September won’t be so nerve wrecking. Letting one get away like Monday’s loss seems insignificant now, but down the stretch could be a difference maker.

Go Blue!