Kershaw should be the leading NL Cy Young candidate

[Darkstone42]

100% disagree.

FIP, BABIP and MPH off the bat are indicators of how well he threw. Not how well he pitched. They have next to zero to do with results. They tell you what maybe he SHOULD have done. Or how filthy he was. But now how good he was.

Last year in the playoff, Hunter Strickland was throwing 100 MPH. He is also NOW a key member of the Giants bully and in the discussion to be a future closer. But DURING THE PLAYOFFS, he almost cost the Giants multiple games. He was not good.

Hunter Strickland is going to need to learn how to pitch if he wants to be a closer. He's a thrower, still has it stuck in his head he can get guys out by just throwing it past them.

He can't, and that's why he almost cost the Giants games in the playoffs and why he's not a good reliever despite the velocity.

 

[Clayton]

I figure you let the Dodgers decide the award by who they let start Game 1

 

[Villain]

I figure you let the Dodgers decide the award by who they let start Game 1

Kershaw is starting game 1, but that's not why.

He's starting game 1 because the Dodgers are more comfortable pitching him on short rest than Greinke. If the Dodgers feel the need to, they can go:

Friday - Kershaw
Saturday - Greinke
Monday - Anderson
Tuesday - Kershaw
Thursday - Greinke

By pitching Kershaw game 1, they are essentially giving Greinke the game 5 elimination game. If I had the guess, they absolutely pitch Kershaw game 4 if the Mets have the lead in the series. If the Dodgers are up 2-1, Alex Wood could get the ball (as long as he hasn't made a relief appearance in games 1-3).

The only thing we know for sure is that it's not Ned Colletti calling shots anymore. This new front office isn't as easy to predict.

 

[Clayton]

Kershaw is starting game 1, but that's not why.

He's starting game 1 because the Dodgers are more comfortable pitching him on short rest than Greinke. If the Dodgers feel the need to, they can go:

Friday - Kershaw
Saturday - Greinke
Monday - Anderson
Tuesday - Kershaw
Thursday - Greinke

By pitching Kershaw game 1, they are essentially giving Greinke the game 5 elimination game. If I had the guess, they absolutely pitch Kershaw game 4 if the Mets have the lead in the series. If the Dodgers are up 2-1, Alex Wood could get the ball (as long as he hasn't made a relief appearance in games 1-3).

The only thing we know for sure is that it's not Ned Colletti calling shots anymore. This new front office isn't as easy to predict.

Eh, the guy you give the ball to in the playoffs is your #1. Setting things up for elimination games is nice but you'd rather close the deal as quickly as possible to get set up for the next series.

 

[Villain]

Eh, the guy you give the ball to in the playoffs is your #1. Setting things up for elimination games is nice but you'd rather close the deal as quickly as possible to get set up for the next series.

Well, it's more about setting up games 4 and 5 (because they're not as comfortable with Greinke on short rest) and less about having Greinke for game 5.

 

[Clayton]

Well, it's more about setting up games 4 and 5 (because they're not as comfortable with Greinke on short rest) and less about having Greinke for game 5.

You're probably right considering that Greinke has generally been a better pitcher in the playoffs.

I do think Kershaw should be the favorite for the Cy Young