The condensed season is starting to wind down. The intrigue, however, is constantly present with plenty of teams still in the mix for playoff contention. Last night the Los Angeles Dodgers erased a four-run deficit midway through their contest versus the Diamondbacks to catapult them to a 10-9 10 inning victory. We will want to pay attention to a certain somebody on the mound for the boys in blue tonight(more on that in a bit). Speaking of the N.L. West, Slam-Diego was at it again last night. They destroyed the Rockies, 14-5. Now that we’ve digested a bit of last night, join me as we delve into the nine-game night slate for Wednesday, September 9th.
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw LAD
There are some really good options at pitcher tonight. My headliner is none other than future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw has looked very like vintage Kershaw this season. In 36 innings pitched this season he has given up just six earned runs while walking six. He also has 41 strikeouts which tell us he is back to his optimal form. Tonight, Kershaw’s matchup against the reeling Arizona Diamondbacks couldn’t be any better. In two starts versus the D-Backs, he has gone a total of 11.2 innings allowing just four hits and zero earned runs. He has also racked up 14 Ks. One thing to keep an eye on for Kershaw is pitch count. He has yet to reach the century mark in his six outings this year, topping out at 99 which so happened to be versus Arizona on the third of September.
Arizona, as a team, is hitting just .215 with a .100 ISO versus left-handed pitching for the 2020 campaign. Over the last two weeks all toll, they are hitting a league-worst .195 while slugging just .335.
INFIELD
Andres Gimenez SS NYM
Although he doesn’t offer much in the power department, Gimenez has impressed, adding depth to a very good Met lineup. In his last 19 at-bats, he has hit to a .421 average. He has produced at least one hit in eight of his last nine games. Gimenez offers steal potential as well. To date, he has swiped seven bags this season.
Nick Madrigal 2B CWS
Another plug and play value to fill out your lineup, Madrigal offers up a good return potential on a minimal investment. Madrigal typically hits towards the bottom of one of the premier lineups in the Bigs. Discounting last night’s play, Madrigal has gone 11-for-26 while striking out at just 3.8 percent clip since August 29th. Chicago’s lineup is virtually matchup proof. They draw JT Brubaker tonight. He has been solid, 3.96 ERA over 25 innings. He has yet to surpass the fifth inning in any of his last seven starts.
OUTFIELD
Michael Conforto NYM
With the Baltimore Orioles turning to right-hander Jorge Lopez(12 ER/ 19.1INN) the chances for a NY Met run barrage are very good. The Mets rank number one in hitting with a .274 batting average. They also rank sixth in team slugging at .458. We aren’t miscounting the Orioles being overachievers this year in all facets of the game(entire staff is 13th in team ERA at 4.38/ 4.62 xFip). We do, however, like the Mets in this matchup. Over Conforto’s last 31 at-bats, he is hitting .452 with a .807 SLG. What’s really to like with Conforto this year is that he is hitting well versus both handednesses. Versus lefties: 61ABs. 4HRs, 3 doubles, .295AVG/ Versus righties: 98ABs, 3HRs, 9 doubles, .367AVG.
Luis Robert CWS
Robert certainly showed us what he is capable of during August. He hit to a .298 clip while launching nine big flies along with seven doubles. He has cooled off some in September having amassed just three hits in seven games. The matchup here is still enticing. Robert is actually hitting better versus right-handed pitching as evidenced by his .273 average. Versus southpaws, he is hitting to the tune of .243. Of his 11 round-trippers, nine have been hit off of right-handers.
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