2014 Spring Training – Day 1
Spring training. There was a time in my life where I diligently kept score of these games. Or better, taught my brothers to keep score when they were home schooled and I was not. It was also the time of box scores in the newspaper every day.
Now, most years, I follow the preseason quite casually. I read the occasional news story from time to time and try to keep up with roster cuts. For whatever reason, this year I’ve been more excited than usual for the start of spring. I think it’s knowing that we’re “this” close to a legitimate World Series championship.
So, Day One.
There was a time in Dodger history that a really bad spring meant a decent start to the season. And I really don’t want to go crazy over what went wrong yesterday as the Dodgers lost the opener 4-1 against the Diamondbacks, so just a few things.
Clayton Kershaw. This is likely (I hope) the only time in 2014 that Kershaw’s ERA will be 13.50. And I can point to one reason: balls hit in the air. When Kershaw is on top of his game, everything is on the ground. Yesterday that just wasn’t the case. Even his outs were fly balls. Historically, fly balls equal a Kershaw who is tired or having a bad day. For yesterday, I’ll just go with rusty.
Seth Rosin. I think a lot was said about him after the game yesterday. Five strikeouts in two innings is nothing to sneeze at. It will be interesting to see how he performs for the rest of the spring, and if that performance will be enough to make the Opening Day roster. I think a shakeup in the bullpen is necessary this year, though.
Yasiel Puig. Puig’s 2-for-3 was the best performance by a Dodger hitter yesterday, but I was most happy with (based on Vin Scully’s radio call) Puig’s more accurate throws from the outfield.