Game 38 Thread: May 14 vs. Nationals, 7p

Clayton Kershaw (3-2, 1.62) vs. Dan Haren (4-3, 5.17).

The Dodgers have been quite a mystery this year (click on that link, it's worth the payoff), though certainly not much of a thriller. We lead the NL in OBP (.335), but are tied for 13th in slugging percentage (.373). A plague of injuries has afflictedour starting pitching corps. And defensive gaffes in the field abound (the Dodgers are tied for 12th in the NL in team errors).

Drop down to the individual level, and the plot thickens. Since April 14th when he was batting .300, Andre Ethier has largely disappeared, leaving a big gap in the five-hole. Luis Cruz, who batted .297 last year, is batting .087 this year (and yet Don Mattingly keeps trotting him out there). Matt Kemp has as many home runs as Dee Gordon (who has only been called up for a week or so). Josh Beckett has been completely ineffective. Ronald Belisario can't find his location. Juan Uribe can't find his sixth meal.

It's a mess out there, and whodunit isn't clear.

So tonight, on Matt Kemp Bobblehead night, we send out Kershaw to try and solve this caper, and try and even the series with the Nationals. Honestly, I don't know if this mystery is solvable alone, but Kershaw will certainly try.

One thing's for certain, however: the Dodgers' maladies aren't due to the opposing starting pitcher. That guy is obviously just a red Haren.

(Okay, I know I used this same pun before. But it's been over three years! I think the statute of limitations is up.)