2013 Senior League Championship: Dodgers @ Cardinals Game 6

After a day of travel the Dodgers face 2 must win games away from Chavez Ravine.  Hanley Ramirez will not start and perhaps it’s just as well, he’s never recovered from his HBP.

Jon Jay of the Cardinals won’t start because he sucks.

In Game 5 the LaLas staved off elimination behind Greinke scoring early and often (most often on empty base Home Runs), 2nd inning 2 On 1 Out RBI Single.  Sacrifice and Greinke RBI Singles to help himself.  Top 3rd the Cardinals tie it up, Single, RBI Triple, RBI Double.  In the Bottom of the frame Dodgers go ahead again on a Solo Shot.  They add in the 5th with another Solo Shot and again in the 7th and 8th.  The Cards fall short in the 9th with a Leadoff Double, RBI Single, and 2 more Singles, the last an RBI.  Dodgers 6 – 4, Cards lead Series 3 – 2.

Now in Red Bird land the Cards will start Michael Wacha (4 – 1, 2.78 ERA R).  He’s never lost (2 Ws, 1 DCS, 1 LCS) in the post-season with 6 hits and 1 run in 14 innings for an ERA of 0.61.  That’s stunningly low.  The Dodgers will counter with Clayton Kershaw (16 – 9, 1.83 ERA L).  He lost Game 2 in this same matchup due to the incredibly arcane rules regarding winners and losers with 2 hits and a run scored even though his ERA was 0.00.  Overall in the post-season Kershaw has split, 1 – 1 and allowed 8 hits and 4 runs in 19 innings for an ERA of 0.47.

Not too shabby.  Did I mention he’s a lefty?  That means his move to first is exceptionally good because he can see the base as he delivers.

On paper Kershaw wins it, but they don’t play games on paper.  Thus the L.