Alex Wood seemingly saved his best for last in what was his final start prior to the All-Star break. He held the Arizona Diamondbacks scoreless over seven innings, twice pitched out of trouble, and finished with 10 strikeouts that were one off matching a season high.
Wood became the first Dodgers pitcher since Don Newcombe in 1955 to start a season 10-0. He remains just shy of qualifying to lead the Majors with a 1.67 ERA. Surely Wood will be named an All-Star as a replacement, right?
“I’m holding out hope,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Wood may not need to look any further than his own teammate for an opportunity.
Roberts reiterated Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to start Sunday, which would make him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game.
While others in the clubhouse are confident Wood will earn a spot on the National League roster, he’s electing not to focus on the possibility.
“One day at time. I would feel very honored if that happens, very humbled,” Wood said. “It’s something you dream of as a kid, so it’s hard to even kind of fathom. We’ll see what happens.
“I’m just trying not to think too much about it. It’s out of my control. I’m just trying to let it play out.”
Wood showed a little extra emotion Wednesday night by twice pumping his first after a key strikeout. He admitted to feeling a little extra adrenaline given the marquee matchup with another 50-win team within the NL West.
Otherwise, it was simply par for the course for the 26-year-old. “I’m just trying my best to stay in the moment and give our team a chance to win,” Wood said. “As long as I can do that, I feel like I can accomplish what I’m trying to.”
