Clayton Kershaw will receive extra rest before next taking the mound, as Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced Brandon McCarthy, Alex Wood and Rich Hill will start against the Miami Marlins in the club’s first series after the All-Star break.
McCarthy will look to build on a six-inning outing against the Kansas City Royals in which he allowed two runs (one earned) on six hits. The 34-year-old felt the outing, which was his first since June 25, had its share of positives and negatives.
McCarthy this season is 6-3 in 14 starts, with a 3.12 ERA that would be a career-best mark. Considering there was a wild pitch and passed ball in the start against the Royals, McCarthy isn’t yet out of the woods with relation to the yips.
He held the Marlins to one run on three hits and earned a win on May 21 at Dodger Stadium.
Wood, named a replacement for Kershaw on the National League roster for the 2017 All-Star Game, finished the first half 10-0 with a 1.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. The southpaw doesn’t have enough innings pitched, but would qualify as the ERA leader.
Wood allowed six hits over 7.1 shutout innings when he faced the Marlins on May 19. Hill will make his first start against Miami this season. He threw seven no-hit innings at Marlins Park last September before Roberts intervened due to concerns over Hill’s blister.
The veteran southpaw has rounded into form of late, thanks in large part to a streamlined windup that closely mimics throwing from the stretch. Roberts also believes Hill has gained better control of his on-field display of emotions.
Hill has gone seven innings in each of his last three starts, after failing to so much as reach the sixth inning in his first nine outings this year.
While not considered official, Roberts mentioned the possibility of Kershaw making his first start of the second half on Tuesday, July 18, against the Chicago White Sox. The Dodgers have an off day next Monday. That would mean starting the three-time Cy Young Award winner on eight days’ rest.
