Zack Greinke did not receive a warm welcoming from the Los Angeles Dodgers in what was his first start at Dodger Stadium since leaving for the Arizona Diamondbacks on a six-year, $206.5 million contract.
Greinke gave up eight runs in just 4.2 innings of work, as the Dodgers routed Arizona, 10-2. He allowed a career-high five home runs. Prior to Greinke unraveling in the fifth, he and Kenta Maeda were locked in a duel.
Maeda was labeled the de facto right-handed replacement for Greinke in the Dodgers’ rotation when he signed an incentive-laden eight-year contract. The two were called similar by Yasmani Grandal during Spring Training.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts offered a similar assessment prior to Monday’s game. “I think they’re comparable in the sense that they’re very competitive, very cerebral,” he said.
“I think they’re fastball velocity is comparable. But outside of that, I think there’s a lot of differences. I think Kenta’s slider is considerably better, and I think Zack’s changeup is considerably better.
They’re both very good pitchers. Kenta, I think as he learns the league, will continue to get better. You have to give credit to Zack. He’s been an elite pitcher in this league for a long time.”
Maeda proceeded to hold the Diamondbacks to one run on just three hits over 6.1 innings, earning his 14th win of the season. He retired 18 batters in a row after issuing a leadoff walk in the first inning.
“Kenta threw the ball great. I think the thing for me is, you could see their approach was sitting soft, and he was effective with his fastball tonight,” Roberts said.
“Locating it inside, outside, kept those guys guessing, and it made his slider more effective. We tried to get him through that seventh inning, but he gave us a great effort. It was something we really needed.”
Although the Labor Day matchup pit Maeda against a pitcher he’s often been compared to, it’s not something he’s given much thought to. “I haven’t really been thinking about comparing myself to him,” Maeda explained. “He’s a very accomplished pitcher who has pitched in the big leagues a long time.”
Nonetheless, Roberts believed that pitching against Greinke helped elevate Maeda’s game. “Kenta has done a lot of good things for us. This whole transition has been big, and really no one can speak to it but Kenta,” Roberts said.
“To continue to make adjustments, learn the league, gather information and still compete. I know there’s something to pitching against Zack Greinke. Kenta wanted to heighten his competitiveness and really match him pitch for pitch, and that’s what he did.”
Maeda is now 14-8 with a 3.29 ERA, 3.58 FIP and 1.08 WHIP in 27 starts. Compared to Greinke who is 12-5 with a 4.54 ERA, 4.01 FIP and 1.27 WHIP in 23 starts.
