Kershaw Implodes as Dodgers Lose to Rangers

Texas Rangers vs Los Angeles Dodgers Recap 3-15-11 Spring Traning

The Dodgers have gone through so much in the past couple of seasons with the McCourts, Manny Ramirez, and Don Mattingly replacing Joe Toree that Clayton Kershaw was starting to be viewed as coming savior that would channel a little Orel Hersheiser, Don Sutton and Sandy Koufax back onto the mound and give Chavez Ravine something to cheer about on Opening Day.

And after suffering through the injuries to Vicente Padilla and John Garland the hopes of the team with major question marks in Left field, and a light hitting middle infield, and a 3^rd baseman with back problems and the pressure went up on Kershaw exponentially.

And for 5.2 innings today he struggled to get any Rangers out, giving up 11 hits and 6 runs to very few of the Texas regular lineup.

Let’s keep this in perspective out there in L.A. though as these were Kerhsaw's FIRST runs being given up in the spring bring his ERA up to 2.65.

While there were rumors already that the Yankees might come asking after Kershaw this season if the Dodgers fall out of it, the package that it would take to land him would be astronomical and along the lines of Jesus Montero, Joba Chamberlin, Eduardo Nunez, Bartolo Colon AND a player to be named later.  This isn’t necessarily a bad deal for either team as Colon would help eat innings for the remainder of this year, Joba would solidify the bullpen and Montero is the prized catcher the Dodgers have missed since Mike Piazza.  Eduardo Nunez has also proven to have a lot of power this spring and would help the Dodgers up the middle for years to come at either short or second.

On the Ranger side of the ball, the offence continues to chug along much as it did at the end of last season.  Elvis Andrus and David Murphy had great days going a combined 5-9 with Mike Napoli chipping in with two more hits and two runs. 

They are stacked and primed for an easy year mowing down the weak AL West.

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