NL West: Kershaw to make debut Friday against Fernandez, Marlins
MIAMI -- It's a matchup for the Marlins Park marquee - Jose Fernandez vs. Clayton Kershaw in a battle of All-Star pitchers.
But given the Miami Marlins' recent slide out of primary contention for a National League wild-card playoff berth, perhaps this marquee should be shifted off Broadway.
Because of the recent slump by the 69-71 Marlins, Friday's matchup may be bigger for Kershaw's Los Angeles Dodgers. This will be the first start off the disabled list for Kershaw, who hasn't pitched since June 26 due to a back injury.
If the three-time Cy Young Award winner is indeed the Kershaw of old, it would be hugely positive news for the Dodgers (79-60), who lead the San Francisco Giants by five games in the battle for the NL West title.
Kershaw, a 28-year-old lefty, was dominant this year before his injury, posting an 11-2 record with a 1.79 ERA.
For his career, Kershaw is 125-58 with a 2.39 ERA. He is the type of pitcher who can push the Dodgers -- if everything breaks right -- a long way in the 2016 postseason.
But, to get back to a point in which Kershaw flat-out dominates opponents, he said he will need some time.
"At this point, it's more of a pitch-count deal, making sure I can contribute and not just kind of go out there," Kershaw told media members earlier this week. "We're still working the kinks out."
Kershaw said that "it helps" that it's after Sept. 1, and the Dodgers -- like all teams -- have an expanded roster and more relievers available in case he doesn't last long on the mound.
When he's right, Kershaw features two-seam and four-seam fastballs, ranging between 91 and 95 mph, and mixes in a nasty curve and an even nastier slider.
Kershaw will match up against Fernandez, who is four years younger but is already a two-time All-Star and one of the best right-handers in the game.
Fernandez is 13-8 with a 3.03 ERA this season. For his career, he is 35-17 with a 2.62 ERA. Fernandez truly shines is at Marlins Park, where he is almost unbeatable at 27-2.
Fernandez's home-road splits have become even more pronounced this year. He is just 3-6 with a 4.46 ERA on the road but is 10-2 with a 1.91 ERA at home.
Kershaw, meanwhile, is 4-1 with a 2.29 ERA on the road this year.
Fans at Marlins Park should be prepared for a show because Fernandez has immense pride and wears his emotions on his uniform sleeves. He will no doubt be jacked up to face a pitcher of the caliber of Kershaw, six-time All-Star and the NL MVP in 2014.
"I think Jose enjoys these big matchups," Marlins shortstop and fellow Cuban native Adeiny Hechavarria said in Spanish. "He belongs in a group with the best pitchers in the league, but I still think he wants to prove it, and that's good."
Fernandez will also try to prove himself at the plate, a role he relishes. He is a very good hitting pitcher, as his .273 batting average this season proves.
In 128 career at-bats, Fernandez has four doubles, one triple and two homers, and the Dodgers can't take him lightly with a bat in his hands.
Most of the time, though, the Marlins will let their "real" hitters take their chances against Kershaw, and that lineup of batters has received a boost this week as several players have returned from injuries.
First baseman Justin Bour (ankle) and outfielder Marcell Ozuna (wrist) returned to the starting lineup on Wednesday. Right fielder Giancarlo Stanton (groin) came back on Tuesday but only as a pinch-hitter.
Maybe Marlins manager Don Mattingly will give Stanton -- perhaps the most feared power hitter in the NL - his first start since the injury on Friday against Kershaw, adding to what would be a crowded marquee.
The Marlins, who trailed the New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals by five games entering Thursday night's action, can certainly use the boost that Stanton's bat could provide.
