Zack Greinke Continues Historic Run for Dodgers
Zack Greinke dominated again on Saturday in his start for the Los Angeles Dodgers continuing an historic run. Greinke beat the New York Mets 4-3. In 2009, Greinke dominated in the American League. He is back again and far better than before. The Dodgers’ right-hander is putting together an incredible reign of dominance in 2015.
His run continued on Saturday as he pitched seven innings of scoreless baseball in his win over the New York Mets. This season Greinke’s ERA is sitting on 1.48, which leads the major leagues. He has now joined an elite group of Dodgers that have thrown a minimum of four consecutive scoreless starts. He joined Orel Hershiser with 6, Don Drysdale with 6 and Clayton Kershaw with 4.
He also joined the likes of Doc White, Jack Coombs, Joe Horlen, Gaylord Perry and Pedro Martinez as the only hurlers to pitch a minimum of six innings with no runs and four or fewer hits allowed in four consecutive starts.
By most accounts, Greinke is the favorite to start for the National League in the upcoming All-Star Game.
The Los Angeles right-hander will start one more game prior to the All-Star break as he looks to start ahead of the likes of Gerrit Cole and Max Scherzer.
Greinke is attempting to become the first pitcher with an ERA below 1.50 prior to the All-Star break since 2005 when it was done by Roger Clemens at 1.48. The last prior to Clemens was Martinez with 1.44 for the Red Sox in 2000.
The only pitcher for the Dodgers to have an ERA below 1.50 prior to the break since 1958 the year the club moved west to Los Angeles was Don Drysdale in 1968 with an ERA of 1.37.
Contributing to the success of Greinke is his ability to escape unscathed when opponents have opportunities to score. Opposing hitters have had 9 hits in 67 at bats against him with runners in scoring position. Over his past six starts, hitters are 1 for 27 with players in scoring position.
Greinke has also been able to make opposing hitters go reach for his pitches. Greinke is the leader amongst all starting pitchers in the league with a 66% rate for throwing pitches on the outer third of home plate or even off the corner on the outside.
The Dodgers right-hander on the season is 7-2 with an ERA of 1.48. He has 98 strikeouts and 20 walks in 115 innings pitched. His WHIP is 0.89.
