The Dodgers opened this season with three straight shutouts – sorry, Padres’ fans – only the second team in history to do so. Before 2016, the 1963 Cardinals were the only other team to open with three whitewashes. In a reflection of how the game has changed, the Dodgers used at least three pitchers in each contest. The 1963 Cardinals accomplished the feat by opening their season with three complete-game shutouts. Read on for the details.
The Dodgers have a long reputation for being pitching rich – having captured an MLB-leading 12 CYA honors. The Braves and Phillies are next at seven each. As the 2016 season opened, LA hurlers may have outdone themselves – tying an MLB record by opening the season with three straight shutouts.
Clayton Kershaw got the Dodgers going with seven scoreless innings on Opening Day. Photo: Ron Reiring.
On Opening Day (April 4) in San Diego, the Dodgers trounced the Padres 15-0, in the worst opening day shutout loss in MLB history. Clayton Kershaw and two relievers gave up a total of four hits and two walks, while fanning 10.
The April 5 game, started by Dodger Scott Kazmir was more competitive, as LA topped San Diego 3-0. Kazmir and a trio of relievers gave up just two hits, no walks and recorded 11 strikeouts.
Then on April 6, the last game of the three-game series, Kenta Maeda and three relievers topped the Padres 7-0 – giving up five hits, once again no walks and fanning seven. Totals for the three games for Dodgers’ pitchers – 27 IP, 11 hits, two walks, 28 strikeouts. For the series LA outscored SD by a 25-0 margin.
Cardinals Finish What They Start
The only other team to open a season with three shutouts was the 1963 Cardinals (April 9, 10 and 13) – whose three-game opening shutout stretch included two games on the road against the Mets (7-0, 4-0) and the home opener against the Phillies (7-0). Another illustration of “How the Game Has Changed” – The Cardinals string of three shutouts to open the season included three complete games (a two-hitter by Ernie Broglio; a four-hitter by Ray Washburn; and a 5-hitter by Curt Simmons. The Phillies finally put up a run against St. Louis in the sixth inning of the Redbirds’ fourth game (April 14). The tally came off starter Ray Sadeki, who gave up four runs in 7 2/3 innings as the Cardinals won 5-4.
A Record to Shoot For
The Dodgers target in today’s matchup with the Giants (Dodgers’ Alex Wood versus Giants’ Jake Peavy) is to open the game with at least five shutout innings (to tie the record for scoreless innings to open a season) and six to break it. I’ll be watching this one.
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