Dodgers @ Giants October 1, 2016: Vin Scully & Clayton Kershaw, one last time

	Dodgers			Giants
	1:05 PM PST			San Francisco
LF	Kendrick		CF	Hernández
3B	Turner		1B	Belt
SS	Seager		C	Posey
RF	Puig		RF	Pence
1B	González		LF	Pagán
C	Grandal		SS	Crawford
CF	Pederson		3B	Beckham
2B	Utley		2B	Panik
P	Kershaw (L)		P	Blach (L)

For many of us, Clayton Kershaw is likely the greatest we’ll ever see don a Dodger uniform. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have his ascension to best pitcher in baseball narrated by the finest to ever call the game. From the first time he pronounced that devastating curveball “public enemy number one,” Vin Scully has been there to make Kershaw’s most awe-inspiring moments even more special.

Today marks the final chapter in the saga that is Vin Scully calling Clayton Kershaw. While we’re not likely to see a full Kershaw outing today (though Dave Roberts says there’s “no restriction“), it’s still something to be cherished. So … cherish it. There’ll be nothing quite like this ever again.

On the mound for the Giants is Ty Blach, a 25-year-old left hander. Blach, a fifth-round draft pick in 2012, spent the season in Triple-A Sacramento before getting called up in September. In 26 minor league games this year, Blach posted a 3.43 ERA (3.79 FIP) and a 1.14 WHIP. Kiley McDaniel of FanGraphs had this to say about Blach in April 2015:

…his solid average four-pitch mix won’t produce a lot of strikeouts at the big league level. He sits 89-92 and hits 94 mph with an above average changeup that’s his go-to off-speed pitch. Blach’s curveball is slightly better than his slider and both are around average, while his command is also around average.

Since his call up, Blach has made three appearances for San Francisco, two as a reliever and one as a starter. One of those relief appearances came against the Dodgers on September 21. Blach delivered three perfect innings, striking out one. His first major league start came on September 25 against the Padres. He allowed two runs on four hits and three walks while striking out one in three innings pitched.

Roberts isn’t trotting out his standard almost-entirely-righty lineup to face the rookie Blach. In fact, there are more lefties in this lineup than there are righties. We’ll see how that works out (but in theory, I like it).

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