Game LXXVII Open Thread - The Dodgers of Los Angeles versus the Royals of Kansas City

Tonight the Royals face the best pitcher on the planet. His name is Clayton Kershaw. He pitches in the National League, so it's possible that you haven't heard of him.

In that other league, Kershaw won the Cy Young in 2011 and 2013. If one wanted to make the claim that he was robbed of the 2012 award in a season in which he was worth more than R.A. Dickey was by both measures of WAR, one would certainly have a case for such an argument. The southpaw owns the lowest career ERA (2.60) of any starting pitcher since baseball integrated with at least 1,000 innings.

Versus left-handed pitching, the 2014 Royals have slashed .244/.304/.354 (good for 21st, 25th, and 25th in MLB, respectively) with a .293 wOBA (25th) and 82 wRC+ (27th). Stating that the Royals struggle against LHP is certainly fair.

Facing the best pitcher in baseball who also happens to throw baseballs with his left hand could make for a long night.

If there's any consolation, Kershaw, who is coming off a no-hit, no-walk, 15 strike-out performance last week, could treat the Royals fans to a little piece of history, even if it is at the expense of the Royals.

The Royals have somewhat puzzlingly been pounding former Cy Young Award winners, but Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, R.A. Dickey, and Zack Greinke are all righties. Filthy lefty Chris Sale completely shut down the Royals earlier this season. They similarly struggles against lefties Dallas Keuchel, Mark Buehrle, and Roenis Elias.

Maybe the Royals will continue to show their complete and utter disregard for the Cy Young Award. They'll have to do it against the best pitcher in the game. Danny Duffy will try to limit the Dodgers' high-dollar attack while the Royals offense tries to wage something that resembles an attack against Clayton Kershaw.