On paper, this looks like such a lopsided three-game series, if it was a boxing match they would call it on account of the mercy rule.

The Dodgers, reigning world champions, pretty much unanimous pick for being the best team in baseball, play the Rangers, one of the three worst teams in baseball last year, and continuing on that trend this year.

Clayton Kershaw is on the mound for Los Angeles today. He’s a three-time Cy Young award winner. Mike Foltynewicz is on the mound for Texas. He’s won a game this year. In Kershaw’s thirteen full major league season, he has had an ERA over 3.00 twice. In his eight major league seasons, Foltynewicz has posted an ERA lower than 4.31 once. In fact, Kershaw has had only two seasons where his ERA was higher than Foltynewicz’s best year. 

Saturday, it actually gets more lopsided. It’s Kolby Allard against Trevor Bauer. Bauer is coming off a Cy Young season in which he racked up an ERA of 1.73. Allard has a career ERA of 5.90.

Sunday, Dane Dunning goes against Walker Buehler. Both are good young pitching prospects. Dunning is 2-4 with a 4.26 ERA. Buehler is 5-0 with an ERA nearly two points lower, at 2.56. 

The Rangers are facing the Dodgers’ one, two, and three starters. And the Rangers are playing on the road. They have lost fifteen straight road games. They are 9-23 on the road, an embarrassing .281 winning percentage. The Dodgers are playing .655 baseball at home.

This is like Mike Tyson at his prime going up against Don Knotts.

Close your eyes. It’s going to get ugly. Don’t be surprised if the Rangers are no-hit for the third time this year.

*****
TODAY’S GAME: