In his first start this season as fifth in the pitching rotation, Dodger ace Clayton Kershaw was pulled out of Wednesday’s game by Dave Roberts after seven perfect innings against Minnesota. Did Roberts make the right decision? Kershaw didn’t have enough practice innings to throw past 80 pitches in spring training or on the sidelines due to injuries and the recent shortened seasons during the pandemic. Should he have been allowed to go on to try and play a full nine innings, or was Roberts protecting him from further injuries? Could Kershaw have pitched a complete perfect game?

According to a recent newspaper article, the Dodgers are iffy this season based on the first four games of the year. Does that take into account that the Dodgers can hit and have four former MVPs in their regular lineup? One of those MVPs, Cody Bellinger, is invaluable in the rotation. Even if he hits .200, he’s a great defensive centerfielder, and defensive first baseman if needed, as well as having the capability of going for power. Is that an early overreaction, underestimating the Boys in Blue?

UCLA’s Peyton Watson announced that he’s going to be leaving early for the NBA. Did he get too little playing time from coach Mick Cronin? Will Cronin’s strategy of not plumbing the depths of his bench and giving his strongest players only a few minutes on the court during the NCAA tournament be more of what we’ll see during his four-year contract extension? Could that be a deal-breaker for future recruits to the team?

Email Fred with questions and comments at sportsfred@aol.com