Bryan suggested in yesterday's fanpost posted by gbears16 that we should post a poll on who you would rather draft in 2010: Chad Billingsley or Clayton Kershaw.
Billingsley's 2nd half issues have been well documented, and he pitched last night vs the Padres, which could determine his role on the team come playoff time next week. Should he pitch well, he will probably be in the starting rotation. If not, the bullpen welcomes him. Overall, Billingsley has had a decent season, as he made the All-Star team for the first time in his career. But he hasn't won a game since mid-August, which certainly has disappointed many a fantasy owner, including me.
Kershaw, on the other hand, has pitched very well all season, especially in the 2nd half, where he has a 2.40 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, but only 2 wins to show for it. He has become the Dodgers ace, and will more than likely be their opening day pitcher come 2010, depending on how the playoffs and spring training goes.
Here are their year to date stats through 9/28/2009:
| Player | INN | W | ERA | WHIP | Kd9 | BBd9 | K-BB | GdAO | BAA | HRA | K/BB |
| Kershaw, Clayton SP LA | 165 | 8 | 2.89 | 1.24 | 9.55 | 4.80 | 87 | 0.80 | 0.201 | 7 | 1.99 |
| Billingsley, Chad SP LA | 190 | 12 | 4.07 | 1.32 | 8.23 | 3.83 | 93 | 1.10 | 0.248 | 16 | 2.15 |
As you can see, Kershaw has the better overall stats including ERA, WHIP, K/9. GB%, BAA and Home runs allowed. As stated a few other times here at Fake Teams, should Kershaw improve his control, he could be a very dominant pitcher, as he does not give up very many hits when he is on his game. His home runs allowed, on the other hand, certainly could increase in 2010, as he has only allowed 7 in 165 innings pitched this year.
Billingsley came to spring training to prove two things. One, that he was healthy after breaking his leg in the offseason, and two, to prove he is better than how he pitched in two NLCS games vs the Phillies. He certainly proved his naysayers wrong by making the All-Star team, but his second half, especially since mid-August, has Dodgers management and fans questioning whether he is injured, or just doesn't have the mental makeup to be an ace starting pitcher for a playoff contending team.
Is Kershaw ready to make the next step to fantasy ace? Or will Billingsley beat him to it?