Clayton Kershaw put together another strong outing but the Los Angeles Dodgers failed to capitalize as Craig Kimbrel blew his third save this season in a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Sunday.
Kershaw pitched seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and collecting eight strikeouts against just one walk. Kershaw lowered his ERA to 2.57 and sparked more conversation of potentially earning a selection to the 2022 MLB All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
“If it works out, it’d be great,” Kershaw said of possibly starting the 92nd Midsummer Classic. “I’d love to.”
While Kershaw would welcome an opportunity to appear in his ninth career All-Star Game, he would want to do so on merit and not necessarily at the expense of any Dodgers teammates.
“It’s at Dodger Stadium, I’ve been here a long time, I get all that,” Kershaw acknowledged. “But I don’t want to take anybody’s spot that’s more deserving than me, and especially if that guy’s on my team.”
An All-Star Game selection this season would be Kershaw’s first since 2019. The event wasn’t held during the COVID-shortened 2020 season and he was just 9-7 with a 3.39 ERA last year before going on the 10-day IL in July.
Kershaw making an All-Star Game start would be the first of his career.
“I hope I make it,” Kershaw said during an All-Star Game press conference at Dodger Stadium in May. “That would be fun. This is such a great place to play. I think everybody knows that. All the road teams that get to play here say what a great place Dodger Stadium is.
“I’m excited to share it. It will be awesome.”
Which Dodgers pitchers will be 2022 All-Stars?
Along with Kershaw, Dodgers starters Tyler Anderson, Tony Gonsolin and Julio Urías have cases to earn respective All-Star Game selections.
Gonsolin figures to be a lock — and receive consideration to start for the National League — and Anderson also has a strong resume. Urías has put together a quality season himself despite a lack of consistent run support.
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