The Los Angeles Dodgers began their road trip without a probable listed for the series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals, which was Dustin May’s turn in the rotation.
However, the start at Busch Stadium is going to instead be made by Clayton Kershaw in order to give May an extra day of rest. That leaves May lined up to face the San Diego Padres in the series opener at Petco Park.
The right-hander has already set career highs this season in starts (11) and innings pitched (61.2). The most games he’s ever appeared in was 14 as a rookie in 2019, but only four of those were starts.
This is also the first time in May’s Major League career that he’s going to pitch during the month of June.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been able to feel healthy and go pitch and compete,” May said last week. “Just trying to remember what it felt like in 2019, when I was able to throw a full season and get all of the reps under my belt.
“It’s kind of hard to feel the same things, because it’s a different body and it’s a different way that I feel now than I did then. But it’s a good thing to build off of.”
May’s ability to remain healthy and productive moving forward became all the more paramount on Saturday when the Dodgers put Tony Gonsolin on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort.
May is 3-4 with a 4.09 ERA and 1.25 WHIP this season.
Clayton Kershaw searching
Sunday is going to be Kershaw’s second time this season pitching on traditional MLB rest (four days) between starts.
Whether part of the equation or not, the change in rotation order also prevents Kershaw from facing the Padres. That could be beneficial as the left-hander continues to work toward rounding into form after having offseason surgeries.
Following his most recent start, Kershaw lamented not having a consistent feel for the curveball.
“I can’t just be a two-pitch guy out there,” he said after facing the New York Mets. “So definitely need to throw my curveball better, for sure.”
Kershaw has yet to earn a decision in his four starts, pitching to a 5.17 ERA and 1.66 WHIP thus far. He’s 24 strikeouts away from reaching 3,000 in his career.
Kershaw’s start on Sunday is going to be the 11th of his career at Busch Stadium. During the regular season, he’s gone 4-4 with a 3.77 ERA at the Cardinals’ home ballpark. Kershaw pitched six scoreless innings there last season.
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