Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw’s greatness is well-documented, but his biggest enemy in recent years has been his health as he has dealt with a number of back and arm injuries.
That was again the case this year when Kershaw was scratched just hours before taking the mound on Opening Day due to a shoulder issue. Luckily, it only cost him a couple of weeks before he returned and remained healthy for the rest of the year, putting up his best season in a while.
Kershaw is now getting set to take the mound in Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday night with a chance to send the Dodgers to the National League Division Series.
Before doing so, he discussed how he has been able to stay healthy the last couple of years when it looked like his career was trending downward. “Man, I don’t know. I really don’t know. I wish I had an answer, I’d be able to repeat it better,” he said.
“I’m hopeful that some of the things I’ve done because I’ve been kind of beat up in the past has prepared me to kind of maintain what I’ve got going right now. We’ll see. I think every offseason there’s different things to tinker with to try and figure out.
“As far as the right combo of trying to find the right things to do in the weight room or training room, whether it be weighted balls or things like that, there’s a lot of different things that have contributed to it. I’m hopeful and pretty confident it will stay for a while, so that’s good.”
Due to the shortened 2020 season, Kershaw is going into the postseason with his lightest workload after making just 10 starts (58.1 innings), posting a 2.16 ERA and 0.84 WHIP.
There were no guarantees that this season would even take place due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but Kershaw is just thankful to be in this spot and looking to take advantage of it. “There’s definitely some silver lining there,” he began.
“But at the same time, now that we have made it to this point, it’s time to go. We want to win. I think ultimately getting through the season was a testament to the league. From the players to MLB, all the way down, to be able to figure this season out in the situation that the world is in right now, is a pretty cool thing.
“I’m excited for the postseason, I’m excited we get a chance to win a World Series. I don’t know if I really felt that was going to be possible in April or May.”
Kershaw gives advice to younger self
Thursday will mark Kershaw’s 26th career start in the postseason, which of course have been filled with ups and downs. Even when he has struggled, Kershaw gained valuable experience and he offered up some advice to his younger self.
“I think experience is helpful. You kind of learn from past success and past failures, about preparation and things like that. As far as advice, I don’t know,” he said.
“Just trying and trust what you’ve done to be there, I guess would be the main thing. Early on, you might not necessarily trust the work you’ve put in or the success you’ve had before. You maybe lose some faith or confidence in things you’ve done.
“Just try to remember the process and routine that got you here, would maybe be the best advice.”
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