Clayton Kershaw has been better than the Los Angeles Dodgers could have hoped for since he returned from injuries that limited his effectiveness in the past two seasons.
After beginning the season on a poor note, Kershaw has now made seven consecutive starts of allowing three runs or fewer. He’s also given up one or fewer run in five of those. Kershaw turned in one of his best starts of the season against the Colorado Rockies in a stadium that is notoriously difficult to pitch in.
The future Hall of Famer tossed six innings while allowing just one run on two hits, including a solo home run. He also added six strikeouts with just one walk.
Kershaw said it was the best he’s felt after working through some mechanical issues and trying to get some things to click in his previous outings, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“I felt good, actually. I felt better than the last couple, so that was good. I think the play of the day was Miggy. After that four-pitch walk, Toglia hits the ball hard down the line, that could have been one run in and runner on second with nobody out. To turn that double play was kind of the game-changer. I was able to get some quick outs, but Miggy’s play was the biggest play of the day by far.”
Kershaw only threw 69 pitches in the game before being taken out with a 2-1 lead. While that is something Kershaw in his prime would have been upset about, the left-hander understands and appreciates Dodgers manager Dave Roberts protecting his health and not pushing him too deep into games now:
“You always want to be efficient no matter what. I think my days of throwing 115 pitches are probably over, but I think getting through six is probably the biggest thing at Coors Field. Doc is doing a good job of protecting me, which I appreciate. I want to just be able to back out there every fifth or sixth day, so whatever that means for me is good for now.”
Kershaw did throw seven innings two starts ago, but it was only on 81 pitches. He has also yet to throw more than 92 pitches in an outing this year, which also turned into one to forget as he allowed five runs, but only three earned, against the New York Mets in just 4.2 innings.
Given the state of the Dodgers’ starting pitching, Kershaw’s recent injury history and his age at 37-years-old, the team is going to continue being cautious with him.
Kershaw has thrown 38.2 innings across eight starts this season, posting a 3.03 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 29 strikeouts. But in his last seven starts, removing the first, Kershaw has a 2.08 ERA in 34.2 innings.
Clayton Kershaw chasing 3,000 strikeouts
Kershaw also heads into his next start against the Chicago White Sox needing just three strikeouts to become the first pitcher in Dodgers history to reach 3,000 in their career. He is set to make the start at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
When Kershaw reaches 3,000 career strikeouts, he’d become the 20th pitcher in MLB history to accomplish the feat, and just the fourth left-hander to do it.
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