Up until recent seasons there were few instances in which the Los Angeles Dodgers could sway Clayton Kershaw from off his desired path or scheduled routine. As injuries began to become an issue, Kershaw was somewhat combative when it came to a potential rehab assignment.
He went into last winter hoping to recapture velocity that was lost and solve back woes that crept up in each of the past three years. Despite an offseason of workouts aimed at improving agility, Kershaw suffered from shoulder inflammation during Spring Training.
He began the season on the 10-day injured list for the first time in his career, and since returning has been a different, yet still effective, pitcher. Kershaw still possesses the talent to thoroughly dominate in a start, but the consistency in which he’s done so has waned.
There additionally has been a change in the 31-year-old’s temperament. Kershaw remains a fiery competitor on the field but appears more at ease off it.
He admitted to some change in that regard, and taking more of a big-picture view of his career and the Dodgers’ success, according to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times:
“Yeah, I think so. I was more driven from start to start, really focused on individual things … ” he said, before pausing and reconsidering.
“That’s not true, either. I don’t know. I think I just have a better appreciation having been around for a little while, realizing how hard it is to be on good teams, win and be around a good group of guys. It’s a special thing. Now with kids and stuff, just realizing how special that is to get to share this with them. So maybe just a better sense of appreciation for being here.”
Upon coming off the IL, Kershaw strung together three consecutive starts with two earned runs or fewer allowed. However, he followed that by allowing at least three runs in four of his next five outings before tossing one-run ball against Philadelphia Phillies.
Home runs remains an issue, with Kershaw having allowed eight in 59 innings pitched. He surrendered a career-worst 23 in 2017, and 17 last season. Kershaw nonetheless is 5-0 with a 3.20 ERA in nine starts this season.
The Dodgers have won 17 consecutive regular-season games started by Kershaw.
