The Los Angeles Dodgers begin a seven-game road trip on Monday, which will see Clayton Kershaw take the mound against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
The left-hander has experienced mixed results in three starts since being activated off the 60-day injured list, going 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA, 3.42 FIP and 1.62 WHIP over 12.1 innings.
Kershaw held the San Francisco Giants to two runs across four innings in his 2024 debut before giving up seven runs (three earned) without recording a strikeout against the San Diego Padres.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner then bounced back with an encouraging outing against the Philadelphia Phillies, yielding just one run in 4.2 innings pitched.
Kershaw threw only one changeup during the start but believes he will use it more over time. “Well, wanting to throw it and having a feel are two different things,” Kershaw explained.
“I do feel like I have the ability to throw it now. It was just the one time tonight, but I think potentially moving forward I’ll be able to use it a little bit.”
Kershaw began experimenting more aggressively with a changeup during the second half of the 2023 season and wound up throwing it 1.7% of the time.
The 36-year-old has thrown his changeup 3.4% of the time this season, which is his highest rate in nine years.
“I don’t know. My ability to adapt,” he answered when asked why he is more comfortable throwing a changeup now.
With Kershaw’s average fastball velocity declining in recent years, he has shown a willingness to add new pitches to his arsenal as a way to reinvent himself on the mound.
According to FanGraphs, Kershaw has thrown six different pitches this season, including a four-seam fastball, splitter, sinker, slider, curveball and changeup.
Changeup ‘a little toy’ for Clayton Kershaw
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes Kershaw has enjoyed mixing in a changeup this season.
“It’s sort of been like a little toy for him,” Roberts began.
“And I think that right now, he’s kind of feeling and appreciating the fact that he’s got to use different weapons, and that’s a good thing. I’m the first to say use it. Keep those guys honest, keep them off your fastball in.
“They know you’ve got a good slider, but if you have something going a little bit the other way, it keeps them off, keeps them honest. It’s good to see him get a little bit more confidence in that pitch.”
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
