The Los Angeles Dodgers season has gotten off to an uncharacteristic start, as the team is 0-4 in games that either Clayton Kershaw or Kenley Jansen have pitched in, while going 2-0 when neither has appeared.
While Jansen has struggled in his two appearances, Kershaw has been a victim of tough luck, giving up just three runs in 12 innings across his two starts (2.25 ERA). Each of the runs have come on a home run allowed to three left-handed batters.
Additionally, in his two starts, the Dodgers have given Kershaw a combined one run of support. Kershaw, being the pitcher that he is, expects that of himself as he took sole responsibility for Tuesday’s loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That is in the past now though, and looking ahead to the future, the Dodgers rotation is likely to see some change because of Thursday’s off day and potential rain in the forecast this weekend when they head north to face the San Francisco Giants.
With Kenta Maeda placed in the bullpen for Wednesday’s series finale against Arizona, Kershaw will remain on regular rest and pitch Sunday’s series finale at AT&T Park, via Andy McCullough of the L.A. Times:
Clayton Kershaw will start Sunday. Friday might be rained out.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) April 4, 2018
Kershaw historically has preferred to pitch on regular rest, particularly in the early going of a season when he is still working to establish a rhythm.
Kershaw has a career 2.26 ERA when pitching on regular rest, while that number rises to 2.70 when he gets an extra fifth day. Additionally, the change lines him up to face the Giants again at the end of the month.
