It has been a memorable month of May for Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, as the left-handed has largely been untouchable.
Going into his start against the Cincinnati Reds, Kershaw was 4-0 this month, collecting at least 10 strikeouts in each of the four outings. Kershaw’s stretch of starts with 10-plus strikeouts dated back to April and sat at a Dodgers franchise record six games.
While he failed to continue that streak on Monday, Kershaw tossed another complete-game shutout, allowing two hits while notching seven strikeouts in a 1-0 victory.
The win put Kershaw at 5-0 with a 0.64 ERA on the month to go along with three complete games, 55 strikeouts and just two walks in 42 innings pitched.
After walking Joey Votto to lead off the fourth inning, Kershaw proceeded to retire the next 17 batters faced:
Overall on the season Kershaw is 7-1 with a 1.48 ERA, 1.38 FIP and 0.66 WHIP in 10 starts while striking out 95 and walking just five in 79 innings.
The three-time Cy Young winner if off to perhaps the best start of his career, prompting ESPN’s Jayson Stark to give him the first-quarter Cy Young Award over Chicago Cubs ace and reigning Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta, who has matched Kershaw’s dominance over the past year.
Despite the success he has had this month and season, after Monday’s win Kershaw said his focus remains on moving forward, as the Dodgers have struggled to gain traction on the red-hot San Francisco Giants.
Kershaw’s next start will come this weekend at Citi Field against the New York Mets. It will be his first start there since defeating them in Game 4 of the 2015 National League Division Series.
