Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

Download our Free Mobile App!
Faster with Fewer Ads

Get App
Dodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
    • 2026 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Added Slider Following Advice From Don Mattingly, Joe Torre
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Added Slider Following Advice From Don Mattingly, Joe Torre

Matt Borelli
March 29, 2018
3 Min Read
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
SHARE

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw is entering his 11th Major League season and has steadily evolved from a rookie who endured a few bumps in the road to arguably the best pitcher of his generation.

In 2008, his first season in the Majors, Kershaw primarily deployed a fastball, which he used over 65 percent of the time, and a curveball that he had yet to master. The lack of command and pitch variety led to Kershaw posting the worst statistics of his career that year.

It wasn’t until the ensuing season where Kershaw tinkered with his arsenal and added his trustworthy slider to the fold. Kershaw revealed that he made the changes following the advice of former Dodgers manager Joe Torre and then-hitting coach Don Mattingly, via Jerry Crasnick of ESPN:

“Joe and Donnie were in there and basically said, ‘Look, if you’re not throwing your curveball for a strike, you have one pitch,'” Kershaw said. “They told me, ‘You need to figure something out.'”

Kershaw’s fastball and curveball usages have fluctuated by the year. Despite this, the 30-year-old still considers both breaking pitches as vital to his success:

“Two completely different grips,” Kershaw said of the slider and curve. “Two completely different thought processes, so that really helps me to differentiate between the two. I have to have both of them. I can’t just live off one or the other. I have to have both.”

In 2009, Kershaw’s first full year with the Dodgers, he utilized his slider just 5.6 percent of the time. By 2017, the three-time Cy Young Award winner threw his slider over 40 percent of the time — the second-highest usage of his career.

The 2018 season will be a crucial one for Kershaw and the Dodgers, as he’ll have the opportunity to opt out of his contract following the season and test free agency in the winter.

Before that situation plays out, Kershaw is simply focusing on the upcoming season. He’s “excited” to take the mound on Thursday, in what will be a franchise-record eighth consecutive Opening Day start for him.

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Clayton KershawLos Angeles Dodgers
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a senior editor for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on X/Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Dodgers News: Yasmani Grandal To Be Limited Over Next Few Days
Dodgers NewsSpring Training

Dodgers News: Yasmani Grandal To Be Limited Over Next Few Days

March 24, 2016
March 24, 2016
Adrian-gonzalez-1
Dodgers News

Dodgers News: Adrian Gonzalez Considering Retirement If Back Injury Doesn’t Improve

June 22, 2017
June 22, 2017
Kyle-hendricks
Dodgers NewsMLB News

Kyle Hendricks Voted Players Choice NL Outstanding Pitcher Over Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, Washington’s Max Scherzer

November 9, 2016
November 9, 2016
Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers workout, 2024 Spring Training
Dodgers NewsFeaturedSpring Training

Dodgers Spring Training: Shohei Ohtani On Track For Cactus League Debut

February 24, 2024
February 24, 2024

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어