2014 Player Profile: Clayton Kershaw

After making his first start of the season down under in Australia and the Dodgers returned stateside, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was put on the DL after the trip from Australia as Kershaw was having issues with his arm. It was the first time in the young ace’s career making a trip to the disabled list. Kershaw missed a month into the season.

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After returning to the field, Kershaw got off to a rough start as his rustiness showed from his time spent on the DL. Kershaw, like any other ace, calmed down and started to return to his old form again. Kershaw had won player of the month in June. His stats in June are unbelievable as it included a no-hitter. Kershaw will also be making his fourth consecutive trip to the mid summer classic in July.

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Kershaw is 1 and 2/3 innings away from qualifying in the ERA stats in the NL. Kershaw currently is second in the major leagues with a 1.85 ERA. Second to St. Louis ace, Adam Wainwright, who currently sports a 1.79 ERA after throwing seven scoreless innings last night’s walkoff win over the Pirates. Kershaw has started only 13 games, throwing 87 innings, but has 115 strikeouts. Kershaw has a record of 10-2,which was enough to make the all star team. Kershaw is one of the four Dodgers to make the team, joining fellow teammates pitcher Zack Greinke, second baseman Dee Gordon and outfielder Yasiel Puig.

Despite landing on the DL for the first time in his young career, it didn’t stop Kershaw from continuing to dominate and also making the all star team for the National League. Kershaw could be looking to make his first all star start after being snubbed in favor of New York Met ace Matt Harvey in last year’s all star game in New York.

Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

What would make the season more memorable, is if Time Warner would end the blackout as the Dodgers are having a great season so far after a really slow start to the season. 70% of Los Angeles (myself included) are prevented from seeing the Dodgers play. I, like the rest of the 70% of LA, want to the blackout to end so we don’t miss any more of the Dodgers games. It sucked that a lot of Dodgers fans couldn’t get to see the two no-hitters that Dodgers have thrown this season and I sure a lot of Dodgers fans don’t want to miss anymore moments that are hard to achieve.

What is to be expected of Kershaw in the second half?

Kershaw is expected to continue to dominate as he currently has a 36 consecutive scoreless innings. That is incredible. To have streak like that is amazing. Kershaw keeps getting better and better and he is only 26. His ERA is also expected to take a dip as the season goes along, going from 1.85 ERA to who knows what Kershaw’s stats will be at the end of the season.

I expect Kershaw, to not only lead the Dodgers to playoffs, but also to the World Series. Kershaw has been on another level this season and I believe this team has the roster to make it all the way. Expect the Dodgers to make the playoffs this season as the team is poised for a long postseason run.