Dodgers: Starting Pitcher Grades for May

Despite ending the month with a clunker against the Cubs, Kershaw was his typical Ace self, going 3-1 with a 2.43 ERA.  His worst start was the aforementioned start against the Cubs when he failed to go five innings and gave up 11 hits and four earned runs.

Kershaw’s best start in May came against the Cardinals when he went nine innings, allowing only three hits, one run, and striking out ten batters in the process. Had Kershaw not thrown a bouncing slider that was a borderline passed ball, he may have thrown a complete game shutout.

In four of Kershaw’s six May starts he allowed two runs or fewer. Five of his six starts, were quality starts and the slider seemed to be much more effective for Kershaw as the month rolled on.

Kershaw did have a couple starts where he battled himself, but the stats say otherwise since he is an elite pitcher. Despite his last start leaving a bad taste in the mouth of Dodger fans, Kershaw provided the Dodgers a quality start five out of six starts which earns him an A grade.