Dodgers: Three Bold Pitcher/Catcher Predictions Before Players Report

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 28: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers walks off the field after pitching during the seventh inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 28: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after allowing a seventh inning home run to J.D. Martinez #28 of the Boston Red Sox in Game Five of the 2018 World Series at Dodger Stadium on October 28, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Clayton Kershaw’s ERA climbs over three for the first time since his rookie season

The last time Clayton Kershaw had an ERA over three, he was a rookie back in 2008 and finished with a 4.26 ERA. Since then it has been nothing but ERA’s under three for Clayton with the exception of three seasons where his ERA was under two. In 2019, Kershaw will see his ERA creep above three as his fastball velocity will remain subpar for his usual standards.

Many are hoping that Kershaw’s velocity will peak again much like Justin Verlander saw a revival in Houston but Verlander was coming off surgery and did not have chronic injuries like Clayton has. Kershaw has back injuries that are chronic and once your back starts to go bad, that is something that doesn’t get better even with injury rehabilitation. For the past two seasons, his FIP has been above three and in 2019 his ERA will finish around 3.45.

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