Dodgers: Three Takeaways From Friday’s Comeback Victory

Shaky Kershaw is still a quality starter

Friday night, Clayton Kershaw did not have his “A” game but he still gave the Dodgers a quality start.  The ace left-hander went six innings allowing three runs, on two home runs, while striking out six Padre batters.  The start leaves Clayton with a very solid 2.77 ERA to begin the 2019 season.

Throughout his career, when Kershaw does not have his best stuff he still battles and his “bad” starts are better than most pitchers’ good starts.  Friday was more of the same as the Padres came out swinging and former Dodger Manny Machado blasted a two-run shot against Clayton.  In the third inning, Hunter Renfroe hit a line drive off the back of Clayton but he stayed in with no ill effects.

Despite not having his signature command, Kershaw still managed to puzzle the Padres’ lineup outside a couple of home runs.  He even got a few swings and misses on curveballs that bounced prior to making it to home plate.  It was yet another reminder that Clayton is still one of the best pitchers in the game, even with he is without his best stuff.