Tyler Glasnow making Dodgers history already makes contract extension look worthwhile

Pitchers have been dropping with season-ending injuries all over the league, with blame variously being placed on the pitch clock and the crackdown against sticky substances in the game, but the Dodgers have blessedly steered clear of them so far (and we'll keep our fingers crossed so we don't jinx it). Instead, Dodgers starting pitching has been top-notch for the most part, thanks to adjustments and improvements from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and consistent excellence from Tyler Glasnow.

Glasnow signed a five-year, $136.5 million contract extension with LA after being traded from the Rays. That amount of money raised some eyebrows, given Glasnow's track record of injury, but he's worked hard to prove doubters wrong. After a few outstanding starts at spring training, he got the nod as the starter for Dodgers' Opening Day in Seoul, as well as the Home Opener back in the States.

On Tuesday, he joined an exclusive list and continued to prove that he's worth $136.5 million. He pitched seven shutout innings, only gave up three hits, no walks, and struck out 14 batters on just 88 pitches. In doing so, he joined just three other Dodgers pitchers to accomplish the same feat: Sandy Koufax, Brad Penny, and teammate Clayton Kershaw (who's done it three times, because of course he has).

Tyler Glasnow joins legendary Dodgers Clayton Kershaw, Sandy Koufax on an exclusive list after stellar start against Twins

He also became the lone name on a list of pitchers to rack up 14 Ks on less than 90 pitches since 1988, the year MLB started tracking pitches. Those 14 strikeouts also tied a personal record he set against the Rangers in 2021 and matched for the first time last season against the Red Sox.

Kershaw's living legend status has already been solidified, but his longevity in the game and with the Dodgers, as well as the sheer level of talent he possesses, becomes ever clearer when you note how many times his name is on the "14+ Ks, 0 BBs in 7+ IP" list and that Glasnow, a California native who grew up rooting for the Dodgers, also idolized Kershaw.

Both are certainly in good company on this Dodgers team. Tuesday's feat should quiet haters, and the fact that Glasnow did it on so few pitches should all but silence them.