Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw may not be a young pup among starting pitchers in MLB anymore, but he can be effective. Kershaw's classic offspeed pitch still keeps opposing hitters looking silly at times.
Yet Kershaw knows that time catches up with everyone sooner or later. The Dodgers have been looking to keep Kershaw's pitch count under control. The team wants to make sure that Kershaw can stay healthy right now.
It's also a crucial time for the team as Los Angeles holds a two-game lead in the National League West Division over the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers are hoping that they can maintain that top spot throughout September, too.
DodgersMuse (@LADodgersMuse) on X
Clayton Kershaw in August
5-0 record
28.2 IP
6 ER
19 Ks
3 BB
ERA 1.88
0.87 WHIP
Keeping Kershaw's pitch count in check has provided dividends to the Dodgers pitching rotation. It worked well in August as he posted a 5-0 record, according to Dodgers beat writer Sonja Chen of MLB.com.
Want some more statistics about Kershaw's magical August? He finished with a 1.88 ERA, allowing just six earned runs in 28 2/3 innings of work. For Kershaw, it was his first five-game win streak in one season since the end of 2022.
"It was a good August," Kershaw said after his Tuesday, Aug. 26, start against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. "Physically, everything feels good. I think everything changes from start to start sometimes. But overall it was great. The team got a lot of wins, which was great. Fun to be a part of it this time of year."
Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) on X
Clayton Kershaw went 5-0 with a 1.88 ERA in August. 89 mph fastball, 3,000+ innings, year 18, still one of the best.
"it was a good August. Physically everything feels good. Overall, it was great, and the team got a lot of wins. It's fun to be a part of it this time of year."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been watching his pitching staff get healthier recently. Shohei Ohtani has returned to the rotation and remains limited in his time on the mound. Still, Roberts is happy to see not only what is happening with Kershaw but his entire staff right now.
"I think that Father Time gets everyone, and I think that he's smart enough to understand how many bullets he has. And you want to be good," Roberts said. "And so I think that he and I have a great relationship. We understand what's needed of him, and when to push him, when it's time to kind of pull the plug and get him ready for the next one."
On Friday, Aug. 29, the Dodgers open a three-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Blake Snell gets the start for Los Angeles. Look for Snell to hopefully continue the Dodgers excellent pitching efforts on the mound.