Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Has Turned a Corner

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw rebounded in his latest start on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Phillies. While the Dodgers ended up losing the game 6-2, Kershaw was strong as he allowed just one earned run over 4.2 innings pitched. The left-hander also gave up five hits and notched five strikeouts.

While Kershaw’s fastball pitches remained in the low-90s against the Phillies, Kershaw did show better command and was able to throw more curveballs in this game.

“He made an adjustment. You saw him throw more slider, more curveball, especially with two strikes. That is the version of Clayton Kershaw that is going to be able to help this team,” Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain said on Dodgers Dugout Live Wednesday.

This was the best start for Kershaw’s young season, which was delayed as he recovered from the first major surgery of his professional career. Kershaw underwent surgery last November to repair the glenohumeral ligaments in his shoulder , causing him to miss the majority of the 2024 season so far.

The 10-time MLB All-Star returned for his first start of the year on July 25 against the San Francisco Giants. In that game, Kershaw gave up six hits and two runs with six strikeouts in four innings. He followed that up with a July 31 performance in which he allowed six hits, seven runs (three earned) with no strikeouts in 3.2 innings against the Padres.

The game against the Padres stirred concerns around how long Kershaw might need to regain his pre-surgery form, even if he is still capable of pitching the way he has the majority of his Hall of Fame career. Kershaw quickly brushed some of those doubts aside with his next performance against the Phillies, showing he can still pitch a solid game even after surgery.

“This guy is the greatest competitor I’ve ever been around,” Dodgers manager Roberts said Tuesday . “He just kind of willed himself to have a quality outing.”

Overall, Kershaw is 0-2 with a 4.38 ERA and 11 strikeouts through three starts so far. He is looking to reach the exclusive 3,000 career strikeouts club, and currently sits at 2,955 strikeouts.

With injuries to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler , and the struggles of Bobby Miller , the Dodgers are relying on Kershaw as the season nears its end.

Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

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