Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw’s Final 2 Starts of Regular Season Revealed
This Saturday and next Saturday, Clayton Kershaw will start against the San Francisco Giants, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed.
During his major league career, Kershaw has dominated the Giants. In his 16th year, the possibility of Kershaw retiring after this season is growing, so this Saturday's start might be his last regular season one at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw will be heading to the Hall of Fame five years after he retires. He has three National League Cy Young Awards and a National League MVP. He has won a Roberto Clemente Award and is the second winningest Dodger in franchise history. Kershaw has nothing else to prove.
Before June 27th, Kershaw was having another outstanding season, competing for another Cy Young Award. During his marvelous start against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, he injured his shoulder. He couldn’t participate in the All-Star Game and missed six weeks with the troublesome shoulder.
The injury was frustrating and confusing for Kershaw. The shoulder didn’t hurt, but Dr. Neal ElAttrache didn’t let allow him to pitch.
In early August, Kershaw returned to the Dodger starting rotation. In his first few starts, Kershaw performed well even with decreased velocity. Then, he struggled with his command, something foreign to Kershaw.
The Dodgers gave Kershaw more days off to work with both pitching coach Mark Prior to fix some mechanical problems in his delivery and the training staff to try to strengthen the shoulder. In his last start against the Seattle Mariners, Kershaw eventually found his rhythm and famous command.
His sub-normal performances frustrate Kershaw. Since he doesn’t want to be ordinary, he might retire after this season. Dodger fans should savor every Kershaw start from this point forward.
