Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw was tasked with starting the series opener against the San Diego Padres over the weekend.
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A Dodgers team that was on a four-game losing streak stumbled into a division series that had implications for the remainder of the season. The Padres sat alone in first place entering Friday’s game, and it was the first time this late in a season since 2021 that the Dodgers did not control the NL West.
Things looked like they were falling apart for the Dodgers, but manager Dave Roberts was confident if anybody could get the team back on track it was the three-time Cy Young winner.
“We were talking a little bit today about intensity, and there’s just no one more intense or focused than Clayton,” Roberts said ahead of Friday’s game. “He has a way of elevating people’s focus and play. And so to have him tonight, first game of this series, he’s the perfect guy.”
Roberts’ judgment proved to be entirely correct.
Kershaw threw six dazzling innings for the Dodgers Friday night, allowing just one earned run on two hits. The left-hander lowered his season ERA down to 3.01, issuing just one walk and recording three strikeouts.
It was an impressive outing from the 18-year MLB veteran, especially since Kershaw has found new ways to dominate in the majors.
Kershaw is in the 2nd percentile in fastball velocity (89 mph) and 7th percentile in strikeout percentage, and yet, he remains a steady presence for the Dodgers rotation.
David Price, former teammate and fellow Cy Young winner, heaped high praise for Kershaw.
“He’s the best pitcher of our generation,” Price said on MLB Network. “A generational pitcher, generational person. Getting to be his teammate for those couple years in Los Angeles was a pleasure.”
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Photo Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
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