Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Not Where He Wants to Be But ‘Trending in Right Direction’
A few starts post-injury, Clayton Kershaw is still finding ways to help the Dodgers win.
Despite having career-low velocity and not going deep into games, Kershaw thinks that he is trending in the right direction toward being himself again. Kershaw does not think he is in a spot he wants to be in physically.
“I feel like I’m trending in the right direction. I feel like there’s some positives each start that I feel like I’m getting better from that Miami start. Not where I want it to be yet, but it’s definitely some steps in the right direction for sure.”
Via Sportsnet LA
In Kershaw’s first start back from a shoulder issue, his fastball velocity was in the mid-80s. Now that he has a couple starts under his belt, the velocity has jumped up to 89 mph.
Kershaw is expected to be starting one of the first two games of the Dodgers divisional series starting October 7.
Going into the playoffs, Kershaw is making sure that he is good enough to continue giving the Dodgers the opportunity to win every time he steps on the mound.
“I’d much rather just be good and be able to pitch the way I used to,” he said. “But I don’t really think of it like that too much. Whenever it’s your turn to pitch, just go out there and try to win, and hopefully you get the job done.”
Via Sportsnet LA
Kershaw has been doing a lot of winning when has been healthy enough to pitch. In 23 starts this season he is 13-4 with a 2.42 ERA.
In his most recent start, Kershaw went five innings giving up two hits and no runs. He also still had some of his signature pitches as he struck out five batters.
Kershaw was coming off of six days of rest in between starts. In his postgame comments, Kershaw compared himself to a college starter where he only pitches on Saturdays.
Whether that was a joke or not, it seems like Dave Roberts will be giving the Dodgers legend as much time as he needs in between starts. With the division and first round bye wrapped up, the team doesn’t need to force Kershaw to pitch too much before the playoffs.
Photo Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
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