Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Selected As MLBPA Award Finalist
Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw is all-but a lock to win another Cy Young award this season. Kershaw led the National League in ERA and strikeouts and led a Dodgers starting staff that had a 3.13 ERA.
While there is a case to be made for Kershaw not only winning the Cy Young, but NL MVP award, several baseball writers discount his candidacy since he “only” had 16 wins. Not to mention, the Dodgers are 19-14 in his starts, but that’s all his fault, right?
However, Kershaw was nominated as a finalist for the MLBPA Player of the Year according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times:
Finalists for MLBPA player of year (player vote): Kershaw #Dodgers, Cabrera #Tigers, Chris Davis #Orioles. No Mike Trout. #Angels
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) October 1, 2013
Shaikin also speculates that since Kershaw is the lone NL representative it could be an indication that he could in fact be the players vote for NL MVP. This season, Kershaw took home the Roy Campanella award and Branch Rickey award for his inspiration to the Dodgers and also work in the community.
Other candidates for NL MVP are Andrew McCutchen of the Pirates, Paul Goldschmidt from the Diamondbacks and possibly Matt Carpenter of the St. Louis Cardinals. The MLBPA vote is voted on by the players, but it remains to be seen if Kershaw is still seen as a viable candidate for the MVP award.
At this point, Kershaw is focused on his Game 1 start against Kris Medlen and the Braves on Thursday as he looks to start the Dodgers drive to their first World Series title since 1988.
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In case you missed it, find out why Brian Wilson is upset with the Giants organization.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV_EnKgETYo
Because it’s voted on by the players, I don’t know whether Kershaw would have an advantage or disadvantage as a pitcher. I could see players resenting him as they were the ones who struck out against him (similarly to how defensive linemen usually have distain for NFL quarterbacks), but I could also see them respecting him and realizing his ability, again, as they were the ones who had to face him. We’ll find out soon enough.