Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Marvels at Clayton Kershaw’s Drive to Help Ballclub

Game 1 of the NLDS obviously didn’t go the way that anyone in the Dodgers organization hoped, and the tone was set early on. Veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw was rocked for six runs, and he couldn’t even get out of the first inning. 

It’s been a common occurrence for Kershaw over the years, but this game felt different. There was a ton of hope entering the series, and now LA finds themselves on the brink of elimination heading back to Arizona for Game 3.

Of course, Kershaw had a nightmare of a performance in Game 1, but he still has meant a lot to this team. Manager Dave Roberts spoke about the veteran pitcher and what he has meant to this team before that nightmare start.

“What has he meant? I don’t think I could do it justice. He’s just the pillar of consistency, of compete, of success and professionalism. So everything that you expect or want out of a superstar player he checks all those boxes. The last five, six years there’s always been some injuries that he’s had to deal with, but never took away from his desire to get back and help us, which he’s done. I just marvel at sometimes with what he has to work with and the success that he still continues to have.”

Via Dodgers Nation YouTube

Kershaw has done everything and more for this Dodgers team over his career. While he hasn’t always performed up to standard in the postseason, he still has brought tons of value.

Even this season, while he battled through injury, Kershaw was the most consistent pitcher for LA. He put together a very solid 2023 season, posting a 2.46 ERA throughout the year.

Nobody knows what the future holds for Kershaw past this season, but the hope is that he returns for another year. If he can get healthy over the offseason, he can still be a quality pitcher for this team. Hopefully, he can get another chance to pitch this season if the team can extend the series, but whatever Kershaw decides, the organization and fans will support him.

Photo Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK

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