Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Talks About Clayton Kershaw’s Ability to Adapt Over His Career

Dodgers lefty legend Clayton Kershaw is all but guaranteed a spot in the Baseball Hall of Fame whenever he decides to hang up his cleats.

Though he’s closer to that decision than he’s ever been his manager Dave Roberts stated that Kershaw’s ability to periodically adjust is just one of many reasons for his long and successful career.

“Largely a big adaptation has happened, which is great to see. I don’t know what it’s like to be a superstar Hall of Famer, so I was much easier — easier to convince me to adapt to survive. So it’s one of those things where you’ve done something for so long, and the fear of why would I deviate for potential failure. But I think that the game, the hitters have shown him that to change, adapt, in his words, is not a bad thing, it’s a necessity. And the great thing is that he’s seen good results. So in his mind, his process is always dialed. But results matter to Clayton. And so to get those results and with the adaptation of routine, with how he goes about attacking hitters, all that stuff, has played into making him a really a complete player and pitcher.

via Dave Roberts, Dodgers Nation

2023 started off as it normally does for Kershaw in the regular season with successful starts and a low ERA even in his mid-30s.

Unfortunately for the veteran southpaw recent seasons have also been cut short due to injuries, this year being a shoulder issue that kept him off the mound for six weeks.

Kershaw admitted that he’s still not 100% healed from the ailment despite his return and both his velocity and command have suffered for it.

Unable to throw even 90 miles an hour for his fastball, Kershaw’s reliance on his deception and improving location got him through his final regular season start with momentum headed into this Saturday night.

Roberts saw enough improvement from his ace to trust him with LA’s first postseason game against the division rival Diamondbacks to kick of the team’s postseason.

Kershaw missed all of the 2021 postseason due to injury and saw his team falter last year through an embarrassing series loss to the San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers know better than to overlook their opponent in 2023 and Arizona will be a strong test to such a resolve with a new look roster.

Through every iteration, postseason heartbreak and joyous victory over the past decade and change, Kershaw will stand where he’s always stood through it all.

On the mound in Dodger blue winding up to the sky and delivering a pitch to home in front of the greatest fans in baseball.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!