Dodgers News: Kershaw Named NL Pitcher of the Month

Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Clayton Kershaw was named the National League Pitcher of the Month for May on Thursday. To describe his season so far as only dominant or amazing would do the 28-year-old southpaw no justice.

While the unfathomable has become the routine for Kershaw, he continues to redefine what a starting pitcher in the major leagues is capable of.

Congrats, @ClaytonKersh22! pic.twitter.com/q1ECm7Ga2U

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 2, 2016

What Kershaw has been doing so far this season is putting him in very elite, all-time great company. He rung up his 100th strikeout victim of the season vs. the New York Mets, and has struck out 105 batters against a staggering low 5 walks.

That puts his strikeout-to-walk ratio at 21.0. To give an idea of how good he has been, Kershaw had more shutouts in the month of May than walks (3 shutouts, 2 walks).

.@ClaytonKersh22 has 105 Ks and 5 walks.

Five.

FIVE! https://t.co/SqJkbUtw0Z pic.twitter.com/WvP1D8C7VS

— MLB (@MLB) May 30, 2016

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In addition to this ludicrous stat, Kershaw is the league leader in:

• ERA (1.56)
• Strikeouts (105)
• WHIP (.65)
• Total innings pitched (86.2)
• Shutouts (3)
• Walks per 9 innings (.52)

For a player who has three Cy Young awards to his name, as well as a National League MVP award, Kershaw is, simply put, pitching at levels that the league has never seen.

Congrats @ClaytonKersh22! #NLPitcherOfTheMonth #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/DI2kwoP1hA

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 2, 2016

If Kershaw continues to pitch like this, and the Dodgers on the whole can step their game up, one might venture to say that Kershaw is well on his way to becoming only the third pitcher ever to win two MVP’s.

His next scheduled start is Saturday at home against the Atlanta Braves.

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