Clayton Kershaw's Dominant Return To The Mound Ignites Dodgers' Victory

Photo: Instagram/Clayton Kershaw

Clayton Kershaw's triumphant return to the LA rotation didn't disappoint, leaving Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts convinced that the team's performance just falls into place when Kershaw graces the mound every fifth day.

After enduring a month-long hiatus due to a left shoulder injury, Kershaw reclaimed his position on the Dodger Stadium mound with a vengeance. His dominating presence mirrored the pitcher who had led the National League in almost every statistic before his injury setback.

In the opener of the series against the Rockies, Kershaw exhibited his prowess, allowing merely one run and tallying four strikeouts over five steady innings. Though he was cautious in his pitch count, throwing 67 pitches with 45 strikes, this outing marked his first since June 27, necessitating some restraint.

Photo: Instagram/Clayton Kershaw

The priority for the Dodgers lies in ensuring Kershaw's well-being not just for the present but also through the crucial month of October. With the exception of a solo home run by Elehuris Montero in the fifth inning, Kershaw's return showcased his brilliance.

The future Hall of Famer displayed his finesse during the second inning, deftly maneuvering around Alan Trejo's one-out double and proceeding to strike out the next three batters he faced. Employing his signature mix of the four-seamer, curveball, and slider, Kershaw masterfully kept the Rockies' batters off balance throughout the game, yielding a mere four hard-hit balls.

Impressively, he also introduced his changeup into the arsenal, throwing the pitch three times, and even securing a strikeout against Montero in the second inning. It's worth noting that prior to this match, Kershaw had sparingly utilized the changeup, throwing it just eight times this season and 19 times since the commencement of the 2022 season.

This occasion also marked a significant milestone for Kershaw, as it was the first time he employed the changeup to secure a strikeout against an opposing batter since his encounter with Phillies infielder César Hernández on May 31, 2018.

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Source: MLB