Condensed Season Sets Up Perfectly For Clayton Kershaw

2,433 career innings is what the future hall-of-famer has thrown for the Dodgers so far in his career, including the postseason. Clayton Kershaw has been a work horse his entire career for the Dodgers. Now as he enters the second to last year of his contract, the question begins to loom about how much Kershaw has left in the tank? At this moment in time it is expected that Rob Manfred will implement a 60-game season for MLB. Even though that is a far shorter season then what we are accustomed to, 60 games would equate to about 13 starts, which is perfect for Kershaw and here’s why:

While Kershaw was still good in the months of August and September last season, he wasn’t Kershaw good. In August, Kershaw posted a 3.32 ERA and the final month of the season Kershaw’s ERA was even higher at 3.47. Say what you want, but it was apparent that Kershaw was looking a little fatigued out there, which is understandable given that he was suffering from a shoulder injury early on during the 2019 campaign. The trouble came at the worst possible time for Kershaw during the NLDS when the Nationals lit him up like a Christmas team and left him with a 7.11 ERA, Even though 2 of those runs came in relief, in the past Kershaw was successful coming out of the bullpen. 2020 is the perfect shot at redemption for Kershaw and the numbers explain exactly why.

The month of July has always been the best month of the season for Kershaw’s career. For whatever reason that time of the year is when Kershaw is pitching in his best form. He’s made 53 career starts during that month and has compiled 33 wins, a 1.70 ERA and .196 opposing batting average, both the best of his career splits. Even in 2019, Kershaw pitched in 25 July innings, had a 1.44 ERA and hitters could only bat .159 off him. Why is that significant? Well because in 2019, Kershaw made 14 starts before the month of July began. If everything remains on track, that would mean Kershaw will be pitching the most significant postseason games for the Dodgers in his July form. Potentially the Dodgers are set up in a prime position to get dominant postseason starts from Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, and David Price, which is exactly all it’ll take to hopefully capture that allusive World Series trophy.

With the amount of innings that Kershaw has compiled, 60 games appears to be the perfect number for #22 to turn it on and catch fire at the right time.

Photo credit: Getty Images/NBC Los Angeles

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