When Dodgers ace and reigning 2014 NL MVP and Cy Young award winner Clayton Kershaw started his game against the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants and defending World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner on April 22, 2015 at AT&T Park, he had a career record of 99 wins and 50 losses. It was his first attempt to collect his 100th win.

It didn’t happen.

Kershaw would come out of the game after the sixth inning having allowed two runs on three hits with nine strikeouts and one walk and would not figure in the decision of the eventual 3-2 Dodgers loss.

Kershaw’s 99th career win came on April 17 at Dodger Stadium – against the Colorado Rockies.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

On April 28, 2015, Kershaw made his second attempt at number 100 against those very same Giants and that very same Madison Bumgarner, this time at Dodger Stadium.

It didn’t happen.

Kershaw would come out of the game after the seventh inning having allowed two runs on seven hits with eight strikeouts and zero walks. He ended up collecting 51st career loss in the eventual 2-1 Dodgers loss.

“Not a whole lot of analyzation going on, I just got out-pitched,” Kershaw said. “You tip your cap.”

On May 4, 2015, Kershaw made his third attempt at number 100 against the Milwaukee Brewers – a team that had lost 13 of its last 18 games, trailed the NL Central-leading St. Louis Cardinals by 11.5 games and had fired its manager the day before.

It didn’t happen.

Kershaw took a 3-1 Dodgers lead into the eighth inning only to give up two runs on back-to-back doubles with one out thereby ruining an otherwise stellar performance in which he allowed the three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and zero walks but would not figure in the decision in the eventual 4-3 Dodgers loss. This time Kershaw let his frustration show when asked about his performance.

“I don’t feel like answering questions right now,” said Kershaw. “I don’t want to analyze it right now. Thanks.”

Weather permitting, Kershaw will make his fourth attempt at number 100 later this evening against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. However, there is an 85% chance of rain and thunderstorms at game time with temperatures expected to be in the mid to upper 40s.

Will today be the day for the three-time NL Cy Young award winner? That depends as much on Mother Nature as it does on Clayton Kershaw.

Stay tuned…