If a now 30-year-old Clayton Kershaw is even remotely close to the one that we saw on his final day as a 29-year-old, the Baseball Writers Association of America might as well inscribe his name on the 2018 National League Cy Young award plaque right now.

In a word, the Dallas, Texas native and Dodgers 2006 first round draft pick out of Highland Park High school in University Park, Texas – who turned 30 on Monday – was absolutely brilliant in what figures to be his second to last start of spring training 2018.

All Kershaw did in Sunday’s spring training game against the San Diego Padres at Camelback Ranch was allow no runs on five hits (all singles), while walking none and striking out eight in his five innings of work. It was as close to the proverbial midseason form as you will ever see.

“He put it together today. The swing-and-miss slider was good, the fastball command was really good,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game. “He didn’t have the feel for the breaking ball but he still pitched really well. It was a very efficient five innings.”

Even in a ‘meaningless spring training game,’ Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw had fans in awe on Sunday afternoon. (Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As we’ve all come to know and even expect from Kershaw, he yet again minimized what was clearly a very dominating performance, spring training or otherwise.

“You’re not looking for results really. A 0.00 ERA means very little in spring training but I guess it is results-based,” Kershaw said. “If they don’t score runs, I must be doing something right.”

Something right indeed. In addition to his stellar pitching performance, Kershaw also drove in the Dodgers first (and subsequently only) run of the day on a line drive double into the right-center field gap to score Dodgers left fielder Kiké Hernandez, who had reached base on a single to center and stole second base.

“The mentality as a starting pitcher is you just pinch-hit once every five days,” said Kershaw of his key hit. “So for me, it’s just try to be a competitive at-bat. You’re not looking for results, really. As long as you get your bunts down and things like that, that’s the most important thing. Having the guy waste a few pitches is good too.”

Although the Dodgers would end up losing Sunday’s spring training game to the Padres by a score of 2-1, Kershaw certainly did his part – both on the mound and at the plate – with a run-scoring double into the right-center field gap in the bottom of the 5th inning to make it a (then) 1-0 Dodgers lead.
(Photo credit – Ron Cervenka)

As for now being “old,” Kershaw shared a few laughs with reporters after the game.

“Right now, 30, just the sound of it just sounds old,” Kershaw said. “I don’t feel old. But especially with the group of guys we have in here, 30 is different. The core of our team is 25-ish. Maybe we should move (39-year-old) Chase Utley over here next to me and (38-year-old) Rich [Hill].

“A wife and two kids, I start feeling old. Now I’m 30,” he added. “Pitching-wise, I don’t (feel old). But everything else is telling me the game is getting a little bit younger, for sure.

“It’s been a lot of fun. I’m not a very reflective person but I don’t take for granted the time I’ve been here, no doubt about it. Hopefully, I get to do it a little bit longer,” Kershaw said.

Believe me, we hope so too, Clayton.

… more than you will ever realize.