April 7th, 2021 at 9:00 am 
by 0799291000348 As this piece is being written, the Dodgers are well on their way to winning their fifth consecutive game after losing the 2021 season opener to the Colorado Rockies. Clayton Kershaw was the losing pitcher on Opening Day, allowing an uncharacteristic five earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched; this after an awful Spring Training when he allowed 21 hits and 14 earned runs in 12.1 innings pitched, forcing Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to have his ace pitch in B-Games on the backfields at Camelback Ranch.
Dodgers fans who have revered Kershaw for more than a dozen seasons were disappointed, expecting better … much better from the future Hall of Fame pitcher. Some went so far as to dismiss him as an effective member of the team’s 2021 starting rotation.
Flash forward five days, as Kershaw made his second start of the season on Tuesday night. Although back-to-back doubles by Oakland A’s hitters in the first inning was unsettling for fans, the Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in University Park, TX, struck out the other three hitters.
Thereafter, Kershaw moved into a nice pitching rhythm, mixing his below-average fastball with his plus curve, plus-plus slider, and pinpoint control to keep the A’s hitters off balance. His pitching line for the game: 7 innings pitched, 4 hits, 1 run, no walks, and 8 strikeouts, giving him 2,536, career strikeouts, just 160 behind Dodgers Hall of Famer Don Sutton‘s franchise record 2,696. He also lowered his 2021 ERA from 7.94 to a more respectable 4.26 after two starts.
Now 33 years old, Kershaw is no longer the power pitcher fans watched for more than a decade. He has evolved into a classic veteran pitcher whose pitch command, movement, and breaking pitches have hitters shaking their heads as they walk back to the dugout with bats on their shoulders.
There will be games when he gives up a few more runs than expected or has to come out earlier than he would like, but do not dismiss Clayton Kershaw; he will remain a pitching force for the Dodgers in 2021.
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* A variation of Samuel Clemens’ (Mark Twain) famous quote – “Reports of my death have been greatly exaggerated.”
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WOW! Its not a good feeling worrying just how Kershaw is going to pitch. It was great watching him last night, bringing back old memories. Let’s hope we see more of this.
I think we will see a Kershaw dominate in a different manner than when he was in his pitching prime. His curve and slider will continue to be above average pitches for many years and I still look for him to one day to add a wicked change of pace to his arsenal of pitches. If he learns to throw a change-up like Julio Urias…
Since you mentioned the Don Sutton strikeout record, it surprises me that no one picked up on Kershaw breaking the all-time Dodgers strikeout record in a Dodgers uniform. Last night, Clayton Kershaw passed Don Sutton (2743 to 2739) when you take their post season records in Dodgers unis into consideration.
Great catch! Thanks