If you are among those who honestly believe that 34-year-old Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw‘s best days are behind him, you are definitely among a very small group. Not only does the Dallas, TX native and Dodgers first-round draft pick in 2006 out of Highland Park High School in University Park, TX seem to be getting better with age, he seems to do so every time he takes the mound.

“He’s always intense and focused, but tonight there was a different type of edge to him – and a good edge,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Kershaw’s brilliant 7.2-innings pitched on Saturday night. “It was just an overall great performance.”

Kershaw allowed only two runs (one earned) on just five hits while walking none and striking out ten, to increase his all-time Dodgers strikeout record to 2,739 and improve his season record to 6-2 and lower his ERA to 2.40. In doing so, he also (significantly) improved his chances of being the National Leagues’ starting pitcher in next week’s 2022 MLB All-Star Game.

“Hopefully he gets in there because he deserves it,” said Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman. “He’s been a special pitcher for 14 years now and I’m just happy to be his teammate now. He should be able to pitch in his home stadium. He’s been pitching like an All-Star this year.”

“I’m just grateful he’s healthy. He’s done a lot to make sure he stays on the field. When he’s healthy, he’s an All-Star,” added Roberts. “He’s one of the best in baseball. He’s efficient, he commands the baseball, he can limit damage, he’s prepared. … That’s why I’m just grateful that he’s feeling good and obviously the performance echoes that.”

Speaking of Freddie Freeman, he, too, seems to be getting better with age. After Dodgers newcomer (and nine-year MLB veteran) Jake Lamb tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth inning with his second home run in as many days, 32-year-old Freeman delivered the go-ahead and eventual winning runs with his one-out/two-run single in the bottom of the seventh.

With the win and the San Diego Padres’ loss to the NL West last-place San Francisco Giants, the Dodgers enter play on Sunday afternoon with a 7.0-game lead over the Friars in the division at the midway point of the 2022 season.

Thanks, Kersh, we needed that!

Play Ball!

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