Los Angeles star Clayton Kershaw was tasked with starting a series opener against the San Diego Padres over the weekend.
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After a four-game losing streak, the team came across a Division Series that influenced the rest of the season. The Padres sat alone in their first spot to participate in Friday’s game, but it was the first time the had not controlled the NL West in the second half of the season since 2021.
Things seemed to fall apart for the , but manager Dave Roberts was the three-time Cy Young winner if anyone could get the team back on track.
“Today we were talking a bit about strength. There’s no one as intense or focus as Clayton,” Roberts said ahead of Friday’s game. “He has a way of increasing people’s focus and play, and to welcome him tonight, the first game of this series, he’s the perfect guy.”
Roberts’ judgment proved to be perfectly correct.
Kershaw pitched six dazzling innings for the on Friday night, allowing him to score one run with two hits. The left-hander lowered his season ERA to 3.01, issued one walk and recorded three strikeouts.
It was an impressive outing from the 18-year MLB veteran, especially as Kershaw found a new way to dominate in the majors.
Kershaw is the second percentile at fastball speed (89 mph) and the seventh percentile at strikeout rate, but he still remains a steady presence due to the ‘ spinning.
Former teammate and fellow CY Young winner David Price praised Kershaw.
“He’s the best pitcher of our generation,” Price told MLB Network. “A generation of pitchers, generational people. It was a joy to be his teammate in Los Angeles for several years.”
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Photo credit: Jordan God Free I My Muggle Image
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