Some fans only remember that in 2023, Clayton Kershaw had a shoulder problem for which he had surgery, and before the surgery, he had tried to pitch but got bombed in the playoffs. So, he had surgery on his shoulder and came back in 2024, only to have a bone spur on his left big toe that effectively ended his year. In 2023, Clayton pitched 132 innings and allowed 100 hits while striking out 137 Batters. He had a 2.46 ERA and a 1.063 WHIP. He was also an All-Star in 2023.
Clayton had surgery after 2023 and missed the first half of the 2024 season after the surgery on his shoulder. It turns out that he pitched badly in 2024 because he had a bone spur on his left big toe (which he used to “push off” when pitching.). In the playoffs of 2023, he tried to pitch after his shoulder was being held together with baling wire and duct tape, but he was bombed in the first inning, and that ended his season. Unfortunately, most baseball fans only remember the most recent past. Clayton’s shoulder is fine. He will have surgery on his toe this winter, and it will be fine. They have figured out how to manage his back, and his elbow is fine.
Clayton is in great shape. His work ethic and training are unmatched, and he is beloved by every teammate and even his foes. Clayton is not a fireballer anymore. His 4-Seam Fastball averaged 90.7 in 2023, the same as in 2022, and a tick higher than 2021. IN 2020, it was 91.6. In 2016 and 2017, the 4-Seamer averaged 93.6 and 92.8 respectively. With his 87 MPH Slider and his “Public Enemy Number One Curve,” he is still a master at pitching. Most fans look at players as the “Flavor of the Week” and “What have you done for me lately?”
Those of you who count Clayton out probably felt the same about Max Muncy, Kike Hernandez, and Gavin Lux. I have learned a valuable lesson about the power of the human spirit… especially ones like Clayton Kershaw, who will be 37 next season. I predict he will be in the Dodger’s rotation and lead the rotation is ERA. Who wouldn’t want that? This hangs in my office:
On my desk, there is a plaque that my wife gave me 22 years ago. It simply says, “The Mountainmover.” “When you see the invisible, you can do the impossible” is my favorite saying. Clayton is also of that ilk! Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit and I believe that Clayton is not done yet!
Remember this:
NO Mountains Can Be Moved…
Until You KNOW Mountains Can Be Moved!
Now, the Boys in Blue have a series to win and Walker Buehler goes against Luis Severino. I believe Walker can also do the impossible! Who will step up and hit? We shall see… Let’s Ride!
One final thing: Freedie Freeman is a walking miracle. What he is doing is incredible. Freddie will not be stopped.
Have Faith: When you come to the edge of all the light you have known and are about to step out into the darkness, faith knows one of two things will happen…there will be something to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.
Discussion (37)
Disagree, not disagreeable
Just a great win last night. Lets do it all again tonight!
Great game.
So how did Walker throw a curve ball with 3 balls, two strikes to Francisco Lindor with the bases loaded?
Preparation!
https://youtube.com/shorts/978uQUK231M?si=ptA99Uc7yL_-kEUV
Deadline acquisitions have proven to be golden! Paying off big now! Way to go AF! Cheers to the brain trust (so far) and I call no jinx.
As soon as Smolz says that Ohtani getting hits only with runners on base is a complete anomaly he cranks one out! Hahaha!
Edman for leadoff?
The Dodgers are going to definitely need a second basement that can turn a double play without making a fan nervous.
Edman has been an outstanding acquisition.
Hoping Walker can go 4 innings
Wait, did we actually have some good luck?
I hereby officially change his name to Striker Buehler.
I know I sound like a broken record(aging myself again) but
I’m having a lot of fun!
What a time to be a Dodger fan!
Oh and Clayton is the frickin goat! He can pitch for my Dodgers in’ 25 and ’26 too if he wants to. Anybody else have confidence in Striker? I do. As for Knack, I’m still big on him.
Book em
Don’t really understand why the Dodgers did not go Buehler in game 2 and Yamamoto tonite on regular rest. They have pretty much guaranteed themselves a bull pen game in game 6 by not doing this. Is this what they prefer over having their $320 million pitcher go twice in the NLCS? Dodgers should be trying to get their two best remaining starters lined up for 2 starts in this series.
8:08 PM ET
Dodgers (98-64)
Mets (89-73)
SP Walker Buehler R
1-6 5.38 ERA
SP Luis Severino R
11-7 3.91 ERA
Confirmed Lineup
DH S. Ohtani L
RF Mookie Betts R
1B F. Freeman L
3B Max Muncy L
LF T. Hernandez R
2B Gavin Lux L
C Will Smith R
SS Tommy Edman S
CF E. Hernandez R
52° Wind 13 mph
Severino allowed right-handed opponents to hit just .216 with an OPS of .615.
Left-handed hitters, however, hit .269 with an OPS of .774.
Pull happy, you hit it right on the head. Otani, keep that front side in, up the middle. Go Dodgers
Clayton k is my favorite player ever. He is everything a player should be.He is a class act.Fans that want him to retire,you may not have been long time Dodger fans.He is still a very good pitcher.Just look at his stats. I would hate for him to retire!
Dodgers and Yanks in the series. baseball I love it
Ironically, some of the worse ABs this offseason have come from our superstar. A pull mentality has gotten Ohtani into some bad habits at the plate.
Should be a fun game. I am not expecting a low scoring game; unless Walker goes vintage on us.
Go Dodgers!
Amen. Go Dodgers and Walker, please be da man!
Manager Dave Roberts said he expects Lux (hip) to be back in the lineup Wednesday for Game 3 of the NLCS, Matthew Moreno of DodgerBlue.com reports.
Yamamoto will start Thursday in Game 4 of the NLCS against the Mets, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
‘Yamamoto was able to bounce back in Game 5 of the NLDS by throwing five shutout frames against the Padres after he had given up five runs in just three innings during Game 1. He’ll now be tasked with keeping quiet a Mets offense that owns a .698 OPS since the start of the postseason”.
Tonight’s the night to play the cleanest game of the series. Severino is good but we can be patient and do damage. Key is putting every Mets arm we face through the shredder that is the Dodgers lineup.
Play smart, play hard, play together.
Ill be at Citi for Game 4 and 5.
Would love to see us close this thing out on Friday…..