The Dodgers are 14-2 when Clayton Kershaw starts and 28-34 when he doesn't. We already knew he was the best pitcher on Earth, but the Dodgers' performance when he does or doesn't pitch is a nice illustration of his value.
Why do we bring this up? Well, you can read a headline so you already know.
Kershaw has left Milwaukee. Heading back to LA to see Dr. Watkins to have his back checked. Lower back stiffness. #Dodgers
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 28, 2016
Yep.
Kershaw has been dealing with back discomfort "on and off" lately and has been receiving treatment for it. There was never any indication that Kershaw might be forced to miss a start and that could remain the case. He left Milwaukee Tuesday to head back to Los Angeles to see the Doctor, but the Dodgers will be home before Kershaw's next scheduled start, which is Friday against the Rockies.
Kershaw, 28, is 11-2 with a 1.79 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 145 strikeouts in 121 innings this season. He leads the majors in ERA, complete games, shutouts, innings, strikeouts, WHIP, walk rate, strikeout-to-walk rate, WAR and, well, we could keep going.
The Dodgers already have the following starting pitchers on the disabled list: Alex Wood, Brett Anderson, Brandon McCarthy and Hyun-jin Ryu. Mike Bolsinger, Ross Stripling and Carlos Frias are in Triple-A while Brock Stewart will be activated to start for the major-league Dodgers on Wednesday.
