22 Clayton Kershaw SP

Kershaw (4-3) took the loss during Game 1 of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Cubs after surrendering four runs on four hits with two strikeouts and two walks over one inning.

The 33-year-old needed 39 pitches to get through the first frame, and manager Dave Roberts decided that was enough for the veteran lefty Tuesday. Kershaw had given up only four runs across his previous five starts (33 innings), and he'll attempt to return to form his next time out.

Kershaw (4-2) earned the win Wednesday against the Reds after tossing seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and a walk while fanning eight.

Kershaw hasn't given up a run in three of his last four starts, and he also has five straight quality starts after beginning the year with a subpar effort at Coors Field on April 1. The star left-hander bounced back quickly from that performance and has a 2.09 ERA through his first six outings while also posting an excellent 39:5 K:BB through 38.2 innings.

Kershaw (3-2) allowed three runs on five hits and a walk while striking out seven over seven innings as he took the loss against the Padres on Friday.

The Padres chased Kershaw for three home runs in this one. Wil Myers hit one to lead off the second and then Fernando Tatis took him long in consecutive at-bats to eventually put the Dodgers in a 3-1 hole. The left-hander had not allowed a homer this season coming into Friday's game so it was definitely unexpected to see the Padres put up three against him through the first five innings. Kershaw still owns a very respectable 2.56 ERA and 31:4 K:BB and he'll look to get back in the win column against the Reds on Wednesday.

Kershaw (3-1) allowed no earned runs on two hits and two walks while striking out eight over seven innings in Saturday's win over the Pirates.

The lefty was dealing Saturday and helped his own cause by taking a walk in what would be the game-deciding run during a crucial at-bat. The 33-year-old threw 60 of his 98 pitches for strikes and has allowed just six earned runs in 24.2 innings of work. Kershaw is scheduled for his next start Friday against the Padres once again.

Kershaw (2-1) allowed five hits and struck out six as he held the Nationals scoreless over six innings in Sunday's 3-0 win.

Kershaw cruised through six innings of work, as Trea Turner and Starlin Castro combined for all five hits against him. All six of his strikeouts came via either the slider or curveball and no player advanced beyond second base while he was in the game. The 33-year-old southpaw has been masterful in his last two outings as he's combined to give up one run on nine hits while striking out 14 batters and not issuing a single walk through 13 innings. Kershaw is set up for a one-start week as he'll go to battle against Yu Darvish and the Padres on Saturday.

Kershaw is slated to start on normal rest versus Washington on Sunday, while Dustin May's next start will be bumped back, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers are in the midst of a five-day period during which they will play only three games, and they are opting to keep Kershaw on a regular schedule rather than have him take off six days between turns. The veteran southpaw is now lined up to face Nationals ace Max Scherzer in the rubber game of the Dodgers' first home series of the season.

Kershaw (1-1) earned the win against Oakland on Tuesday, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on four hits and no walks while striking out eight.

Kershaw struggled in a loss at Colorado on Opening Day, but he bounced back in a big way Tuesday, almost completely shutting down Oakland after yielding a pair of hits and a run in the first inning. The left-hander threw 61 of his 91 pitches for strikes and induced 21 swinging strikes -- his most since September of 2017, per Dodger Insider. Of those 21 whiffs, 16 came on sliders, the third-highest mark of his storied career. Kershaw will face Colorado for the second time this season in his next scheduled start Tuesday, but it's fair to expect better results than on Opening Day since the upcoming outing will be at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw (0-1) allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits and one walk while striking out two across 5.2 innings to take the loss Thursday against the Rockies.

Kershaw had little trouble working through two scoreless innings to begin the game. However, he struggled from there and surrendered at least one run in two of his final three frames. Uncharacteristically, he had only 12 called strikes and five swinging strikes across 77 total pitches. While not an ideal way to start the season, Kershaw's next start at Oakland on Tuesday should give a fairer read of his form after a tough draw opening the season at Coors Field.

Kershaw tossed 3.1 innings against Oakland in a Cactus League contest Friday, allowing nine runs (eight earned) on nine hits and two walks while striking out six.

Aside from a nice strikeout total, very little went right for the southpaw, and the rough outing pushed his spring ERA to an unsightly 10.22. Kershaw breezed through a 1-2-3 first inning but was knocked around for the remainder of his outing and was pulled after allowing five of the first six batters to reach base in the third frame. Despite his rough spring, Kershaw is lined up to start for the Dodgers at Colorado on Opening Day.

Kershaw's fastball has been in the 88-91 mph range this spring, Juan Toribio of MLB.com reports.

The left-hander averaged 91.6 mph on his fastball last season, so his velocity this spring is clearly a step down. However, manager Dave Roberts indicated that he is not concerned about the dip, stating, "The velocity will tick up with the adrenaline [of playing in the regular season] ... this is all part of the build-up process for these guys." Kershaw has built a Hall of Fame career despite never being among the game's fastest throwers, but a drop in velocity could impact his numbers if it carries over into the regular season.

Kershaw allowed five runs across four innings in Tuesday's Cactus League loss to Milwaukee, yielding eight hits -- including two home runs -- and one walk while striking out three.

Two days after being named the Dodgers' Opening Day starter, Kershaw couldn't find his rhythm in his worst spring start in years. He allowed a pair of solo home runs to the first two batters he faced, then gave up three more runs in the third inning. Kershaw should be fine, of course, and will enter his age-33 season still ranked among the game's top hurlers.

Kershaw has been named the Opening Day starter for the Dodgers, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Kershaw led the Dodgers to a World Series title in 2020, and it's only fitting that the southpaw will take the mound against the Rockies to begin the regular season in 2021. Kershaw was electric during the abbreviated season last year and posted a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 62:8 K:BB over 58.1 innings across 10 regular-season starts.

Kershaw completed two scoreless innings in a Cactus League contest against Kansas City on Friday, allowing two hits and striking out two.

Kershaw allowed a double to Whit Merrifield in the first inning and another to Michael Taylor in the second, but he otherwise clamped down and extended his spring scoreless streak to 30 innings dating back to 2017. According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Kershaw threw his fastball at 89-90 mph in the outing -- a touch below his average velocity last season, but not a major concern given the nature of the exhibition contest. Kershaw enters his 14th big-league season as the Dodgers' presumed ace despite the quality of arms that surround him in the team's starting rotation.

Kershaw will start Friday's Cactus League contest against Kansas City and is scheduled to throw two innings, Jorge Castillo of the Los Angeles Times reports.

The future Hall of Famer will get his first opportunity to face opposing batters in 2021 during Friday's exhibition game. Though fellow fantasy studs Walker Buehler and Trevor Bauer have already made their spring debuts, Kershaw remains the odds-on favorite to get the ball on Opening Day against Colorado.

Kershaw indicated Sunday that he does not plan to retire following the 2021 season, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.

Kershaw's contract runs only through the current campaign, but the left-hander said he has plenty left in the tank and that he hopes to continue with the Dodgers next year and beyond. Though Kershaw has already compiled enough accolades to be a surefire future Hall of Famer, he is only 32 years old and is coming off a campaign in which he posted a 2.16 ERA, 0.84 WHIP and 62:8 K:BB over 58.1 innings in addition to claiming his first World Series championship. It's hard to imagine the lifelong Dodger in any other uniform, especially given the deep pockets possessed by the organization.

Kershaw gave up two runs over 5.2 innings en route to picking up the victory Sunday in the Dodgers' 4-2 win over the Rays in Game 5 of the World Series. The lefty scattered five hits and two walks and struck out six.

Kershaw didn't look quite as sharp as he had been in Game 1, but he still racked up 11 swinging strikes and five groundball outs among his 85 pitches on the night. The southpaw surrendered both of his runs in the third inning, though he escaped further damage after striking out Brandon Lowe before battery mate Austin Barnes threw out Randy Arozarena on a stolen-base attempt to end the frame. The Dodgers bullpen was able to shut down the Rays after Kershaw exited with two outs in the sixth inning, allowing the 32-year-old to claim his second win of the series. Kershaw could be available to pitch an inning or two in relief -- if needed -- in a potential Game 7 on Wednesday.

Kershaw recorded the win Tuesday against the Rays in Game 1 of the World Series. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out eight over six innings.

Kershaw was outstanding Tuesday, with his only mistake being a solo home run to Kevin Kiermaier in the fifth inning. The 32-year-old induced 19 swinging strikes on just 78 pitches. The southpaw made a statement in one of the best postseason outings of his career.

Kershaw surrendered four runs on seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk over five-plus innings to take the loss during Game 4 of the NLCS against the Braves.

The veteran southpaw only gave up a solo homer to Marcell Ozuna over five innings, but he allowed a single and back-to-back doubles to start the sixth before being removed. The Dodgers are now trailing the series 3-1, so it could be a sour finish to the season if they're unable to rally and take the next three games. Kershaw won't be able to start again in the series after throwing 87 pitches, but it's conceivable he could work out of the bullpen in Sunday's potential Game 7, if necessary.

Manager Dave Roberts announced Kershaw (back) will start Game 4 of the NLCS against the Braves on Thursday, J.P. Hoornstra of the Los Angeles Daily News reports.

The veteran southpaw was originally poised to start Tuesday in Game 2 before being scratched with back spasms, but he'll end up taking the mound a couple days later. It's a pivotal game for Kershaw and the Dodgers, as they trail the Braves 2-1 through the first three games of the NLCS.

Kershaw (back) showed improvement Wednesday and is a "likely possibility" to start Game 4 of the NLCS against Atlanta on Thursday, Ken Gurnick of MLB.com reports.

Manager Dave Roberts provided an encouraging update regarding Kershaw's back issue, and he appears to be in line to start the fourth game of the series if all goes well. The southpaw was scratched from Game 2 due to back spasms, but he was still able to throw Tuesday. Roberts said that the team will wait to see how Kershaw feels Thursday before making a firm decision regarding his status.