22 Clayton Kershaw SP

Kershaw (8-5) allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and two walks while striking out eight across six innings to earn the win Thursday against the Cardinals.

Kershaw had little trouble working through the Cardinals' lineup until the fifth inning, when three of the four runs he allowed crossed the plate. The damage began with a Tyson Ross solo home run and continued as the next four batters Kershaw faced reached base. As a result, Kershaw didn't turn in a dominant outing, however, he continues to rack up strikeouts, now whiffing one or more batters per inning in seven of his last nine starts.

Kershaw will make his next scheduled start Thursday at St. Louis, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

The Dodgers want to give Kershaw an additional day of rest -- he last pitched Friday -- so his originally scheduled start Wednesday will be bumped back a day. The 30-year-old has a 2.42 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 134:21 K:BB over 137.1 innings this season.

Kershaw (7-5) struck out seven and walked one in six innings Friday against the Rockies, allowing two runs on six hits en route to a win.

Kershaw has now thrown 12 consecutive quality starts dating back to July 3, and has lowered his ERA to 2.42 on the season with a 0.98 WHIP and a .220 batting average against. The southpaw is sporting an 8.8 K/9, his lowest strikeout rate since 2013, yet he still carries an excellent 134:21 K:BB in 137.1 innings. His next start will be a matchup with the Reds in Cincinnati.

Kershaw gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits while striking out nine over eight innings Saturday, but did not factor into the decision in an extra-innings win over San Diego.

Kershaw attacked San Diego's lineup early and often, firing 77 of his 107 pitches for strikes. The southpaw was in line to pick up his seventh win of the season, but closer Kenley Jansen faltered in the ninth, forcing the Dodgers' ace to settle for a no-decision. Kershaw has been dominant all season (2.39 ERA over 20 starts), but he has been in rare form recently, going seven-plus innings in three of his last six outings. The 30-year-old will need to bring his A-game in a pivotal matchup against the Diamondbacks next Friday.

Kershaw (6-5) fired seven innings and earned the victory Sunday, allowing one run on a walk and four hits while striking out seven in the 12-1 routing of the Mariners.

Kershaw is absolutely dealing right now, with Sunday's win giving him six straight starts allowing just two runs or fewer. He's dropped his season ERA to 2.40 in 116.1 innings alongside a strong 115:20 K:BB. He'll look for his third August win next weekend against the Padres.