22 Clayton Kershaw SP

Kershaw (3-5) took the loss Saturday, giving up four runs (one earned) on seven hits over six innings while striking out five as the Dodgers dropped a 4-2 decision to the Brewers.

The left-hander was sharp, throwing 61 of 88 pitches for strikes, but the same can't be said for the Los Angeles defense in this one -- Milwaukee's first run got on base thanks to a catcher's interference call against Yasmani Grandal in the second inning, while the winning runs scored in the sixth after Max Muncy's two-out error. Kershaw will take a 2.54 ERA into his next start Thursday in Atlanta.

Kershaw allowed three earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out eight across 6.2 innings Sunday against the Angels. He did not factor into the decision.

All three of the earned runs Kershaw allowed came off the bat of Jefry Marte, who launched a home run off him in the fourth inning. The four free passes he surrendered were also uncharacteristic and marked just the third time in 13 starts this season in which he surrendered multiple walks. Otherwise, it was a relatively encouraging start, as it marked the deepest he's worked into a game since April 20 and his highest strikeout total in an outing since April 15.

Kershaw (3-4) tossed six shutout innings and allowed just two hits and a walk with five strikeouts to earn the win Monday over the Padres.

Kershaw was efficient, too, as he needed just 89 pitches to get through six frames, and he probably would have gone deeper had the Dodgers not supplied him with an early five-run lead. Kershaw has now completed six innings twice in a row after not pitching into the sixth for his first three starts back from injury. Slowly but surely, it seems like Kershaw is building back up to the ace we know. He'll take a 2.61 ERA into his final start of the first half Saturday against the Angels.

Kershaw (2-4) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out two over six innings in a win over the Pirates on Tuesday. He did not issue a walk.

Kershaw was efficient, completing the six frames on 74 pitches. The Dodgers' offense did its part against Ivan Nova and helped Kershaw get into the win column for the first time since April 15. Kershaw has built up gradually since skipping a rehab assignment and may be limited again next week against the Padres in his fourth start back from the disabled list, but his restrictions figure to be mostly lifted from there. While his strikeout rate is trending in the wrong direction, there is hope that with improved health he can still be a big difference maker for fantasy owners in the second half.

Kershaw tossed five innings Thursday, striking out six while yielding one run on four hits in an 11-5 loss to the Cubs.

Kershaw left the game with the lead, but the Dodgers bullpen allowed 10 runs over the final four frames. The 30-year-old lefty has allowed three runs with a 10:1 K:BB in eight innings since his return from the DL. He should gradually go deeper into ballgames as he gets re-acclimated to MLB competition. Kershaw will get a solid home matchup against the Pirates next Tuesday.