Kershaw will be vital for Dodgers in second half
Drew Silva discusses Clayton Kershaw's performance in the All-Star Game as well as just how important his presence will be for the Dodgers during the final stretch and postseason run.
Video Transcript
DREW SILVA: Clayton Kershaw has been named an All-Star nine times in his illustrious career. But he had never started a midsummer classic until this year, at home on the familiar Dodger Stadium mound. Kershaw worked a scoreless opening frame for the National League. He gave up a leadoff single to Shohei Ohtani, but promptly picked Ohtani off at first base with that left-handed sidestep move. All in all, he needed just 17 pitches to retire four hitters.
Kershaw is a bit past his prime in some regards. The last time he won a Cy Young Award was back in 2014. But the 34-year-old southpaw currently stands 7 and 2, with a sparkling 2.49 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 81 to 14 strikeout-to-walk ratio through 76 innings of work here in 2022. The winds should continue to stack up in the second half, as the Dodgers position themselves to reclaim the NLS title and stage a deep postseason run.
Remember that Kershaw missed the playoffs last year because of a forearm injury. He'll want to be present as their game one starter in the first round this year.
