LA Dodgers Clayton Kershaw is raising concerns due to a significant decrease in speed at the end of the season.
Kershaw started in the away game against the Miami Marlins held at Londipo Park on the 6th (Korean time) and allowed 5 hits and 5 walks and gave up 3 runs in 5 innings. He had nothing to do with the win or loss, but the Dodgers bowed 3 to 6.
Kershaw suffered a shoulder injury in early July and was placed on the IL before returning on August 11. However, he is still continuing his cautious pitching. Before his injury, he pitched consistently and reliably enough to expect his Cy Young Award, but he has been unable to find his way back on track since his return.
There are two things that stand out about Kershaw’s pitch that day. He allowed 5 walks and his fastball velocity was less than 90 mph.
This is the second time this season that Kershaw has given up more than 5 four balls in a game, following the game against the San Diego Padres on May 6. He only minimized his runs with his unique skill in managing the game, but both his command and position were the worst this season.
Kershaw, who threw 84 pitches, had a maximum fastball velocity of 89.9 mph and an average of 88.2 mph. His average velocity was 2.9 mph less than his season average of 91.1 mph. This is the first time in his career that his top velocity has stayed below 90 mph.
What was the problem? After the game, Kershaw said, “I wasn’t in very good shape. My control and everything were bad. I have to try to get better. There is absolutely no other problem. I will throw better.” He added, “It’s just that the pitch and command were bad. I need to adjust something, but I’ll talk to the pitching coach (Mark Prior). I hope something helpful will come out.”메이저놀이터
But coach Dave Roberts had a different idea. He said, “Kershaw has not yet reached the level we hoped for. His shoulder condition is not perfect for throwing as usual. We hope for effective and competitive pitching, but it seems clear that his pitching has decreased.”
LA Dodgers Austin Barnes hits a ground ball to second base in the top of the 7th inning. AFP Yonhap News
Signs of such a sharp decline in Kershaw’s condition were seen during his previous appearance, a game against the Arizona Diamondbacks held at Dodger Stadium on August 30. Even then, he gave up 3 walks in 5 innings, and his fastball velocity peaked at 91.3 mph and averaged just 89.5 mph.
Kershaw, who closed the first inning with a three-way error, gave up a walk and two hits in the second inning, had the bases loaded, and then managed to get it over by forcing Gareth Hampson into a double play. He was in trouble in the third inning, allowing two walks, but struck out Josh Bell and Jesús Sanchez in succession and held on for no runs.
In the 4th inning, leading 2-0, he hit a solo home run from leadoff pitcher Jake Berger, and then blocked Nick Portes with a double play at shortstop with one out and runners on first and second base, preventing additional runs. However, in the 5th inning with 1 out and runners on first base, he was hit by a two-run shot from Bell, allowing the score to go back to 2-3. Kershaw’s ERA deteriorated slightly from 2.48 to 2.61.
The Dodgers, who had fallen to 1 win and 4 losses in the last five games, recorded 84 wins and 63 losses. The Dodgers, who are in first place in the NL West, have a 14-game gap over second-place Arizona, so there is no problem in winning the division championship. However, there is a 6-game gap with the Atlanta Braves, who are ranked first in NL winning percentage.
Even if the Dodgers advance to the postseason, there is a high possibility that they will be eliminated early if Kershaw does not regain his glory. The Dodgers’ season ended virtually when Julio Urias was arrested for domestic violence.