Which ace do you take: Clayton Kershaw or Madison Bumgarner?

Sep 6, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) pitches against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bumgarner is no stranger to the mound. Since joining the league in 2009, Bumgarner is 67-49 with a 3.06 ERA. He’s been a workhorse just like Kershaw has, throwing at least 200 innings each season since becoming a main starter in 2011. In 2014, Bumgarner went 18-10 with a 2.98 ERA and 219 Ks. The tall, hard throwing lefty throws from a 3/4 arm slot which gives a unique type of movement on any pitch he throws. He’s been effective his whole career and seems to be getting better, steadily increasing in both wins and strikeouts throughout the years.

Bumgarner doesn’t have the regular season accolades that Kershaw has, but he does have one thing on him, and that happens to be success pitching in the playoffs. If you watched any of the 2014 postseason, you witnessed Bumgarner dominate like we’ve never seen before. His performance will go down as one of the best ever. He has a career playoff record of 7-3 with a 2.14 ERA. His 0.25 ERA in the World Series is the lowest ever among qualifying pitchers (min. 20 IP or 4 decisions).

So you have regular season perfection from Clayton Kershaw. From Madison Bumgarner, you have very good numbers in the regular season and an amazing pedigree in the playoffs. Who do you take?

If you ask me, I’m going with Madison Bumgarner. I’ll tell you why.