Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw proving Dave Roberts right
With another stellar performance on Friday night against the Los Angeles Angels, Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers is proving that the All-Star Game campaigning manager Dave Roberts has been doing on his behalf is spot on.
In what should be a perfect Hollywood script, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw should start the 2022 MLB All-Star Game
On Friday night, Kershaw became the first pitcher in the last 40 seasons to have a perfect game through 7.0 innings twice in the same season (h/t to @StatsbySTATS) as he was perfect against the Angels for eight innings in a 9-1 win Dodgers win. It was an inning further than he went in April when he was pulled from a perfect game at the Minnesota Twins after 7.0 innings in his first start of the season. It was a controversial move as it was Kershaw’s first start of the season and Roberts pulled him in an effort to ensure his health after an injury-riddled 2021 campaign.
Roberts has had his eye on the 34-year-old future Hall of Famer all season, and he took plenty of heat after that April decision. However, Kershaw has been healthy and throwing at an elite level all year, posting a 2.13 ERA/2.47 FIP/0.907 WHIP through 12 starts covering 71.2 innings. Those numbers shrink even more if you take out a June 28 outing at Coors Field against the Colorado Rockies where Kershaw gave up nine hits and six runs while walking four in four innings.
The Dodgers manager was adamant about pulling Kershaw in April, and he’s just as firm on his belief that the southpaw should be the starter in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
Before that June outing by Kershaw in Denver, Roberts told members of the media, “Like I said the other day, if he goes out there and continues to pitch well, I think it would almost be a no-brainer for him to start the game.” Roberts mentioned the Midsummer Classic start again on Friday before Kershaw’s masterpiece. He is banging the drum for Kershaw to receive his first ever All-Star Game start … and Friday proved that Roberts is right in pushing for that.
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After throwing just 89 pitches on Friday, Kershaw should be fine to handle starting duties for the National League on Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine. Everything seems to be lining up for the Hollywood script to be written and Kershaw to check another box on his way to Cooperstown with an All-Star Game start … just like Roberts has been saying for a couple of weeks now.