Fansided

3 reasons the Dodgers need Clayton Kershaw healthy to upset Cubs

By Joshua Sadlock

Jun 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws during the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches in the ninth inning of the game, pitched a complete game shut out against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
May 12, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches in the ninth inning of the game, pitched a complete game shut out against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium. Dodgers won 5-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

His arm should be fresh

Clayton Kershaw’s postseason struggles are well documented. He is 2-6 with a 4.59 ERA in 13 career playoff appearances. Some of his troubles, however, stem from a leaky bullpen allowing inherited runners to score. Over the past two postseasons, Kershaw has struck out 38 in 26.1 innings.

Kershaw is not alone among big league aces when it comes to struggling in the playoffs. David Price’s struggles have been just as difficult to watch. On the whole, however, Kershaw has never looked bad on the mound in the postseason. His struggles and inflated ERA have been made worse due to bad luck on infield hits, dying-quail flares, and mistimed home runs. To a certain extent, these are all things that are out of a pitcher’s control.

The back injury that Kershaw has dealt with derailed his quest for another Cy Young, but it could help him find an extra gear in the postseason. In his career, he has struggled most in the NLCS, and even more so in his second start in that series. No matter how good a pitcher is, it’s a tall order to expect four extra dominant starts, approaching 250 innings on the year.

Kershaw has thrown only 121.0 innings in 2016, and will be able to use the month of September to regain a feel for all of his pitches. At this point of the season, he is essentially restarting at his July innings total. In his career, July has historically been his best month of pitching. A sharp, well-rested Kershaw in the playoffs could be a thing of beauty to watch.

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