Dodgers’ Kershaw to start Sunday, will be ineligible for All-Star Game
By Mike Barner
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw will start Sunday, making him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game.
Clayton Kershaw is arguably the most dominant starting pitcher in all of baseball. When the league showcases its’ brightest stars Tuesday in the All-Star Game, it looks like Kershaw won’t be taking the mound.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts said Kershaw will start Sunday against the Kansas City Royals and as a result, will be ineligible to pitch for the National League. Players who pitch in their team’s last game aren’t eligible for the All-Star Game and are replaced on the roster.
Kershaw is off to another great start in 2017 as he is 13-2 with a 2.19 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 146 strikeouts in 123.1 innings. His excellent start has helped the Dodgers to lead the National League West and have the best record in the National League overall.
Kershaw has made the All-Star team in each of the last seven seasons. Although he was on last year’s squad, he did not appear in that game either. He has pitched five innings over five appearances in All-Star games for his career, recording three strikeouts and allowing two runs.
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Kershaw’s numbers in his career have been staggering. Currently in his 10th season in the majors, he has 139 wins and 2,064 strikeouts for his career. He has a sparkling 2.36 ERA and 1.00 WHIP as well.
Among active starting pitchers, Kershaw sits in eighth place for career strikeouts and is the only player in the top 10 who is less than 30 years old.
There are still plenty of excellent pitchers for the National League to use Tuesday with Max Scherzer, Zack Greinke and Carlos Martinez all on the roster, among others. Fans will have to wait until 2018 though for another chance to see Kershaw square off against the best of the American League.