The Los Angeles Dodgers are always in the playoff picture, and their ace Clayton Kershaw has tossed a magical 0.00 ERA to boost their morale for 2018.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in the National League. Unfortunately, they have failed to go deep in the postseason and win it all. Furthermore, with all the money invested into the team, their results haven’t been what fans have hoped. Also, future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw is headed into his walk year in 2018, so a World Series crown is even more important than ever. Why? Because he might not want to stay if the club keeps stumbling in October.
On a positive note, the southpaw has been almost unhittable, tossing a 0.00 ERA in spring training. Could he be in for his best season ever? It would be real convenient as he gets ready for a huge payday in the winter.
During the spring, his velocity has been a little lower because of the lesser competition and getting back into the swing of things. Here’s what manager Dave Roberts said about his fastball according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
"Every pitcher with adrenaline, there’s going to be an uptick in velocity, it’s fair to expect that in the season. The other day there were some 87s. I wouldn’t say concerns. Today was in the 90-92 range, so today was more indicative of what we would expect. Opening Day, an extra day [of rest], I would expect it to be in the 93 [range]."
So, the lefty could be even more impressive come Opening Day as the adrenaline kicks in. The Dodgers need him more than ever, as they prepare to erase their tragic loss in 2017 to the Houston Astros. With that said, this is a great boost for Dodgers fans and the whole organization. Although it is just spring training, a 0.00 ERA is nothing to scoff at. Can Kershaw carry that momentum into the season? Absolutely. He is a rock for the club and the team is on if he is.
With that said, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in for a treat in 2018. Kershaw looks the best he ever has and is pitching like it. Not trying to overreact here, but Kershaw is one of the greatest of all time. So huge expectations are nothing new to him. Ultimately, the Dodgers look to be in for another big season, and for a World Series win, Kershaw needs to be right at the center of it. Could he have the best season of his career, in his walk year? We’ll see, but it’s looking like it.