Clayton Kershaw doesn’t think all these no-hitters are good for baseball

Clayton Kershaw does not think a no-hitter a week is all that good for baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw had some interesting comments on the increased frequency of no-hitters in baseball.

We are six weeks into the 2021 MLB season and six no-hitters have been thrown. If we were to count the seven-inning gem from Madison Bumgarner of the Arizona Diamondbacks over the Atlanta Braves a few weeks ago, the total would be at seven. In the last two days, Spencer Turnbull of the Detroit Tigers and Corey Kluber of the New York Yankees threw no-hitters.

Kershaw isn’t a fan of the increased volume of no-hitters.

“It’s not good, I’ll tell you that,” said Kershaw to the Orange County Register on Wednesday night. “I think, whatever the intention was with the new ball or whatever it may be, it really hasn’t done anything. There might be less home runs which I guess they want, but I don’t know the stats on all that. But I do know the strikeouts are the same and I think I saw some stats for April. That was the worst hitting month in the history of something.”

“No-hitters are cool and I have all the respect in the world for Corey Kluber and Bum and all those guys that have thrown no-hitters. But to have one happen every night … it’s probably not good for the game. Fans want to see some hits, I get that, and some action and not many people striking out.”

Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw would like to see fewer no-hitters

What makes a no-hitter such a cool event in baseball is that it is exceedingly rare. Only a handful are thrown every season, and it is even rarer for a pitcher to throw a perfect game; those gems will always be special. However, Kershaw may have a point to the increased frequency in no-hitters not being good for baseball. No-hitters could go the way of the triple-double in basketball.

What has contributed to more no-hitters is the philosophical approach taken at the plate. It is better to strike out than to put a weak ball in play. While deadening the baseball helps the pitchers out a bit, when you have more games featuring mostly walks, strikeouts and home runs, you are going to see an increased frequency in no-hitters. Though they are fun, on-field action is better.

The last thing baseball needs are for no-hitters to lose their luster; everything in moderation.