Thanks to a career resurgence at 37-years-old, veteran ace Clayton Kershaw is just three strikeouts away from making history. And the long-time hurler for the Los Angeles Dodgers is set up to achieve the feat in front of the home crowd.
Kershaw recorded five strikeouts over six innings against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday, putting him at 2,997 over the course of his 18-year career. His next start is scheduled for Wednesday inside Dodger Stadium vs. the Chicago White Sox.
If Kershaw can retire three batters by way of strikeout, he will become just the 20th major league pitcher to reach 3,000 career Ks.
“I knew I had eight to go,” Kershaw said after the game (thanks to ESPN for the quotes). “Pitched well, got through six. A chance to strike out three at home would be really cool.”
Fellow active aces Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer have both reached the mark, as Verlander has 3,468 and Scherzer 3,412.
After making at least 20 starts in all but one season from 2008-2023, Kershaw was limited to just seven last year. He has looked like the Kershaw of old this year, recording an earned run average of just over two this month with 21 strikeouts in 26-plus innings.
Kershaw has won three Cy Young Awards and made 10 All-Star Game appearances. He had surgery on his left knee and foot over the offseason, but has made eight strong starts since being activated in mid-May with an earned run average of 3.03.
