Kershaw hurt again
craig44
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in Sports Talk
I thought after an impressive "regular" season, that Kershaw had a resurgence. He was in line to start game 2 of the NLCS but was pulled due to back spasms. I really believe we have seen the last full season from Clayton. He has not pitched a full season since 2015, and has not really been a big workload pitcher in his career, having only 5 200+ inning seasons under his belt.
It seems the comparisons with Koufax are running fairly true.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
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It’s crazy how his career goes when it’s post season
Los Angeles is the home to Tommy John surgery. There seems to be a lefty curse out there. Even Fernando was basically a .500 career pitcher. Kershaw has had terrible postseasons.
there is a thread going on across the street about Kershaw as well. As you look deeper into his playoff career, his stat line gets progressively worse the deeper into the playoffs he goes. he is a bad playoff pitcher. an atrocious world series pitcher.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
When you think about what pitchers have to do physically, you can imagine that any little injury could ruin the whole thing. The mechanics have to be spot on to throw a ball 90+ MPH with accuracy. Then to do that over a long period of time is amazing.
I have always thought that Kershaw is overrated. Sandy Koufax is on a whole different level in my opinion. And I agree. Kershaw is a playoff flop.
Koufax pitched in the raised mound era when no one hit over .300
Kershaw pitches in the ped era and flat mound era.
Not so easy to compare.
Kershaw has pitched his entire career in the NL west. a no DH league. this gives him no advantage against Koufax, but against a Pitcher like Clemens who pitched nearly his who career in the AL east it is a marked advantage. He also has been able to pitch in 3 of the better pitchers parks in the NL west.
Kershaw also had the advantage of not being expected to complete games. He has always been able to empty the tank knowing there would be relievers for the last 2 or 3 innings. Imagine if Koufax or Gibson had been able to go hard for 6-7 innings and not have to worry about completing the game.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Just my opinion. Kershaw is a very good pitcher but he is no Koufax, Plus he is choke city in the postseason. Gibson and Koufax simply raised the bar in the playoffs. I have always felt he is overrated. You make some good points but I'd rather have Koufax in game 7. No doubt.
I’d rather have Koufax in game 7 also. I wouldn’t take kershaw in a little league World Series.
Koufax kills Kershaw in the postseason, without a doubt. But who knows how different it would have been for Sandy pitching multiple rounds instead of just one series.
As for the rest, Kershaw has a lower road ERA than Sandy's CAREER ERA. Outside of Dodger Stadium, Koufax was an average pitcher. He had an ERA of 3.38 outside of Dodger Stadium - by the standards of the late 50s and early 60s, a very, very average number. And that's while pitching under the most advantageous conditions since the dead ball era.
Kershaw led the majors in ERA four straight times - something no one else has ever done. He has the lowest career ERA of any starting pitcher in the live ball era - by a third of a run. His career ERA+ is 27 points higher than Koufax's. Koufax's highest single-season ERA+ would be Kershaw's fifth highest.
At this point, they have essentially pitched the exact same number of innings (2333 vs 2324). Kershaw tops Koufax in Ks, BBs, WHIP, HR/9, BB/9, K/BB, and they're tied in H/9. He's also faced 320 fewer hitters in those innings than Koufax.
I get it. I just think Koufax had a five year run that smokes Kershaw. Plus I think Kershaw folds under pressure. Give me Koufax, Gibson, or Seaver in game 7. It is hard to compare players across eras so I do respect your opinion. I simply disagree.
I take kershaw over Koufax in the regular season, and it’s not even debatable.
It's definitely tough to compare eras. There's no question Koufax wouldn't put up anything close to those same numbers in today's game. His numbers are also misleading because of the gigantic disparity between his Dodger Stadium and non-Dodger Stadium numbers. It's not a coincidence he became SANDY KOUFAX the second the Dodgers moved into Chavez Ravine. Or that his four best seasons coincide with the strike zone being enlarged.
I would absolutely take Koufax or Gibson or any of a number of other guys in game 7 over Kershaw.
I also love the fact that Koufax stated he became a real pitcher once he stopped trying to strike everyone out. I think he said something like instead of trying to get them to miss,, I tried to get them to hit it.
Well, it is debatable which is why we enjoy the forums. I'd take Koufax all day every day over Kershaw. Just my opinion.
Any professional athlete with the initials of CK is doomed to be a failure when it counts the most.
Case Keenum, Corey Kluber, etc.
Kershaw scheduled to start tonight. We shall see how this one goes for him. I do think it is somewhat of an advantage for him that there are no or very small crowds. It does take away some of the emotion of going into a hostile stadium. That would be good for someone that has performance anxiety to some degree.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
The only way I take Koufax is if it was a home game for the 4 good seasons he had.
very true. Koufax was fairly normal outside of Dodger stadium.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Hey! Chuck Klein hit .333 with a homer and a .917 OPS in his World Series ABs!
He should have lots of support, he lives in Texas.
Well, Kershaw blew up again. I guess I shouldnt be surprised at this point. He looked really good at the start, but 5 IP/4ER.
I heard Tim Kerkjian say Kershaw has the highest postseason era in history for those pitchers who have thrown at least 100 innings. ughh.
The trend holds true. will this be his legacy??
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
As a Braves fan last nights game was great to see Kershaw get lit up.
It's really quite bizarre. I'm afraid he will be remembered (at least partly) for his inability to bring it during the postseason. Don't get me wrong, I don't like seeing it and feel for him. But, there is just too much data right now to ignore. He's a great pitcher during the regular season who just can't keep it under wraps in the playoffs.
I honestly wonder if Kershaw should be seeing a sports psychologist for this. It has to be in between his ears. It doesnt make sense that a player can have such elite level ability during the regular season and be such a train wreck during the post season.
It would be like if Steph Curry all of the sudden couldnt hit free throws once the postseason started.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
If he isn't already, he should ignore any media/outside coverage reports of his dilemmas regarding his post season woes.
Kershaw is getting the ball for game one tonight. I am not sure what Roberts is thinking. If I were him and I was able to get 4 good innings out of Kershaw, I would pull him then.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
Well, at least he now has the chance to redeem himself. I really don't want to see him pitch badly but I don't trust him either. However, the Rays likely don't know him well so maybe he will pull this one off. It's gotta be weighing on his mind though.
Clayton did it! 6 ip only one HR allowed for the win!! Good for him.
George Brett, Roger Clemens and Tommy Brady.
The curse is gone.
I thought Dave Roberts handled him perfectly last night. Kershaw was dealing but Roberts pulled him at the perfect time. Yeah, he only threw 80(?) pitches but best to get him out before an implosion. 6 innings of dominant work. Good for him.