Editorials

Dodgers 2014 Player Reviews: Clayton Kershaw’s MVP Season

Clayton Kershaw 4

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Despite having his streak snapped, Kershaw remained locked in and threw a complete game (third of the season at the time) with 11 strikeouts while allowing just three hits. After suffering a loss May 28, it wasn’t until Aug. 16 that Kershaw again tasted defeat.

The loss was unlike the previous two Kershaw was dealt as he still managed to throw a complete game and struck out 11, though he wasn’t particularly sharp and the Milwaukee Brewers hurt him with the long ball.

With the Dodgers still jockeying for position in the NL West standings out of the All-Star break, Kershaw faced the San Francisco Giants three times in the second half and earned a win in each of the starts. The first of the three came in July during a pivotal three-game sweep by the Dodgers with the final two coming in September and carrying equal importance.

Ten days after turning in an eight-inning performance that resulted in a win and the Dodgers taking two of three from their archrival in San Francisco, Kershaw was back on the mound to face the Giants with the opportunity to clinch the division.

As he had done throughout the season, Kershaw answered the bell with an all-around performance that may have secured his first-career MVP award. While much of the praise heaped on the Texan centered around Kershaw’s brilliance on the mound, his RBI triple ignited the Dodgers and helped propel them to a second-straight NL West title.

With a historic regular season behind him, Kershaw faced the challenge of breaking free from the growing perception he isn’t a big-game pitcher with respect to the postseason. His NLDS Game 1 start was much of what 2014 had been until the St. Louis Cardinals chased him in the seventh inning and the Dodgers were unable to recover.

On the brink of elimination in Game 4, Dodgers manager Don Mattingly turned to his ace on short rest to ensure the series would return to Los Angeles. Again, Kershaw was dominant early — even more impressive than his Game 1 start. That was until the seventh inning once more proved to be his downfall.

With the Dodgers leading 2-0, Matt Adams hit a three-run home run that proved to be the difference and the Dodgers saw their season come to an end at Busch Stadium in a game Kershaw started for a second straight year.

While questions remain regarding Kershaw’s ability to carry a team in the postseason, he finished the regular season with the ERA title for a fourth straight year (a first in MLB history), led in wins, winning percentage, ERA+, WHIP, complete games, and won a third Cy Young Award in four years and his first-career MVP Award.

2014 Highlight

With video game-like performances under his belt during his seven-year career, Kershaw had yet to throw a no-hitter before June 18, 2014. He then was as perfect as one can be without actually being perfect and had Hanley Ramirez not committed the aforementioned error, Kershaw’s night would’ve been that much more special.

2015 Outlook

On an individual level, there’s little left for Kershaw to accomplish. Can the Dodgers ask for a repeat of 2014? No, that would be unfair. However, it isn’t completely beyond the realm of possibility that Kershaw somehow manages to raise the bar once again. He’s that good.

Without taking anything for granted, next season will be about Kershaw and the Dodgers getting through the regular season and then demonstrating if their recent postseason failures will be a thing of the past.

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Staff Writer

Staff Writer features content written by our site editors along with our staff of contributing writers. Thank you for your readership.

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