Kersh and Destroy

 

There's six starting pitchers right now who I think would get Hall of Fame votes if they retired today. Pretty much all six of them are off to decent starts this season. Some of them are pitching their way towards more HOF votes, like Corey Kluber and Adam Wainwright. Some are just adding things to the trophy case because they can, like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer.

And then there's Clayton Kershaw. Who has really nothing left to prove, then went perfect for 7 innings and still managed to look good despite Dave Roberts taking him out prematurely. Who, in lieu of Buehler and Urias struggling through their initial starts, has a 3 ERA, 2 wins and 20 Ks. Who is still in a large role in this team not because he's been forced into it, but because he's still good enough to be there. Kershaw could feasibly get to 200 wins this season, and will definitely pitch his 2500th inning this year. Maybe 3000 Ks is a few years away, but, again, he doesn't have much left to prove. 3 Cy Youngs, an MVP an a World Series ring is enough.

I think Kershaw also knows the pressure on this Dodgers team. With 4 MVPs on the roster, and a lineup fit for greatness, Kershaw knows that at the nearest sign of flaws, the press will start yelling 'overrated' and the world will stop believing they're the best. So if he is still the best he can be, the team will follow.

That's kind of where we're at. Freeman, Bellinger and Trea Turner are all in great shape at the plate, with Bellinger posting his best numbers in years and Freeman already hitting for power as a Dodger. People like Tony Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney are stepping up in the rotation, with Gonzo flirting with a no-no the other day and Heaney proving he was just allergic to pinstripes. Kimbrel's already settled back into the ninth, Graterol and Hudson have been great in middle relief, and Tyler Anderson is ready to go if Heaney is out for a bit. Yes, we're waiting on the better numbers of people like Max Muncy, Mookie Betts and Justin Turner, but the majority of the team is delivering the Dodgers energy that was expected from this season.

The trick now will be staying at the front of the pack, outdoing the Padres, Giants and Rockies, and getting everyone else to the level of Freeman, Turner and, yes, Kershaw.

 Coming Tonight: A former outfield hero who's become an OF/DH hero in a new city.