Amid a flurry of injury setbacks plaguing the Dodgers’ pitching staff, concern has steadily mounted for the Dodgers. Well, when names like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow get sidelined, concerns are expected. So, every time an update comes from the room, it has tested the patience of fans hoping for a turnaround. But just when the rotation seemed stretched to its limits, manager Dave Roberts delivered a ray of hope. The wait is nearly over because a familiar veteran is poised to make his long-awaited return to the mound. Guess who’s back? None other than the pitching ace, Clayton Kershaw.
Albat.com reports an imminent return of Kershaw to the mound, as soon as 18th May. Reportedly, in a dominant rehab outing for the Dodgers, the 10x All-Star pitched six innings of scoreless brilliance, striking out four batters and looking every bit like the legend who’s defined an era. So, he has made a statement.
Well, don’t think that it was an isolated flash. Tuesday’s outing marked Kershaw’s second straight lights-out performance and his fourth rehab appearance this year, each one sharpening the belief that the ace is ready to reclaim his throne. So, after months of uncertainty, whispers of his return are growing louder, and this time, it’s happening. If all goes according to plan, the Dodgers could soon be welcoming back not just a pitcher, but a cornerstone the rotation needs.
For those unversed, Clayton Kershaw stands as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, particularly among left-handers. With a career 2.50 ERA and an eye-popping 2,968 strikeouts across 17 seasons, his numbers speak.
What’s more is 3x Cy Young Awards, 2x World Series titles, and an impressive 79.3 career WAR. So, the Dodgers getting back this resume is a need of the hour for them. Kershaw’s sustained brilliance has defined Dodgers baseball for nearly two decades, and now, he will have a larger role in leading the young squads and overcoming a glaring flaw!
For a club with championship aspirations, issuing walks to 9.8% of opposing batters is a glaring flaw. So, the return of Kershaw and the presence of the young guns might offer a better picture ahead for the Dodgers. Imagine a rotation with Kershaw and someone like Landon Knack!
The Dodgers’ young guns are firing on all cylinders
Earlier this week, the Dodgers made a key move in response to Evan Phillips being placed on a 15-day injured list with right forearm discomfort. The move was to introduce Landon Knack to the biggest stage. What followed next was exceptional.
On Wednesday, Knack took the mound for the Dodgers against the Marlins. The 27-year-old pitcher delivered a standout performance, marking his best outing of the season to date. In the five innings, Knack allowed only 4 hits and 5 SOs! All thanks to Knack’s dominant performance, the Dodgers got a 10-1 win over the Marlins.
Knack’s performance was so vital that even Shohei Ohtani acknowledged him in his Instagram story. The post garnered attention from fans and teammates alike, further underscoring the growing impact Knack is having on the pitching staff. “Landon was fantastic,” Roberts added.
The game against the Marlins also witnessed Knack’s command over the game. For instance, his 66% zone rate is well above the MLB average, which speaks to his ability to consistently locate pitches in the strike zone. It’s moments like this that show why Landon Knack is becoming a key figure in the Dodgers’ rotation.
Now, with Kershaw joining in, we can hope for better pitching figures from the team. Do you think Landon Knack will be crucial as the Dodgers head deeper into the season?
The post Dodgers Receive Massive Boost as Dave Roberts Drops Huge Update on $7.5M Ace Amid Never Ending Injury Woes appeared first on EssentiallySports.
