Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has not only solidified his status as the best pitcher in baseball with his superior play this season, but also is likely closing in that rare accomplishment that pitchers rarely enjoy -- the MVP award.
Although that hardware is not in his trophy case quite yet, Kershaw continues to rack up more honors along the way, as today he was named the National League Player of the Week for the week ending September 14. This is his second such award this season.
Kershaw was tied for the Major League-lead in wins, innings pitched, and strikeouts, posting a 2-0 record with 17 strikeouts in 16.0 innings of work. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner had a 1.69 ERA (3 ER/16.0 IP) for the week and held opponents to a .175 batting average. He allowed just three walks while scattering 10 hits across both of his starts.
On Monday, Kershaw became the first Major Leaguer to reach the 18-win mark this season with an 8.0-inning, eight-strikeout performance in a 9-4 victory over the N.L. West-rival San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium. The 26-year-old needed just 89 pitches to earn the victory, marking his lowest pitch count in a start that lasted more than 7.0 innings this season.
Kershaw capped the week with another strong 8.0-inning outing on Sunday at San Francisco in the rubber-match of a three-game series that featured the N.L. West’s top two clubs. The Texas native fanned nine Giants hitters, while allowing one walk en route to a 4-2 victory. The win gave the Dodgers a 3.0-game lead over the surging Giants heading into the final two weeks of the 2014 regular season.
Kershaw currently leads the Majors with 19 wins and a 1.70 ERA this season. Considering Kershaw missed several starts earlier in the season due to injury, his ability to notch so many wins in such a relatively short time is particularly impressive. Kershaw's 219 strikeouts rank third among National Leaguer hurlers.
Other noteworthy performances last week included Kershaw’s Dodger teammates Carl Crawford (.600, 4 R, 12 H, HR, 8 RBI, 1.000 SLG, .591 OBP) and Hanley Ramirez (.500, 11 H, 5 RBI, .591 SLG, .542 OBP); Matt Holliday (.400, 5 R, 10 H, 2 HR, 5 RBI, .720 SLG, .483 OBP) of the St. Louis Cardinals; Milwaukee’s Jonathan Lucroy (.385, 10 H, 5 RBI, .467 OBP); Pittsburgh’s Russell Martin (.391, 3 R, 9 H, 3 2B, HR, 9 RBI, .652 SLG, .400 OBP), Jordy Mercer (.385, 10 H, 4 2B, 5 RBI, .448 OBP) and Mark Melancon (0-0, 0.00 ERA, 4 SV, 6 SO, 4.0 IP); Miami’s Marcell Ozuna (.370, 6 R, 10 H, 4 HR, 6 RBI, .815 SLG, .433 OBP); and Washington’s Anthony Rendon (.500, 7 R, 12 H, 2 HR, .833 SLG, .556 OBP), Doug Fister (2-0, 1.38 ERA, 6 SO, 13.0 IP) and Jordan Zimmermann (2-0, 1.42 ERA, 12 SO, 12.2 IP).
By Staff of TheDailySportsHerald.com and news services
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