Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Touches on End-of-Season Game Plan

The Dodgers ace has been resting up for the playoffs.

Clayton Kershaw knows that if the Dodgers are to have a shot at the 2023 World Series title, he will have to play up to his high standards despite battling injury this season.

After suffering a shoulder injury in June, Kershaw has not felt like the same pitcher, calling the injury one of the "weirdest" he's faced.

Because the remainder of the regular season doesn't particularly matter for the Dodgers, who have already locked up the top spot in the NL West, Kershaw has been limited in his starts lately. 

Kershaw's first start of the month came on Sep. 5. He then had an 11-day gap before his next start on Sep. 16 and once again took a week before his most recent start on Sep. 23.

His next start is slated for Sep. 30 against the San Francisco Giants.

Kershaw said that taking advantage of the extra time he has in between starts will pay dividends come October.

“We’re doing everything for a reason around here," Kershaw said after Saturday's game. "So take the extra rest when you can get it, try to get right for the playoffs and all that stuff. It’s a different routine, obviously, there’s some extra days in there. But where I’m at right now, it makes sense. I’m taking advantage of it.”

(Via SportsNet LA)

Kershaw let up three runs to Miami in his first start of September but has allowed just four hits and four walks in his last two starts, which combined for nine innings.

"I feel like I'm trending in the right direction. I feel like there's some positives each start that I feel like I'm getting better from that Miami start. Not where I want it to be yet, but it's definitely some steps in the right direction for sure."

(Via SportsNet LA)

Even though he might not feel like he did before his shoulder injury, Kershaw has spent enough time in the majors to know that pitching is about one thing: getting outs.

“I’d much rather just be good and be able to pitch the way I used to,” he said. “But I don’t really think of it like that too much. Whenever it’s your turn to pitch, just go out there and try to win, and hopefully you get the job done.”

(Via SportsNet LA)