Kershaw looks for win №150
08/08 Dodgers at Athletics, 7:05 p.m. PT:
Joc Pederson LF
Manny Machado 3B
Justin Turner DH
Yasmani Grandal C
Brian Dozier 2B
Cody Bellinger CF
Yasiel Puig RF
Max Muncy 1B
Chris Taylor SS
Clayton Kershaw P
by Rowan Kavner
Clayton Kershaw can earn his 150th career win Wednesday as the Dodgers look to take both games in Oakland.
Only six pitchers in Dodger history have earned 150 wins with the club, the most recent being Dodger all-time wins leader Don Sutton.
Earlier this year, Kershaw moved past Claude Osteen into №4 in Los Angeles history in wins, trailing only Sutton (all 233 in LA), Don Drysdale (187 since the Dodgers moved to LA) and Sandy Koufax (156 since the Dodgers moved to LA).
The last pitcher to earn his 150th career win while wearing a Dodger uniform was Kevin Brown on July 25, 1999, reaching the mark in his first season with the Dodgers. Brown finished his career with 211 wins, 58 of which came with the Dodgers.
Kershaw, whose ERA is at 2.55 this year, is coming off a six-inning outing in which he allowed two runs Aug. 2 against the Brewers. He’s won four of his last five decisions and has allowed three earned runs or fewer while going at least six innings in each of his six starts since the beginning of July.
Since coming off the disabled list June 23, Kershaw is 4–1 with a 2.33 ERA, throwing 45 strikeouts and eight walks in 46 1/3 innings. The Dodgers are 6–2 during those eight starts.
A win against Oakland would be the first of Kershaw’s career, despite the lefty allowing just two earned runs in 20 2/3 innings in three previous career starts against the Athletics.
Injury Updates:
- Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed one run in five innings while striking out three batters with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Manager Dave Roberts said the plan is for him to throw again in five or six days — whether that’s with the Dodgers or another minor league affiliate is to be determined.
- Alex Wood threw three simulated innings Wednesday and will throw a bullpen session again in two days.
- Ross Stripling (10-day DL — right big toe inflammation) is still on track to start Thursday with no restrictions.
- Despite the vast number of options in the rotation becoming available soon, Roberts said the plan is not to go to a six-man rotation.
