Clayton Kershaw Fired Up Heading To The Playoffs

Sep 24, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starter

Clayton Kershaw

(22) delivers a pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout 2015, Clayton Kershaw the Los Angeles Dodgers ace starting pitcher has shown a side of himself that Dodgers fans are unaccustomed to seeing.

At times, Kershaw has played angry, like a player possessed.

One can only speculate why he’s been willing to show more emotion on the field.

Perhaps Kershaw has begun to shoulder the burden that comes from being the best pitcher on the planet.

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Perhaps Kershaw is desperate to reach the postseason to dispel the theory that when he reaches October, he is merely mortal instead of pitching god.

In the past it has been reported by his teammates that when it’s gameday Kershaw prefers to be alone, his need to concentrate overrides the camaraderie that comes with pre-game frivolity.

The first signs of angry Keshaw came on a difficult road trip the Dodgers embarked on at the end of August.

During a start against the Oakland Athletics Kershaw became annoyed at a missed pitch call, when Kershaw failed to make a play in the field on the next play, angry Kershaw came out.

First Kershaw thought about spiking the ball to China, when that didn’t work, he then threw the ball into the Dodgers dugout from the mound.

This behavior prompted a warning from the umpire, which led to Kershaw jawing with the arbirter.

Kershaw pitched a great game into the eighth inning only to see the bullpen blow the game, in his next start against the Houston Astros.

Kershaw again pitched well enough to win going eight innings, and again the bullpen blew it.

After the game Kershaw talked to reporters and exhorted his teammates to play with “urgency.”

After Kershaw’s plea for urgency the Dodgers turned a 1.5 game led over the San Francisco Giants into a runaway laugher and a guaranteed place in baseball’s postseason.

In his last start this week facing the Arizona Diamondbacks Kershaw showed the world very publicly that he’s not to be trifled with.

Struggling making pitches, Kershaw went five innings striking out 9 pushing him to his highest total at 280.

Kershaw also struggled giving up three runs,without offensive help Kershaw was pulled for a pinch hitter in the home fifth as the Dodgers were down 3-0.

This move by Dodgers manager Don Mattingly lead to an outburst in the dugout as Kershaw was visibly angry, pointing his finger at Mattingly and showing that he did not believe he should be taken out.

Mattingly did not relent and Kershaw took his seat in the dugout.

Unbelievably Kershaw watched as his teammates fed off of Kershaw’s intensity and came back with six innings including a surprising grand slam home run from outfielder Chris Heisey.

Kershaw couldn’t help but smile as outfielder Chris Ruggiano lifted him in a bear hug in the dugout.

Bottom Line: Kershaw can curb the anger for the better.

If the Dodgers are going to be successful having Clayton Kershaw be intense and emotional cannot be a bad thing, if he can hold in his emotions and focus them on the poor hitters who have to face him then this may be the best postseason of his career.

If the Dodgers can feed off of their best pitcher and play up to his level then this may be an October to remember.

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