Clayton Kershaw

Why Clayton Kershaw's loss Friday really was a win for the Dodgers

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:57 p.m. ET

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Chris Bahr

Clayton Kershaw looked a lot like a pitcher who hadn’t started a game in the majors in over two months when he returned to the mound for the Dodgers on Friday.

The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner allowed two earned runs on five hits over three innings, throwing 66 pitches, striking out five and suffering the loss against the Marlins.

Predictably, Kershaw was his own biggest critic.

There you go. Forget the final score, and forget the rust and forget. Kershaw walked off the mound without any discomfort, and that’s the biggest detail in the big picture.

It was Kershaw’s first start since June 26 because of a herniated disk that threatened to end his season – and perhaps the Dodgers’ playoff hopes. But just as the Dodgers persevered in his absence – overtaking the Giants in the NL West – Kershaw returned in time to make a few tune-up outings before October.

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Clayton Kershaw

Los Angeles Dodgers

Major League Baseball