The St. Louis Cardinals seemed to get under the skin of Clayton Kershaw during their Sunday afternoon game. Kershaw led the Los Angeles to a 7-3 win in Missouri, pitching five innings with seven strikeouts and allowing just one run. This marked his first seven-strikeout game of the 2023 season at 37 years old.
Before the game at Busch Stadium, the Cardinals’ video team played a clip from over ten years ago featuring the Car Show. The video highlighted Matt Adams hitting a three-run homer in Game 4 of the 2014 National League Division Series, which gave the Cardinals a 3-2 win and eliminated the from the playoffs.
Kershaw noticed the video but was not bothered by it, describing it as a “small bush league” move, though he acknowledged it was typical from the Cardinals.
Sunday’s win was Kershaw’s fifth start this season, having missed the first two months due to knee and toe injuries. He made his season debut on May 17 and currently holds a 4.35 ERA with 15 strikeouts in five starts.
The ‘ victory on Sunday prevented a series sweep by the Cardinals, who had taken the first two games. The now have a 39-27 record and are set to begin a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
Reflecting on his performance, Kershaw said the results haven’t always been there, but he feels he’s making some progress, especially in commanding his pitches. He shared that while he sometimes struggled to correct bad pitches, he felt more confident in adjusting his approach during this game.
Fan Take: This story highlights the enduring rivalry and mental games in baseball, showing how history and personal pride add depth to the sport. Kershaw’s resilience returning from injury and ability to adapt on the mound is inspiring for fans who appreciate the nuances beyond just the scoreboard.
