Clayton Kershaw

At 36 years old, Clayton Kershaw has this physical status:

Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Kershaw, a left-handed starting pitcher, has played in 12 seasons since being drafted in 2008.

He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time National League (NL) Cy Young Award winner, and the 2014 NL Most Valuable Player.

His 2.44 career earned run average (ERA) and 1.01 walks per inning pitched rate (WHIP) are among the lowest among starters in the live-ball era (minimum 1,000 innings pitched).

Kershaw's career hits average of 6.78, the second lowest in MLB history.

He has been drafted seventh overall in the 2006 MLB draft, with the majority of his career being lauded.

He made his way into the Dodgers' farm system in a single season and made it to the majors at 20 years old.

He debuted in 2008 as the youngest player in MLB, a position he held for a year.

He received the NL Cy Young Award and Triple Crown in 2011, becoming the youngest pitcher to do either of these feats since Dwight Gooden in 1985.

During the 2013 offseason, the Dodgers signed Kershaw to a seven-year, $215 million contract extension.

Kershaw hit a no-hitter on June 18, 2014, making him the 22nd Dodger to do so.

Sandy Koufax, a left-handed strikeout pitcher for the Dodgers, has drew Kershaw comparisons to Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax.

He has been in ERA five times, and he was the first major league pitcher to do so in four years (2011–2014).

Kershaw is also a three-time NL champion and three-time NL strikeouts leader. Kershaw is an active participant in volunteerism off the track.

Ellen, his husband, Ellen, and others began "Kershaw's Challenge" and wrote the book Arise to raise funds to build an orphanage in Zambia.

For his charitable work, he has been lauded with the Roberto Clemente Award and the Branch Rickey Award.

Early life

Kershaw was born in Dallas, Texas. When he was ten years old, his parents divorced, and his mother raised him. As a kid, he played in youth sports leagues, including Little League Baseball.

Kershaw attended Highland Park High School, where he played baseball and was also the center for upcoming NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford on the varsity football team. He established himself as an elite high school prospect in 2006, with a 0.77 run average (ERA) and 139 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched, as a result of a growth spurt and further refinement of his pitches. Kershaw pitched an all-strikeout perfect game in a playoff match against Northwest High School of Justin, Texas. He struck out all 15 batters he faced in the game, which was postponed due to the mercy rule. He also reached a grand slam. In the Pan Amateur Championships, he played for USA Baseball's Junior National Team. Kershaw was also named as the Gatorade National Player of the Year for baseball by USA Today, and was also named "High School Baseball Player of the Year."

Kershaw was the consensus best high school pitcher available when entering the 2006 MLB draft. Kershaw was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers with the seventh overall pick in the draft. He had committed to Texas A&M University, but he turned down a scholarship to join the Dodgers, despite a $2.3 million signing bonus. The bonus was the highest to any Dodgers draft pick at the time, and it was eventually defeated by Zach Lee in the 2010 draft.

Personal life

Kershaw grew up in Highland Park, Texas, and with quarterback Matthew Stafford, he attended high school. Stafford and Kershaw, 2006 graduates of the Highland Park High School class, were the highest-paid players in their respective leagues. Will Clark, the San Francisco Giants' first baseman, was one of his favorite players growing up, and the primary reason he wore number 22 is to respect Clark.

He is the great-nephew of astronomer Clyde Tombaugh, who discovered Pluto. Marianne Tombaugh, Kershaw's mother, is the adopted daughter of Clyde Tombaugh's younger brother, Robert Tombaugh. Christopher George Kershaw, his father, was a writer who received a Clio Award for his work. After his divorce from Marianne and death in 2013, the elder Kershaw remarried.

Ellen Melson, Kershaw's seven-year-old daughter, married him on December 4, 2010. The couple have four children together. They live in Studio City, California, and in University Park, Texas, during the offseason. Kershaw, a Methodist with a strong religious conviction, told his faith in a 2012 I Am Second video.

Kershaw made a cameo appearance in "Prince," a Season 3 episode of New Girl that premiered on FOX following FOX's telecast of Super Bowl XLVIII.

"Kersh" is Kershaw's nickname.

Kershaw and his wife visited Zambia as part of Arise Africa's Christian mission, which was based in Dallas. After 11-year-old Hope, an HIV-positive boy Kershaw met in Zambia, he expressed his desire of establishing an orphanage in Lusaka, which he described as "Hope's Home." Kershaw promised a $100 per strikeout in 2011 to help him achieve his target. With a first-career record of 248 strikeouts in the 2011 season, as well as additional funds from his Kershaw's Challenge group, the initial $70,000 target was met. When Kershaw received the 2011 Players' Choice Award, he gave Hope's Home $260,000.

In 2012, he and his wife returned to Zambia. Kershaw's Challenge raised $100 for every strike out of the 2012 season, bringing the campaign's incarnation of "Strike Out To Serve" back to life. Arise Africa received seventy percent of the funds raised in 2012, with ten percent going to the Peacock Foundation in Los Angeles, Mercy Street in Dallas, and I Am Second. Kershaw continued to help the children of Zambia in 2014, partnering with CURE International, raising funds to pay for 170 children's surgeries and new medical equipment for Lusaka's CURE hospital. Kershaw continued his CURE International collaboration in 2015, with the aim of providing 100 surgeries for CURE's hospital in the Dominican Republic.

Kershaw took part in an expedition to Cuba made up of MLB executives and players, including former Dodgers manager Joe Torre in mid-December 2015. It was the first visit to MLB since 1999, and it was one of several major steps to help the United States and Canada ease as the year approached.

In addition to Hope's Home and Kershaw's Challenge, he has also helped Habitat for Humanity demolish and rehabilitate a house in Lynwood, California, which has been in charge of Hope's Home and Keshaw's Challenge. He is also a supporter of the Peacock Foundation, which provides animal-assisted interventions and programs for at-risk youth by collaborating with mental health professionals, public service departments, and community groups.

Since the 2013 season, Kershaw and his wife have hosted "Pong Pong 4 Purpose," a charity ping-pong tournament at Dodger Stadium. The tournament raises money for Kershaw's Challenge, as well as current and former Dodgers, well-known celebrities, and team sponsors.

Kershaw and his partner, Ellen, co-authored Arise: Live Out Your Faith and Aspirations on Any Field You Choose. Regal Press announced it on January 10, 2012.

Wilson Sporting Goods (glove), Muscle Milk, Skechers, and Subway endorser Kershaw is a celebrity endorser for Wilson Sporting Goods (Globe).

Source

Professional career

Kershaw began his career with the Gulf Coast League (GCL) Dodgers. He bowled out 54 batters (walking just five), while still averaging a record of 2–0 with a 1.95 ERA. He was rated as the best prospect in the GCL by Baseball America, and the Dodgers' second best prospect by Baseball America, after third baseman Andy LaRoche.

In 2007, Kershaw was promoted to the Great Lakes Loons, with whom he set a record of 7-5 with a 2.77 ERA. In the All-Star Futures Game, he was chosen to participate on the East Team in the Midwest League All-Star Game and on the USA team. On August 6, he was promoted to the Double-A Jacksonville Suns in the Southern League, where he had a 1–2 record and 3.65 ERA in five starts and was selected as the top prospect in the Dodgers organization going into the 2008 season.

Kershaw gained a lot of adoration during spring training against the Boston Red Sox for tossing a curveball to Sean Casey that started behind Casey but then looped into the strike zone and knocked him out looking. Kershaw was 0-3 and had a 2.28 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 43+13 innings pitched in his first season with the Suns. He was eventually called up to the majors on May 28, 2008, but he was later recalled to Jacksonville on July 2.

Kershaw won two games on his second trip to Jacksonville (two starts and one seven-inning relief appearance). During this stretch, he allowed only two earned runs, lowering his ERA to 1.91. On July 22, he was recalled.

Kershaw's minor-league deal was purchased by the Dodgers on May 24, 2008, and he was added to the active roster. Kershaw's debut was the most awaited start by a Dodgers pitcher since Hideo Nomo's MLB debut in 1995. He made his MLB debut against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 25, beginning with his debut against the St. Louis Cardinals. Skip Schumaker, the first of seven strikeouts in the game in which he pitched six innings and allowed two runs, was the first batter he faced. Kershaw debuted in the MLB as the youngest player in the sport, a position he held for a year.

On July 27, 2008, Kershaw won his first MLB match against the Washington Nationals. He pitched six-plus shutout innings, with four hits, a walk, and a five-output. Kershaw's rookie season ended 5–5 with a 4.26 ERA in 22 games (21 starts). In the 2008 National League Championship Series (NLCS) against the Philadelphia Phillies, he also pitched two innings out of the bullpen for the Dodgers.

Kershaw pitched seven innings, striking out 13 batters while still allowing only one hit (a solo home run) against the San Francisco Giants on April 15, 2009. He was the first Dodger to ever strike out 13 or more batters in a game since Sandy Koufax did it in the 1955 season. Kershaw did not allow a single run against the Florida Marlins through 7 innings, and then gave up a lead-off double to Florida's Cody Ross on May 17, 2009. Despite an 8-hole record, he led the major leagues in opposing batting average (.200), opposing slugging percentage (.282), and hits per nine innings (6.26). He also had a ERA of 2.79 and 185 strikeouts. Kershaw also took 91 batters, the second most in the National League (NL).

In the 2009 National League Division Series (NLDS), Kershaw made his playoff debut against the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2009 National League Division Series (NLDS). He went 6+2/3 innings, striking out 4, walking 1, and ending up with a no-decision (the Dodgers went on to win the game in the 9th inning). He appeared in the 2009 NLCS opener against the Philadelphia Phillies at 21 years old, becoming the third youngest pitcher to start a playoff series opener behind only Fernando Valenzuela in the 1981 NLDS and Rick Ankiel in the 2000 NLDS.

Kershaw started the 2010 season by posting a 3.07 ERA in April, but did so by walking 22 batters in 29 innings. He got off to a rocky start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on May 4, throwing only 57 pitches in 1+13 innings and retiring only four of the 13 batters he faced, including the pitcher. After being booted from the game, he was booed vociferously. "I didn't give our team any kind of chance," Kershaw said after the game. It's just not a good feeling to tell your coworkers down and let them down. It stings; it hurts. I've got to figure it out."

Kershaw got off to a good start by pitching an 8-inning two-hitter and outdueling the then undefeated Ubaldo Jiménez. He attributed his slider's dominance to him being the pivotal point in his life. After pounding Aaron Rowand of the Giants with a pitch in a game on July 20, he was suspended for five games for five games. Following Giants ace Tim Lincecum's assault on Matt Kemp earlier in the game, both teams were warned of the incident. On September 14, 2010, he pitched his first complete game shutout in 2010, his first full game shutout in 32 innings against San Francisco and ended the season with a record of 13–10 and a 2.91 ERA in 32 starts, pitching 206+1,211 strikeouts.

Kershaw was named as the Opening Day Starter for the 2011 season after starting the 2010 season well. He pitched his second complete game shut down of his career on May 29, striking out ten while winning a two-hitter against the Florida Marlins, 8–0; he also had two singles and an RBI, scoring twice in the game. On June 20, his third shutout in his career, as well as the first Dodgers starter to strike out the team in the 9th inning since Sandy Koufax's superb game in 1965.

Kershaw played another complete game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on June 26, his next start. He was the first Dodger starter to win in back-to-back complete games since Jeff Weaver in 2005 and the first Dodger to have double-digit strikeouts in consecutive starts since Chan Ho Park in 2000. As a result of those two weeks, he was named National League Player of the Week for the week of June 20-26. Kershaw had won 32 games, a 3.15 ERA, and 593 career strikeouts in 568.2 innings from midway to June. Kershaw was the first 23-year-old pitcher to win the first time since the ERA became a public record in 1910, with a low batting average and a median of more than one strikeout per inning.

Kershaw was selected to the National League team for the 2011 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, his first All-Star selection. Kershaw earned the National League Pitcher of the Month Award in July with a 2.02 ERA and NL-leading 45 strikeouts. He struck out Matt Holliday of the St. Louis Cardinals for his 200th strike out of the season, the first since Chan-Ho Park did it in 2001.

In four particularly memorable matchups over the course of the season, Kershaw faced fellow two-time Cy Young Award winner and three-time defending NL strikeout leader Tim Lincecum of the San Francisco Giants. Lincecum had a 1.24 ERA over 29 innings in the four games but lost by a win, while Kershaw had a 0.30 ERA over 301-1,3 innings and was the winning pitcher in each game. With many writers referring to epic pitching duels of bygone eras, every game was decided by a final score of 1–0 or 2–1.

Kershaw won the NL pitching Triple Crown for the first time since Jake Peavy of the 2007 San Diego Padres and the first Dodger since Sandy Koufax won it in 1966. The Detroit Tigers' Justin Verlander won the American League Triple Crown in the same year, marking the first major-league season since 1924 to feature triple crown-winning pitchers in both leagues. Kershaw's 21 victories were the most by a Dodger pitcher since Orel Hershiser won 23 games during the 1988 season. His ERA was the lowest by a Dodger since Hershiser's 2.03 in 1985, his strikeouts were the most since Koufax's 317 in 1966, and his 233+1+3 innings pitched were the most since Chan Ho Park pitched 234 in 2001. Since Koufax did it in 1965, Peavy and Kershaw are the only two pitchers in the National League to lead the league in victories, strikeouts, ERA, and WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched). Kershaw was also the second left-hander to have a 240-plus strikeouts in a season before starting Vida Blue at the age of 24.

Kershaw was named the Most Outstanding National League pitcher in 2011, the Gold Glove Award for the top fielding pitcher in the Netherlands, and the Sports News (TSN) National League Pitcher of the Year. He was also selected as the starting pitcher for the TSN NL All-Star Team. He was named with the National League Cy Young Award on November 17, making him the youngest Cy Young winner since 1985 New York Mets' Dwight Gooden. He was the eighth Dodger pitcher to win the award, the first since Éric Gagné in the 2003 season.

Kershaw and the Dodgers agreed to a two-year, $19 million deal on February 7, 2012. In his first year of arbitration, Tim Lincecum's $23 million two-year contract in 2010 was the second highest for a player in his first year of arbitration (after Tim Lincecum's $23 million 2-year deal in 2010).

Kershaw was the Dodgers' Opening Day starter for the second year in a row, where he pitched three innings of shutout ball against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park before being ruled out of the game due to flu-like symptoms. For his second victory of the season against the Washington Nationals on April 27, he was able to win by eight innings against the Washington Nationals. The victory was his 12th straight home win, tying him with Ed Roebuck (June 1960 – October 1985) and Orel Hershiser (September 1984 – October 1985) for the longest home winning streak since the Dodgers relocated to Los Angeles. Kershaw earned the National League Player of the Week award for the week May 14-20, his second appearance in a row during the week and pitched 16 scoreless innings, his fourth career shutout. Kershaw was selected to play in the 2012 Major League All-Star Game for the second year in a row.

He hit over 200 runs on the season on August 11, the 12th Los Angeles Dodger pitcher with three or more innings, and the first since Hershiser did it five times from 1985 to 1989. Kershaw was also the fifth Dodger pitcher with three straight 200 strikeout seasons.

Kershaw finished 2012 with a 14-9 record, a 2.53 ERA (leading the league), 229 strikeouts, and 227+2nd3 innings pitched, placing second in both categories. He was the first pitcher to lead the league in consecutive seasons after Randy Johnson of Arizona in 2001–02. This was also his fourth year in a row, with a sub-3.00 ERA, making him the first to do so since Randy Johnson from 1999 to 2002. He came in second place in the NL Cy Young, second behind R. A. Dickey, who received two first-place votes.

Kershaw was the first Dodger starter to do so since Derek Lowe (2005-2007). He pitched a complete game, four-hit, 1-0 shutout over the Giants on the first day of the season, scoring his first and so far only home run of his career. On the first day of the Cleveland Indians, he was the first pitcher to throw a shutout and home run. On April 17, 2013, Kershaw gave up his 1,000th career strike out when he struck out Padres' Yonder Alonso. He was the second youngest Dodger to reach that age, behind only Fernando Valenzuela. Kershaw reached the 1,000 inning mark for his career on May 14. At the 1,000-inning mark and the best career record, he had a ERA of 2.70 at the time, the fifth-best of the live-ball era and his best career record. He also threw 130 pitches on the day, the most of his career and the most by a Dodger pitcher since Odalis Pérez in 2003.

Kershaw was chosen to the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game for the third straight season. In July, he had a 4–1 record and 1.34 ERA in six starts, and was named his second National League Pitcher of the Month Award. Kershaw's 200th strikeout of 2013, joining Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale as the only Dodgers with at least four seasons of more than 200 strikeouts.

Kershaw's record, 236 innings pitched (a career high), a Major League-best 1.83 ERA, and 0.92 percent WHIP were among the season's highlights. He was the third player to lead the Majors for three years in a row, joining Greg Maddux (1993–95) and Lefty Grove (1929–31). His ERA was the first sub-2.00 ERA since Roger Clemens did it in the 2005 season, and he was the lowest overall since Pedro Martz in the 2000 season. (Koufax and Nap Rucker) He was only the third Dodger pitcher to have an ERA under 3.00 in five seasons.

In the first game of the 2013 National League Division Series, Kershaw struck out 12 batters in seven innings. That was the third time a Dodger pitcher had struck out in the playoffs, behind only Koufax (15 in the 1963 World Series) and Carl Erskine (14 in the 1953 World Series). In the second game of the 1988 World Series, Tim Belcher's six straight strikeouts tied for a MLB postseason record. In the game, he won his first game of the season.

Kershaw was named a winner of the Warren Spahn Award in 2013, his second appearance in the Major Leagues. He was also selected to the Sporting News NL All-Star team, becoming the fourth Dodger pitcher to be named to the team twice (after Koufax, Valenzuela, and Don Newcombe). For the second time in three seasons, he earned the NL Cy Young Award on November 13. In three seasons in a row, he was only the sixth pitcher in history to finish in the top two.

Kershaw and the Dodgers decided on a seven-year, $215 million contract extension after the season. The contract was the richest in MLB history for a pitcher, surpassing Justin Verlander's seven-year, $180 million, contract. Alex Rodriguez's average annual income of $30.7 million was also the highest ever for a baseball player, surpassing the $28 million Roger Clemens received in 2007 and the 10-year, $275 million deal that he signed the same year.

Kershaw earned his fourth straight opening day for the Dodgers in 2014, only the fourth Dodger to do so. The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Australia this season. Kershaw had some back pains and was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his career before his second start. He did not return to the Dodgers until early May. He pitched a complete game no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies on June 18, knocking out a career-high 15 batters. Hanley Ramirez's mistake in the top of the seventh inning costing Kershaw a perfect game. He and Max Scherzer have 15 strikeouts in a game, while allowing no hits and no walks, making him one of two pitchers in MLB history. Kershaw had a 0.82 ERA in June, his third best Pitcher of the Month award in his career. He was selected to the National League's All-Star Game in 2014, his fourth straight pick. He was the sixth Dodger pitcher and the first since Fernando Valenzuela to make the All-Star team for four years in a row.

Kershaw's 41-inning scoringless streak came to an end in the top of the sixth inning when, with two outs, Chase Headley homered to left field at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw's streak was, at the time, tied for the fifteenth longest scoreless streak in MLB history. In July, he was named the month's best pitcher (along with Don Sutton and Burt Hooton) to win the league for the third time in a row. In the month, he was 4–0 with a 1.10 ERA, with 48 strikeouts and just 10 walks. On September 2, he recorded his 200th strike out of the season, his fifth in a row, for Sandy Koufax, who led the Dodger starters to only six seasons. Bert Blyleven, Walter Johnson, and Sam McDowell were among the other pitchers to have at least five 200-strike out seasons in an age-26 season.

Kershaw had a 1.77 ERA in 27 starts on the season, finishing 21–3 on the season 21–3. He dominated the National League in several categories, including ERA, ERA+, Wins, WHIP, SO/9, SO/9, Strikeout-to-Walk ratio, FIP, and Wins Above Replacement for both pitchers and all NL players. Despite missing the bulk of the first month of the season, he also placed third in strikeouts. He was the first pitcher to win four straight ERA titles. Many analysts regard his 2014 season as one of the best pitching seasons in recent memory.

Kershaw was the first pitcher in history to strike out ten runs against the Cardinals in Game 1 of the Division Series, but he allowed eight runs in his first game of the playoffs. He had cruised through the first six innings while still allowing only two hits (both solo homers) and surrendered six runs in the seventh. He tied for the only Dodgers pitchers with multiple double-digit strikeout games in the playoffs, beating Koufax. In back-to-back postseason starts, he was also the first pitcher in history to give up at least seven runs (his previous one was Game 6 of the 2013 National League Championship Series). Pitching on short rest in Game 4, he will be back to his position in Game 4, but will lose by a three-run home run to Matt Adams in the 7th inning. It was the first home run Kershaw had allowed a left-handed batter to pitch off his curveball in his career.

Both The Sporting News and Baseball America named Kershaw as the best player of the year awards after the season. At the Players Choice Awards, he received three awards, including Outstanding NL Pitcher, Player of the Year, and the Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award. He also received his third (and second in a row) Warren Spahn Award. He was given his third Cy Young Award in four seasons on November 12 (a unanimous vote). He was named the first National League pitcher to win the award since Bob Gibson in 1968, the first Dodgers player to win the award since Kirk Gibson in 1988.

Kershaw's fifth straight opening day appearance in 2015, the first Dodgers pitcher to do so since Hall of Famer Don Sutton started seven in a row from 1972 to 1978. When he fanned Drew Stubbs of the Colorado Rockies, he was his 1,500th strikeout in his career. Kershaw won his 100th match against the Rockies on May 15. He was the 22nd pitcher in franchise history and the second-newest active pitcher to reach that number. Kershaw earned his sixth NL Player of the Week award for the week of June 1-7, 2015, when he allowed only two runs on ten base runners in 15 innings while striking out 18 in two starts.

Kershaw did not make the initial NL roster for the 2015 All-Star Game, though he was selected on the Final Vote ballot, which lost to Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez. However, he was called to the roster to replace Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer, who was unable to pitch the Sunday because of his injury. Sandy Koufax and Fernando Valenzuela were the only Dodgers pitchers to win in straight all-star selection, his fifth straight all-star pick.

Kershaw bowled out a season-high 14 batters in eight shutout innings against the Washington Nationals on July 18. He was the first Dodgers starter with back-to-back games of at least 13 strikeouts since Chan Ho Park in 2000, and the first Dodgers pitcher with back-to-back games of double-digit strikeouts and no walks since Dazz Vance in 1930. For the week of July 13–19, he received NL Pitcher of the Month for July and teammate Zack Greinke received the NL Player of the Week award.

On August 12, Kershaw recorded his 200th strike of the season, tying Hideo Nomo's 1995 season for the first time in Dodgers history at 156 innings. Kershaw's sixth straight 200 strikeout season, tied for the most in Dodgers franchise history, with Sandy Koufax tied for the most in Dodgers franchise history. Kershaw became the first player in Major League history to strike out 300 batters in a season on October 4, the first player since Randy Johnson did it in 2002. He ended the season with a 16-7 record, a 2.13 ERA, and 301 strikeouts in 232+213 innings. With nine pickoffs, he led the major leagues in pickoffs.

Kershaw struck out 11 in 6+2/3 innings in Game One of the 2015 National League Division Series, but allowed three runs for his fifth straight postseason loss. In the first postseason game in MLB history, he and New York Mets starter Jacob deGrom were the first two starters to each throw at least 11 strikeouts. He bounced back in game four, winning by allowing one run and three hits against eight strikeouts in seven innings on October 13. In the National League Cy Young Award voting, Kershaw came in third, behind teammates Zack Greinke and eventual winner Jake Arrieta.

Kershaw got off to a good start in 2016 after the Dodgers defeated 15–0. It was also the first time the Dodgers had won six straight opening day games, none of which was credited to him. He struck out 13 runs against the New York Mets on May 12 while pitching a three-hit complete shutout.

With at least 10 strikeouts and no more than one walk, he set a new franchise record in six straight starts with at least 10 strikeouts and no more than one walk. On May 29, he was out for his 100th strikeout, but he was only walking five batters within that time. That was the lowest walk total for a pitcher in the modern era, defeating Cliff Lee, who had seven walks in the 2010 season. Kershaw was placed on the 15-day disabled list on June 30, 2016 due to back pain. He underwent an MRI that revealed a mild herniated disc in the back, as well as an epidural injection to relieve the pain.

He was drafted to the 2016 All-Star team but was unable to participate in the game due to his injury. The Dodgers announced indefinitely on July 20, beating Kershaw for an indefinite length of time. Following a simulated game, he started to feel pain in his back. Kershaw was added to the 60-day disabled list on August 3. On September 9, he rejoined the Dodger rotation.

He played in 21 games in 2016, with a 12–4 record and a 1.69 ERA. With just 11 walks, he took out 172 batters.

Kershaw played in one and four of the 2016 National League Division Series for the first time in its history, and in the clinching game five, he earned the save. In his first minor league season in 2006, it was his first professional save since being with the Gulf Coast Dodgers in his first minor league season. In Game two of the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Chicago Cubs, he pitched seven shutout innings, yielding only two hits. In Game Six, he struggled, giving five runs in five innings to pick up the loss as the Dodgers were eliminated from post-season contention.

Kershaw got off to a blistering start on Monday, tying Don Sutton for the most consecutive Opening Day starts, and Sutton and Don Drysdale tied for the most opening day by a Dodger. Jonathan Villar of the Milwaukee Brewers was struck out for his 2,000th career strikeout on June 2nd. He was the fifth-youngest player in major league history to reach that number, as well as the second-fastest pitcher to 2,000 strikeouts, winning the challenge in 277 games (behind Randy Johnson's 262 games). Since Drysdale, he was named in his seventh straight all-star game, his second most in Dodgers history. Kershaw was forced to leave the game on July 23 due to back pain. He was admitted to the 10-day disabled list the same day. On September 1, he returned to the mound, but despite his lengthy absence, he continued to lead the National League in earned run average and victories.

He was 18-4 with a 2.31 ERA and 202 strikeouts in 27 starts. He led all major league pitchers in left on base percentage, leaving 84% of base runners dead, stranding 87 percent of base runners. He also led all major league pitchers in first-strike percentages (69.4%).

He allowed four solo home runs in 6+1/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2017 NLDS, but the team still won. The four home runs were tied for the most in a postseason game. In the 2017 NLCS against the Chicago Cubs, he made two starts, including the clinching game five. In 11 innings, he allowed three runs in 11 innings, with nine strikeouts and only two walks. Kershaw played against the Houston Astros in the first game of the 2017 World Series for the Dodgers. He struck out 11 batters in the game without walking anyone and only allowed one run (a solo homer) on three hits to win. His 11 strikeouts were the third most by a Dodgers pitcher in a World Series game, after Sandy Koufax (15 in 1963) and Carl Erskine (1953). He got off to a good start in his fifth game of the season, but not as good this time, with six runs on four hits in 4+2nd innings. Interestingly, he threw 39 sliders and generated only one swing and miss all game. Despite being chastised for his apparent postseason struggles, the Houston Astros' sign stealing scandal as a potential factor has complicated evaluations of his play in this sport. He came back in game seven to pitch four scoreless innings of relief, and in the process, he tied Orel Hershiser's Dodgers post-season record with his 33rd strikeout. The Dodgers, on the other hand, lost the game and the series.

Kershaw was selected as a starting pitcher on Baseball America's All-Men team and placed second in the NL Cy Young Award voting.

Kershaw's team got off to a record-breaking opening-day schedule in 2018. Against the Giants, he allowed only one run in six innings with seven strikeouts, but the Giants lost the game 1–0. It was his first opening-day loss. Kershaw was put on the disabled list on May 6th, 2009, due to left biceps tendinitis. He rejoined the team for a single start on May 31, the first time he experienced a recurrence of his back pains and was put back on the disabled list. On June 23, he rejoined the roster. In 2018, he had a record of 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA and 155 strikeouts, his lowest win total and highest ERA since 2010 with his fewest strikeouts since his rookie season.

Dave Roberts selected Hyun-jin Ryu to pitch the Dodgers' first playoff game of the 2018 NLDS against the Atlanta Braves in a surprising move. It was the first game of the playoffs for the Dodgers since 2009. He started eight scoreless innings in his second game of the season while allowing only two hits. He then started the 2018 NLCS season against the Milwaukee Brewers but then got off to a rocky start in his career, with no outs in the fourth inning after allowing five runs on six hits and two walks. He had better results in Game 5, pitching seven innings and allowing one run on three hits and two walks before striking out nine out nine. He walked twice as a batter in the 2016 NLCS and Derek Lowe in the 2008 NLDS, making him the third pitcher in the last 20 years to do so in a postseason game.

In the 2018 World Series against the Boston Red Sox, Kershaw made two starts for the Dodgers. He pitched four innings and allowed five runs in an 8–4 loss, and the Red Sox won the Series 4–1 for the second straight World Series victory.

Kershaw's deal enabled him to opt out and become a free agent after the 2018 season, but the team and the team decided to a new three-year, $93 million contract on November 2nd. This brought his previous deal to an end by a year and $28 million.

Early in spring training, Kershaw experienced left shoulder pains, which caused him to be unable to function, and he did not start throwing in spring until late. As a result, the Dodgers selected him on the injured list to start the season, snapping his Dodgers record streak of eight straight starts. He was voted to the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, his eighth all-star appearance. Kershaw won his 165th game against the Miami Marlins on August 14, tying Koufax for the most recognizable left-handed pitcher in the country's history. He also struck out the first seven batters of the game, breaking a Dodger record that had been held by Andy Messersmith (1973) and one short of the major league record. Kershaw won his 166th game against the Toronto Blue Jays on August 20 on August 20, beating Koufax for the most games ever by a Dodger left-handed pitcher. That game was only the sixth time Kershaw gave up two home runs in a mixed game to the same batter, Bo Bichette, and it was the first time Kershaw faced a rookie.

Kershaw's regular season ended with a record of 16–5 with 3.4 ERA and 189 strikeouts. With 15 sacrifice hits, he led the major leagues in offense.

Kershaw started Game 2 in the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals and moved to Game 5 in relief. In a 4–2 loss, Kershaw pitched six innings and allowed three runs. In Game 5, he started the game in relief of Walker Buehler with two outs in the seventh inning and knocked out Adam Eaton. Kershaw won the game and the series in the eighth inning, after Anthony Rendon and Juan Soto lost a 3–1 lead on back-to-back pitches.

Kershaw was supposed to start on the first day of the season but was forced to rest in the weight room and was put on the injured list to begin the season. Rather, rookie Dustin May received his first day back. He defeated Don Drysdale in the second straight strikeouts in franchise history on August 20. Kershaw played for the Dodgers in 2020, posting a 6–2 record, 2.16 ERA, and 62 strikeouts. He started his second game of the wild card series against the Milwaukee Brewers and threw eight scoreless innings, leaving only three runs and striking out 13. He started the second game and gave three runs in six innings while striking out six runs in the NLDS against the San Diego Padres. Kershaw was postponed from his scheduled Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves due to back spats and began Game 4 instead, where he allowed four runs in five innings for his first loss of the 2020 season. He started the first game of the 2020 World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, tying Greg Maddux for second place all-time with 11 Game 1 starts in the postseason. While striking out eight runs in the game, he allowed only one run in six innings while striking out eight, beating out eight others for second place in all-time strikeouts with 201. In Game 5, Kershaw got off to a 5+2/3 innings, giving two runs on five hits and two walks. Justin Verlander had the most strikeouts in game history when he struck out six out of the game (207). The Dodgers then went on to defeat the Rays in 6 games to win Kershaw's first World Series title. Kershaw was selected to the All-MLB Second Team after the season.

Kershaw got off to a new season on the front page for the Dodgers after struggling not to do so for the previous two seasons due to injuries. He remained in the rotation until July 7, when he was admitted to the hospital with left forearm inflammation for the first time in his career. Initially, it was hoped that he would only miss a short time, but he had setbacks in his recovery that necessitated a longer stay on the injured list. On September 13, he rejoined the Dodgers rotation, with only one batter allowing only one run in 4+1/3 innings against the Diamondbacks. In an October 1 game against the Brewers, he suffered more arm pain, causing him to leave the game in the second inning. An MRI revealed no ligament damage, but Kershaw was put on the injured list and ruled out of the 2021 season. He played 22 games for the Dodgers during the season, his best since his rookie season.

Kershaw signed a one-year contract worth $17 million to return to the Dodgers on March 13, 2022. Kershaw struck out 13 batters in seven perfect innings against the Minnesota Twins on April 13, his first start of the season. Despite only being 80 pitches, Kershaw said he accepted the call because he had not been built up due to a shorter spring training session due to the offseason lockout.

Kershaw tied Dustin Garneau of the Detroit Tigers for the Dodgers franchise strikeout record of 2,696 on April 30, the Detroit Tigers' Dustin Garneau. Spencer Torkelson was struck out by Sutton one inning later, turning the record into sole possession of the record. Kershaw had another good game against the Los Angeles Angels on July 15, where he threw seven perfect innings before being interrupted by a double by Luis Rengifo. He was the first person since 1961 to have two perfect games in the eight inning in the same season.

Kershaw was selected to start the 2022 Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium in front of his home crowd. It was his ninth All-Star pick and the first time he was selected to begin. With one hit and a single walk, he allowed one to fly and Shohei Ohtani from first base, the first pickoff in an all-star game since Carlos Zanel did it in 2008.

Kershaw made 22 appearances in 2022, ending with a 12–3 record and a 2.28 ERA.

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