Back To Where It All Began: Clayton Kershaw Facing The Cardinals At Dodger Stadium

Nearly three years ago, Clayton Kershaw began his major league career. On May 25, 2008, Kershaw made his MLB debut, allowing two runs in six innings, while striking out seven. Now, 1,056 days later, with his career ERA having ballooned from 3.00 all the way to his current 3.10 mark, Kershaw again faces the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium.

Kershaw got a no-decision three years ago against the Cardinals, and in six career starts against St. Louis he is 2-1 with a 3.00 ERA, with 16 walks and 37 strikeouts in 36 innings. Skip Schumaker was the first batter Kershaw faced, and the result was a strikeout. Kershaw has faced Schumaker seven times, and Skip is 0-for-7 with six strikeouts.

Albert Pujols got the first hit off Kershaw, an RBI double in the very first inning of that May 2008 start. In 20 plate appearances against Kershaw, Pujols is 7-for-14 with three doubles and six walks against Kershaw, a sizzling .500/.650/.714 line. That line is almost as good as Pujols during the first two games of this series, in which Pujols has three home runs.

Tonight is Kyle McClellan's first career start against the Dodgers. In 10 career relief appearances against L.A., McClellan is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA, with six walks and seven strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings. He hasn't faced many current Dodgers -- the current roster totals just 27 PA against McClellan -- and the only one to reach base more than once against McClellan is James Loney, who is 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

Game Time: 7:10 p.m.

TV: Prime Ticket

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