Starting Clayton Kershaw: The Risk Does Not Seem Worth The Reward

Dylan Hernandez wrote today the Dodgers are pondering whether it is worth the risk to start Clayton Kershaw today.

Clayton Kershaw stretched and ran in the outfield at Great American Ball Park on Saturday morning, a slightly modified version of a routine he performs on days before he pitches.
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Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly later confirmed that the sidelined ace was "still in play" to start their series finale against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday.

The answer should be NO.

This is not World Series game. This is not a playoff game. This is not a play in post season game. This is not even a regular season game with post season implications.

This is simply a game by a team whose postseasons aspirations may not be dead but the grave has already been dug a good six feet deep by the comatose offense.

The best case scenario is that Kershaw pitches well and the Dodgers win, and Kershaw does not do any lasting damage by overcompensating as he deals with the hip impingement.

The probable scenario is that Clayton pitches well, the Dodgers lose 2 - 0, 3-1, 4-2, 1-0, 3-2, you pick the score

The scary scenario is that he does do damage by overcompensating as he deals with the hip impingement. This lost season is not worth that scenario. Kershaw's future should not have to pay the price of the silence of Adrian Gonzalez, Hanley Ramirez, and Shane Victorino.

This might be over protection, but if you aren't going to be over protective of your jewel, your are going to lose it to a thief.