🎧 Podcast: The drought is over. Kerry and I are back, breaking down the September surge, Justin Verlander’s next team, and Bob Melvin (probably) saving his job. Give us a listen on Apple, Spotify, or anywhere else.
I've never come around to the postgame refrain of "tipping your cap" to your opponent. Maybe because the Giants have been doing it too often for too long.
Great start tonight by Cal Quantrill. You've just got to tip your cap.
Yeah, OK.
But I've always tried to leave room for appreciating greatness, whether it's in one game or over an 18-year career. Clayton Kershaw was great.
He made his last start against the Giants Friday night and if his performance wasn't vintage, his presence was. Kershaw's been the archrival on the archrivals since 2008. He's tormented the Giants every step of the way.
He started more games against them (63) than any other team. And over those 411 innings—about two seasons' worth—he's 27-16 with a 2.10 ERA and 421 strikeouts. He threw five shutouts and 95 more innings against the Giants than anyone else. Lucky them.
Kershaw's dominance spanned eras, as he locked into duels with Tim Lincecum, Madison Bumgarner, and Logan Webb all the same. He even hit a home run on Opening Day to break a scoreless tie in the eighth inning. Why does that moment resonate more than any other for me?
Clayton Kershaw, I tip my cap. You were great.
Up next: The playoff race was fun while it lasted. The Giants are four back with eight to play. It doesn’t get any easier Saturday when Kai-Wei Teng (2-4, 6.41 ERA) takes on Tyler Glasnow (3-3, 3.06 ERA) at 6:10 pm. Enjoy the games while they’re still on.