Kershaw caught Chicago White Sox third baseman Vinny Capra looking to end the top of the 6th inning (pictured above). It was a borderline curveball, but with Kershaw in his 18th season in a Dodgers uniform he is going to get the benefit of the doubt.
In so doing, the 37-year-old southpaw becomes the 20th pitcher in MLB history to record 3,000 career strikeouts.
The only black mark against this achievement is that Kershaw stands to lose the game as he left it trailing the lowly Chisox 4-2. The score remains this way as we go to the top of the 8th inning. It would be his first loss of the 2025 season.
Nevertheless, let's enjoy the moment because unless someone takes a flier on Zack Greinke (who is at 2979 career strikeouts) it might be quite a while before someone else joins Kershaw in the 3000 club.
Among active pitchers after Kershaw, Chris Sale has the most career strikeouts with 2528. Of course, Sale enjoyed a renaissance season with the Atlanta Braves last year earning his first career Cy Young Award. Unfortunately, Sale sustained a broken rib last month in a near shutout against the New York Mets which has put him on the 60-day IL until at least the end of August. New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, who has 2251 career strikeouts, will not pitch this season due to Tommy John surgery.
An intriguing possibility is Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola, who turned 32 last month, with his 1831 career strikeouts. However, Nola is having the worst year of his career with a 1-7 record and a ghastly 6.16 ERA in 9 starts in 2025. Nola won't get to 3,000 strikeouts if he continues to pitch like that.
It makes what Clayton Kershaw did tonight and what he has done throughout his career all the more special.
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