MLB Tuesday review: Clayton Kershaw reaches 200 mark

bet365 News Team Updated: 19 Apr 23 14:18 Published: 19 Apr 23 12:40

The Los Angeles Dodgers' veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw collected his 200th career win in one of the highlights from Tuesday's schedule.

Kershaw completed a double century as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Mets 5-0 to level their series.

Mets have no answer to Kershaw

It seems inevitable that the 35-year-old will eventually enter the Hall of Fame and he was at his brilliant best on Tuesday night.

Kershaw became just the third pitcher to reach 200 wins with the Dodgers, joining Don Sutton (233), and Don Drysdale (209). His .694 career winning percentage is the best amongst pitchers in the modern era with at least 200 career wins.

He was in dominant form against the Mets, who had no answer yet again to the lefty’s tricks. He struck out nine over seven dominant innings.

Kershaw even made further history on the night by striking out as many as he did, moving past Mickey Lolich for 22nd on the all-time AL/NL strikeout list with 2,833.

Speaking to the official Dodgers website, Kershaw said: "The goal is to win. That’s why tonight is really cool. Because it’s a team stat, a win.

"So for me to be able to do that 200 times is just a product of being on some great teams."

The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 50/1 to win another National League award in 2023.

Strider helps Braves collect eight straight

Spencer Strider is having such a fantastic start to his career that he flirted with a no-hitter into the sixth inning, while becoming MLB’s current strikeout leader in the Atlanta Braves’ 8-1 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Strider has regained his attacking mentality. The right-hander’s latest effort was backed by Sean Murphy’s early home run and three-run homers from Ozzie Albers and Matt Olson in the final two innings.

Murphy’s home run made him the first player in Atlanta history (since 1966) to have 11 straight hits go for extra bases. The veteran catcher also helped Strider grab nine strikeouts and allow just one hit over six scoreless innings.

Strider has recorded at least nine strikeouts in eight straight regular-season starts, matching the franchise record that Hall of Famer Jon Smoltz set for the Braves in 1997.

Strider didn’t join the pitching staff till May last year and has already become the first rookie in franchise history to record a 200-strikeout season.

The 24-year-old reached 200 strikeouts in 130 innings, quicker than any pitcher in American or National League history.

Speaking to the official Braves website, team manager Brian Snitker said about Strider: "That’s pretty good company. What he has done in a very short period of time has been very, very impressive.

"It’s really special and he’s still learning. His stuff is so electric."

Strider is 11/2 to win the National League Cy Young Award in 2023.

The Braves are leading the National League East Division with a 14-4 record, having won their eighth straight match.

The Mets are three games back, leaving Atalanta in pole position to go for their sixth straight Divisional title.

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DeGrom worry for Rangers

When Jacob deGrom signed for the Texas Rangers as a free agent in the offseason, he came with an injury record which was largely ignored by his new team.

Following a stuttering start to his Rangers pitching career, DeGrom was removed from his last start after four innings after feeling a soreness in his right wrist.

Every injury or worry is magnified by DeGrom’s injury record. The two-time Cy Young award winner struggled with injuries over the past two seasons when with the Mets, so this shouldn’t be a surprise to the Rangers.

He is next scheduled to pitch on Sunday against the Oakland Athletics and Rangers team manager Bruce Bochy indicated that DeGrom will play catch on Wednesday to test the wrist and make a decision from there.

Despite these issues, the Rangers sit top of the American League West Division with an 11-6 record, holding a two-game lead over the Los Angeles Angels.

The current World Series champions, Houston Astros, have an 8-10 record and have yet to click into gear so far this season.

The Rangers kept up their fine start to the season, defeating the Kansas City Royals 12-2 on Tuesday night, with Nathan Eovaldi picking up the win to move his record to 2-2.

The Rangers are 9/2 to win the American League West Division this year.