Clayton Kershaw makes the final start of his magnificent season on Sunday as the Los Angeles Dodgers close out their weekend series at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. Kershaw has an excellent chance to win the National League Cy Young Award, though he will be challenged by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Kershaw leads the major leagues with a 2.27 ERA. He leads the National League with 242 strikeouts, and is eight behind Justin Verlander of the Detroit Tigers for the major league lead. Kershaw has 20 wins, which is one behind Kennedy for the National League lead. A win on Sunday for Kershaw would likely secure the NL triple crown.
Kershaw has won his last seven decisions and is 12-1 in his last 14 starts with a 1.13 ERA. The last Dodger to strikeout 250 batters in one season was Sandy Koufax in 1966.
The pitching triple crown isn't the only triple crown in play for the Dodgers, as Matt Kemp enters play on Sunday leading the league in RBI, tied for the lead in home runs, and within five points of batting average. Kemp is three home runs shy of becoming the fifth player ever to have 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in one season.
Sunday's 1:05 p.m. game will be televised by Prime Ticket. For a detailed look at several statistics in play for Clayton Kershaw in Sunday's game, be sure to read True Blue LA.