Over the past few seasons, Clayton Kershaw has come alive after the All-Star break. The pitcher did not the most dominating first-half of the season thanks to players like Max Scherzer overshadowing him, but the Los Angeles Dodgers is expected to change all of that coming out of the break. While the three-time NL Cy Young winner has been pitching well, he does not look as good as he did in 2014, but all that can change against the Washington Nationals on Saturday.
Kershaw will take the mound with a 6-6 record and a 2.85 ERA. He has not exactly looked as strong as he did last year. He still made an All-Star appearance, but he did not start for the National League and allowed two runs in the fifth inning. History is in Kershaw's favor. Since 2011, he has put up 38-9 with a 1.70 ERA in 55 starts after the All-Star break. Last season, he was 10-1 with a 1.76 ERA post-All-Star break. Kershaw is coming off an eight-hit shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies while allowing just one run against the Mets in seven innings. The matchup to watch will be against Bryce Harper who has a home run against the pitcher.
Doug Fister will take the mound for the Nationals following Friday night's suspended game. The pitcher is 3-4 with a 4.08 ERA on the season while looking inconsistent following some are tightness that put him on the disabled list. Since returning he has 1-2 with a 3.70 ERA. He followed in Kershaw's footsteps last year, pitching his better games after the All-Star break. He went 8-4 with a 1.98 ERA in 13 starts. He will rely on a batting lineup that had plenty of rest on Friday. The game was delayed twice for rain and lightning. Tanner Roark and Yunel Escobar were the heroes of the game. however, the game still got suspended and will resume prior to the Saturday matchup. The Nationals and Dodgers will be prepared to play at least one and half games on Saturday.