SOUTH FINLAND: Pure will. Dave Roberts may best describe Clayton Kershaw’s past two months in that way.Following a shoulder injury in late June, Kershaw has not been able to replicate the kind of dominance that has characterized his illustrious Dodgers career.

He can’t get his fastball to reach 90 mph. Sometimes, his command has not been there. His mechanics have been out of whack, despite his numerous prior ailments.

But in a blur, Kershaw finished in the 16th (and maybe last) year of a career worthy of the Hall of Fame.

Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers knocks a double in front of the San Francisco Giants.

After returning from the disabled list in early August, he gave up no more than three runs in his final eight starts, including six outings where he gave up one run or none at all. This was even without his best stuff.

Despite his physical limitations, he continued to be the most reliable starter for the Dodgers, concluding the season with the greatest numbers in innings (131⅔), wins (13), and ERA (2.46) amid a patchwork staff.

And after Kershaw shut out the San Francisco Giants in five innings and two runs on Saturday to close up the regular season, Roberts almost gave Kershaw the greatest honor of all: starting the opening game of the NL Division Series the following Saturday.

It’s fairly scholarly, according to Roberts. “Considering his attitude and how he felt following the game, I anticipate that he will recover well from this. That makes it appear like a no-brainer if that is the case.

Although it has seemed to be the case for several weeks, Kershaw’s performance made it almost certain. Despite accepting the setback in the team’s 2-1 loss, he kept improving his once-diminishing skills.

His fastball velocity showed a small increase, peaking at 90.1 mph and average 88.8 mph, both of which are personal bests for him this month.

He dismantled the Giants’ lineup, which included a lot of right-handers, in part by including a changeup that he hardly ever used prior to getting hurt.

And while it was still a long way from his finest years, when he dominated batters with his elite collection of sliders and curveballs as a mid-90s hitter, Kershaw concurred with Roberts that it was the best he had looked in a few months.

Following a more than month-long absence in the midst of the year, Kershaw admitted, “To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect when I came back.” Though I believe Doc deserves a lot of credit. He’s handled everything pretty nicely, allowing me to sort of get my bearings and have a few more days. Right now, I feel very wonderful. I feel fantastic and think I’m kind of turning a turnaround in terms of my health. Excitement for the upcoming one.

What would Kershaw think of that next one, which would be his first since 2017 and his sixth of his career, occurring in the NLDS opener?

Kershaw remarked, “Whenever it is, I’m just excited to get to do it.” “I didn’t really expect to be in this place for a lot of reasons, given how this year kind of transpired. However, it is here, and I will be prepared if that occurs.

That doesn’t mean Kershaw will be relied upon by the Dodgers (99–62) in the same way as in the past during grueling October campaigns, when he frequently threw on little rest and blew beyond 100 pitches.

Rather, Roberts stated that “what we need from him” is for Kershaw to pitch 80 pitches over five innings.

On September 27, 2023, Dodgers players David Peralta, James Outman, and Jason Heyward celebrate a victory against the Rockies.

Roberts went on, “I don’t think we need any more.”

For the first time since he came off the injured list, Roberts sent Kershaw back to the mound in the sixth inning on Saturday.

While it led to a Giants rally — Kershaw walked the first two batters with the score tied at one — it also allowed him to extend his workload to 83 pitches, another career high since his return. Kershaw finished the game by inducing a potential double-play ball that was booted by third baseman Max Muncy, allowing the game-winning run to score.

Roberts stated, “I just felt that was something he needed… for the psyche part of it. It’s been quite some time since we got him into the sixth.”

In agreement, Kershaw continued, saying, “Every pitch in the postseason really isn’t a pitch.” Pitch and a half, or pitch and a quarter, is how it compares. Therefore, just in terms of stamina, there are instances when increasing your pitch count and returning for the sixth can make a difference.

J.D. Martinez of the Los Angeles Dodgers tracks the path of his two-run home hit off the Colorado Rockies.

For the 35-year-old, the past two months have essentially been an endurance test, testing his will to overcome shoulder issues and continue to play at a level the Dodgers need him to during the postseason.

There’s no telling what follows next.

It’s unclear if Kershaw’s start on Saturday marked the end of the regular season. However, Kershaw’s success thus far this autumn has turned into an incredible feat in and of itself, for which the desperately needed Dodgers are extremely grateful, if not a little taken aback.

Just will, Roberts remarked. “He simply finds a way to carry out his duties effectively. I just find him amazing, then.