Clayton Kershaw's record sits at 13-5 and he has matched his win total from the 2010 season when he finished with a record of 13-10. Kershaw started 30 games in 2009 and started 32 games in 2010. Thus far in 2011 he as made 24 starts and will probably only get 6 or 7 more starts. Based on that, it is unlikely he will reach 20 victories this season. The Dodgers have not had a 20-game winner since Ramon Martinez went 20-6 in the 1990 season.
While it appears a 20-win season is unlikely, Kershaw can still finish with the most wins by a Dodger pitcher in the last 7 seasons. I'll admit number of wins isn't the sexiest pitching stat and there are other modern stats that can prove a pitcher's worth. However, to most fans whether they be die-hards or casual fans, the number of wins for a pitcher is one of the first things they look at.
These are the Dodger leaders in victories in a season over the last 6 seasons:
2005 Jeff Weaver - 14-11
2006 Derek Lowe - 16-8
Brad Penny - 16-9
2007 Brad Penny - 16-4
2008 Chad Billingsley - 16-10
2009 Chad Billingsley - 12-11
With 4 more victories, Clayton Kershaw can have the most wins for a Dodger starting pitcher since Chan Ho Park in 2000. Park finished the 2000 season with an 18-10 record and was the last Dodger pitcher to win more than 16 games. My humble prediction is Kershaw will finish with a record of 17-7. What's your prediction?
