The road to catching the Giants just got even more daunting for the Dodgers.
Los Angeles (43-37) is six games back in the National League West behind San Francisco (49-31), which has the second-best record in the NL, despite a three-game skid for the Giants. The Dodgers have lost four of their last six games entering Thursday and now, they've lost even more.
The Dodgers have placed ace Clayton Kershaw on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury, according to MLB.com. The left-hander and former NL Cy Young and MVP winner has been dealing with pain in his lower back and underwent an epidural injection to try and ease it.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed uncertainty over whether or not the club's ace south paw will return in the minimum time, which makes their race with the Giants even more difficult. Sure, Kershaw isn't an every day starter, but losing him in the rotation is obviously a huge blow.
The Dodgers have won the NL West for the past three seasons, but this is an even year and as usual the Giants are going strong. After winning World Series titles in 2010, '12 and '14, San Francisco has eyes on the '16 Fall Classic, but there is plenty of season left.
Kershaw, 28, ranks first in the MLB in ERA (1.79) and WHIP (0.73), second in strikeouts (145), third in wins (11, tied) and fourth in average allowed (.185). He's also tossed three complete games and three shutouts. Los Angeles holds the top wild card spot by one game entering Thursday, but has the Marlins and several other teams closely behind.
The southpaw last pitched Sunday against the Pirates, taking the loss and falling to 11-2 on the season. Kershaw yielded four earned runs on nine hits, while striking out four and walking two over six innings. He felt more discomfort in on Monday, the day after the defeat.
"I wish I had an excuse for you," Kershaw told MLB.com on Sunday. "I just didn't pitch well enough to win tonight."
If he doesn't get a chance to pitch well again soon and his DL stint is longer than expected, the Dodgers' hopes of eventually catching the Giants could be in jeopardy.
