On Wednesday at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Ariz., Kershaw pitched in Team USA’s 14-4 exhibition win over the Rockies. And the Rockies aren’t shedding too many tears now that they’re no longer going to have to face him during the regular season.
After Kershaw threw two-thirds of an inning, Rockies TV broadcaster and former outfielder Ryan Spilborghs said what many Rockies players and fans were already thinking as he wrapped up his in-game interview with the likely future Hall of Famer.
And you can see why. Spilborghs faced no pitcher more often than Kershaw during his career with the Rockies from 2005-11, and he hit .167 (6-for-36) with 13 strikeouts in 42 plate appearances against him.
The Rockies as a team vs. Kershaw? A .231/.286/.351 slash line and 25% strikeout rate over 1,279 plate appearances. Oh, and he threw the only no-hitter of his career against them, back in 2014.
To be fair, there are a lot of players and teams around baseball who are glad they don’t have to face Kershaw again — those who aren’t playing in the WBC, anyway; players participating in the tournament might still have to contend with the legendary lefty.