The lefty went 4-1 with a 1.34 ERA and a .161 batting average against. He threw 47 innings in his six starts and tossed a shutout in Colorado at the beginning of the month. He beat out Marlins phenom Jose Fernandez, Pirates' reclamation project Francisco Liriano and former National League Rookie of the Year runner-up Wade Miley for the honor this month.
Surprisingly, this was only the second time in his career he's taken home the award. The other was two years ago (July 2011) when he went 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA and 45 strikeouts in 35 2/3 innings (five starts).
Kershaw is having a season for the ages. He leads the majors in the following categories:
- ERA (1.87)
- ERA+ (191)
- WHIP (0.86)
- H/9 (5.9)
He does what all pitchers long to do -- minimize baserunners, thus minimizing run-scoring opportunities. Oh, and he's averaging 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He is simply the best pitcher in Major League Baseball. Period, hands down, no ifs, ands or buts.
The fact he's only won the honor one other time is amazing -- almost as amazing as the fact he's never started an All-Star Game for the National League and only has one Cy Young award. If he keeps up his fantastic season, he'll have another to add to his closet.
Photo credit: Dustin Nosler, Feelin' Kinda Blue
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