the k is for kershaw kountdown continues - more mets edition!

clayton kershaw made his fourth appearance of the 2025 season tuesday night against the mets at dodger stadium. so, i am pleased to be able to post another edition of the k is for kershaw kountdown as we track his progress to the 3,000 strikeout milestone.

kershaw saw the mets in his second start of the year, but wound up only facing six batters due to an extended rain delay. this time against apu nahasapeemapetilon's favorite squadron, kershaw faced 23 batters over 4 and two-thirds innings, with his pitch count reaching 92 (a season high). he allowed five runs (three earned) on six hits, while walking three and stricking out 2. on the season, he now has 8 strikeouts, and that pair of mets he k'd raised his career strikeout total to 2,976. 

in honor of his performance, here are three cards (not seen on this blog before) from my collection to represent strikeouts number 2,975 and 2,976.

2,975 - 2021 topps gold foil parallel

2,976 - 2021 topps chrome sapphire edition

i went after as many of these card parallels as i could find cheaply back in 2021. kershaw had two solid starts in the 2020 world series, let's not forget!

kershaw should have made it through five innings, but max muncy's two out error extended the frame and after two rbi hits, kershaw exited with the dodgers behind. muncy redeemed himself with a game tying 9th inning home run, and freddie freeman sent the mets walking off the field in the 10th. 

after four appearances (even though one was truncated by weather), it seems kershaw is still finding his footing. he threw only 60 strikes on wednesday, and now has walked as many people this season as he did in twice as many innings last year. his starts are turning into a bit of a slog as he battles and grinds through each at bat. hopefully, things fall into place and more batters start chasing.

here's a non-kershaw card - it's a 2023 topps heritage max muncy clubhouse collection relic card

muncy has been hitting fairly well since the end of april, likely due in part to some new specs. he is a classic dh candidate, but that's off limits for the dodgers - unless they don't have ohtani hit when he pitches.

kershaw remains in 21st place on the all-time leader board, and he will remain there until he passes zack greinke. greinke has a career strikeout total of 2,979, and so kershaw is now 3 k's behind greinke and 24 away from the 3,000 milestone. 

kershaw should be back on the mound sunday in st. louis to close out the series against the cardinals. know that when he makes his next start, i will be back to update the kountdown soon thereafter. stay tuned!