Debate Rages Following Dodgers’ Decision to Pull Kershaw After Seven Perfect Innings

Some fans didn’t like how the pitcher didn’t get a chance to potentially perform only the 24th perfect game in MLB history.

Clayton Kershaw was six outs away from pitching the first perfect game in nearly a decade on Wednesday afternoon vs. the Twins.

But, after seven innings, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to pull the All-Star pitcher based on his pitch count. Even though he’d only thrown 80 pitches in his first start of the season, the team didn’t want to overwork him this early in the season.

The decision sparked a major discussion about whether or not Roberts should have pulled Kershaw or let him attempt to pitch what could have been just the 24th perfect MLB game in history.

Some fans, former players and analysts were not happy with Roberts, to say the least.

If it's a no-hitter, whatever. Yank him. Clayton Kershaw has thrown one.

But there have been more than 220,000 games in MLB history. There have been 23 perfect games.

Everything -- especially a pitch count of 80 -- is lining up to at least let Kershaw try. You cannot pull him.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 13, 2022

Pulling Clayton Kershaw six outs away from a perfect game at 80 pitches should be a crime punishable by up to 90 years in prison. Come on.

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) April 13, 2022

I LOVE Dave Roberts. With that being said if I’m Clayton Kershaw there would be a physical altercation with whom ever it was that was telling me I was done for the day. It’s QUITE LITERALLY THE ONLY THING LEFT FOR THIS MAN TO DO ON A DAMN BASEBALL FIELD!

— Dallas Braden (@DALLASBRADEN209) April 13, 2022

You HAVE to let Kershaw roll in the 8th. Doesn’t matter if it’s his 1st or 30th start. Hitter to hitter.. if any man has ever earned the right, it’s him. Roll the damn dice. @MLB

— Jake Arrieta (@JArrieta34) April 13, 2022

However, Kershaw even admitted after the game that he thought it was “the right decision” to pull him early from the game. He blamed the delayed start of the season and the fact that he didn’t practice much in the offseason.

Some fans saw the silver lining of the decision, agreeing that in the long run, Roberts’s choice will benefit the Dodgers more than adding Kershaw’s name to the history books.

Everyone needs to remember Clayton Kershaw hasn’t been stretched out. This isn’t the middle of the season. You can’t have him go from 60 pitches to 110 pitches, you just can’t.

I wanted to see him finish it. I’m upset. But Kershaw seemed to have been on board with it.

— Blake Harris (@BlakeHHarris) April 13, 2022

Clayton Kershaw getting pulled from a perfect game through 7 innings is ultimately good for the game of youth baseball.

How many youth coaches and families just saw a big league team put a pitcher’s health, arm care and pitch count above all else? I think it’s a good thing.

— Tom House 〽️ (@tomhouse) April 13, 2022

I realize this won't convince anyone inclined to shout "analytics are evil!" in the first place, but analytics weren't even a factor in pulling Clayton Kershaw with 80 pitches.

It was a short spring training after a lockout. He's not fully built up. Nothing to do with analytics.

— Aaron Gleeman (@AaronGleeman) April 13, 2022

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