Clayton Kershaw vs. Jacob Misiorowski might just be one of the most interesting pitching matchups of the week. But well, don’t tell this to Kershaw. The Los Angeles Dodgers are hoping to bounce back after a rough 9-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. And they are sending their future Hall of Famer to the mound on Tuesday night to stop the bleeding.

While the Brewers are putting their faith in a 23-year-old, who has been acing the 100 mph like it’s a cup of coffee, the Dodgers are banking on experience and that veteran magic. Kershaw is now thirty-seven years old, joined the elite 3,000 strikeout club, and is grinding with a 4-0 record ever since returning from the injured list.

But when asked about Misiorowski, the rookie phenom he has to face, Kershaw gave a response that left many scratching their heads.

Bill Plunkett reported on X, “Asked #Dodgers Clayton Kershaw about today’s matchup v phenom of the moment Jacob Misiorowski: “I don’t even know who I’m pitching against. (Miz) Is that the guy who twisted his ankle on the mound? The ‘Twisted-His-Ankle’ guy. (while taking a no-hitter into sixth 1/2 ” Well, yes, Clayton Kershaw—that’s him. But he is also the same guy who has been named NL Rookie of the Month for June. He also has opponents hitting just .123 off him. He sure is new to the scene, but he is already turning heads across the league with 21 strikeouts in under 20 innings.

To be fair, Misiorowski did stumble a little in his last outing. He gave up a grand slam and a solo shot in a loss to the New York Mets. But his response after that was all business as usual. “I use the old Tiger Woods approach and move on to the next hit. Move on to the next pitch. It’s frustrating, but at the same time, it’s a young career and it’s good to figure it out now, not when we’re in the playoffs and it matters most,” he told reporters. The Dodgers, meanwhile, are trying to avoid their first five-game losing streak in over a year this time. They would need a strong outing from Kershaw, who won his last three starts against the Brewers and owns a career 2.85 ERA vs. the Brew Crew.

Plus, the Brewers are hot right now. Christian Yelich has extended his on-base streak to 19 games with a homer Monday and looks like the Yelich of vintage times now. If Misiorowski keeps bringing in his heat and Yelich is locked in, the Dodgers might have to worry a lot more than Kershaw forgetting his opponent’s name.

Max Fried draws a Kershaw comparison from the Yankees’ Coach

There is no doubt, though, that Clayton Kershaw is a benchmark for many. He is the subject of many comparisons, and this time he was pitched to none other than Max Fried. He is having quite a season, and the Yankee ace is 11-2 with a 2.27 ERA across 19 starts this year. And according to bench coach Brad Ausmus, part of his being so dominant is far beyond velocity and location.

Speaking on MLB Network Radio, Ausmus likened Fried’s all-around intensity and focus to none other than Kershaw! “He’s our stopgap. If things aren’t going well, we always—regardless of what’s happening—feel good about Max on the mound. He’s similar to Kershaw in the sense that pitching isn’t the only important thing. If you’ve seen this guy field his position, he’s phenomenal. He takes pride in it. He truly does want to win.” That drive is what seems to separate Fried from other top arms in the league.

Ausmus mentioned that while many players end up growing into a winning mindset, Max Fried has been locked in for a while now. That is high praise, especially when compared to a living legend like Kershaw. Who is continuing to build his hall of fame resume each outing, with a 4-0 record and 3.43 ERA in 2025. He is only one of four lefties in the history of the sport to hit that 3,000 strikeout milestone.

Plus, with an MVP, three Cy Young awards, and two World Series titles, Kershaw sure has his legacy cemented. But Fried still has a lot of ground to cover; no doubt, his career has been impressive in his own right. Since his debut, he has gone 84-38 with a 2.98 ERA, a World Series ring, and multiple Gold Gloves. No wonder the Yanks believe in him and paid him a $218 million deal last December. For them, he is worth a penny!