Written by Bob Nightengale at USAToday.com
That tremor Thursday morning that jarred everyone to their senses throughout Los Angeles had nothing to do with an earthquake, but this felt worse.
The franchise, otherwise known as Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, suddenly came toppling down.
Kershaw, the greatest pitcher on the planet, was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday, with Dodgers manager Dave Roberts unable to provide a specific timetable for when he’ll be able to return.
Let the panic begin.
This may be a $250 million team, but with Kershaw gone until after the All-Star break, the Dodgers will be gasping for air just to stay alive in perhaps baseball’s weakest division.
The Dodgers, 43-37, are six games behind the suddenly reeling San Francisco Giants, but with the news of Kershaw’s bad back, diagnosed as a herniated disk that required an epidural shot to reduce inflammation, it suddenly feels like twice the deficit.
This is a team that is 14-2 in games that Kershaw starts.
And a team that is 30-35 in every game he doesn’t step on the mound.
The Dodgers rely on the three-time Cy Young Award winner, who has the lowest career ERA of any pitcher since the dead-ball era in 1920, more than any other team in baseball.
The Dodgers don’t have the offense, ranked fourth worst in the National League, to make up for the loss of Kershaw. Their bullpen is shaky outside of closer Kenley Jansen. And the rotation stinks on most days Kershaw doesn’t start.
Really, despite all of their injuries, the Dodgers have no one to blame but themselves.
