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5 Reasons Why Clayton Kershaw Will Win 2014 NL MVP

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5 Reasons Why Clayton Kershaw Will Win 2014 NL MVP

Clayton Kershaw
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If Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw wins the 2014 National League MVP, he will become the first pitcher to do so since Bob Gibson accomplished it in 1968. Obviously, the odds are stacked against him, but that shouldn’t prevent the left-hander from taking home the prestigious hardware. Here are five reasons why Kershaw will win the 2014 NL MVP.

5. Rare Feat

Rare Feat
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5. Rare Feat

Rare Feat
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Kershaw’s 239 strikeouts and 31 walks were the most strikeouts and least amount of walks by a pitcher in a single season since 1884. That means Kershaw accomplished something no other pitcher has done in 130 years. Even though the rare feat alone isn’t enough to give Kershaw MVP, it does show how special the 2014 season was for him.

4. Good For Baseball

Good For Baseball
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4. Good For Baseball

Good For Baseball
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The last pitcher to win MVP and the Cy Young Award in the same season was AL pitcher Justin Verlander in 2011. Gibson was the last NL pitcher to do it, which happened in 1968. Essentially, it will be good for baseball to have Kershaw win both awards, especially since he is absolutely deserving of it. Not to mention, Kershaw’s impressive 1.77 ERA and 0.86 WHIP are better than what Verlander posted three years ago.

3. Impressive Stat

Impressive Stat
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3. Impressive Stat

Impressive Stat
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The fact that Kershaw allowed more than three runs in just one of his 27 starts this past season is incredible. Even though it is only one statistic, it shows just how dominant the 26-year-old was on the mound in 2014.

2. Led NL In Several Pitching Categories

Led NL In Several Pitching Categories
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2. Led NL In Several Pitching Categories

Led NL In Several Pitching Categories
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Kershaw led the NL in wins (21), earned run average (1.77), complete games (six), strikeouts per nine innings (10.85), strikeouts per walks (7.71), winning percentage (0.875) and WHIP (0.86). Clearly, he is a lock for the NL Cy Young Award. However, Kershaw already has that hardware in his trophy case.

1. Untouchable Résumé In 2014

Untouchable Résumé In 2014
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1. Untouchable Résumé In 2014

Untouchable Résumé In 2014
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Ranking first in numerous pitching categories, accomplishing feats that are jaw dropping, tossing a no-hitter and being hands-down the best player in the league gives Kershaw an untouchable résumé in 2014. It is for that reason that he deserves the great honor of being called the Most Valuable Player in the NL.

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