Rockies @ Dodgers Sept. 14, 2015: Imagine Facing Clayton Kershaw?

12 days ago, Clayton Kershaw helped the Dodgers finish off a sweep of the Giants in Los Angeles, putting the Dodgers up 6.5 games in the NL West. After a long road trip through San Diego, Anaheim, and Phoenix, the Dodgers return home with Kershaw on the mound and a lead of 7.5 games.

So! That’s good. But man, does this feel like going through the motions. I’m the first to admit that you can’t count out the Giants until they’re officially eliminated — and maybe not even then — but if you’re asking me to dredge up a ton of emotion over 10 more games against Colorado and Arizona, well, nah. (Though this weekend’s visit from the red-hot Pirates, a potential playoff opponent, should be entertaining.) Nolan Arenado is an underrated superstar, and Carlos Gonzalez has been insanely hot, but when we’re into the part of the season where the other teams are starting guys I’ve literally never heard of — hi, Tom Murphy! — well, October can’t come soon enough.

So we entertain ourselves with the news of the day. Jose Peraza, who aggravated his hamstring injury, may be out for the season. Carlos Frias will “definitely be activated,” but we don’t know when; Peraza landing on the 60-day DL would open up the 40-man spot that will be needed. Jimmy Rollins‘ return from his finger issue has been delayed by at least a day, and won’t come before Wednesday at the earliest, which means we all get to see more Corey Seager. Howie Kendrick‘s hamstring injury felt “way better” in a simulated game today, though there’s still no hard return date. And Carl Crawford‘s hamstring appears to be minor enough that he wanted to play tonight against righty Jon Gray, though he’s being held out thanks to a (reasonable) abundance of caution.

But while that’s all necessary info, perhaps the most interesting topic tonight is Kershaw, who looks to continue just the most absurd run. In his last 11 starts, he’s allowed zero or one run 10 times, putting up a 128/11 K/BB (!!) in 101 innings. If Kershaw tossed a nine-inning shutout tonight, his ERA gets down to 2.06. It’s not impossible that he gets it down below 2.00 by the end of the season. It’s almost unfair that Jake Arrieta is going to finish third in the Cy, and perhaps even less fair that Kershaw may lose out to Greinke. We are watching true pitching royalty. What a time to be alive.