Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw inching toward notable milestone after win

Hitting this milestone would bolster Kershaw's résumé for the Baseball Hall of Fame. The 3,000-strikeout club has multiple HOFers, including Nolan Ryan, Bob Gibson and Randy Johnson. Future HOFers like San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Justin Verlander are also members. 

Kershaw could've likely recorded his 3,000th strikeout against the Rockies. Entering Thursday's game, Colorado had the second-most strikeouts (787) in baseball. The pitcher, however, may want to do it when the Dodgers return to L.A. next week for their series against the Chicago White Sox and Houston Astros. 

"One part I'm sure he wants to do it in Los Angeles," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before Thursday's game, via MLB.com's Sonja Chen. "The other part of it is he wants to get it over with. I think it's inevitable. It's going to be hard if he gets to two strikes not to go for the strikeout. But that's what he's always done. So that doesn't really change."   

The Dodgers have kept Kershaw on a pitch count since he returned from a meniscus tear in his left knee and a left toe issue on May 17. That still shouldn't stop him from reaching the mark. He has 29 strikeouts through eight games and posted a solid 3.03 ERA.