Three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is on the brink of a significant milestone, needing just three more strikeouts to reach 3,000, a feat achieved by only 19 other pitchers in MLB history. Likely to accomplish this at home in front of the Los Angeles Dodgers fans, this achievement represents both a celebration and a poignant reflection on Kershaw's illustrious career. As one of the last of a generation known for throwing extensive innings, Kershaw’s recent performance has shown he's still capable, boasting a 4-0 record with a 3.03 ERA after returning from injury.

However, with the decline in durability among pitchers and the increasing prevalence of injuries, including Tommy John surgeries, Kershaw’s achievement raises questions about the future of longevity in pitching. As he, along with contemporaries like Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer, nears the end of their careers, the landscape of baseball pitching excellence seems to be shifting. The transition poses a challenge for newer pitchers, who face tougher conditions and higher velocities, potentially threatening the accumulation of traditional milestones like 200 career wins or 3,000 strikeouts.