Larry Dierker's favorite player: Clayton Kershaw

HOUSTON -- It's no surprise the player former Astros pitcher, broadcaster and manager Larry Dierker enjoys watching the most would be a pitcher, especially when he's currently the best in the game: lefty Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers.

While many marvel at what Kershaw, who's won three of the last four National League Cy Young Awards, has been able to do, Dierker isn't surprised.

"It's not any mystery, because all of his pitches are quick," said Dierker. "They've got fast, late movement -- and he doesn't walk very many guys. It's hard to square the ball up. Guys can hit the ball some, but they don't hit it hard very often. He's just really good, just like [Mike] Trout is really good."

When asked what pitcher from his era reminds him of Kershaw, Dierker immediately mentioned Sandy Koufax, a fellow lefty with the Dodgers.

"Koufax was probably a little bit more of a strikeout pitcher, but he also had those really super-low ERAs," Dierker said. "His stuff was a little different. The fastball was similar, but [he had] different breaking stuff. Koufax didn't throw many changeups, but I'd probably say that would be the closest comparison if you looked at numbers."