LOS ANGELES — Few within the baseball world would argue with the notion that Clayton Kershaw will probably be a first-ballot Corridor of Famer. However with regards to his total legacy, issues get extra sophisticated when the topic of his postseason resume arises.
The overarching story of Kershaw’s historical past within the playoffs incorporates stellar begins and duds alike — with quick relaxation usually factoring in. More often than not, although, on the very least, he’s been serviceable, pitching nicely sufficient to maintain the Dodgers within the recreation. And that’s what the Dodgers received from Kershaw of their 5-3 loss to the Padres in Recreation 2 of the Nationwide League Division Collection on Wednesday night time at Dodger Stadium.
Nonetheless one might select to guage “playoff Kershaw,” he has one factor going for him — his 213 postseason strikeouts are probably the most in AL/NL historical past. His six strikeouts in Recreation 2 allowed him to retake the lead from Justin Verlander, who had handed him within the ALDS on Tuesday. That is even with Kershaw lacking the 2021 postseason on account of a left forearm harm.
None of Kershaw’s strikeouts on Wednesday was extra memorable than Jurickson Profar’s within the high of the fourth. Main off, the Padres’ left fielder swung at a curveball that bounced well in front of home plate.
Most postseason Okay’s, all-time
- Clayton Kershaw: 213
- Justin Verlander: 208
- John Smoltz: 199
- Andy Pettitte: 183
- Roger Clemens: 173
Kershaw didn’t at all times have his finest stuff in Recreation 2, nevertheless, because the Padres pressured him to work in a method they didn’t of their two regular-season conferences. However he held them to a few runs regardless of giving up six hits in 5 innings.
“It was big to get him via 5,” supervisor Dave Roberts stated. “Allowed us to avoid some [relievers]. … I simply felt that he wasn’t sharp. I assumed it was a grind all night time for him.”
The Padres received to Kershaw early, with Manny Machado crushing a 2-1 hanging slider over the left-field wall within the first inning. They threatened once more within the second, a pair of base hits and a wild pitch resulting in a one-out, second-and-third jam that Kershaw escaped with key strikeouts of Trent Grisham and Austin Nola, each on his slider.
Kershaw wasn’t so lucky within the third, when the highest of the Padres’ order tagged him for 3 straight hits to open the inning, together with an RBI double from Machado. One other run got here in on Jake Cronenworth’s groundout to first base. The 26 pitches Kershaw threw within the body ran his depend as much as 60 for the sport.
Then, Kershaw bounced again properly with a pair of 1-2-3 innings, together with a high of the fifth that noticed him retire San Diego’s high three hitters on 11 pitches.
“The homer to Manny was a mistake, and the two-strike hit that Profar received [in the second inning] was a mistake,” stated Kershaw. “Then I left a slider as much as [Juan] Soto, too, that he received a success on [in the third]. I undoubtedly made some errors that they made me pay for. … I wish to have a number of pitches again, however it undoubtedly might have been worse, for certain.”
With the best-of-five collection now even at a recreation apiece, the Dodgers and Padres are assured to play two at Petco Park. Following the loss, Tony Gonsolin was introduced because the Recreation 3 starter, that means Recreation 4 will go to Tyler Anderson. Recreation 1 starter Julio Urías can be lined as much as begin Recreation 5 on full relaxation, if vital.
Might Kershaw — who has seven profession postseason aid outings — enter that equation with one more short-rest playoff look?
“I feel all people will probably be prepared,” stated Kershaw. “Hopefully we do not get there, however I feel all people will probably be prepared for that.”
