It was barely a legacy-defined outing, but the Los Angeles Dodgers have been one win away from their first World Series championship in 32 years since Clayton Kershaw’s late 2020 start. Kershaw and the Dodgers beat Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 on Sunday (LA4, TB2) to take a 3-2 series lead. They will be seen getting the title in Game 6 on Tuesday.
Kershaw limited the Rays to two runs in 5/2/3 innings in Game 5 and, in the process, became the all-time leader in post-season strikeouts. Here is the leaderboard:
- Clayton Kershaw: 207 (189 innings)
- Justin Verlander: 205 (187 2/3 innings)
- John Smoltz: 199 (209 innings)
- Andy Petitte: 183 (276 2/3 innings)
- Roger Clemens: 173 (199 strikeouts)
Kershaw did not dominate in Game 5. He was in band-but-but-break mode all night. He allowed everyone a leadoff runner to reach the base in the first four innings – something he would never have done since the start of his previous 383 career, According to Inside Edge – But he got a timely double play in the first inning, and Tampa gave him a little gift on the base.
Most notably, Manuel Margot Was thrown trying to steal at home to finish the fourth inning. Margot tries to take advantage of Kershaw’s being in a blind spot and the way he deliberately stretches his arms, but there is no aspect. Kershaw stepped down, threw home, and caught catcher Austin Barn in a timely manner. The play is here:
There were runners on the corner of the rays who were unbeaten in the fourth inning – Margot represented the run scored at the time – but Kershaw put himself in a position to avoid a Joey Wendell pop-up and a Willie strike dummies strikeout. The strikeout came on a hammer curve ball that bounced off the table and out of the zone. A Hall of Fame pitch, it was. Margot was then thrown home.
Margot did not leave the house until Kershaw settled down. He hit the first 1-2 in the first inning and then had two outs on two pitches to start the sixth. Ahead of Game 5, manager Dave Roberts said he plans to let Kershaw face 21 batters and 21 batters. After 85 pitches he was pulled to a 4-2 lead and Roberts got on with a spottering on the field.
This was the plan, Kershaw told reporters. Including Matthew Moreno of Dodger Blue, When asked to remove it after two quick outs in the sixth. “We talked about it before the inning. Even though it was only two pitches, we stuck with the plan, so submit to the Doc for that.”
Of course, Roberts would likely arrange a kershaw for a Game 7 relief look, and he was going through the middle of the lineup for the third time. All-time great like Kershaw for the third time by Kardar is even less effective. Also, Kershaw’s play career has been filled with a good start that was ruined because he was left with a very long time left. In Game 5, Roberts did not risk it.
Kersh cruised to Game 1 victory, striking out eight runs in six innings of one-ball. It wasn’t nearly as intense in Game of Thrones. Case issue: Trump’s hitter made 41 swing against Kershaw in Game 5, missed 11 times and removed 17 pitches. In Game 1, he made 38 saves against Kershav, missing 19 times for just nine fouls. They were on it a little more on Sunday.
Aces do two things: they dominate, and the day they don’t dominate, they still find ways to put their team in a winning position. Kershaw dominated Game 1. He scored 8 runs in six innings of one run – Kershaw now has a 2.93 ERA in five posts starting this postseason – and it went pretty smoothly. Those are the games that remind you that Femmer’s future is the first ballet hall.
Then there are games like Game 5, when nothing was easier until the very end of the exit. Kershaw threw 53 of his 85 pitches and faced only 9 of those 21 bats that had no base, and at one point five men reached the base in a seven-batter period. In the past, an early start like Game 5 would have landed on Kershaw, especially in October.
Instead, Kershaw managed to keep the Rays away from the scoreboard in four of his five full innings, and he secured an early lead, the offense of which gave him a tragic lead in Game 4. Game 5 probably won’t satisfy those who want Kershav’s true greatness every time. It takes mounds in the post season, but there’s no point in trying to please critics anymore. Some people are never satisfied.
The only thing missing in Kershaw’s resume is the World Series Championship and he’s now a win away from the ring, and he’s not riding in a cottle. He dominated Game 1 and played well in Game 5 even though the razor was not sharp. Kershaw is a notable cause – perhaps This The reason – they go home empty-handed again rather than have a 3-2 series lead in Los Angeles.
“I can’t be happier with the joy of those posts had the sun. Mirrors of who it is as a watch,” Roberts told reporters. Including Bill Shaikin Los Angeles Times, Following Game 5, “It’s worth it.”
