Kershaw’s rollercoaster year ends with embarrassing playoff exit.
Up-and-Down Year for Dodgers Superstar Kershaw Hits ‘Embarrassing’ Low in Historic Playoff Flameout
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Clayton Kershaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest regular season pitchers in baseball history. However, his performance in the postseason has always been a cause for concern.
This strange contrast has cast a shadow over Kershaw’s otherwise Hall of Fame-worthy career. Unfortunately for him, that shadow may have grown even darker after a historically bad playoff outing on Saturday night.
In Game 1 of the 2023 National League Division Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Dodgers suffered a crushing 11-2 defeat. It wasn’t just the loss that stung, but the fact that Kershaw’s abysmal start put the team at a disadvantage from the very beginning.
Kershaw’s start was truly historic in all the wrong ways. As ESPN reports, he became the first pitcher in MLB history to give up five hits and five runs without recording a single out.
Yes, you read that right. The Dodgers were already facing a 5-0 deficit before even getting an out. It was a performance that could go down as one of the worst in MLB history.
Eventually, Kershaw was pulled from the game after giving up one more run and one more hit. This marked the first time in his 454 career starts that he failed to make it out of the first inning.
Unsurprisingly, Kershaw was devastated by his performance. “Disappointing. Embarrassing. You just feel like you let everybody down,” he said after the game.
Adding to the disappointment, Kershaw’s chances of redeeming himself may be slim. The NLDS is a best-of-five series, and if the Dodgers lose the next two games, Kershaw won’t even get a chance to pitch in Game 4.
At 35 years old, Kershaw’s future in the game is uncertain. He has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his career, and retirement rumors have been swirling around him for some time.
On top of his personal struggles, the Dodgers have faced their fair share of challenges this season. The team’s decision to honor a controversial group for LGBT “pride” embarrassing-low-in-historic-playoff-flameout/” title=”Kershaw’s rollercoaster year ends with embarrassing playoff exit.”>purposes drew widespread criticism, and their on-field performance has been inconsistent.
As the last remaining member of the original starting pitching rotation, Kershaw can only watch from the dugout in Game 2.
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Is Kershaw’s postseason performance a result of mental pressure or merely bad luck?
Himself in the playoffs are diminishing. The Dodgers now face a 2-0 deficit in the series and are on the brink of elimination. If they fail to come back and win, it will be yet another postseason disappointment for Kershaw and the Dodgers.
This is not the first time Kershaw has struggled in the playoffs. Throughout his illustrious career, he has had his fair share of playoff meltdowns. His postseason ERA of 4.43 is significantly higher than his regular season ERA of 2.47. While he has had some strong playoff performances, it is the bad ones that seem to stick in everyone’s minds.
The question remains, why does Kershaw struggle in the postseason? Some speculate that it is a mental issue, as the pressure of October baseball can be overwhelming. Others believe it is simply a matter of small sample size and bad luck. Regardless of the reason, it is clear that Kershaw’s playoff struggles have become a defining narrative of his career.
It is worth noting that Kershaw’s playoff struggles should not overshadow all of his other accomplishments. He is a three-time Cy Young Award winner, and he has been named an All-Star eight times. He has consistently been one of the best pitchers in the game for over a decade.
But the postseason is where legacies are forged, and Kershaw’s struggles in October will always be a part of his legacy. It is a shame that one bad outing can overshadow a career of excellence, but that is the nature of sports.
Only time will tell if Kershaw will be able to redeem himself in future playoffs. The Dodgers have a talented roster and will likely be contenders for years to come. If Kershaw can deliver a dominant playoff performance and help lead the Dodgers to a championship, it would erase much of the disappointment of the past.
But until then, Kershaw’s playoff failures will continue to be a topic of conversation. He may go down as one of the greatest regular season pitchers in history, but he will always be haunted by his postseason struggles. It is a harsh reality for a player of his caliber, but it is the reality nonetheless.
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