‘Fall jinx’ Dodgers’ Kershaw hanging his head again “letting everyone down”

It was an embarrassing first postseason start of 2023 for Clayton Kershaw (Los Angeles Dodgers), who seems to get worse every fall.

Kershaw started Game 1 of the National League Division Series (NLDS) against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on Monday (Aug. 8) and left the mound after recording just one out in the first inning.

After giving up a leadoff double to Ketel Marte, Kershaw gave up singles to No. 2 hitter Corbin Carroll and No. 3 hitter Tommy Pham.

He gave up a two-run double to Christian Walker in the fourth to put runners on second and third with the score 2-0, and a three-run homer to Gabriel Moreno in the fifth to give up the fifth run.

According to MLB.com, it was the first time in the postseason that a starting pitcher allowed five runs without recording an out.

After getting the first out of the inning on an infield grounder to Jordy Gurriel, Kershaw gave up a single to Alex Thomas and an RBI double to Evan Longoria.

Kershaw, whose shoulder was bothering him at the end of the season, was expected to be “the best he’s been in months” before the game, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

However, MLB.com reported, “It was clear he wasn’t at his best. His slider had less break, and his curve was flat. His four-seam fastball, with reduced velocity due to a shoulder injury, was not getting over hitters.” 먹튀검증토토사이트

Of Kershaw’s 35 pitches on the day, only five were swings and misses. Seven were hard hits (batted balls over 95 mph).

Kershaw is a “living legend” who is a lock for the MLB Hall of Fame.

He’s won three Cy Young Awards, and in 2014, he won the National League Most Valuable Player (MVP) despite being a pitcher.

He’s in his mid-30s and has been plagued by injuries, both major and minor, but he still had a great regular season this year, going 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA and helping the Dodgers win the division.

This year, however, Kershaw was unable to overcome the “fall jinx” and lost his 13th game of fall baseball as the team went 2-11.

With that one game, Kershaw’s postseason ERA jumped from 4.22 to 4.49.

After the game, Roberts said, “Normally, Kershaw has great stuff and great command, but he didn’t have it tonight,” but he also reaffirmed his confidence that “if there’s a Game 4 of the NLDS, he’s still going to start.”

“I let everybody down,” Kershaw said. We were hoping I would pitch well in Game 1, but it was an embarrassment. It was a tough start to the postseason.”

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman also expressed his dismay, saying, “I don’t think anybody in baseball saw this coming.”