Los Angeles Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw and his postseason woes


A day that Clayton Kershaw pitches should always keep the Los Angeles Dodgers' minds at ease. When you see his name come up every five days, it's almost assumed that the game is already won. Especially when you're going up against a cellar-dweller team like the Philadelphia Phillies.

Rough return

Kershaw spent some time on the disabled list recently and since his return, his numbers haven't been great. In his last three starts, he has posted an unimpressive 5.32 ERA. As the season starts to wind down, his starts have been inconsistent. 

He cruised against San Diego but was knocked out in the 4th inning a week later by the Rockies. He had no issues in San Francisco, but then last night gave up his first ever grand slam to Philadelphia's Aaron Altherr. The Dodgers were up 2-0 before the grand slam and only managed to steal one run back in the top of the 9th for a 4-3 loss.

Poor postseason performance

But is this now what we've come to expect from Kershaw as the postseason draws near? He puts up great numbers all year and is currently 17-4 with a 2.26 ERA. He has one of the best win-loss records in baseball. Yet, despite the fact that the Dodgers have made the postseason consistently every year since 2008, they can never seem to win it all. That is, of course, going to be difficult to do when it's the time of year that your ace always seems to fall apart.

Kershaw's postseason numbers are 4-7 with a 4.55 ERA and with a little less than two weeks left of the season, it's easy to wonder if he is showing signs that it could all be happening once again. To truly be one of history's great teams, the Dodgers would have to win it all in October. Is this the year that it finally happens, or does Clayton Kershaw turn back into a pumpkin at midnight once again?

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