Which Kershaw will Chicago Cubs see in Game 1?
As they head into Game 1 of the National League championship series against the Chicago Cubs Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers seem to have all of the advantages.
After posting the best record (104-58) in baseball during the regular season, and after posting the best home record (57-24) as well, the Dodgers swept a solid Arizona Diamondbacks team in the NL division series.
And as the Cubs were being pushed to the limit by the Washington Nationals in the NLDS and being delayed on Friday's cross-country flight, Los Angeles was relaxing at home and getting needed rest.
The Dodgers should be about as worry free as it gets at this pressurized point of the season, but they likely do have one concern heading into the NLCS opener.
Clayton Kershaw.
Clayton Kershaw?
The Clayton Kershaw who is a career 144-64 with a 2.36 ERA during the regular season? The Clayton Kershaw who has won three Cy Young Awards?
Yes, that Clayton Kershaw.
Individual playoff performances can be baffling. Marginal players in the regular season can soar to new heights in October. Dominant players can sink to surprising lows.
With a lifetime 5-7 record and 4.63 ERA in the postseason, Kershaw has been an ongoing mystery.
While the Cubs were deciding between Jose Quintana and John Lackey in Game 1, Kershaw is the starter for Los Angeles.
"People talk about all the postseason failures that I've had a lot, and I understand that," Kershaw told reporters Friday. "I don't really look at it like that, though, which is I guess a good thing for me. I've had success at times, too, and I try to marinate on those."
Kershaw started Game 1 of the NLDS against Arizona, and he did get the win. But the 29-year-old lefty was far from sharp, allowing 4 runs on 5 hits (4 home runs) and 3 walks in 6⅓ innings.
In last year's NLCS, Kershaw started Game 2 against the Cubs and was on top of his game, allowing 2 hits over 7 scoreless innings.
Kershaw came back in Game 6 and was rocked for 5 runs (4 earned) on 7 hits in 5 innings as the Cubs closed out the series.
"One was good, one was bad," Kershaw said of last year's performance against the Cubs. "They have a very similar team to what they did last year. I think other than (Dexter) Fowler, they have everybody they had from last year back.
"Great team. Lot of familiarities with both of us. There are not going to be any secrets. Just try to make less mistakes than I did in Game 6, I guess."
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Rich Hill, Yu Darvish and Alex Wood will follow Kershaw in the rotation.
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