In what was supposed to be a crucial start for the Los Angeles Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw, the outcome couldn’t have been more disappointing. Facing the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, Kershaw’s performance was far from what the Dodgers had hoped for. Just eight batters and less than one inning into the game, Kershaw found himself with a daunting 6-0 deficit and a seat in the dugout. The fans at Dodger Stadium could hardly believe what they were witnessing, and many had yet to fully settle into their seats.
The Dodgers entered the postseason knowing that Kershaw would be limited by a tender shoulder, which had been plaguing him during the final stretch of the regular season. However, they still expected him to be effective on the mound. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Kershaw’s start turned out to be one of the worst in postseason history, leaving fans and pundits alike questioning his readiness for such an important game.
The disastrous performance began with an early mistake. D-backs second baseman Ketel Marte hit a ball that should have been a routine play for rookie center fielder James Outman. However, the ball slipped out of Outman’s glove, resulting in a double for Marte. This play set the stage for a relentless onslaught by the Diamondbacks’ offense. Back-to-back singles by Corbin Carroll and Tommy Pham followed, with Christian Walker adding a double. The onslaught culminated with Gabriel Moreno’s three-run homer, leaving the crowd in stunned silence. To make matters worse, Kershaw failed to record more than one out before being pulled from the game.
Clayton Kershaw’s night was not just a disappointment, but also a historic low in his career. In his 454th career start, Kershaw allowed five consecutive hits to open a game for the first time ever. It was also the first time he failed to complete an inning in a postseason game. To put things into perspective, only three other starters in postseason history have allowed six or more runs while recording one out or fewer: Dakota Hudson, Mike Foltynewicz, and Gil Heredia. This is a record no pitcher wants to associate themselves with.
Kershaw’s struggles can be attributed to his ongoing battle with a tender shoulder. Throughout the last two months of the regular season, he persevered through the discomfort, relying on a slower fastball and taking advantage of extra rest between starts. Despite these limitations, Kershaw managed to maintain an impressive 2.23 ERA in his last eight regular-season starts. However, when it truly mattered in the postseason, his physical limitations caught up with him, and his performance suffered as a result.
Clayton Kershaw’s disastrous start serves as a reminder that even the best of the best can have their off days. In the pressure-cooker environment of the postseason, weaknesses can be exposed, and past performances may not guarantee future success. Regardless of this setback, Kershaw’s legacy as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation remains intact. But for now, this historic debacle will be etched in the annals of postseason history as a night to forget for both Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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