In a surprising turn of events during Game 1 of the National League Division Series, Clayton Kershaw, the renowned Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, had a brutally abbreviated outing. While fans and analysts were left in shock, Kershaw insisted that his health was not the issue behind his performance.
The game had barely started, and the Dodgers found themselves on the wrong side of an 11-2 defeat against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Kershaw’s performance was a significant factor in the disheartening loss. He gave up six runs and managed to secure just one out, a performance that manager Dave Roberts described as “shocking.”
Freddie Freeman, the Dodgers’ first baseman, echoed the sentiments of many in the baseball world, expressing that no one had anticipated such a dismal start from Kershaw.
In the post-game analysis, Kershaw took full responsibility for his performance, describing it as embarrassing and feeling like a letdown to his team and fans. His outing was marked by historical significance, as he became the first pitcher in postseason history to allow five runs and five hits before recording an out, according to ESPN Stats & Info. It was unquestionably the worst performance in Kershaw’s storied postseason career.
Despite managing a shoulder injury in the latter half of the season, the Dodgers had continued to rely on Kershaw’s pitching prowess. However, this performance raised questions about his current form and readiness for postseason play.
The Arizona Diamondbacks’ aggressive approach at the plate and their effectiveness against Kershaw’s somewhat reduced arsenal were evident in the game. The loss served as a challenging start to the postseason for the Dodgers, a team that had secured 100 wins during the regular season and had high hopes for their playoff run.
