The biggest story in Major League Baseball this offseason other than the free-agent and trade markets has been a sign-stealing scandal surrounding the Houston Astros.
The league is currently investigating the matter, but according to reports, the Astros used cameras to steal signs during their 2017 World Series run, and perhaps beyond.
While the past cannot be changed, MLB will likely come down hard on the Astros if the allegations are found to be true, and there is pretty substantial evidence to believe that is the case.
One of the teams most affected by the Astros potentially cheating was the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were defeated by Houston in seven games in an all-time classic World Series.
Clayton Kershaw was a big part of that, of course, pitching well in Game 1 at Dodger Stadium to earn a win before being roughed up in Game 5 at Minute Maid Park. Kershaw rebounded and pitched well out of the bullpen in Game 7, but by then, the Astros had already built up a lead strong enough to win.
It is unknown if the Astros set up cameras to steal signs on the road as the reports only indicated that they did it at Minute Maid Park. That could be a big reason why Kershaw was not able to hold onto two leads in that classic Game 5 though, and he finally commented on the matter for the first time on Friday during a charity event at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw was surprised by the reports and understandably a little upset, via Jorge Castillo of the L.A. Times:
Clayton Kershaw said he was a “little shocked” about the allegations levied against the Astros. “It sucks.”
— Jorge Castillo (@jorgecastillo) December 13, 2019
It is no secret that Kershaw has struggled in the postseason throughout his career with the Dodgers. The 2017 season was his best opportunity to finally get over the hump and win a World Series, so it is valid for him to not be happy that it was taken away from him by a team that used illegal cameras to cheat.
There is nothing that Kershaw and the Dodgers can do about the matter now though, so their sole focus should be on getting back to the Fall Classic and winning it all in 2020.
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