For someone who strictly abides by a set routine, the 2016 postseason has been everything but ordinary for Clayton Kershaw. He started for the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, and came back on short rest in Game 4.
Two days later Kershaw appeared out of the bullpen to record two outs to close the winner-take-all Game 5. Aside from warming up in the bullpen, Kershaw threw just seven pitches to send the Dodgers to the NL Championship Series.
That, coupled with previous preparation to shoulder a heavy load during the postseason, allowed Kershaw to start against the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of the NLCS.
It was Kershaw’s fourth game in the past nine days. Just as he doesn’t deviate from a workout during the offseason or between starts, Kershaw has a routine he goes through prior to each start.
Before heading to the bullpen for a final warmup, the left-handed ace throws in the outfield. Doing so at the “Friendly Confines” came with some heckling.
Via Danny Rockett on Twitter is video of Kershaw getting heckled. It comes with a warning of some foul language.
Heckling Kershaw pic.twitter.com/aYhHatWRKA
— Danny Rockett (@SonRanto) October 16, 2016
Kershaw set the Cubs down in order in the first inning and lost a perfect game on Javier Baez’s two-out single in the fifth. Spotted a 1-0 lead from Adrian Gonzalez’s solo home run, Kershaw navigated his way through seven shutout frames on an efficient 84 pitches.
