The Los Angeles Dodgers have won the National League West in six straight seasons, and for the first time in that span, Clayton Kershaw did not start their opening game of the postseason.
The Dodgers instead decided to go with Hyun-Jin Ryu in Game 1 and Kershaw in Game 2 to give each of their left-handers an extra day of rest before making their first postseason starts of the year.
While Kershaw would have obviously preferred to start Game 1 as he has many years in the past, he is not angry about being switched to Friday. “I wouldn’t really consider it a gut punch,” Kershaw said.
“I don’t really think of it like that. I think, if I get to pitch in another playoff series for the sixth year in a row. I’m looking forward to it.”
Due to his playoff struggles and not having his best season in 2018, some have opined Kershaw needs to pitch well in order to silence critics. However, that isn’t on his mind. “I don’t really need to prove myself to anybody,” Kershaw said.
“I just want my teammates to want me out there. I think that’s the biggest thing. Hyun-Jin has had a great season and he’s pitched really well for us, and looking forward to watching him tonight, and I’ll get my turn tomorrow.”
Even though he was moved to Game 2, Kershaw would still be able to pitch a fifth and decisive game on regular rest if it came down to it, so the change really isn’t worth making a big deal about.
Ryu went out and tossed a gem in Game 1 to lead the Dodgers to a victory, and now Kershaw will look to keep that going on Friday night. Doing so may not only bolster his outside perception, but also give the Dodgers a commanding 2-0 lead in the NLDS.
