Kershaw's Unprecedented Post-Season Struggles Raise Questions About His Playoff Performance

Los Angeles Dodgers faced an uphill struggle after scoring just 6 runs in their first innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Clayton Kershaw had trouble on the mound in Game 1 of the National League Division Series and couldn't hold his own. When he began his ascent to the dugout at Dodger Stadium, the majority of his followers had not even taken their seats.

With a startling 11-2 deficit, Kershaw's loss against the Diamondbacks was his worst season debut ever. Second baseman Ketel Marte hit a double off Kershaw on the game's second pitch, and it continued when centre fielder James Outman made an avoidable error by allowing the ball to slip past his glove. Christian Walker added a double after Corbin Carroll and Tommy Fam singled. Gabriel Moreno, the catcher who had taken a punch to the head on Wednesday against Arizona, then blasted three straight home runs, bringing the startled crowd to a standstill.

Clayton Kershaw's Tough Start to the Post-Season

After another single and a double three batters later, Kershaw's night was gone, and right-hander Emmet Sheehan took his place. Later, Kershaw said, "It's truly depressing." "I feel like I've let everyone down, and this is not how I had planned to start the postseason," the player said. It's clear that we still have a chance, but that wasn't the best way to start.

In his 454th career start on Saturday, Kershaw became the first pitcher to give up five hits in a single game. Additionally, it was the first time he failed to finish an inning. Only three starters have given up five or more runs with five or more hits in the postseason's history when one starter or fewer have surrendered six or more runs. These starters are Dakota Hudson of the St. Louis Cardinals (Game 4 of the 2019 NLCS), Mike Foltynewicz of the Atlanta Braves (Game 5 of the 2019 NLDS), and Gil Heredia of the Oakland Athletics (Game 5 of the 2000 ALDS). In addition to saying that his health is okay, Kershaw said, "If there's a Game 4 in this series, I'll be ready."

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Using bullpen sessions, slowing down the velocity of his fastball, and gradually coming back from extended rest, Kershaw spent the final two months of the regular season improving his pitching. He typically pitched an inning every five days. Even while it might not have been his best effort, Kershaw still produced an excellent 2.23 ERA in his last eight outings during the regular season. For Clayton Kershaw and the Dodgers, it's all about atonement as they try to recover from their rocky start and go further in the postseason.