Los Angeles Dodgers: Can Clayton Kershaw Save Season at Wrigley?
Maybe it’s only fitting that the best pitcher in baseball in Los Angles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw has been matched up against the Chicago Cubs with the task of prolonging “The Curse” for another day by forcing a Game 7 at Wrigley Field. But it’s going to take more than that to stop this team.
Following the Chicago Cubs‘ victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers last night to take a 3-2 game lead back to Wrigley, manager Dave Roberts is bound to be barraged with second-guess questions as to why he didn’t pitch Clayton Kershaw in that pivotal fifth game. And maybe he should answer the question by simply saying, “Hey, they’re all pivotal games.”
Because the truth is that any pitcher that Roberts chose to pitch in that game, and there were seven (count ’em), are major league pitchers who are paid to deliver in these situations. And none of them did.
Terry Francona had a similar call to make the other night in deciding whether or not he should hold Corey Kluber back or allow him to pitch on short rest. Granted, the situation was a bit different in that the Indians had a comfortable lead in the series at the time. But still, Francona gives the ball to a 24-year-old kid from Texas with 11 innings of major league experience and says, “You’re my guy tonight. Go out there and pitch like you can “. And Ryan Merritt did exactly that.
And so did Jon Lester, who threw another brilliant seven innings last night proving once again that he is “The Man” on the Cubs staff who can be counted on to deliver when it matters. And by and large, the rest of the Cubs pitching staff has been there to supplement his lead.
The Question May Be Misworded Though
So maybe the question is misworded and it should be “Can the Dodgers Save Their Season Saturday Night”? Because while both Lester and Kershaw would probably win the MVP of the series if their team were to win, it’s the team with a capital “T” that wins it all. Look no further than the Cleveland Indians to reinforce that.
Clayton Kershaw has had an up-and-down postseason career (4-6 4.39 ERA). And yet, it’ll be surprising if he doesn’t give a Kershaw-like effort Saturday night, because after all he is Clayton Kershaw. Unfortunately, that effort may not be enough if the rest of Dodgers don’t show up. At least the ones not named Justin Turner.
Unlike sports such as golf, tennis and bowling – baseball is a true team sport. And when players talk about it, sometimes we make the leap a little too quick in thinking to ourselves, “Well, that’s what he’s supposed to say.” When in fact, the player truly believes in what he is saying.
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By winning two in a row on the road at Dodger Stadium, the Cubs have proven that they have a team thing going here. Now, it’s up to the Dodgers to prove that they have the same thing.