Will Clayton Kershaw help the Dodgers end their long title drought or will both their playoff woes continue?
The last time the Los Angeles Dodgers raised the Commissioner’s Trophy, Ronald Reagan (the actor?) was president, UB40’s Red Wine was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, America’s Most Wanted made its debut on television, and Clayton Kershaw was just months old. For those of you who forgot what it looks like for the boys in Dodger blue to win it all, here’s a friendly reminder of that rarity thanks to MLB.com:
Orel Hershiser threw a four-hitter, shutting down the high-powered Oakland A’s offense.
Much has changed since the late 80’s, but the Dodgers have stayed consistent in their absence not only from the Fall Classic but from making even one appearance in it.
The Dodger’s have had a heavy presence in October, however, with much regular season success, earning a total of 11 Postseason appearances since ’88, including nine NL West Division crowns (1995, 2004, 2008-2009, 2013-2017), with two Wild Card berths (1996, 2006) to go along with it. An intricate part of their success has been thanks to the golden-arm of perennial All-Star Clayton Kershaw, who has been flat-out dominate, just take a look at his accolades:
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- National League MVP (2014)
- 7 time NL All-Star (2011–2017)
- 3 time NL Cy Young Award (2011, 2013, 2014)
- Gold Glove Award (2011)
- NL Pitching Triple Crown (2011)
- 3 time NL wins champion (2011, 2014, 2017)
- 5 time NL ERA leader (2011–2014, 2017)
- 3 time NL strikeout leader (2011, 2013, 2015)
- Roberto Clemente Award (2012)
- Branch Rickey Award (2013)
- No-hitter (June 18, 2014)
- Career Record: 144-64
- Career ERA: 2.36
- 2,120 career strikeouts
Even though 20 game winners are a dying breed, Kershaw is always in contention to meet that annual milestone, with his ERA even lowering each of the last nine seasons, which is impressive considering it’s already microscopic as it is.
Kershaw's career ERA after each season of his career:
— Ben Lindbergh (@BenLindbergh) October 1, 2017
4.26
3.36
3.17
2.88
2.79
2.60
2.48
2.43
2.37
2.36https://t.co/UUjKUuvBAH
With all of that success, it just hasn’t translated into the Postseason for one reason or another. In comparison, Kershaw’s Postseason numbers are very disappointing (4-7 record, 4.55 ERA).
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There really is no logical explanation for such a huge disparity between the success of Kershaw in the regular season — or the Dodgers for that matter — compared to the lack thereof when it matters most in October. The nearly 30-year drought may have something to do with it, with pressure just building and building after each early Postseason exit.
Could this finally be the season the Dodgers get over the hump and make the Fall Classic? Time will tell, but I believe the team from the City of Angels have a chip on their shoulder and will make their first appearance in the Fall Classic in decades.