Kershaw could be the stabilizer as Dodgers try to flush Game 4
Game 5 starter Clayton Kershaw allowed one run in six innings in Game 1. (Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Rowan Kavner

The opportunity ahead of Clayton Kershaw transformed in a few calamitous seconds.

Instead of pitching with a chance to win his team the World Series on Sunday, he’ll be pitching to try to steer his team back on course after an ending that went off the rails one night prior. The Dodgers are confident he’ll be ready for the altered task.

They’re also confident the final play of Game 4, a medley of defensive blunders that allowed the Rays to tie the series after the Dodgers came one strike away from taking a 3–1 lead, is behind them.

“Once you leave the locker room last night, it was over with,” said Corey Seager, who had four hits in the Game 4 loss and has homered twice through four World Series games. “We started preparing for today, and that’s all we’re focused on right now. We’ve got our guy on the mound with Kersh, and we’re excited where we’re at.”

Game 5 will mark the 37th postseason start of Kershaw’s career. He’s pitching for a team trying to finish the job in its third trip to the World Series in the last four years.

Roberts said this team in particular does a good job of turning the page, which comes with experience. The Dodgers demonstrated that ability already this postseason, ripping off three straight wins after going down 3–1 to the Braves in the National League Championship Series.

“You learn a lot from guys when they go through tough times,” Roberts said.

Saturday was as tough as it gets. Roberts said he was shell-shocked immediately after the Rays walked off with the win, when a game-tying single off Kenley Jansen led to a bobble in center field, a dropped throw at the plate and a game-winning run.

Will Smith, who was catching on the play, said the tip off his glove was a result of trying to make a quick tag. He didn’t realize Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena stumbled as he was barreling toward home plate, giving Smith more time than he knew.

Smith described it as a heartbreaking ending, but he also said he doesn’t think it makes it more difficult to wipe the slate clean and start fresh Sunday.

“We’re still pretty confident we’re the best team in baseball and we’re gonna win this thing,” Smith said.

He will be the designated hitter Sunday with Austin Barnes behind the plate for Kershaw’s start. Cody Bellinger, a day after dealing with a tight back, returns to center field.

This is the second time this week Kershaw will face the Rays after holding Tampa Bay to one run on two hits and a walk while striking out eight batters over six innings in a Game 1 win.

“The first game you face a team that they haven’t seen you is a little bit different,” Kershaw said. “Definitely have to take into consideration what you’ve done against these guys in the past, in Game 1, and then you maybe look back and you might have to change some things you might not have liked or change approaches, things like that.”

Kershaw won’t have the chance to finish off the World Series in Game 5. But he will have the ability to serve as a stabilizing force and help the Dodgers take back control of the series.

“3–1 is certainly more ideal, but I think right now Clayton is just ready to pitch,” Roberts said. “He just wants to help us win a baseball game, whether it was to close out the series or just win today. I’m not worried about his psyche or his preparation at all.”
['Rowan Kavner']
['World Series', 'Dodgers', 'Clayton Kershaw', 'Pregame', 'MLB']