The only knocks on Kershaw to date have surrounded a couple of subpar performances in postseason outings.
Advertisement
Matz allowed three runs in five innings, and surrendered six hits.
One ace helped the Los Angeles Dodgers stave off elimination against the New York Mets.
Los Angeles Dodgers grounds crew worker Justin Patenaud paints the National League Division Series logo on the field in preparation for Thursday’s game 5 between the Dodgers and the New York Mets in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Oct…
“This is one of those games where you’re in a situation where everybody’s available”, Collins said. Of course, deGrom shut out the Dodgers for seven innings in Friday’s Game 1, walking just one while striking out 13.
Either way, no matter what, there can be only game left, Thursday night in Los Angeles. “I think a lot of those guys in (our) clubhouse feel the same way”. “Jacob threw a great game out there the last time”. And, despite his 1-6 record and 4.99 ERA in previous postseason starts, it was an easy call for manager Don Mattingly to trust his season, and perhaps his job, with Kershaw on three days of rest. He only faced one batter, but he was there.
The Dodgers have appeared in three NL Championship Series since 2008 and lost all three, most recently in 2013 when they fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2. “But we knew going into this”.
The Mets have said repeatedly that Harvey would not be allowed to pitch out of the bullpen because they fear the quick warmup would be a chance for him to re-injure his elbow. “Probably if he’d want one pitch back, it’s probably the hanging slider he threw Kershaw”.
The reigning NL MVP and three-time Cy Young Award victor snapped a five-start losing streak in the playoffs – the longest in Dodgers history.
Two of the best right-handers in baseball, Zack Greinke and Jacob deGrom, will square off in Los Angeles for a winner-takes-all NLDS Game 5 on Thursday. Though Daniel Murphy hit a solo home run off him in the fourth inning, the Mets never really felt like they mounted a serious threat. I think coming into here you think about getting a split and being able to come in here and split and get back home and get the ball – we knew Clayton was going to pitch, so getting the ball back to Zack on our field and give us a chance.
“Just trying to keep positive thoughts in there”, Ellis said later.
“I made a few bad pitches and it wound up costing me three runs”, Matz said. This time, a Kershaw start in October ended the way so many Kershaw starts from April through September have ended. A meeting on Saturday with Jake Arrieta. He was just as good in his lone regular season start against Los Angeles this season, throwing 7 2/3 scoreless innings and again not allowing a runner to reach third base.
Who will win Game 5?
With Greinke and deGrom squaring off again, Kershaw says the series is “dead-even”. “If you can get strikeouts on heaters like he can, it’s really tough”.
DeGrom was the victor in Game 1.
Greinke showed the Mets his fastball, changeup and slider nearly equally in Game 2.
If you have any idea what’s going to happen in Game 5, you’re a damned liar.
Clayton Kershaw threw seven terrific innings on three days’ rest Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Dodgers pushed the National League Division Series to the limit with a 3-1 win over the New York Mets in Game 4 at Citi Field.
The Dodgers will send out Grienke, who last pitched in Game 2 in LA and is working on full rest.
Greinke may have a little extra motivation if winning a series-deciding game wasn’t enough for him.
Advertisement
Follow Danny on Twitter and talk baseball.
