October 10th, 2019 at 8:00 am 
by 0799291000348 After the obligatory five year wait after retiring as a player, Clayton Kershaw will undoubtedly be voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was the preeminent pitcher of Major League Baseball for the better part of a decade, known for his high character, fierce competitiveness and a stand-up guy who never made excuses. He was, for several years, considered to be amongst the greatest of all time – or GOAT.
But in Game-5 of the 2019 National League Division Series at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night, Kershaw was the scapegoat after serving up back-to-back home runs – on consecutive pitches – to Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon and left fielder Juan Soto.
Although the home runs only tied the game and the box score has Dodgers right-hander Joe Kelly as the losing pitcher (deservedly so), it was Kershaw’s inability to hold the game that resulted in the loss and Dodgers elimination from the 2019 postseason.
(Getty Images)
Kershaw’s post-game comments summed it up:
“I had one job to do, to get three outs. I got one out and didn’t get the other two. They went over the fence and it cost us the game right there. So it’s a terrible feeling. No excuses, just didn’t make pitches and guys hit it over the fence twice.”
Even in the agony of defeat, Kershaw was the standup guy – with class.
Make no mistake, the end of the Dodgers 2019 season was the result of a team failure, not just Kershaw. But he was the guy, as he usually is, who stood up and grabbed the goat by the horns.
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UGH UGH UGH. Like all true Dodgers fans I feel punched in the gut.
Of course Kersh would be the stand up guy, that’s who and what he is.
We ALL want to blame someone for the loss and elimination. I’m sure that applies to Dodgers ownership, management, players and coaches too. Just don’t do it. Team sports result in team wins and team losses, DAMMIT.
Doc’s contract is up, so is Ryu’s I think, Gyorko, Kenley has an option, Father Time roles on undefeated and on and on. The team will look different next season maybe VERY different and I’m certain that the roles assigned to the 2019 players will be re-thought. Kershaw knows he’s no longer an Ace nor is he a #2, maybe not a #3 now.
They need another dominating ace to compliment Buehler and right now that’s not Ryu – he had a career year and is fragile, and not Urias, May or Gonsolin….yet.
I pray they don’t entirely tear down this team as it has a lot of very strong weapons but time will tell. GO DODGERS!!!
Doc is under contract through the 2022 season. Free agents: Hill, Ryu, Freese, Martin, Gyorko ($13MM option that Dodgers will buyout).
Jesse, that may be so with Roberts but IDK if in fact he should remain after some really really awful decisions and how the pitching and daily lineups were managed. Russo on High heat said what I believe to be true in that Dodgers do not really have any great players that stand out. Just look at these PS performances. If they insist on having a team with a bunch of simply interchangeable parts then the inconsistencies and ultimate failures will continue.
I was just pointing out that Roberts is still under contract, whether he should remain as the manager of the Dodgers is up for debate. IMO, he should be replaced.
I fault the Dodgers offensive disappearance as much as anything. At least Muncy showed up. I wonder if Chase Utley would consider being the next manager. I don’t see how Roberts has motivational credibility after this series. I can’t see how Kenley and Roberts can co-exist moving forward.
But, Paul, are we sure the decisions to let Kershaw and Kelly pitch 2 innings was not a front office directive?
Very fair question. Keeping Roberts in his position seems to validate that he is managing in accordance with front office direction
Strasburg got better and better as the game moved on. After that we were out pitched, outplayed, outsmarted and above all outhitted.
A determent Washington team finally made it through.
The Dodgers lost to a very good Nationals team, playing their best baseball of the season for the last month+.
Kershaw’s failures do stand out though. His performance in games 2 and 5 were poor. Going forward he should no longer be relied on for important post season innings.
Buehler is that pitcher now. It is a shame Gonsolin did not make the roster to see how he would do in the PS. It seems he may be able to handle it. Urias and May look good as well. Adding Cole would be a big plus. Cole was very good in Pittsburgh. He has been elite in Houston.