Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw’s Words Hurt A Lot More Following Disappointing Game 1 Start
Prior to the start of the NLDS, there was a certain buzz around this Dodgers team. There was hope for a better showing than what people saw last season, but instead, LA was swept in even more embarrassing fashion.
Game 1 was a nightmare through and through, as veteran Clayton Kershaw was rocked for six runs in the first inning. He could only get one out and was removed from the game, but by that point, the game was already over.
It’s hard enough to play in a playoff game, but when the offense is put into a deep hole like that before they take their first swing, it’s a tough spot to be in. But before he made his start, Kershaw provided some insight into his mindset about pitching in the postseason — words that only hurt more now.
“I think for the past however many years to get to be in the postseason, I’ve become more grateful for it. And I think at the end of the day I just look at some of the things that have happened and the things that I’ve gotten to be a part of -- and not all has been positive, obviously, but I wouldn’t change it. I’d much rather fail on the biggest stages than not to get to be here at all. It’s a special thing to get to be in the postseason. Like you said, this year was a little bit up in the air for a minute, so it makes you all the more grateful to be here.”
These words from Kershaw are a sad irony from what happened in Game 1. He definitely doesn’t regret saying them, because he is a competitor, and he is thankful for being in the playoffs.
But man do they sting after the performance that he put together. If the Dodgers were able to extend the series, Kershaw would have been given another chance to earn his keep in Game 4. However, the Dodgers weren't able to get there, and now Kershaw is left to decide if he wants to end his career on that sour note, or come back in 2024.
Nobody knows what the future holds for Kershaw, but it would be an extremely unfortunate final outing if he were to hang it up.
