Playoff Kershaw Is Real and Not Spectacular: Unchecked

Clayton Kershaw's playoff struggles come to forefront again following the Los Angeles Dodgers' Game 4 NLCS loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Playoff Kershaw is not a narrative. Clayton Kershaw doesn’t pitch as well in the playoffs as he does in the regular season and that’s a fact.

Clayton Kershaw's lifetime regular season record is 175-76, with an earned run average of 2.43. His lifetime postseason record, in 28 starts, is 11-12, with an earned run average of 4.31.

— Mike Lupica (@MikeLupica) October 16, 2020

I think people just feel bad for him and therefore try to explain it away as some exaggerated thing. Let me be clear—what has happened is not all Kershaw’s fault. He’s had bad breaks and bats fail him. 

I know we’re all going to fixate on Kershaw failing to ace this, but the Dodgers had 3 hits all night. 3 HITS! That’s not winning a playoff game against a team as good as the Braves on any night.

— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) October 16, 2020

And perhaps he could’ve been pulled earlier by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

Half the playoff Kershaw narrative can be explained by Dave Roberts letting him face a couple batters too many, using him out of the bullpen, pitching him on short rest, or some combination of all three.

— Foolish Baseball (@FoolishBB) October 16, 2020

But in saying that, we’re talking about a supposed all-time great not being able to go 6 innings and being out-pitched by Bryse Wilson (I bet some of you just had to google that name). Is it too much to ask for a signature start from a future Hall of Famer?

How it started How it ended pic.twitter.com/bymjSHLy5k

— Emily Nyman (@EmSheDoesIt) October 16, 2020

When you're on that level, the criticism comes with the territory. This isn’t reserved for just him. The likes of Peyton Manning and Alex Rodriguez were dubbed postseason failures until they did enough to erase those labels. 

A-Rod dropping gems on Kershaw pic.twitter.com/h6Raiaab7j

— Randy Cruz (@randyjcruz) October 16, 2020

LeBron James was called not clutch after 2011 and has had looneys hanging on to that ridiculousness despite him being an absolute monster in big spots ever since. A guy like James Harden, who admittedly doesn’t have defining moments, but still has averaged over 28 points per game in his last four playoff appearances, is dogged by many for his postseason performances.

So, no, it is not unfair to point out Clayton Kershaw’s fall resume. He’s had plenty of chances to change the “narrative”. 

Clayton Kershaw's 4.31 career ERA is the worst in MLB history among pitchers with over 100 playoff innings #Dodgers

— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) October 16, 2020

The problem for him is, the numbers tell the story.