Inside the Astros

Dodgers Ace Still Scarred By Controversial World Series Loss To Astros

Clayton Kershaw isn't happy to see the Houston Astros this weekend.

Tyler Maher

Jul 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Jul 25, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw. / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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Seven years later, Clayton Kershaw still isn't over it.

The Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series at Minute Maid Park this weekend. It's a rematch of the 2017 World Series, which the Astros won in seven games while using illegal sign stealing methods.

Houston commemorated the championship with a giant statue of a replica World Series ring outside the ballpark -- a permanent reminder of how the 2017 season ended. The Dodgers got their own ring three years later in 2020, but many of them are still bitter about the 2017 Fall Classic, feeling they were robbed.

Count Kershaw among them, as he sounded pretty salty when discussing this weekend's series, which started with a 5-0 Astros win on Friday.

"I don't like coming here," Kershaw said bluntly. "I don't like rolling up and seeing the 2017 ring in front of their stadium."

Who can blame him? Kershaw struggled during his Game 5 start in Houston, getting pounded for six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Astros prevailed 13-12 in 10 innings, taking a 3-2 series lead back to Los Angeles, where they won Game 7.

The 36-year-old lefty has had many ups and downs during his postseason career, so Houston isn't the only place where he has bad memories. Still, it's understandable why he has such a visceral reaction to Minute Maid Park in particular.

Fortunately for Kershaw, he won't have to face the Astros this weekend. After making his season debut against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, his next start is scheduled for next week against the San Diego Padres.

Until then, all he can do is grin and bear it while cheering on his teammates from the dugout. He also might want to start using the back door to get into the stadium from now on.

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Tyler Maher

TYLER MAHER

Tyler grew up in Massachusetts and is a huge Boston sports fan, especially the Red Sox. He went to Tufts University and played club baseball for the Jumbos. Since graduating, he has worked for MLB.com, The Game Day, FanDuel and Forbes. When he's not writing about baseball, he enjoys running, traveling, and playing fetch with his golden retriever.

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