Day 53

Fresh Start_53: All on the line
It seems like yesterday I did a fresh start about Klayton Kershaw and his greatness. Well last night Kershaw added to his great career, with a two out save in our Nation’s Capital. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts pulled out all the stops last night, and it was a big boy move to do so. Roberts only pitched his starter Rich Hill fifty-five pitches in only two and two thirds innings. The Dodgers closer Kanley Jansen pitched two and a third innings pitching fifty-three pitches which is the most of his career. Klayton Kershaw proved that he is the best left handed pitcher in the game as a whole pitcher. I am a huge fan of Madison Bumgardner and what he has done in the playoffs throughout his career. Kershaw has shown throughout this season and throughout his career, that he is the best lefty in L.A. since Sandy Koufax.
The smudge of Kershaw’s resume was his performance in the postseason was lacking, especially in big moments. I won’t like lie, I had no faith in the decision to go to Kershaw in the ninth after Kershaw pitched one hundred and fourteen pitches just two days before. The adrenaline rush that Kershaw had to get through the ninth and ultimately win the ball game. However, with the madness throughout the longest game in playoff history (time wise) I disagree with the decisions to go to Jansen in the seventh and Kershaw in the ninth to close the game. I know it is a win or go home game, but this is now throwing in the towel for the next series. I know Cubs fans will not say this, but the Cubs will absolutely dominate the Dodgers in Game One. The reason being is Los Angeles has just dictated their fate for the first couple games in the NLCS. The Dodgers can’t hit left handed pitching and a rested Jon Lester will go through that team like a knife through butter. L.A. has just said to the Cubs that Kenta Maeda will most likely start Game One in Chicago. Rich Hill will most likely not be available until Game Two at the earliest, and the great Klayton Kershaw until Game Four.
The reason I don’t agree with the move like I did in 2014 with Madison Bumgardner pitching back to back games to win the World Series—is because it was the World Series. The Giants had all season to make sure Bumgardner’s arm was healthy and that he was healthy and ready to go for the next season. For Kershaw and the Dodgers there are still eight games at the least to win a ring. This is not a good move for mentality of the team going into the buzz saw that is the Chicago Cubs. With the moves that Dave Roberts took in Game Five last night will not win them a championship. Every team needs the adversity in the playoffs, but the team that will receive a banner next April will also make all the right moves to raise the Commissioner’s Trophy. I think Dave Roberts has a ligament chance to win Coach of the Year, and I like the Dodgers team as a whole, but not with the handicap that they have put themselves in, nor in Game One against Lester on the North Side tomorrow night.
Sources:(mlb.com)

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