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Trysta Krick of SportsPulse catches Ted Berg of For The Win and Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, who give us their predictions for this year's baseball playoffs.
USA TODAY & # 39; HUI
Clayton Kershaw did not start the first game of the LNDS for the Dodgers.(Photo: Jae C. Hong, AP)
LOS ANGELES – You're not going to find it in the official injury reports, but Clayton Kershaw will launch Friday with a bruised ego.
The Dodgers have decided to join forces with Hyun-jin Ryu and Kershaw, three-time Cy Young Award winner, to start the opening game of the Dodgers National League series against the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Dodger Stadium.
"I would not really consider it a punch," Kershaw said in a media session before the first match. "I do not really think of it like that, I think, if I can participate in another playoff series for the sixth year in a row, and I'm looking forward to it."
Dodger manager Dave Roberts said that if Kershaw was disappointed, he was hiding it.
"The atmosphere between us is great, it has not changed," he said.
The move seemed wise during the Victory of the Dodgers 6-0. Sage, that is, there is no possible consequence when Kershaw wins the second game of the best five series.
When asked if not starting out would motivate him, Kershaw said, "I do not really need to prove myself to anyone."
Not true.
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Kershaw, whose 2.73 Era this season is the highest since the 2010 season, will certainly have something to prove. Something big, even for a future Hall of Fame member like him. Something that can determine if the Dodgers can win their first World Series championship since 1988.
He must prove that his bruised ego will not undermine him when he will take the mound. And the only playoffs raise concerns about Kershaw, who in his 11-year major league career is 7-7 with an average of 4.25 points in the playoffs, compared to 153-69 and a duration of 2.39 in regular average. And then, there were interesting exchanges Thursday during his question-and-answer session with the media.
A reporter asked Kershaw whether he agreed or disagreed with why the Dodgers had decided to create Ryu. (Roberts pointed out that this would give Kershaw an extra day of rest, but Ryu entered the match with higher stats and it was clear that the front desk was probably involved in the decision.)
"Good question," said Kershaw, who then laughed. "It was not really something to agree or disagree with. I guess they had their reasons and I accepted them. ''
Another reporter asked Kershaw if he would enjoy the extra rest.
"Uh, I do not know," he said. "I'll let you know tomorrow. … I think I would have been fine in both cases. "
Then a reporter said on Wednesday that Ryu told reporters that Kershaw was aware of the start of the first LNDS game against the Braves. Could Kershaw share the story of this conversation?
"Of course," Kershaw replied. "Ryu asked me if I was starting the first game and I said," No, you are. "And we left."
True or not, it is the Dodgers who should have informed Ryu that he would start. But make no mistake: it was the right decision and it worked in their favor. Ryu pulled out 14 of the first 15 batters he faced, allowing only four hits in the base, eliminating eight and not moving any goals before being lifted after seven innings.
Friday, Kershaw can still prove itself.
Follow Peter on Twitter @ joshlpeter11
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