Dodgers' Kershaw rewriting legacy in World Series
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[October 27, 2020]
(Reuters) - Clayton Kershaw's postseason misery has
been a defining part of his legacy but he has done wonders to change
that narrative by putting his Los Angeles Dodgers on the cusp of
their first World Series title since 1988.
One of the best pitchers of his generation, the Dodgers ace, 31, has
enjoyed a breakthrough October and soaked up the moment on Sunday
after paving the way for a 4-2 win over the Tampa Bay Rays and 3-2
lead in the best-of-seven World Series.
"Any time you can have success in the postseason, it just means so
much," said Kershaw. "It's what you work for, it's what you play for
this month. I know what the other end of that feels like, too, so
I'll definitely take it when I can get it."
The elite left-hander's regular-season greatness had, until this
year, never fully translated to the playoffs and without him the
Dodgers would probably not be in the World Series for the third time
in four years.
Kershaw set the tone in the World Series opener when he struck out eight
Rays batters and allowed just two hits over six innings as the Dodgers
drew first blood.
Then, Kershaw helped his club wrestle back control of the series on
Sunday when he limited the underdog Rays to a pair of runs in an
effective 5-2/3 innings.
Kershaw, a Dallas native, could get his first taste of a World Series
title on Tuesday in nearby Arlington, Texas, where the entire
championship round is being played in front of a limited number of fans
because of COVID-19.
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Los Angeles Dodgers
manager Dave Roberts (30) takes starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw
(22) out of the game during the sixth inning during game five of the
2020 World Series at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin
Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
"I don't want to say it's working out the way that I wanted it to,
just because being at Dodger Stadium would be awesome, too," said
Kershaw.
"But to get to have family and friends here, to get to have as
packed a house as it can be and make it basically seem like it's all
Dodger fans, is very special as well."
(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto; Editing by Mark Heinrich)
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