Game 5

A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing on a sports card shop website. I found one product, which looked pretty interesting. There were 7 packs of baseball cards inside, however, you don’t really know what you would receive until you open it. I decided to give it a try. And, I found some packs with the 2021 Topps Heritage. Opening some packs, a 2020 World Series Game 5 card truly made me think about a question.

Clayton Kershaw was the starting pitcher for the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 2020 World Series. In that game, he tossed 5.2 innings and got the win. So far, Kershaw has already won the Cy Young award 3 times. However, when it comes to Game 5 in the postseason, there is something that Dodgers fans wouldn’t like to remember.

So, let’s check Kershaw’s performance in game 5 so far in his career.

Kershaw in Game 5 (Postseason)
Year	Series	IP	H	BB	SO	ER	HR
2009	NLCS g5	2	1	1	3	2	1
2016	NLDS g5	0.2	0	0	1	0	0
2017	NLCS g5	6	3	1	5	1	1
2017	WS g5	4.2	4	3	2	6	1
2018	NLCS g5	7	3	2	9	1	0
2018	WS g5	7	7	0	5	4	3
2019	NLDS g5	0.1	2	0	1	2	2
2020	WS g5	5.2	5	2	6	2	0

In 2009, Kershaw tossed 2 innings in the NLCS Game 5. He struck out 3 batters, but he gave up 2 runs. The Dodgers lost to the Phillies in this series.

In 2016, after throwing 6.2 innings in NLDS Game 4, Clayton Kershaw came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the 9th inning in NLDS Game 5. He got the final two outs to record his first save as a Major Leaguer and the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS.

Then, there are lots of things going on in 2017. Clayton Kershaw threw 6 innings in the NLCS Game 5 and he was dominant on the mound. Kershaw only gave up 1 run and he also struck out 5 batters. The Dodgers defeated the Cubs to win the NL pennant. Nonetheless, in the World Series, Kershaw gave up 6 runs over 4.2 innings in Game 5. People definitely know what happened in that game.

In 2018, Kershaw used 98 pitches to get his job done in NLCS Game 5. He punched out 9 batters and allowed just one run over 7 innings. But in the World Series, the nightmare seems to come back. He gave up 3 home runs and allowed 4 runs in Game 5 of the 2018 World Series. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost in the World Series again.

In 2019, Kershaw came out of the bullpen in NLDS Game 5, trying to help the 106-win Dodgers advance to the NLCS. Nevertheless, Kershaw only threw 0.1 innings this time. He gave up two home runs and the Dodgers lost to the Nationals in the NLDS.

Finally, Kershaw tossed 5.2 innings in Game 5 of the 2020 World Series. He struck out 6 batters and allowed 2 runs. Kershaw took his 2nd win in the 2020 World Series. The Dodgers eventually won the first World Series title since 1988.

So far in his career, Kershaw threw 33.1 innings in Game 5 in the postseason and he gave up 18 runs. Those numbers don’t look like a 3-time Cy Young winner. However, we can’t ignore that Kershaw did help the Dodgers get some important wins in the playoffs. Due to injury, he didn’t pitch in the postseason last year. Kershaw returns to the Dodgers on a 1-year deal and let’s see his performance during the regular season first.