Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is defending his ace after a collapse for the ages.
Following L.A.’s 7-3 loss to the Nationals in game 5 of the NLDS Wednesday night, Roberts told reporters that he will shoulder the blame for Clayton Kershaw’s eighth inning, in which he gave up back-to-back home runs to even the score at 3-3.
“He’s probably the best pitcher of our generation,” Roberts said. “It just didn’t work out. There’s always going to be second-guessing. But I’ll take my chances any day on Clayton.”
The question is why Roberts took his chances on Kershaw when his postseason track record is consistently inconsistent. Kershaw has a 2.44 career ERA through 12 regular seasons, but that balloons to 4.43 in the postseason.
Should Kershaw have stayed in after logging a quick three-pitch out in the seventh? Roberts says he has no doubt.
“My eyes tell me that he should go back out there because he’s throwing the ball really well,” he said.
