Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw has faced plenty of postseason scrutiny throughout his storied career, but what happened Sunday at Busch Stadium crossed a line in his view—and then promptly lit a fire under him.
Before taking the mound against the Cardinals, Kershaw was greeted with a pointed piece of pregame “hype”: a video-board replay of Matt Adams’ three-run home run from Game 4 of the 2014 NLDS—arguably the lowest moment of Kershaw’s playoff résumé. The blast sealed a St. Louis series win and haunted the narrative surrounding Kershaw for years.
“It’s a little bush league,” Kershaw said afterward. “But I don’t expect anything less from these guys. So, it’s no worries.”
Los Angeles Dodgers SP Uses Slight From Cards As Motivation
Except it clearly was. Motivated or not, Kershaw responded the only way he knows how—by dominating. In just his fifth start of the season after recovering from offseason surgeries, the 37-year-old lefty delivered his strongest outing yet, striking out seven over five innings and allowing just one run. The Dodgers cruised to a 7-3 win, avoiding a series sweep and improving to 39-27.
Kershaw’s command, he said, was finally coming back. “The results haven’t always been there, but there’s been progress,” he noted. “Pitching is just making the adjustment as quick as you can.”
That kind of poise defines Kershaw’s career arc—one that’s outgrown its early October struggles and now includes two World Series titles and a chance at 3,000 strikeouts. He’s 17 away.
What the Cardinals hoped would rattle the veteran only reinforced why he’s still the soul of the Dodgers’ clubhouse. The pregame provocation may have drawn attention, but it was Kershaw’s composure, not his past, that carried the day.
St. Louis, riding high after winning the first two games, now sits at 36-29 and faces Toronto next. The Dodgers turn to a key divisional showdown with San Diego—just one game back in the NL West.
As for Kershaw, Sunday was more than a win—it was a reminder. You can play the clips and stir the memories, but he’s still here, still competing, and still capable of silencing the noise.