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Clayton Kershaw struggles again in postseason during Game 6 loss

The “Clayton Kershaw can’t pitch in the postseason” narrative is alive and well. After coming up big during the Los Angeles Dodgers’ first two playoff series, Kershaw was saddled with the loss as the Chicago Cubs beat the Dodgers 5-0 in Game 6 of the National League Championship Series.

With the Dodgers facing elimination, the 28-year-old ace gave up five runs, four earned, on seven hits over five innings. He did not issue any walks and struck out four during the start.

Clayton Kershaw was knocked around in Game 6 of the NLCS. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Clayton Kershaw was knocked around in Game 6 of the NLCS. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

As with most of Kershaw’s postseason outings, his struggles weren’t entirely his fault. Kershaw did give up a double and run-scoring single to kick things off, but was hurt by crucial error on the next play.

Left fielder Andrew Toles dropped a routine fly ball from Anthony Rizzo, putting runners on second and third with no outs. A Ben Zobrist sac fly extended the team’s lead to 2-0.

After the contest, Toles said he lost the ball in the Wrigley Field lights.

At that point, Kershaw battled to keep Rizzo stranded on third. He threw 30 pitches in the first inning. If not for the error, it’s possible Kershaw would have only allowed one run during the frame.

With that said, it became evident later that Kershaw didn’t have his best stuff for this one. The lefty had a tough time throwing his curve for strikes, allowing the Cubs to sit on his fastball for most of the game.

Because of that, Chicago was able to pick up multiple extra-base hits against the normally stingy Kershaw. Addison Russell doubled, and then came in to score on a single in the second. Anthony Rizzo doubled off Kershaw in the third.

In the fourth, it was Willson Contreras’ time to shine. On the second pitch of his at-bat, Contreras belted an 86 mph slider out to left to give Chicago a 4-0 lead. Rizzo struck again in the fifth, but this time managed to hit the ball out of the park. His solo shot gave the Cubs a 5-0 lead against Kershaw.

That would wind up being the final score. With the win, the Cubs advanced to their first World Series since 1945.

Clayton Kershaw left Game 6 of the NLCS earlier than expected. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Clayton Kershaw left Game 6 of the NLCS earlier than expected. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Kershaw would finish the fifth inning, but that was it. In the top of the sixth, he was removed for pinch-hitter Andre Ethier.

Prior to that start, Kershaw had a 4.39 ERA over 84 postseason innings. His career ERA in the regular season is 2.37. Does that mean the best pitcher in the world suddenly can’t pitch when it matters? No, of course not.

Kershaw didn’t have his best stuff this time out, but you also have to give credit to the Cubs for taking advantage of that. It’s also worth noting that the Cubs boasted one of the best offenses in baseball during the regular season. A lot of great pitchers got knocked around by them this year.

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Chris Cwik is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at christophercwik@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Chris_Cwik