Game 3 Starter and Nationals Ace, Max Scherzer pitches in relief in game 2

[libermaniac]

The MLB may have a very long regular season, which can make it difficult to keep up. However, there is no doubt in my mind, that they have the best postseason.

As far as Kershaw is concerned, he is a lock for the Hall of Fame. I blame the manager for the debacle last night. I don’t understand the mentality of suddenly changing how to use pitchers once the postseason arrives. Kershaw is a starter, so why bring him into a game for relief? Does he have a history of relieving, where he would prove to be better than an actual relief pitcher, particularly an 8th inning guy? And if the manager was so concerned about his bullpen, then why not bring in the closer, Jansen, to deal with the heart of the lineup in the 8th? Jansen has had 2 inning saves.

Definitely rooting for the Nationals going forward. I obviously hate the Yankees, so their out. I'm sick of the Cardinals. Will be rooting for Houston tonight, even though I can't stand them based on their arrogance. I would root for the Rays, but I don't think they have what it would take to beat the Yankees.

Um, tell that to Alex Cora and the 2018 WS Champs. 

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Kershaw chokes again. Not a Hall of Famer in my book—not with as many playoffs debacles as he's had.

This is ridiculous.  He's going to be in the HOF. 

I didn't say he wouldn't be; I said he's not a HOFer in my book.

Ted Williams was 5/25 with 0 HR & 1 RBI in his only postseason appearance.  Should he be in the HOF based on this logic?

The Williams example, which others have used, really doesn't apply, because he was in only ONE postseason. Whereas Kershaw's been to the postseason in 9 of his 12 seasons, for a total of 32 games (25 starts) over a combined 16 series. For a pitcher, that basically equates to one whole season's worth of play, and a pitcher who has those kinds of numbers over a whole season is nowhere near HOF level. And mind you, these failures are on the biggest stage in the sport.

Kershaw might struggle in the playoffs but he's played at a HOF level for the bulk of his career.
[/quote]

There's no "might" about it—Kershaw is 9-11 in his postseason career with a 4.43 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, and a WPA of NEGATIVE .05, the latter meaning the Dodgers actually have a slightly better chance of losing than of winning anytime Kershaw takes the mound. Kershaw has a lot of talent, but he's proven that when the lights get brighter and hotter, he wilts, which doesn't say "Hall of Fame" to me. 

I realize that this discussion is moot; of course he's gonna be in the Hall of Fame, likely on his first try. And it's not like I have a vote anyway. But things have kinda reached the point of absurdity with him, where's he literally two different players, depending on the time of year. Like, when they vote him in, they should make it clear that they're inducting "regular-season Kershaw" into the hall, because "postseason Kershaw" is a far cry from HOF level.

So, yeah, he'll get in. But when I think of Kershaw the baseball player, the first thing that comes to mind is "playoff choker," and that's primarily what all of my Dodger-fan friends here in L.A. think too.

[johnnygreen]

The MLB may have a very long regular season, which can make it difficult to keep up. However, there is no doubt in my mind, that they have the best postseason.

As far as Kershaw is concerned, he is a lock for the Hall of Fame. I blame the manager for the debacle last night. I don’t understand the mentality of suddenly changing how to use pitchers once the postseason arrives. Kershaw is a starter, so why bring him into a game for relief? Does he have a history of relieving, where he would prove to be better than an actual relief pitcher, particularly an 8th inning guy? And if the manager was so concerned about his bullpen, then why not bring in the closer, Jansen, to deal with the heart of the lineup in the 8th? Jansen has had 2 inning saves.

Definitely rooting for the Nationals going forward. I obviously hate the Yankees, so their out. I'm sick of the Cardinals. Will be rooting for Houston tonight, even though I can't stand them based on their arrogance. I would root for the Rays, but I don't think they have what it would take to beat the Yankees.

Um, tell that to Alex Cora and the 2018 WS Champs. 

I know it worked for the Red Sox last year, but it was more out of having a lack of a quality bullpen. And a big part of why the Red Sox didn’t make the playoffs was because management thought investing in the bullpen wasn’t necessary if they could just use their starters again in the playoffs.

[Donoghus]

Kershaw chokes again. Not a Hall of Famer in my book—not with as many playoffs debacles as he's had.

This is ridiculous.  He's going to be in the HOF. 

I didn't say he wouldn't be; I said he's not a HOFer in my book.

Ted Williams was 5/25 with 0 HR & 1 RBI in his only postseason appearance.  Should he be in the HOF based on this logic?

The Williams example, which others have used, really doesn't apply, because he was in only ONE postseason. Whereas Kershaw's been to the postseason in 9 of his 12 seasons, for a total of 32 games (25 starts) over a combined 16 series. For a pitcher, that basically equates to one whole season's worth of play, and a pitcher who has those kinds of numbers over a whole season is nowhere near HOF level. And mind you, these failures are on the biggest stage in the sport.

Kershaw might struggle in the playoffs but he's played at a HOF level for the bulk of his career.

There's no "might" about it—Kershaw is 9-11 in his postseason career with a 4.43 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, and a WPA of NEGATIVE .05, the latter meaning the Dodgers actually have a slightly better chance of losing than of winning anytime Kershaw takes the mound. Kershaw has a lot of talent, but he's proven that when the lights get brighter and hotter, he wilts, which doesn't say "Hall of Fame" to me. 

I realize that this discussion is moot; of course he's gonna be in the Hall of Fame, likely on his first try. And it's not like I have a vote anyway. But things have kinda reached the point of absurdity with him, where's he literally two different players, depending on the time of year. Like, when they vote him in, they should make it clear that they're inducting "regular-season Kershaw" into the hall, because "postseason Kershaw" is a far cry from HOF level.

So, yeah, he'll get in. But when I think of Kershaw the baseball player, the first thing that comes to mind is "playoff choker," and that's primarily what all of my Dodger-fan friends here in L.A. think too.

I'm saying plenty of HOFers have underachieved in the playoffs.  That's the larger point I was making there.  I'm certainly not disagreeing on how he sucks in the playoffs (relative to reg season).  Well aware of the numbers. 

In the long run, it doesn't matter.  He's going to be in the HOF.

[rocknrollforyoursoul]

Kershaw chokes again. Not a Hall of Famer in my book—not with as many playoffs debacles as he's had.

This is ridiculous.  He's going to be in the HOF. 

I didn't say he wouldn't be; I said he's not a HOFer in my book.

Ted Williams was 5/25 with 0 HR & 1 RBI in his only postseason appearance.  Should he be in the HOF based on this logic?

The Williams example, which others have used, really doesn't apply, because he was in only ONE postseason. Whereas Kershaw's been to the postseason in 9 of his 12 seasons, for a total of 32 games (25 starts) over a combined 16 series. For a pitcher, that basically equates to one whole season's worth of play, and a pitcher who has those kinds of numbers over a whole season is nowhere near HOF level. And mind you, these failures are on the biggest stage in the sport.

Kershaw might struggle in the playoffs but he's played at a HOF level for the bulk of his career.

There's no "might" about it—Kershaw is 9-11 in his postseason career with a 4.43 ERA, 1.105 WHIP, and a WPA of NEGATIVE .05, the latter meaning the Dodgers actually have a slightly better chance of losing than of winning anytime Kershaw takes the mound. Kershaw has a lot of talent, but he's proven that when the lights get brighter and hotter, he wilts, which doesn't say "Hall of Fame" to me. 

I realize that this discussion is moot; of course he's gonna be in the Hall of Fame, likely on his first try. And it's not like I have a vote anyway. But things have kinda reached the point of absurdity with him, where's he literally two different players, depending on the time of year. Like, when they vote him in, they should make it clear that they're inducting "regular-season Kershaw" into the hall, because "postseason Kershaw" is a far cry from HOF level.

So, yeah, he'll get in. But when I think of Kershaw the baseball player, the first thing that comes to mind is "playoff choker," and that's primarily what all of my Dodger-fan friends here in L.A. think too.

I'm saying plenty of HOFers have underachieved in the playoffs.  That's the larger point I was making there.  I'm certainly not disagreeing on how he sucks in the playoffs (relative to reg season).  Well aware of the numbers. 

In the long run, it doesn't matter.  He's going to be in the HOF.

I am genuinely curious as to whether any HOFer/future HOF has struggled as much as he has in the postseason.

[Roy H.]

Two innings left in Game 7.

[trickybilly]

To the 9th.

What a totally loony bin World Series.

[Roy H.]

The home team lost all seven games. I doubt we see that happen again any time soon.

Remarkable resilience by Washington. Maybe the Ewing Theory should be the Bryce Harper Theory.

[saltlover]

Was watching on the Jumbotron at Nationals Park.  The crowd stood after Kendrick’s homer put them up in the 7th and never sat back down.  DC will be a happy town tomorrow!

[SparzWizard]

Another World Series win on the road!

Congrats to the Nationals. Glad the Yankees didn't make it in.

[trickybilly]

Was watching on the Jumbotron at Nationals Park.  The crowd stood after Kendrick’s homer put them up in the 7th and never sat back down.  DC will be a happy town tomorrow!

Awesome!!!

[Redz]

The home team lost all seven games. I doubt we see that happen again any time soon.

Remarkable resilience by Washington. Maybe the Ewing Theory should be the Bryce Harper Theory.

Home teams 2019:
World Series 0-7
Stanley Cup Finals: 2-4
NBA Finals: 1-5

[Monkhouse]

I'm a Mets fan living in the DMV.

I will most likely never hear the end of this from my co-workers/friends once I get back home from Korea...

Ugh.... 

Anyways congratulations to the Nationals. As much as it hurts and pains me to write it...

[saltlover]

I'm a Mets fan living in the DMV.

I will most likely never hear the end of this from my co-workers/friends once I get back home from Korea...

Ugh.... 

Anyways congratulations to the Nationals. As much as it hurts and pains me to write it...

Also a Mets fan in the DMV.  People are in a very good mood here for the first time in a while, so if you share their joy it’s a lot more fun.

[jambr380]

Was watching on the Jumbotron at Nationals Park.  The crowd stood after Kendrick’s homer put them up in the 7th and never sat back down.  DC will be a happy town tomorrow!

Cool - I was there, too! I mean, I am a Red Sox fan, but am new to DC (splitting time between here and FL) and the park is like a half mile from our place. If I ever had to have a National League team, it was the Expos and I have half followed the Nats since they moved in '05 (often hitting a game when I was in town). It was a super exciting time to be here and I am happy for all of the fans!

Also, even though I don't find the Astros particularly unlikable, it was fun to root against them since they have been huge Sox rivals in recent years.