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Dodgers Being Let Down by Clayton Kershaw and Dave Roberts Confirms Their Sad Identity

By Jerry Trotta

San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers
San Diego Padres v Los Angeles Dodgers / John McCoy/Getty Images

What else is there to say about the Los Angeles Dodgers? A team with THAT much talent shouldn't be packing their bags for the offseason before MLB's Championship Series' even get underway. That's to say nothing of their postseason failures in the three years prior, either.

In the end, Walker Buehler did what nobody expected him to: outduel Stephen Strasburg, an all-time great playoff pitcher, under the bright lights. LA's offense mustering three runs should have been enough.

But it wasn't -- because of another postseason implosion by Clayton Kershaw and managerial incompetence on display from Dave Roberts.

It's a tale as hold as time, or since Roberts took over the Dodgers in 2016. Kershaw did what his skipper asked him to do in bailing Buehler out of a jam in the seventh inning.

That should've been it for the three-time Cy Young winner. Kenta Maeda, who was spectacular all series long, should have been on the bump in the eighth inning. Instead, Roberts turned to Maeda AFTER Kersh squandered a 3-1 lead by surrendering back-to-back home runs.

Maeda subsequently disposed of the Nats in dominating fashion.

Then, there's Roberts woeful decision in regards to Joe Kelly, who was truly brilliant in the ninth frame. As we know, the flamethrowing right-hander walked Adam Eaton to leadoff the 10th. That, right there, should have been IT for Kelly.

Instead, Roberts stuck with the club's expensive free agent signing and his faith wasn't rewarded. Kelly conceded a double to Anthony Rendon before intentionally walking Juan Soto to load the bases and get to Howie Kendrick.

Kelly, somehow still in the game, then coughed up a season-ending grand slam to Kendrick.

Could the Dodgers offense have put the game to bed prior to Kershaw's meltdown and Roberts' horror show? Perhaps, but we know it's that duo who has blood on their hands.

The Dodgers premature postseason exit just confirms the club's sad identity, and they won't get over that hump until they stop relying on Kershaw in high-leverage scenarios and trusting Roberts to lead them to the promised land.