[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tg4jQAZ_cw&w=550&h=413]
By Jon Weisman
Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers
“Why doesn’t anybody ask me what it feels like to win?”
Clayton Kershaw hasn’t had to field many questions lately about his negatives. Since the end of May, the only game he has lost was one in which he went nine innings, walked none and struck out 11.
But as predicted, the memories of his National League Championship Series Game 6 defeat at St. Louis have swamped those of the 0.47 postseason ERA he had last year going into that game. And as the quote up top shows, it didn’t take long for him to grow a little impatient with that particular line of interrogation at today’s media session.
The loss stung, and he has studied it, but it is not fuel for his fire. The fire within burns on its own.
“I guess the experience of it more than anything,” is what Kershaw took from the 2013 postseason.
“I had some successes in the postseason last year,” he said. “I had some good starts. I had a bad one to end the season. I kind of use both of those. But as far as motivation, I don’t need any extra motivation. I haven’t won a World Series yet — that’s plenty.”
The question Kershaw enjoyed the most today was one that asked him to compare himself to Adam Wainwright as a hitter.
“I mean, that’s a very fair question,” Kershaw said with a smile. “I think he’s probably got me beat. A lot of extra base hits. If I didn’t have that triple in the last game, I don’t think I’d have an extra-base hit the whole year. So I think he’s probably got me beat — a lot of RBIs this year. I guess I’d have to take him, I guess — him and (Zack) Greinke are probably right up there with (Madison) Bumgarner for me.”
Actually, Kershaw arguably outhit Wainwright this year. Kershaw went 11 for 63 with four walks, a stolen base and that triple this year (.235 on-base percentage, .206 slugging percentage). Wainwright was 13 for 72 with three walks and three doubles (.213 OBP, .222 slugging).
But to be sure, Kershaw and Wainwright will be judged for how they do on the mound Friday.
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