He's heard the criticism.
For nearly a year, Clayton Kershaw has been reminded how he's not "clutch," that he's a "different pitcher" in the postseason. That he wilts under the pressure of big games.
For one night, Kershaw silenced those critics and let his curveball speak for him. The reigning NL CY Young Award winner was masterful on the mound on Tuesday night in San Francisco, throwing a one-hit gem for the history books.
Kershaw went opposite 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner for the fourth time this season, and this time, he defeated the dragon that had thwarted him on three previous occasions.
For nine impressive innings, Kershaw imposed his indomitable will, striking out 13 Giants hitters en route to his third shutout and fourth complete game of the season.
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Kershaw capped off a 10-game stretch in which the Dodgers have lost eight, including five consecutive losses and a sweep in Colorado. However, his NL West-clinching performance was historic.
"We haven't been playing that well lately," Kershaw said of the team's recent struggles. "This game we were firing on all cylinders."
Kershaw became just the second Dodgers pitcher in history to throw a one-hitter against the rival Giants (Hideo Nomo), and the first to do it in a clinching game. In the 132-year history of the team the Dodgers have never been to three straight postseasons, a ticket that Kershaw made sure was punched on Tuesday.
"It's obviously a huge first step, three division titles in three years is special, but it's just a start," Kershaw said of the historic feat. "At the end of the day, I'd take one division title and a World Series title."
Of course, Kershaw's victory in San Francisco was just a small step in his journey to prove he can pitch in the postseason and solidify himself as one of the greatest pitchers the game has ever seen.
"Small victory," the reigning NL MVP concluded. "We have one month to put the pedal to the metal."
Arguably, Kershaw has already had the pedal pushed down to the floor for the last three months, posting a 1.35 ERA in his last three starts, while leading the MLB in strikeouts for the third time in his career.
The Dodgers will open up their postseason on October 9th in either New York or Los Angeles in the best-of-five NLDS series against the NY Mets.
