Entering the World Series, it was crucial for Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw to not allow the Boston Red Sox to jump out to an early lead in Game 1.
Unfortunately for Los Angeles, things quickly unraveled for its ace in the first inning and the Red Sox took advantage.
Kershaw immediately allowed a single to Mookie Betts, who then stole second and earned everyone a free taco. After Betts put himself in scoring position, Andrew Benintendi drove him in. Then Benintendi scored on J.D. Martinez’s RBI single.
After immediately allowing his opponent to jump out to a two-run lead, fans on Twitter discussed Kershaw’s continued issues in the postseason.
The hits off Kershaw have been smoked
Betts 102.2 mph off the bat
Benintendi 103.8
Martinez 105.9— Kyle Glaser (@KyleAGlaser) October 24, 2018
Trying to stay calm and not get ahead of myself with 8 innings of baseball left but two runs off Kershaw so soon is quite nice.
— whitneymcintosh.bsky.social (@WhitneyM02) October 24, 2018
*Clayton-Kershaw-can't-pitch-in-the-postseason-narrative jolts upright out of a bodybag in the morgue*
— Bill Baer (@Baer_Bill) October 24, 2018
The Fenway faithful are chanting Clayton Kershaw's name, and he is giving up hard hits. J.D. Martinez singled in Benintendi. 2-0, Red Sox.
— Pedro Moura (@pedromoura) October 24, 2018
Clayton Kershaw remains the Peyton Manning of baseball. So good in the regular season but a serious case of mental midgetry in the playoffs.
— The Guru Zone (@the_guru_zone) October 24, 2018
I guess Kershaw subscribes to the pitch great/choke/pitch great/choke/approach in the postseason. That means he’ll pitch great next game
— Hector Becerra (@hbecerraLATimes) October 24, 2018
Don't do this to us, Kershaw
— Matt Franciscovich (@MattFranchise) October 24, 2018
Red Sox are laughing at Kershaw's velocity
— Brooks Knudsen (@BrooksKnudsen) October 24, 2018