Dodgers: Several players to blame for early playoff ousting

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 09: Manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers sits in the dug out during game five of the National League Division Series against the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. The Nationals defeated the Dodgers 7-3 and clinch the series 3-2. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 09: Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after giving up a solo home run to Juan Soto #22 of the Washington Nationals in the eighth inning of game five of the National League Division Series, to tie the game 3-3, at Dodger Stadium on October 09, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Clayton Kershaw holds most of the starting pitching blame

The Dodgers’ starting pitching was good enough to advance to the NLCS although it didn’t quite work out that way. Walker Buehler allowed just one run in two starts and Hyun-Jin Ryu allowed two runs over five innings in his one start. Clayton Kershaw even gave the Dodgers a quality start in his one start in game two.

Then there was the relief version of Kershaw that gave up the two home runs to allow Washington to tie the game in the eighth inning. While you can make the argument Kershaw should not have faced Rendon or Soto, the fact is he was in and allowed the Nationals to tie the game. Then there was Rich Hill who pitched just 2 2/3 innings in game four. Kershaw the reliever and Rich Hill hold most of the blame for rotation shortcomings in the NLDS.