Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw better be ready to relieve Dustin May in Game 7

The Dodgers will start Dustin May in Game 7 of the NLCS.

It appears as if manager Dave Roberts’ conservation of Dustin May has paid off … all because the Los Angeles Dodgers managed to take the Atlanta Braves to seven games in the NLCS.

Moments ago, it was announced the right-hander would be starting on Sunday night in a matchup that will determine who gets to the World Series. It’s May vs Braves rookie Ian Anderson, and everyone should be signing up to watch this one.

Truth be told, we had a feeling this was coming, but needed the official news to believe it.

Dustin May starts Game 7.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 18, 2020

May has pitched just 6.2 innings this entire postseason, and that includes two starts — one against the Padres and one against the Braves, which came in Game 5. He allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and two walks across two innings in that one, but the Dodgers came out on top 7-3. Now, he’ll get another opportunity to get LA off to a good start.

Roberts said Clayton Kershaw is available but wouldn't commit further. "We'll see," he said.
— Ken Gurnick (@kengurnick) October 18, 2020

However, Clayton Kershaw better be ready to relieve the young right-hander. We know Tony Gonsolin will also be available to pitch, but Kershaw, despite his lackluster performance in Game 4, is historically great against the Braves and is the kind of arm the Dodgers need in a game that will determine their season’s fate.

Preparing myself mentally for the probability Clayton Kershaw will pitch in relief today by reminding myself he was excellent out of the pen in three previous winner-take-all games (2016 NLDS Game 5, 2017 World Series Game 7, 2018 NLCS Game 7). Last year was the aberration.
— Sammy Roth (@Sammy_Roth) October 18, 2020

Don’t forget how good Kershaw is in relief during his postseason career. Aside from not getting the job done against the Nationals last year, he’s come in to pitch scoreless frames three other times since 2016. He’s been here before, and he needs to make up for what happened in Game 4.

It’ll be another all-hands game for the Dodgers, and they’re no strangers to that. Everyone’s gotta be ready, but Kershaw really needs to make it known he can make it happen.

We could have another legacy-defining moment for Kershaw. Take … 12?

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The Dodgers will start Dustin May in Game 7 of the NLCS.

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