On Tuesday the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2, taking their NLDS playoff series by a score of 3 games to 1. The Cardinals defeated the Dodgers ace pitcher, Clayton Kershaw twice in the series. With a massive come from behind effort in game 1, and Matt Adams three-run home run in the 7th inning of game 4, helping the team to overcome a two-run deficit.
While many have been quick to criticize Kershaw and his performance in the playoffs, the blame for the Cy Young favorite’s two losses actually lies at Dodgers manager Don Mattingly’s feet. Fans of the heavily favored Dodgers will be looking for a scapegoat in the series loss to the Cardinals and there is plenty of blame to go around. Once place that blame shouldn’t go though, is to the National League’s best pitcher this season.
Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly made crucial mistakes in the series, but most media outlets are pointing the finger at the reason the Dodgers were there, Clayton Kershaw. In game one, with a 6-2 lead, Mattingly left a tired Kershaw in late in the 7th. Kershaw allowed four consecutive singles, and Mattingly made a mound visit. Despite the obvious fatigue, Kershaw pitched to Matt Carpenter, who promptly hit a three-run double. It was only then that Mattingly would pull Kershaw from the game. When Carpenter scored, and Kershaw’s line was complete it read 6.2 Innings Pitch, 8 Earned Runs, and a loss. After the game, the media’s focus was solely on his performance and not the manager who left him in the game.
Game 4 was more of the same from Mattingly. Kershaw makes it into the 7th again. Through six innings, Kershaw had only allowed one hit and the Dodgers bats had staked him to a 2-0 lead. The inning began with St. Louis getting back to back singles, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Kershaw, pitching on three days rest, was already close to 100 pitches, and Don Mattingly once again left him in the game. The very next batter, Matt Adams, smashes a three-run bomb that effectively ended the Dodgers season.
It’s amazing that these horrible decisions have gone unnoticed. This time last year, after the Cardinals knocked out L.A. from the NLCS, Mattingly’s job was in question. The Dodgers wound up inking Mattingly to a three-year extension instead. It may be a reason for the silence, but Dodger brass has to be rethinking their decision right about now. I’m not saying that Don Mattingly should be raked over the coals, but neither should Kershaw. When a pitcher is on the ropes it’s the manager’s duty to save his guy. The pitcher will always say he’s ok.
Mattingly should have pulled Kershaw in both games. Game one gave us a pitcher who had a huge lead, and one who had given up four consecutive hits. Game two gave us a short-rested pitcher at the century mark with two on and no out. Mattingly has to be quicker to the pen and less reliant on one man to win in October. Maybe this offseason, the Dodgers front office will focus more ink on front line relief pitchers, instead of using dollars on managers that hesitate to use them.
Thank you for reading. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
For the latest in sports injury news, check out our friends at Sports Injury Alert.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Main Photo:
