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After blowing the lead and allowing the Washington Nationals to advance to the NLCS, Clayton Kershaw has been met with plenty of criticism. Kershaw has been with the Dodgers since 2008, but has not been a postseason ace.

Juan Soto is 20 years old.

Juan Soto is left-handed.

Juan Soto just homered off Clayton Kershaw…



…down by 1 in the 8th inning of a do-or-die Game 5 on the road at Dodger Stadium.#ChildishBambino // #STAYINTHEFIGHT pic.twitter.com/0zyvNp2GgE — Washington Nationals (@Nationals) October 10, 2019

During his full 12-year tenure in the Dodgers, Kershaw has had a record of 169-74 and a 2.44 ERA. But in the postseason, Kershaw’s numbers are 9-11 and a 4.43 ERA. Proving to be known that he isn’t that great of a pitcher when he’s in the postseason.

Every year, a team has to make a cut or trade to better the team, and it would be shocking if the Dodgers shopped a player who has been a crucial part of their success. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Kershaw pinned as the postseason scapegoat.

A devastated Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler speak after the Dodgers lose to the Nationals.



Kershaw: "It's a terrible feeling. There's no excuses, just didn't make pitches."



Buehler: “I don’t know if this got out but I lost my aunt two days ago." https://t.co/Ce1kzWMMur pic.twitter.com/2yi7ng4t1A — L.A. Times Sports (@latimessports) October 10, 2019

Kershaw is to blame for the specific loss, but the Dodgers need to fix their pitching rotation. Without reinforcements, this isn’t a team that will contend for a World Series title.

Kershaw in the regular season is an ace; he proved that when he won the NL MVP in 2014. In the postseason however, he’s unable to get his act together. Sooner or later, the Dodgers will have to face the truth and will be forced to make a difficult decision for Kershaw.

Photo Credit: USA Today











