Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Talks About How His Mindset Has Changed Over His Postseason Career
Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw hasn’t always seen success throughout his career in the postseason. He has always pitched decent enough, but there have been times when he has faltered.
Whether that was due to pressure, fatigue or whatever it was, Kershaw has had a narrative that he can’t always close when the lights are brightest. But in recent years, he has performed much better, and it’s due to his mindset entering into the playoff games.
Kershaw no longer goes out on the mound nervous to fail in the postseason. Of course, he wants to do whatever he can to help the team win, but now the excitement of the playoffs is what drives him.
“I kind of said this a little bit with the guys, but I think the one thing that has switched for me a little bit is you use those nerves, but where are the nerves coming from? And I think at times maybe in the past I had a fear of failure and didn’t want to go out there and fail. I think now it’s just a lot more positive. It’s just the nerves are from an excitement to get to pitch in the playoffs, to get to be a part of it, to be in this moment that a lot of people in the game don’t get to be in. I think that’s where the nerves come from now. And I think that’s a better place.”
Per The DodgersNation YouTube Channel
He has seen it all throughout his legendary career, so this is understandable. Kershaw also knows that he won’t be playing for much longer, so he just wants to soak up as much as he can now.
The Dodgers have relied on him heavily for years, and he has earned everything that has come his way. While the results haven’t always been there for him in the postseason, nobody is taking anything away from his track record.
“Basically pitched a full season now in the postseason. So, you can prepare all you want and get ready to go, but at the end of the day you just gotta go out there and execute and make your pitches. That never changes. The nerves never change. You still feel that no matter what.”
Per the DodgersNation YouTube Channel
He is always one of the more prepared players in the league, and players have spoken on this. Kershaw knows what it takes to win games and he is a true professional in how he prepares himself.
The hope is that he will get to have another strong run in the postseason that ends with another title. LA will be counting on him to set the tone early in their playoff run, and if he can do that, the team will be in a great spot.
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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