Dodgers News: James Outman Admits Nerves Got to Him Early in Game

James Outman understandably was nervous in his first major league playoff game. The Dodgers rookie center fielder misplayed the first flyball of the game, and he blamed himself for Clayton Kershaw’s six-run outing.

After the game, a candid Outman talked to the media.

“I think my nerves kind of got the best of me. I was just a little tight that first inning and I didn’t set the tone very well for us.”

Outman described how he felt playing in his first playoff game saying, “It’s kind of like jumping into a cold pool.” While the first flyball of the game looked playable on TV, the scorching line drive actually had a .830 expected batting average.

Outman told the media exactly what happened on the flyball. “It just hit the heel of my glove — kind of got on my a little bit quicker than I was expecting it to and I just couldn’t come up with it.”

Probably remembering his first postseason in 2008, Kershaw didn’t blame his rookie center fielder. The Hall of Fame left-hander instead plut the blame on himself.

“There’s no excuses [for me]. Regardless of anything that happened out there, I have to be better. That’s just not acceptable.”

via DodgersNationTV

Controlling nerves and adrenaline is a big part of succeeding in the postseason. After the first game, Outman will be fine. Kershaw didn’t have his brilliant command of his secondary pitches, so the Arizona Diamondbacks could recognize what was coming. Also, the Diamondbacks were aggressive, so Kershaw couldn’t get in a pitcher’s count.

If the NLDS was one game, the Dodgers would be out. It is the best of five, and the Dodgers will perform better in the series. 

Photo Credit:  Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

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