Dodgers World Series: Clayton Kershaw Talks Attempted Steal of Home from Margot
Maybe chalk it up to a player trying to do too much, but things got a little nutty in the 4th inning of the Dodgers’ game 5 win over the Rays.
With runners on the corners and two out, Tampa Bay outfielder Manuel Margot attempted to steal home off Clayton Kershaw to no avail. It was an odd play to say the least for a team that seemed to have the momentum trending in their direction. Margot took ownership of the mistake after the game.
It was 100 percent my decision. I thought it was a good idea at the time. I had a pretty good chance of being safe. I knew they weren’t paying too much attention to me, so I thought I had a chance. Obviously, it didn’t work out that way.
Looking back at the play, it’s easy to see why the speedy outfielder would try to pick the pocket of Kershaw. But Clayton said after the game that Max Muncy had his back. Literally.
Obviously, I wasn’t really anticipating it, but I’ve talked with Max Muncy about it. It’s like, ‘hey, I look at [the runner] initially but when I come set I don’t really see the runner so you gotta yell at me if they start going.’ And he was yelling at me ‘step off step off!’ so instinctually I just kinda did it and that was a big out for us right there.
The play squashed a Tampa Bay rally and helped the Dodgers stay ahead in the ball game. So… thank you, Margot?
Up Next
The Dodgers and Rays have Monday off before the World Series resumes for game 6 on Tuesday. Tony Gonsolin gets the ball for LA against Tampa’s Blake Snell.
NEXT: LA Gives Tony Gonsolin the Nod for Game 6
The play came very close to working! If not for the brilliant response by Kershaw it would have. He does a lot of thd little things right, the true mark of a champion!
Gutsy game for Kersh. That play summed up the game. He found a way to win. And now, I hope some of those losers who keep putting him down will stop blaming him for previous Series and playoff losses (though he actually won in ’17) .
Agreed, Wayne. Although I doubt very seriously that Kershaw’s strong 2020 World Series performances and this amazing play will do much of anything to stifle the complaints of his diehard critics. Thank you, Kershaw and the rest of the team for getting the Game 5 “W.” Now on to Game 6…GO DODGERS!
Great play to kill momentum, thank you KERSH and MUNCY having your heads in the game Muncy right on and Kersch having the ability to act quickly.
Muncy is awesome in every way, love having that guy on the team.
Margot came real close to pulling off that straight steal of home. If Renfroe had the presence of mind to break from 1st, it might have distracted Kershaw the extra half second needed for him to make it. Kuddo’s to Muncy’s awareness and Kershaw’s instinctive play!
Kershaw did not have his best stuff but he gutted it out! Didn’t understand the move to bring in Gonzales but that’s Roberts. Agree who he brought in in the 9th. The Rays had the lead off batter on in almost every inning. This game was another nail bitter but at least a got some sleep after the game. The night before was a horror. Kept waking up thinking I had a terrible dream!
I actually thought it was a great move by Margot. If it had worked, it would have given tremendous momentum to the Rays, and possibly altered the outcome of the game. Kershaw is a LHP, with his back to third, and a long slow exaggerated upward reach to his to his stretch motion. He is the perfect pitcher to try to steak home on. It almost worked. I watched the replays several times. The Dodgers were fortunate to get the out call. Kudos to Margot for the Mookielike small ball move that could have changed the game. You have to have the guts to try these things.