Braves vs. Dodgers Monday probable pitchers, odds: Clayton Kershaw back on mound first time since perfect game controversy in NLCS rematch
The Braves visit the Dodgers in an NLCS rematch Monday night.
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The last time the Braves and Dodgers played was Oct. 23, 2021, in Atlanta and the Braves won Game 6 of the National League Championship Series to advance to the Fall Classic – which LA had been favored to win essentially all last season. The teams face off for the first time since Monday at Dodger Stadium and it's also the first time Clayton Kershaw returns to the mound since his controversial start last Wednesday. Los Angeles is -215 at Caesars Sportsbook.
Maybe the biggest individual storyline of last week around the majors was Kershaw being lifted after seven perfect innings (with 13 strikeouts) and just 80 pitches at the Minnesota Twins. Reliever Alex Vesia promptly gave up a single to former Gary Sanchez to end the hopes of even a combined perfect game.
Sports talk shows went berserk questioning why Dave Roberts wouldn't let the three-time Cy Young winner try and finish only the 24th perfect game in MLB history and first since Aug. 15, 2012, by Seattle's Felix Hernandez vs. Tampa Bay.
Kershaw has one no-hitter in his career, coming June 18, 2014, vs. Colorado. He would have had a perfect game that night if not for an errant throw by Hanley Ramirez. The only perfect game in Dodgers history was by another pretty good southpaw: Sandy Koufax on Sept. 9, 1965 vs. the Cubs.
Rather ironically, Kershaw became the second player in major league history to complete at least seven innings and get removed with a perfect game still intact – both pitchers by Roberts. The other was then-Dodger Rich Hill after 89 pitches and seven innings against the Marlins on Sept. 10, 2016. Roberts said he was protecting Hill from ongoing blister issues but later said he felt "stick to my stomach" about the decision.
However, Kershaw agreed with Roberts' decision this time. Remember, pitchers aren't as built up early this year as in previous years because of the shortened spring training due to the lockout. Kershaw threw just 11⅓ innings over four appearances this spring. There's also the fact Kershaw missed about two months of the 2021 regular season with elbow issues, which also caused him to miss the playoffs.
"At the end of the day, in the moment, it felt like the right decision," Kershaw said. "I can't go back now. … The only thing I feel bad for. is if I was a fan, I would want to see somebody finish the game. …If I was bringing my son to the game and there was a perfect game going on? That's why you come to the games, to see something special. So, from a fan's perspective, I get it. I do feel bad for that. It's tough to swallow. I wish I could have done it. But [Wednesday] wasn't the day."
Many others around baseball weren't so understanding. On his Twitter account, Yankees legend Reggie Jackson expressed outrage after Kershaw got the hook: "Clayton Kershaw Perfect game 80 pitches, take him OUT !!!!! WHAT THE! what's the game coming to?"
Kershaw has faced the Braves 12 times in his career and is 5-1 with a 2.20 ERA in 81.2 innings against them. That first loss was last season in Atlanta, allowing five runs in six innings. He is set with an Over/Under of 7.5 strikeouts for this one and 1.5 earned runs allowed.
As noted, Kershaw wasn't available in the 2021 postseason or maybe the Dodgers beat the Braves in the NLCS.
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