One reason each MLB team can win the World Series in 2017

Nov 4, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; (from left to right) Chicago Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and center fielder Dexter Fowler and third baseman Kris Bryant and right fielder Jason Heyward celebrate during their World Series parade outside of Wrigley Field on Addison Street. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 22, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) reacts against the Chicago Cubs during the second inning of game six of the 2016 NLCS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Dodgers: Kershaw conquers the playoffs

Spending more money than the GDP of most Pacific island nations hasn’t been enough to deliver a World Series to the Dodgers. For all their cash, the Dodgers have barely even managed to make much noise in the NLCS. Los Angeles has the roster to win a World Series, and even has the ace to get it done, Clayton Kershaw.

Even with the reputation as the best starting pitcher of this era, and one of the best across all eras, Kershaw has struggled in the playoffs. In 18 career appearances in the postseason and 89 innings, the three-time Cy Young has a 4-7 record and a 4.55 ERA. In the NLCS, he is just 1-4 with a 5.58 ERA. Many of those losses have come at the hands of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The bloated ERA in the playoffs looks ugly for Kershaw, but many of his runs came after he was out of the game and his bullpen allowed inherited runners to score. Over his past 50.2 innings in the playoffs, Kershaw has struck out 11.9 per nine, hardly an indication that he is struggling with his stuff and command. Bad luck, infield hits, and inherited runners scored happen to even the best pitcher, and that is magnified in the postseason. Clayton Kershaw is the best pitcher in the league right now, and that will eventually be reflected in October.

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