Can we stop saying anything negative about Clayton Kershaw in the post-season?

He absolutely dominated Tuesday night in Game 1 of the 2017 World Series, going 7 strong and striking out 11 while giving up just one lone run. He walked no one and allowed just three hits. That run didn’t matter when teammate Justin Turner hit a 2 run homer to give the Dodgers a 3-1 lead they would not relinquish in the brisk opener that finished in under 2 and a half hours. The game time temperature was over 100 degrees making it the hottest post-season and World Series game in recorded history.

In this 113th edition of baseball’s World Series, it is only the 8th Series that pits two teams who both won over 100 games in the regular season. You couldn’t really tell Tuesday, as the Dodgers lead off hitter Chris Taylor homered to kick things off. The Astros tied it up briefly with a home run of their own, but after the Turner home run in the 6th it was all over.

Dallas Keuchel pitched well, but those two mistakes were all that mattered as Brandon Morrow and Kenly Janssen finished the Astros off after Kershaw exited.

The Astros send ace Justin Verlander to the hill for Game 2, who has been great this post season and all of a sudden this whole series seems necessary for him to win this game. He will be opposed not by Yu Darvish but Rich Hill for the Dodgers.

The Astros offense continues to struggle on the road where they are averaging under 2 runs a game. It was okay last series when they were the home team – but the Dodgers beat them out for that honor by 3 games during the regular season. It’s also worth noting this is the first year back to where home field for the World Series isn’t determined by the winner of the All Star Game – if that had been the case home field would be the Astros.

The Dodgers are trying to win their first World Series since 1988, the Astros their first one ever! Game 2 tomorrow night!