The Philadelphia Phillies were in do-or-die mode on Wednesday night in Los Angeles. They had their backs against the wall down 0-2, needing to win three straight games to take down the defending World Series champion Dodgers in the NLDS.
The Phillies found themselves in a familiar spot, up 3-1 going into the seventh inning. It's been an area of concern for both teams over the last two games, and the Dodgers decided to go to future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw out of the bullpen. Regardless of Kershaw's track record, he blew any chance the Dodgers had of sweeping out the Phillies in Game 3.
Phillies came back to life in Game 3 against Dodgers thanks to Dave Robert's use of Clayton Kershaw
Of the many arms Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had at his disposal, he went to Kershaw in the seventh inning to try to keep the Phillies within reach. After more base running blunders by the Phillies, Kershaw managed to escape the inning unscathed, even after allowing two walks and a hit.
It took 21 pitches for Kershaw to get through the inning, but it was obvious that he was just struggling to get the ball over the plate while also dealing with diminished velocity.
Roberts opted to send the 37-year-old Kershaw out for the eighth inning, and it only took two pitches for catcher J.T. Realmuto to connect on a solo home run for added insurance. Kershaw then allowed a walk, single, home run, double and a single. Kershaw's final line was two innings, six hits, four earned runs, three walks and two home runs. He finished with 48 pitches, 22 of which were strikes.
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“Tough couple innings there,” Kershaw said after the game, per MLB.com's Andrés Soto. “I kind of got bailed out there in the seventh. Good play by Teo. Just didn't make enough good pitches. I was battling command. It's hard when you're trying to throw strikes as opposed to getting people out. Just wasn't a fun inning.”
Phillies manager Rob Thomson took a lot of flak in Games 1 and 2 and then for his plan to piggyback Aaron Nola and Ranger Suárez in Game 3. But it was Thomson who managed his team perfectly to an 8-2 win on Wednesday.
The Phillies lineup, especially the top three, had been struggling mightily. By keeping Kershaw out there, Roberts allowed the Phillies to get their offense going again (subscription required), giving them all the momentum to carry into Game 4.
“I just did everything I could in between [appearances]. It's been a while,” Kershaw added, per Soto. “Threw flat, threw on the ground as best I could. Just wasn't there tonight.”
The Phillies are still down 2-1, but what they needed was a rejuvenation of their bats. Thanks to Kershaw, the top three of Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper went from 2-for-21 in Games 1 and 2 to 7-for-13 in Game 3. Kershaw allowed the bats to wake up and now the Dodgers could be in trouble if that continues in Game 4 with Cristopher Sánchez on the mound for the Phillies.
The Phillies just needed a break, something to go their way. Roberts gave them that and has now cracked the door open a little further for the Phillies' chances at winning the NLDS. They still have work to do, but the Dodgers don't look so scary now. The Phillies still have life, and we'll see if they can extend the season once more with Game 4 on Thursday at 6:08 p.m. ET.