CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw is the Dodgers’ version of the Energizer Bunny — he just keeps going.
The Dodgers ace was named the starting pitcher for Sunday’s Game 2 of the NLCS against the Cubs, continuing a busy week for the lefty.
Kershaw recorded the final two outs against the Nationals in Game 5 of the NLDS on Thursday — his sixth major league relief appearance, including the postseason, and first career save — after starting two days earlier.
But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts trusts Kershaw enough to send him back to the mound Sunday instead of waiting until Game 3 in Los Angeles. The Dodgers especially need their stud lefty after suffering an 8-4 loss to the Cubs in Game 1 on Saturday.
“If he feels good, then it’s a no-brainier,” Roberts said before the game.
And Kershaw insists he is feeling fine.
“I’m not going in with any restrictions,” he said. “There’s no excuses at this point. We’re just going in and trying to get a win.”
Kershaw did not face the Cubs during the regular season but said he considers that a positive.
“Just familiarity is never great for a pitcher,” Kershaw said. “But I faced a lot of those guys a lot, and so I think one year off is probably not going to make too much of a difference for me.”
Kershaw was given the ball from Thursday night’s final out as a keepsake but is trying to move on from the moment. The lefty had entered with two runners on base and retired Daniel Murphy before striking out Wilmer Difo to end the series and start the Dodgers victory celebration.
“As far as reflecting on it or anything like that, you just can’t do it right now,” Kershaw said. “I know the Cubs don’t care.They know that we’re trying to beat them just as bad as they’re trying to beat us and that is what we’re focused on right now.”
Dexter Fowler’s two diving catches in the outfield were the defensive highlights of the night. Fowler robbed Justin Turner in the third and Carlos Ruiz in the fourth.
“Huge momentum changes for us,” Cubs pitcher Jon Lester said.
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Miguel Montero’s grand slam was just the third from a pinch-hitter in postseason history. The Yankees’ Ricky Ledee was the last player to hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the postseason (Game 4 of the 1999 ALCS at Boston).