How Joe Kelly Kept Clayton Kershaw’s Comeback Alive

Clayton Kershaw is an icon, a legend of the game. Even these last three seasons, as his body began to creak and groan, the historic lefty was a top-25 pitcher. All the greats, though, must eventually appeal to a higher power.

The score was 1–0. After four sharp innings from Kershaw, Kyle Schwarber and the Phillies had phinally broken through. Schwarber now stood on first, the phleet-phooted Brandon Marsh across from him at third. There were two outs, but the Dodgers were in danger of falling behind by multiple runs, their own bats scuffling against Philadelphia starter Cristopher Sánchez. Arguably worse, Kershaw was on the hook for both men out on the bases, and while his performance would have been the same regardless of whether Schwarber and Marsh made it home, try telling that to the people of Los Angeles. One run in a 4.2-inning outing sounds a lot better than three. Kershaw could use some momentum after what happened down in San Diego.

Enter?

Joe Kelly.

We should mention that Trea Turner was up to bat. Whenever Joe Kelly faces Trea Turner, the Greek goddess Atalanta takes notice. Speed vs. speed. In so many meanings of that word. (Two or maybe-but-probably-not three.)

It’s also important that Trea Turner was up to bat because Trea Turner is very good at baseball. There aren’t many players better than him. Judgment was due on Clayton Kershaw’s 2024 comeback, and that judgment rested on the performance of one Joe Kelly. His task? Retire the best player to ever play for all three of the Nationals, Dodgers, and Phillies. (They were the Expos when Pedro played there.)

• Slider. Heart of the zone. Strike one.
• Slider. Edge of the zone. Fouled back.
• Slider. Down and out of the zone. Schwarber stole second but we weren’t worried about that.
• Fastball! Up and out of the zone. Turner laid off.
• Slider. Edge of the zone. Lazy line drive to Kevin Kiermaier in center field.

Crisis? Averted. Clayton Kershaw’s legacy? Preserved. The rest of the season will hold what it holds, but for the moment, baseball fans don’t have to worry about their final Kershaw memory involving his withering husk surrendering three runs while failing to get through five innings. Instead, they can remember his dazzling one-run performance against the best team in baseball. All thanks to Joe Kelly, of course. All thanks to Joe Kelly.