Kershaw overtakes Smoltz for 2nd all time with 200th playoff strikeout
Clayton Kershaw collected the 200th strikeout of his Major League Baseball postseason career during Game 1 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays, taking sole possession of second all time.
With 7 Ks tonight, @ClaytonKersh22 has moved into 2nd place in #postseason strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/kpNWgCdpx7
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 21, 2020
The historic strikeout, which put the Los Angeles Dodgers lefty ahead of Hall of Famer John Smoltz, came against Willy Adames for Kershaw's seventh of the night.
Justin Verlander is now the only player with more playoff strikeouts, recording 205 over his 187 2/3 innings.
The @Dodgers gave the ball to Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 and he delivered 🔥
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 21, 2020
He joined Tom Verducci after the win! pic.twitter.com/QHDKOeAmJl
The 32-year-old wound up recording eight strikeouts over six innings, allowing one run on two hits and one walk. That lifts Kershaw to 201 in his career during the postseason.
Kershaw entered Tuesday's start with a 4.31 career ERA in the postseason. The three-time Cy Young winner has adjusted the narrative in 2020 with some dominant performances, authoring a 3.32 ERA through his first three starts, striking out 23 over 19 innings.
The eight-time All-Star improved to 2-2 over six World Series starts.