【Secret Confessions (2025) Maid in Heaven Episode 42】

Clayton Kershaw has three Cy Young Awards. He's a six-time All-Star,ésuméSecret Confessions (2025) Maid in Heaven Episode 42 a Gold Glove Award-winner and an MVP. He is arguably the best starting pitcher on the planet.

His résumé doesn't need any more validation. But this is Clayton Kershaw, and Clayton Kershaw will always want more.

On Thursday night, he added one very small — but remarkably significant — statistic to his name.

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Clayton Kershaw has a save.

SEE ALSO: How Wild Card walk-offs encapsulate the agony and ecstasy of the MLB Playoffs

And let's be clear, this was no ordinary save.

Kershaw had tossed 110 pitches just two days earlier — in Game 4 of the National League Division Series — surrendering seven hits and five runs. He threw 101 pitches in Game 1, four days before that. Keep in mind, with an emphasis on pitch counts and preserving the health of young arms, pitchers tend to only throw every fifth day. Even in the postseason, when managers stretch their aces, pitching every fourth day is considered aggressive.

Kershaw has traditionally struggled in the playoffs, including his start in Game 4. Credit: Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Dodgers' manger Dave Roberts was asked before Thursday's deciding Game 5 if Kershaw would be available to pitch.

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"No," Roberts said. "Absolutely not."

Kershaw wasn't supposed to pitch.

And then he did.

With a 4-3 lead and two runners on base, Roberts summoned Kershaw to get the final two outs of Thursday night's match-up against the Nationals.

Of course @ClaytonKersh22 closed it with the curve.https://t.co/RoXwt366mr‌ #NLDS #CLINCHED pic.twitter.com/uxANKnRbdY

— MLB (@MLB) October 14, 2016

Kershaw literally saved the Dodgers season.

The series tied two games apiece, a loss would have sent them packing. Instead, they'll face the league-best Chicago Cubs in the National League Championship Series on Saturday.

For all the buzz surrounding Kershaw's postseason struggles — the lefty was 2-6 with a bloated ERA in his playoff career — the performance Thursday night, and the drama surrounding it, proved why he's one of the best pitchers in the league.

Kershaw's legendary résumé just got one save sweeter.

And yes, he'll be available to pitch in the NLCS, as if that's even a question.

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