Kershaw accepts Game 2 start: 'I don't need to prove myself to anyone'
When the Los Angeles Dodgers named Hyun-Jin Ryu the starter for Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves instead of longtime ace Clayton Kershaw, it came as a bit of a surprise.
Kershaw has accepted the decision to go with Ryu, even though he isn't exactly thrilled about it, according to Andy McCullough of the Los Angeles Times. His confidence isn't shaken, though, as he's been through the ringer before.
"I don't need to prove myself to anyone," he said.
Kershaw told reporters that the Dodgers gave an explanation for starting him in Game 2, but he didn't reveal the details of the conversation, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Manager Dave Roberts said there's no tension between him and his star southpaw, stating that the mood between them is great.
The 30-year-old went 9-5 with a 2.73 ERA and a 8.65 K/9 in 161 1/3 innings this season.