Kershaw passes Verlander for all-time playoff strikeout record

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw tallied his 206th career postseason strikeout in the fifth inning of Game 5 of the World Series on Sunday, passing Justin Verlander for the most in playoff history.

Kershaw struck out Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Kevin Kiermaier to set the record.

Verlander held the playoff strikeout record for less than a calendar year after passing John Smoltz's longstanding mark just last October. He and Kershaw - who upped his total to 207 with another in the fifth - are the only pitchers with at least 200 career postseason strikeouts.

"It just means I'm on a great team, man," the 32-year-old told MLB Network's Greg Amsinger postgame. "I've been here a lot. Lots of innings. I'm thankful for that. It's ... just a special opportunity to be on the Dodgers."

Kershaw struck out six batters over 5 2/3 innings in Game 5. The 32-year-old has tallied 37 punchouts over five playoff starts this year.