Dodger Thoughts

Jon SooHoo/Los Angeles Dodgers

By Jon Weisman

A day ahead of his National League Division Series start, a smiling Clayton Kershaw looked relaxed at his Q&A with reporters — and admitted he’s feeling more relaxed as well.

He owes that relative levity to the all-hands-on-deck Dodgers, who showed in 2016 that they can win even with their ace sidelined from late June until September with a herniated disk. Calling this the “most complete” team he has been on, Kershaw said he doesn’t feel he needs to carry the Dodgers by himself.

“I think in the past I’ve definitely felt that pressure more,” Kershaw said, heading into his fourth straight postseason and the sixth of his career. “But this year’s been a little bit different for me, just as far as having to watch on the sidelines for two months (and) understanding how good our team is. … I think it’s really kind of hit home for me a little bit, as I’ve come back, that I can definitely be a part of this and definitely help and definitely be a factor in winning — but I don’t have to be the factor.

“Obviously I have a job to do and I understand that,” he added, “but … we’re such a team that I feel like I can rely on those guys and, likewise, they can rely on me. It’s just a different feeling than I’ve had in the past.”

As usual, questions about whether Kershaw will start a potential Game 4 on three days’ rest have begun before he has even thrown his first Game 1 pitch. Among the follow-ups: Did the time off to rest his back deliver a side benefit of resting his arm?

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