How to beat Clayton Kershaw? How about working the umpires?
Washington Nationals Manager Dusty Baker played that angle publicly before Friday’s opener of the National League division series, urging the umpires to watch closely when Kershaw employs his pickoff move.
“I'm hoping we get some base runners,” Baker said, “and the umpires might call a balk or two on him."
The base runners are no sure thing. The Dodgers ace has pitched 15 consecutive scoreless innings at Nationals Park. In his last eight starts against the Nationals, Kershaw is 8-0 with an 0.