Mets playoffs: Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw's mixed results on three days' rest

The Mets will face off against Clayton Kershaw for the second time in tonight's NLDS game four, in a must-win game four the Dodgers. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 MVP has twice pitched on three days rest in the postseason, to mixed results.

On October 7, 2013, the Dodgers hosted the Braves in Game 4 of the NLDS with the Dodgers up two games to one. Kershaw faced off against the NL's fourth-ranked offense, a potent lineup that included Jason Heyward, Justin Upton, and Freddie Freeman. The then-25-year-old needed only 91 pitches to get through six innings, allowing just two unearned runs on three hits and one walk while striking out six. Kershaw left in a tie game, and the Dodgers scored two runs in the eighth inning to advance.

Exactly one year later, on October 7, 2014, the Dodgers called on Kershaw to start in another must-win Game 4, down two games to one against the Cardinals. Facing the NL's ninth-ranked offense, Kershaw put up zeroes for his first six innings and looked to finally quiet those who doubted his ability to pitch well in the postseason. But after being staked to a two-run lead in the sixth, Kershaw allowed a three-run home run to Matt Adams in the bottom of the seventh inning. Kershaw did not record an out in the seventh, finishing with a line of six innings pitched, three earned runs, four hits, two walks, and nine strikeouts. He threw 102 pitches in a losing effort.

For his regular season career, Kershaw is 114-56 with an ERA of 2.43 and a FIP of 2.62 over eight seasons. In the postseason, he has a 1-6 record and a 4.99 ERA.