Kershaw tries again, Cubs launch into playoffs

Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw starts the NL Division Series opener in Washington against Max Scherzer. The LA lefty has dominated hitters in recent years — except in the postseason. He's 2-6 overall in the playoffs, including 1-5 with a 5.45 ERA in his last six starts, often done in by elevated home run and walk rates. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner went 12-4 with a 1.69 ERA this year while missing more than two months because of a back injury.

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Favored to win the World Series since opening day, the Cubs begin the playoffs when Jon Lester starts against the Giants. Wrigley Field figures to be packed and pulsating for Game 1 of the NL Division Series as the Cubs, who led the majors with 103 wins this year, try to get closer to ending their championship drought that dates to 1908. Johnny Cueto, who helped the Royals win the crown last year, pitches for San Francisco.

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Red Sox star David Price is a five-time All-Star, a two-time ERA leader and a former Cy Young Award winner. But the Boston lefty is 0-7 as a postseason starter in his career with Tampa Bay, Detroit and Toronto. He'll try to end that 0-for-October string when he starts Game 2 of the AL Division Series at Cleveland against Corey Kluber.