Dodgers ace still scarred by controversial World Series loss to Astros

Seven years later, Clayton Kershaw is still not recovered.

The Houston Astros host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series at Minute Maid Park this weekend. It’s a rematch of the 2017 World Series, which the Astros won in seven games using illegal sign-stealing methods.

Houston commemorated the championship with a giant statue of a replica of the World Series ring outside the ballpark — a permanent reminder of how the 2017 season ended. The Dodgers got their own ring three years later, in 2020, but many of them are still bitter about the 2017 Fall Classic, feeling robbed.

Count Kershaw among them, as he seemed pretty salty discussing this weekend’s series, which began with a 5-0 Astros victory on Friday.

“I don’t like coming here,” Kershaw said bluntly. “I don’t like coming here and seeing the 2017 ring in front of their stadium.”

Who can blame him? Kershaw struggled in his fifth game in Houston, getting crushed for six runs in 4 2/3 innings. The Astros won 13-12 in 10 innings, taking a 3-2 series lead in Los Angeles, where they won Game 7.

The 36-year-old left-hander has had plenty of ups and downs during his playoff career, so Houston isn’t the only place he has bad memories. Still, it’s understandable why he would have such a visceral reaction to Minute Maid Park in particular.

Fortunately for Kershaw, he won’t have to face the Astros this weekend. After making his season debut against the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, his next start is next week against the San Diego Padres.

Until then, all he can do is grin and bear it while cheering on his teammates from the dugout. He might also want to start using the back door to enter the stadium from now on.