Los Angeles Dodgers

Crazy coincidence makes Clayton Kershaw's save even more unbelievable

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:43 p.m. ET

Chris Bahr

The odds of Clayton Kershaw even removing his jacket during Game 5 of the NLDS weren’t great. The odds of him recording the final two outs were even slimmer. But that might not even be the most far-fetched scenario of Kershaw’s amazing series-clinching performance for the Dodgers on Thursday night.

There he was, like Randy Johnson and Madison Bumgarner before him – a starter pitching in relief on baseball’s biggest stage on ridiculously short rest. Kershaw got Daniel Murphy to pop out and then struck out Wilmer Difo to send the Dodgers to the NLCS. It was the first save of his major-league career, and the first save of his professional career since 2006.

His catcher during that 2006 game in the Gulf Coast League? Kenley Jansen. Yes, the same Kenley Jansen who threw 51 pitches over 2.1 inning in an epic relief outing of his own before giving way to Kershaw in Game 5 on Thursday.

But that's not all.

You seriously can't make this stuff up.

2006 box score of Kershaw's only other career save – w/ Kenley Jansen as his catcher! Also vs. the Nats. Note the attendance, bottom left. pic.twitter.com/cG2MINYEOm
— Aaron Goldsmith (@aaronmgoldsmith) October 14, 2016

The last time Clayton Kershaw had a save was in 2006 ... with Kenley Jansen as his catcher: https://t.co/GIAdPzLG2e pic.twitter.com/t0q3TdPpLV
— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 14, 2016