“All Time Playoff Choker” – Fans Throw Shade at Chris Sale for Dismal Postseason Record As Dodgers Legend Clayton Kershaw Also Catches Strays

After giving up two crucial home runs in NLDS Game 3, Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale is receiving the same reception Clayton Kershaw faced for most of his career. The Braves lost 3-1 to the Dodgers on Tuesday, with Kike Hernández and Freddie Freeman taking the southpaw deep in the fourth inning.

Kershaw, who failed to live up to postseason expectations many times for the Dodgers despite his status as a legend for the franchise, was used to such criticism. Like Kershaw, Sale is a former Cy Young winner who has had postseason struggles and therefore is enduring a similar reception on social media. In nine postseason starts, Sale holds a 6.52 career ERA and a 1-4 record.

"He's up there with Kershaw for all time playoff choker ✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️," one fan wrote.

Sale and Kershaw, a three-time Cy Young winner, are both known for their dominance in the regular season. However, when the calendar turns to October, they have both struggled at times for their teams.

Including his two relief appearances in the Dodgers' 2025 postseason run, Kershaw's career postseason line stands at 13-13 with a 4.62 ERA and 213 strikeouts over 196.2 innings. He had a 2.53 ERA and 223 wins in the regular season in his 18-season career.

On the other hand, after Tuesday's game, Sale has a 1-4 record with an ERA of 5.79 and 66 strikeouts in 13 postseason appearances (starts and relief) in his career. He has a 2.95 ERA in 16 seasons.

Chris Sale Regrets One Bad Pitch in NLDS Game 3 Loss

Chris Sale started strongly in NLDS Game 3 against the Dodgers, striking out each of the first six batters he faced. However, the Dodgers exhausted him with long at-bats, and the pressure finally got to the southpaw in the fourth inning.

Sale first gave up a two-run home run to Dodgers utility man Kike Hernández, followed by Freddie Freeman hitting a 399-foot solo home run to extend the Dodgers' lead to 3-0. In a game where Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one run, there was really no room for Sale to allow two home runs.

After the 3-1 loss, Sale regretted the pitch Hernández hit for the two-run homer.

"Really only one pitch I'd take back from that whole entire outing," Sale said . "This is a game of adjustments. They seemed like they made the adjustment. They were battling, but again, really just one swing changed the whole trajectory of that game."

Sale went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven. Braves manager Walt Weiss also said the Dodgers did a great job adjusting to Sale and grinding him out during their respective at-bats.

The loss on Tuesday has put Atlanta on the brink of postseason elimination in the NLDS.

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