No. 10: NLDS Game 4, Dodgers vs. Nationals

A beautiful outing by Clayton Kershaw on three days' rest was spoiled once more by his bullpen, but Los Angeles' late rally kept the Dodgers alive.

"Clayton Kershaw versus the narrative" is one of America’s most mind-numbing yet inescapable playoff matchups, and this game was no exception. On the one hand, the three-time NL Cy Young Award winner was stellar for six innings, striking out 10 batters and doing so on short rest in a must-win game for the Dodgers; on the other, he failed to make it out of the seventh, leaving the bases loaded for his bullpen, which then allowed all three runners to score to tie the game, the last two on a Daniel Murphy single. Los Angeles rallied to win in the bottom of the eighth on a single by Chase Utley, an outcome that helped quiet some of Kershaw's critics. Anyone else who needed convincing of Kershaw's October brilliance would have to wait another game.

• DUCEY: Dodgers keep season alive with late heroics