WASHINGTON -- It is one of baseballs enduring mysteries in recent years and will be front-and-center in Game 1 of the NL Division Series between the Dodgers and Nationals that begins Friday:Why is LA lefty Clayton Kershaw so downright masterful during the regular season and so decidedly mediocre during the playoffs?While a player such as Washington slugger Bryce Harper talks about thriving when the stage is biggest, the lights brightest, the TV audience broadest, Kershaw seems to spend early October dealing with questions about happens to him at this time of year. Joe Thomas Youth Jersey . He goes from being a three-time Cy Young Award winner (with a pair of other top-three finishes in voting) who wins two out of every three decisions (126-60 career record) and owns a 2.37 ERA to just a guy: 2-6, 4.59 ERA.The bad ones stand out more, he said Thursday, for sure.He offered one possible explanation for the disparity, and a hopeful-sounding view of why things could be different this time around, beginning when he faces Max Scherzer and the rest of the NL East champions.In years gone by, Kershaw said, he thought he was supposed to carry the Dodgers.But he missed more than two months with a back injury in 2016 and thought it took some time to get completely comfortable when he returned for five starts in September.In the past, Ive definitely felt that pressure more. But this years been a little bit different for me, just as far as having to watch on the sidelines. ... Its really kind of hit home for me a little bit, as Ive come back, that I can definitely be a part of this and definitely help and definitely be a factor in winning, Kershaw said. But I dont have to be THE factor.Another difference: He recently picked up somewhat of a sidearm delivery for the occasional 95 mph fastball, something he got from Game 2 starter Rich Hill.Neither Dodgers rookie manager Dave Roberts nor Kershaw himself has spent time going over video of past playoff performances to try to glean anything that could be improved or changed for this series.I dont read too much into it and havent looked back on it. I dont think it has any bearing on this postseason, the start tomorrow, Roberts said. And I really dont think Clayton cares, either.Setting aside Kershaws particular case, for the moment, there are those players, to be sure, who are able to elevate themselves when the stakes and scrutiny are the greatest.Harper, who slugged .882 with three homers in Washingtons 2014 NLDS loss to San Francisco, describes himself as someone who enjoys playing in front of millions of people and adds: My heart doesnt really race or anything like that. Im super calm. I feel great at the plate. I feel great in the outfield. Just feels like home.Nationals left fielder Jayson Werth, who won a World Series title with Philadelphia in 2008, spoke about Phillies teammate Jimmy Rollins as an example of someone who performed best when the TV cameras turned on.The red lights on and, all of a sudden, he turns into a superhero. Thats more personality than DNA, I think, Werth said. Some guys can do it. Some guys are the opposite. They play better during the season, when no ones watching.Some other story lines to watch in the NLDS between the Dodgers and Nationals:ROOKIE STARS: This series features two outstanding rookies who might be the teams most dynamic offensive players, Dodgers SS Corey Seager (.308 average, 26 HRs) and Nationals CF Trea Turner (.342, 13 HRs, 33 SBs in 73 games). Hes going to help us out tremendously the next couple of weeks, Harper said about Turner.HOME VS. ROAD: The Dodgers went 53-28 at home and only 38-43 on the road in 2016; if the best-of-five NLDS goes the distance, Game 5 will be at Nationals Park. You know what? Roberts said. I dont think therell be carryover.CLOSE CLOSERS: Each club features a top regular-season closer -- Washingtons Mark Melancon converted 47 of 51 save chances this year; LAs Kenley Jansen went 47 for 53. One difference: Melancon was asked to earn a save of more than three outs only twice all season, while Jansen did it five times, and Roberts said hed have no qualms about asking for that repeatedly in the series.HISTORY-MAKING MANAGERS: This is the first postseason matchup in MLB history involving two black managers. It gives us some pride, in being African-American, to show people that not only can we do the job, but we can do the job better than most, Washingtons Dusty Baker said.---AP Sports Writer Stephen Whyno contributed.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Odell Beckham Jr Browns Jersey .com) - Christian Ponder will get another chance to prove himself for the Minnesota Vikings, with head coach Leslie Frazier announcing Wednesday that the struggling quarterback will start this weekends game against the Green Bay Packers. Austin Seibert Browns Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. http:///...edwine-Elite-Jersey/ . -- Anaheim Ducks defenceman Luca Sbisa will be out at least six weeks with a torn tendon in his right hand.DENVER -- Magali Harvey scored her second try late in the game to lift Canadas rugby team over England 29-25 in the opening match at the IRB Womens Nations Cup on Tuesday. With England leading 25-24 and time running out, Harvey found open space to rally Canada for the win. It was Harveys second try of the game. Elissa Alaire also had two tries for Canada, while Cheryl Phillips added one. "We are pleased with the result, but we know we have a lot to work on this week," said Francois Ratier after his first match as head coach of the Canada fifteens program. Alaire opened the scoring for Canada early in the match and Phillips added a second score before Alaire once again found herself on the end of a series of offloads by Canadas backline. Andrea Burk added a pair of conversions to take Canada into the half with a 19-13 lead. Having lost Arielle Dubissette-Borrice to injjury, Jessica Dovanne took over at outside-centre. Sione Takitaki Browns Jersey. England struck first in the second half, but Canada answered back with a score from Harvey. England camped on the Canada goal-line for more than 15 minutes before finally breaking through the defence. "We played well at times, but also know that we must work on our defence and our line-out before our next match," Ratier. "Overall, I am pleased with the start the team has made at this tournament, and I know the players are looking forward to the challenges that are to come." The result comes on the heels of an undefeated performance by the Canadas U20 women at the Junior Nations Cup. Following the game, Canadas Backs Coach Collette McAuley presented 10 new caps to players making their first appearance for the senior team. Canada will now face hosts the United States on Saturday. Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '