Magnificent 7: Kershaw riding high

CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw returned to the Dodgers’ dugout, plopped onto the bench next to pitching coach Rick Honeycutt and let out a sigh of satisfied relief. Kershaw had just talked his way into one last batter in Game 2 of the National League Championship Series, and that batter, electric Cubs infielder Javier Baez, had just rocketed an inning-ending lineout deep to center field.

A 1-0 lead was safe, and the Dodgers were on their way to a victory by that same margin to tie the best-of-seven series at one game apiece.

Kershaw turned to Honeycutt and said, “I think my throat just ended up in my gut.”

• NLCS Game 3: Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET/5 PT on FS1

But it was a good feeling.

Game Date Time Matchup TV/Highlights Gm 1 Oct. 15   CHC 8, LAD 4 Gm 2 Oct. 16   LAD 1, CHC 0 Gm 3 Oct. 18 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 Gm 4 Oct. 19 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 Gm 5 Oct. 20 8 p.m. CHC @ LAD FS1 *Gm 6 Oct. 22 TBD LAD @ CHC FS1 *Gm 7 Oct. 23 TBD LAD @ CHC FS1 * If necessary | All times listed ET  • NLCS coverageShop for postseason gear: Cubs | Dodgers

“It’s fun when you win, so, yeah, I’m enjoying it right now,” Kershaw said. “It was one of those games where one pitch could have been the deciding factor. So, really couldn’t look up for a minute for air. … I was fortunate to get through it tonight.”

It was the biggest moment in the best postseason start of Kershaw’s career, capping the first scoreless postseason start ever for a visitor at Wrigley Field. It was an equally satisfying victory for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who had every intention of calling upon closer Kenley Jansen when he left the dugout before the Baez at-bat.

Kershaw had not allowed a Cubs hit until back-to-back singles in the fifth inning, and was still working on a shutout when he walked Anthony Rizzo leading off the seventh. Jansen completed his warmups in the bullpen while Kershaw retired Ben Zobrist …

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