In the latest sign that the Earth is still spinning Lewis Brinson Jersey , Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers have determined they belong together.Wednesday was the original deadline for Kershaw to exercise the opt-out in his seven-year, $215 million contract. The ace left-hander and the Dodgers agreed to push the deadline to 4 p.m. ET on Friday, and they reached a new deal just in time.According to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, it's a three-year, $93 million agreement with incentives and no opt-out:Tim Brown TBrownYahooDodgers-Kershaw agree to three-year, $93-million contract. With bonuses. No opt-outs.Kershaw was already owed $65 million under his existing pact, so this is effectively a one-year, $28 million extension.Could the 30-year-old have done better if he'd entered the open market for the first time in his 11-year career? Almost certainly.Though he does have some red flags hanging over him these days鈥攎ore on those shortly鈥攖his is still Clayton Kershaw we're talking about. He owns three National League Cy Young Awards, an MVP and five ERA titles. Even in a "down" 2018 season, he mustered a 2.73 ERA over 161.1 innings. Altogether, his career 159 ERA+ is the best ever for a pitcher with over 2,000 innings.Perhaps Kershaw wouldn't have been in line for a $200 million payday a la Max Scherzer, David Price and Zack Greinke. But he would have been in for something between $100 million and $150 million.However, this is no time to frown on Kershaw's decision.David J. Phillip/Associated PressStrictly from a narrative perspective, if Kershaw opted out and bolted for allegedly greener pastures, it would have felt like LeBron James leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Miami Heat or Kevin Durant leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder for the Golden State Warriors.Defensible, for sure. Arguably the right choice, even. And yet...wrong.Kershaw has been in the Dodgers organization since L.A. drafted him seventh overall in 2006. He's turned into the Sandy Koufax of his era and, through his professionalism and warm personality http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-jt-riddle-jersey , a fan favorite in the 12 years since then."Clayton exemplifies what it is to be a Dodger," manager Dave Roberts told reporters.The Dodgers have certainly reaped benefits from Kershaw's excellence. They've gone to the playoffs eight times during his tenure. In these, they've gone as far as the National League Championship Series six times and the World Series twice.The one thing missing, of course, is the big one: the team's first title since 1988.The Dodgers haven't continually fallen short because of Kershaw specifically. But he has been part of the problem. Despite the bright spots in his track record, his career postseason ERA (4.32) is nearly two runs higher than his career regular-season ERA (2.39).According to ESPN StatsInfo, Kershaw has tended to be at his worst when the Dodgers have needed him to be at his best:ESPN Stats amp; Info ESPNStatsInfoClayton Kershaw now has a 6.06 ERA as a starter when facing elimination. That is the worst in MLB history (min. 4 games).But he has some good company. 5seTpyJpflSo it was the last time Kershaw took the mound in Game 5 of the World Series against the Boston Red Sox. He served up four runs on three home runs in seven innings, and the Dodgers lost 5-1.If the southpaw had chosen to leave L.A. this winter, the legacy left behind would have been at once historic and sadly incomplete. He would have been one of the all-time great Dodgers but not quitethe greatest.But now Kershaw has at least three more chances to wrap up unfinished business. And it so happens to be at a time when he and the Dodgers truly need each other.Had Kershaw chosen to test the free-agent waters, the Dodgers would have been left with a rotation of Walker Buehler, Rich Hill and some combination of Alex Wood, Julio Urias, Ross Stripling and/or Kenta Maeda. Not bad but far from great.For Kershaw's part,it's no secret that he's not the unstoppable force he used to be. He's lost time to back and shoulder injuries in four of the last five seasons. The last three have been especially rough, as he's averaged 25 starts and 162 innings per year.Kershaw's fastball velocity also seems to have fallen prey to all the wear and tear. It's been on a steady downward trend since 2015. It hit bottom with an average of 90.8 mph in 2018.This had a not-at-all surprising effect on Kershaw's hittability. His strikeout rate went down, and his hard-hit rate went up:If Justin Verlander can do it, then there's a chance Kershaw will get his health in order and eventually welcome back his vintage velocity.But since that's not terribly likely, it's a good thing the Dodgers can offer all the advantages he needs. Dodger Stadium is a notorious pitcher's park. The team will be returning many pieces from Major League Baseball's tied-for-sixth-most efficient defense. And even if Yasmani Grandal (who's been made a qualifying offer) doesn't return, Austin Barnes is an outstanding pitch-framer in his own right.Perhaps the biggest question Kershaw had to ask himself is whether the Dodgers' championship window has already closed. But while there is an argument there http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-j.-t.-realmuto-jersey , his return is just another reason to believe it remains open.The team's rotation looks that much better with him in it. Kenley Jansen still anchors a strong bullpen. Manny Machado is leaving behind an offense that caught fire in the second half of 2018, but a healthy Corey Seager will step into his shoes next year. And now that their luxury-tax penalties are reset, additional help from outside the organization should be on the way.Regardless of the price, there was never really anywhere else for Kershaw to go this winter. In theory, he and the Dodgers were always bound to each other.Now that it's official, they know what to do next. Stats courtesy of Baseball Reference, FanGraphs, Baseball Savant and Baseball Prospectus. BOSTON (AP) — Carlos Correa hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the eighth inning and the Houston Astros won their sixth straight game, beating the Boston Red Sox 6-3 on Friday night in a matchup of AL division leaders.The Red Sox, with the best record in the majors, had won three in row.Boston starter David Price had allowed just one hit and retired 14 in a row when he went into the seventh with a 2-0 lead. He left after Alex Bregman’s double and a walk and, after Ryan Brasier took over, the Astros scored three times. J.D. Martinez tied it with a single for his second RBI of the game.Houston scored three times in the eighth. Correa put the AL Central leaders ahead, a wild pitch by Joe Kelly (4-2) scored another run and Tyler White added an RBI single.Ryan Pressly (2-1) got two outs and Roberto Osuna posted his 14th save.Xander Bogaerts hit his 20th home run for Boston.ANGELS 5, WHITE SOX 2CHICAGO (AP) — Two-way star Shohei Ohtani homered for the third straight game after learning he will probably need Tommy John surgery, launching a three-run shot to cap Los Angeles‘ four-run third inning against Chicago.Shut down as a pitcher because of the right elbow problem, Ohtani hit his 19th homer of the season to break a tie with Kenji Johjima for the most by a Japanese rookie in the majors.Ohtani, in the lineup as the designated hitter, has four homers in his last three games. Before the game against the White Sox Brian Anderson Jersey , Ohtani said he plans to finish the season as the DH and hasn’t decided yet if he’ll have Tommy John surgery.Andrelton Simmons added a solo shot in the seventh, and Felix Pena pitched seven strong innings to help the Angels win for the third time in their last four. Pena (2-4) allowed two runs while scattering seven hits and walking none. The righty fanned six.Avisail Garcia hit a solo shot as Chicago’s DH after missing four games with a sore right knee. Omar Narvaez drove in a run with a single. Chicago’s Carlos Rodon (6-5) lasted just 4 2/3 innings.PHILLIES 4, METS 3NEW YORK (AP) — Rhys Hoskins hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning to make a winner of Aaron Nola, and Philadelphia beat New York.Carlos Santana lined an early two-run shot for the Phillies, who trail Atlanta by 2 1/2 games in the NL East. The first-place Braves lost 5-3 at Arizona.Nola (16-4) struck out eight over seven innings to match Washington ace Max Scherzer for the National League lead in wins. Those two are in a tight race with Mets star Jacob deGrom for the NL Cy Young Award, and Nola helped his cause with deGrom sitting in the opposite dugout.The right-hander walked one and gave up three hits, including Dominic Smith’s tying homer in the seventh. Hoskins connected off Tyler Bashlor (0-3), leading off the eighth for his 28th home run.Seranthony Dominguez worked a perfect inning and Tommy Hunter got three straight outs for his fourth save as Philadelphia’s bullpen made quick work of the Mets at the end.RAYS 14, ORIOLES 2ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Blake Snell tied the major league victory lead with his 18th, Nick Ciuffo and Kevin Kiermaier hit early three-run homers and Tampa Bay beat Baltimore.Snell (18-5) matched Cleveland’s Corey Kluber for the major league lead, after allowing two runs, five hits and striking out nine over 5 1/3 innings.Tommy Pham had a fifth-inning solo homer and Ji-Man Choi hit a grand slam in the sixth to help the Rays run their home winning streak to nine. Tampa Bay has won 14 of 17 overall.Baltimore dropped to 41-100, the third 100-loss season since the team relocated from St. Louis following the 1953 season. Dylan Bundy (7-14) was the loser.BLUE JAYS 3, INDIANS 2, 11 INNINGSTORONTO (AP) — Kevin Pillar hit a solo homer in the bottom of the 11th after AL MVP contender Jose Ramirez grounded out with the bases loaded in the top of the inning, allowing Toronto to beat Cleveland.Pillar’s second career walkoff home run came off right-hander Adam Cimber (3-6). It was Pillar’s 12th homer of the season. Pillar had reached third base with two outs in the ninth, but Neil Ramirez sent the game to extra innings by getting Richard Urena to fly out.Yan Gomes hit a solo home run for the Indians, who entered with a magic number of seven to clinch their third straight AL Central title. Cleveland loaded the bases with two outs in the 11th http://www.marlinsfanproshop.com/authentic-miguel-rojas-jersey , but Danny Barnes (3-2) relieved Jake Petricka and got Ramirez to ground out to second base.Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco matched a season best by striking out 14 over eight innings.BREWERS 4, GIANTS 2MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jesus Aguilar hit a two-run double in the seventh inning to lead Milwaukee past San Francisco.Aguilar sent a low, 0-1 pitch from Tony Watson into the gap in right-center field to score Curtis Granderson and Eric Thames. Hunter Strickland (3-5) started the seventh and walked the pinch-hitters. Watson took over one out later.The Brewers pushed their wild-card lead to 1 1/2 games over St. Louis.Josh Hader (5-1) worked two innings of scoreless relief and picked up the win. Joakim Soria pitched a perfect eighth, and Jeremy Jeffress handled the ninth, earning his ninth save.TIGERS 5, CARDINALS 3DETROIT (AP) — Jeimer Candelario hit a two-run homer with one out in the ninth inning, lifting Detroit over St. Louis.The Tigers won their third in a row. Marcell Ozuna homered twice for St. Louis, which has lost four of six. The Cardinals hold a slim lead for the second NL wild-card spot.Rookie Victor Reyes singled off Jordan Hicks (3-4) with one out and Candelario followed with a drive into the Tigers’ bullpen in left. Detroit closer Shane Greene (3-6) worked a scoreless ninth.PIRATES 5, MARLINS 3PITTSBURGH (AP) — Jordan Luplow hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the seventh inning, Josh Bell also had a two-run shot and Pittsburgh rallied past Miami.Kevin Kramer drove in his first career run with a two-out single in the seventh that made it 3-3. Luplow then squared up a 1-2 offering from reliever Tayron Guerrero (1-3) for his third homer. Kramer got his first major league hit earlier in the game while making his first big league start.Richard Rodriguez (4-2) pitched scoreless inning. Felipe Vazquez worked the ninth for his 31st save.Lewis Brinson hit a three-run home run to put Miami ahead in the sixth, his 11th. He also doubled and finished 3 for 4.TWINS 10, ROYALS 6MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Eddie Rosario homered, Ehire Adrianza had three hits and three RBIs and Minnesota beat Kansas City to snap a five-game skid.Trevor May (4-1), one of six Minnesota relievers, picked up the win with two shutout innings.Salvador Perez homered and Jorge Bonifacio had three hits for the Royals.Minnesota broke a 6-6 tie with a three-run fifth. Max Kepler and Adrianza had RBI singles against Glenn Sparkman (0-3). Rosario tacked on his team-leading 23rd home run leading off the eighth.REDS 12, PADRES 6CINCINNATI (AP) — Scott Schebler’s grand slam set a Reds season record, and Phillip Ervin homered twice as Cincinnati pulled away to a rain-delayed victory over San Diego.Schebler connected off Rowan Wick in the sixth for Cincinnati’s 10th grand slam of the season, setting a club record and putting the Reds up 10-4. Ervin had a solo homer and a two-run shot, the first multi-homer game of his career. The start was delayed by 2 hours Bryan Holaday Jersey , 37 minutes because of rain.Michael Lorenzen (3-1) was the winner, and Matt Strahm (3-4) took the loss.DODGERS 4, ROCKIES 2DENVER (AP) — Clayton Kershaw threw six strong innings, Kenta Maeda finished the ninth in place of All-Star closer Kenley Jansen as Los Angeles moved within a half-game of NL West-leading Colorado.Kershaw (7-5) baffled the Rockies and allowed two runs and six hits. Yasiel Puig homered and had an RBI single for the Dodgers.Jansen didn’t make the trip after a team cardiologist recommended he not pitch at altitude after suffering an irregular heartbeat episode in Denver last month.Chris Rusin (2-3) took the loss for the Rockies, who had their five-game winning streak halted.YANKEES 4, MARINERS 0Masahiro Tanaka struck out 10 in eight innings, and Gleyber Torres and Andrew McCutchen each hit a two-run homer as New York handed Seattle its fifth shutout of the season.Tanaka (11-5) allowed three hits and no walks. He is 7-0 against the Mariners in his career and has allowed two earned runs or fewer in four of his last five starts.McCutchen’s two-run shot in the third was his first homer as a Yankee since coming over in the trade with the Giants. Torres hit a two run-homer, the rookie’s 23rd.James Paxton (11-6) took the loss and every Seattle starter struck out at least once.A’s 8, RANGERS 4OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Rookie Ramon Laureano hit two home runs and Marcus Semien also went deep as Oakland beat Texas.Oakland won for the fourth time in five games overall and seventh in eight against Texas.The A’s remain 3 ½ games behind first-place Houston in the AL West and 3 ½ back of the New York Yankees for the top AL wild card. They moved 6 ½ games ahead of Seattle for the second wild card.Texas lost for the eighth time in 11 games.DIAMONDBACKS 5, BRAVES 3PHOENIX (AP) — Paul Goldschmidt hit his 33rd home run and Arizona held off Atlanta in a matchup of slumping playoff contenders.The NL East-leading Braves lost for the fourth time in five games and had their edge over Philadelphia cut to 2 1/2 games.The Diamondbacks, who had lost five of six, moved within 1 ½ games of Colorado atop the NL West.Goldschmidt homered for the ninth time in 27 games and reached base in all five of his plate appearances, going 2 for 2 with three walks. Daniel Descalso’s two-run single highlighted a three-run third inning.Patrick Corbin (11-5) struck out nine in six innings. Brad Boxberger picked up his 32nd save.Johan Camargo homered, doubled twice and drove in two runs for Atlanta.Braves starter Kevin Gausman (9-10) lasted 4 2-3 innings. He was charged with four runs on seven hits with four walks and four strikeouts.