Dodgers ace makes huge, 'next level' play vs. Brewers despite not entering game

Do the Los Angeles Dodgers have a future Manager of the Year on their roster in Clayton Kershaw?

It certainly looked like it on Wednesday night.

Kershaw didn't pitch on Wednesday, but that didn't stop the 10-time All-Star from paying close attention to every little detail on display during the Dodgers' showdown with the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.

In doing so from his comfortable seat in the Los Angeles dugout, Kershaw likely saved the Dodgers from allowing a pivotal run.

As Brewers infielder Joey Ortiz rounded second base and advanced to third on a double down the left field line from Brice Turang in the bottom of the fourth inning, Kershaw noticed something amiss.

Ortiz had stepped on second base, retreated in the direction of first base in a moment of hesitation, and then proceeded onward towards third. However, Ortiz had failed to step on second base again after his retreat, which is against the rules.

Despite the infraction, Ortiz advanced to third base (and Turang to second), and the 4-3 ballgame was set to continue with Jackson Chourio at the plate for Milwaukee.

That's when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts got the tip from Kershaw and called timeout to visit the mound, where he secretly directed Dodgers pitcher Anthony Banda to appeal Ortiz's advancement by throwing to second base once play resumed.

As Roberts spoke with Banda on the mound, the entire Dodgers dugout (Kershaw included) played dumb, fearful that any reaction would give away their plan. As one Dodgers reporter noted , it was "next level stuff" from Los Angeles.

Roberts left the mound, Banda threw to second, and Ortiz was called out via appeal.

It was soon learned that Kershaw had been behind the entire ordeal , and as the camera panned to him, he looked like a manager who had just casually outwitted the entire stadium.

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