It was a familiar, clinical formula for victory Tuesday: a dominant performance by Clayton Kershaw, a go-ahead home run from Justin Turner, and a clean ninth inning for Kenley Jansen. The Dodgers defeated the Astros, 3-1, coming three wins closer to a World Series championship.

Clayton Kerhsaw had an ERA of over 25 in the seventh inning of postseason coming into Game 1 of the World Series. Kershaw silenced the critics (and possibly his own self doubt) after an unblemished seventh in Game 1.

Kershaw made one mistake all night in the fourth inning to Houston third baseman Alex Bregman, but was otherwise masterful. His eleven strikeouts was the most in the World Series for a Dodgers pitcher since Don Drysdale in 1965. He was in complete command of the strike zone, allowing three hits while giving up no walks.

Kershaw’s dominance was evident by how quickly the game blew by. A two hour, 28-minute game was made so short due in large part to Kershaw only needing 83 pitches to get through seven innings of work.

In four postseason starts, the Dodgers’ ace is 3-0 with a 2.96 ERA, and can now add World Series Game 1 winner to his list of accomplishments.

Related story: Dodgers Host Astros in Game 1 of the World Series

The Dodgers didn’t need much on offense with such strong pitching performances, and the Co-MVPs of the National League Championship Series provided what was necessary.

Chris Taylor, who continues to be the most astute move for an everyday player that Dodgers management acquired in building a championship team, opened the World Series in style with a first pitch, lead-off homer off Houston ace Dallas Keuchel. It was his third home run of the playoffs.

The 27-year-old from Virginia Beach has hit safely or walked in every game of the 2017 postseason, compiling a .419 on-base percentage.

Then, with the game tied 1-1 in the sixth inning and a runner on base, Justin Turner took a fastball in the upper inside corner of the zone deep to left center for his fourth home run and 14th RBI of the playoffs, a new Dodgers franchise record. Turner leads all postseason hitters in RBIs on trails Astros all-star Jose Altuve in home runs.

Related story: Dodgers Poised For Record-Setting Run to World Series

Tonight, the Dodgers face a stiff test in Game 2, with Justin Verlander on the mound for Houston. The Astros have not lost a game in which Verlander has appeared this season (9-0), including Verlander’s 4-0 postseason record. He allowed one run in sixteen innings against the New York Yankees, dropping his postseason ERA to 1.46.

Rich Hill will duel Verlander for the Dodgers, and though he has only pitched nine innings in two postseason starts, he has been effective (12 strikeouts and three earned runs. Los Angeles will need his best performance of the year in what could be his last.

Game 2 of the World Series starts at 5:09 on your Dodgers station, KHTS. For every inning of championship baseball tune in to AM 1220.

Santa Clarita Sports Report, October 25, is your source for the 2017 Santa Clarita high school football season and your daily Dodgers update. If you have any news and notes about our teams and players to share please send them to [email protected], like us on facebook.com/khtssports and follow us @KHTSSports on Twitter and Instagram.