Add the query “Will Clayton Kershaw pitch?” to the checklist of storylines related to the 2025 World Sequence matchup between the Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Dodgers.
Seeing Kershaw on the mound one ultimate time on baseball’s largest stage is a risk, granted it is not one thing that is assured to occur both.
If used, Clayton Kershaw will come out of the bullpen
Regardless of being formally added to the Dodgers’ World Sequence roster, Los Angeles supervisor Dave Roberts nonetheless would not seem to have a clearly outlined plan for Kershaw, or at the least not one he is concerned about disclosing. Kershaw shouldn’t be a part of Los Angeles’ beginning rotation and was simply designated as a doable bullpen arm in aid.
However Kershaw may nonetheless assist if referred to as upon.
Regardless that he is removed from the phenom who was as soon as arguing as the perfect pitcher in all of baseball, the three-time Nationwide League Cy Younger winner nonetheless posted an 11-2 report with a decent 3.36 ERA in 23 whole appearances in 2025.
That mentioned, he has solely been used as soon as all through Los Angeles’ postseason run up to now, largely as a result of Dodgers having a deep workers and successful with out having to show to their 37-year-old future Corridor of Famer.
Kershaw’s solely look got here within the Dodgers’ solely loss of their Nationwide League Division Sequence. He entered the sport within the seventh inning and proceeded to surrender six hits, two house runs and be credited with 4 earned runs in opposition to him in two innings.
Sending Kershaw to the mound might be a threat
Other than the nostalgia of sending Kershaw to the mound to shut his profession within the World Sequence, there might be a priority of not wanting to place a legend ready to harm his workforce when it issues essentially the most. Kershaw’s general resume stacks up with many legendary names, however he has been roughed up within the playoffs earlier than.
Kershaw’s postseason ERA is 4.63, which is a far cry from the two.53 mark for his regular-season profession. He was as soon as closely criticized for his postseason struggles, a criticism that even continued throughout pennant-winning years, and solely subsided when Kershaw received his first championship as a part of the Dodgers’ World Sequence win within the shortened 2020 season.
It was really that 2020 playoff run that Kershaw registered his finest ERA from a single postseason of two.93, though nonetheless beneath his regular requirements. In reality, 2020 is the one World Sequence the Dodgers have received that Kershaw has pitched in.
He additionally pitched within the World Sequence in each 2017 and 2018, with Los Angeles shedding to the Astros and the Purple Sox, respectively. Kershaw owns a second World Sequence ring from 2024, however was injured and didn’t participate in final yr’s conquer the New York Yankees.
Whereas Dodgers followers wish to see one other championship above all else, seeing the franchise icon one final time can be a pleasant bonus as effectively.
It doesn’t matter what, Kershaw’s legacy as an all-time nice was secured way back.
