The Hall of Fame Pitcher’s Postseason Role Remains in Question as Los Angeles Heads Toward the Playoffs

Clayton Kershaw, widely regarded as one of the greatest pitchers of his generation, is set to retire after the 2025 season, marking the end of an 18-year career spent entirely with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite his legendary status, Kershaw’s role in the postseason remains unclear, as the Dodgers’ deep and healthy starting rotation may limit his opportunities.

Kershaw made his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium, where over 53,000 fans gathered to honor the three-time Cy Young winner and MVP. His career achievements are staggering—among pitchers with at least 1,500 innings, his lifetime ERA of 2.54 ranks second since the live-ball era began in 1920, and his .698 winning percentage is the best in history. He has won five league ERA titles, three Cy Young Awards, and an MVP, all while remaining with the Dodgers throughout his entire career.

Kershaw’s recent performance has been nothing short of impressive, even at age 37 and with a diminished fastball that rarely cracks 90 mph. He has been consistently effective despite previous injuries to his shoulder and toe, and his 4 1/3-inning, two-run performance against the San Francisco Giants left his ERA this season at 3.55. The Dodgers have gone 15-6 in his outings, underscoring his continued value to the team.

However, Kershaw’s relationship with the postseason has been fraught. While he was sharp in two starts during the 2020 World Series, helping the Dodgers secure their first championship in over a decade, his playoff ERA of 4.49 is the worst among pitchers with at least 100 innings of postseason experience. His most recent postseason start, in Game 1 of the 2023 NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks, was disastrous—he lasted just one-third of an inning and surrendered six runs before being removed due to injury.

With the Dodgers heading to the playoffs for the 13th consecutive season and their starting rotation now fully healthy, Kershaw may find himself on the outside looking in. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani have all emerged as key figures in the rotation, with Ohtani in particular reclaiming his status as a two-way sensation. Even Kershaw himself seems aware of this reality, citing a possible postseason roster crunch as a reason for his retirement announcement.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has expressed belief in Kershaw’s value, but the specifics of his potential postseason role remain unclear. For Kershaw, this could be his final chance to silence his October demons before heading to Cooperstown. As the Dodgers prepare to defend their World Series title, the spotlight will remain on Kershaw’s legacy—both on the field and in the annals of baseball history.

Kershaw’s decision to retire now also reflects his desire to avoid a drawn-out farewell tour, which he has historically avoided. Instead, he chose to make his announcement quietly, allowing the focus to remain on the team’s success rather than his personal exit. This contrasts with the dramatic send-offs often given to other legends, and it aligns with Kershaw’s preference for simplicity and focus on the game itself.

As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Kershaw gets a chance to make one last impact in the postseason. Whether he does or not, his legacy as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history is already secure.