Clayton Kershaw's NLDS role can add to his legendary Dodgers career

The Los Angeles Dodgers have won their first three games of the postseason, and they still haven’t had to use Clayton Kershaw. LA didn’t include the future Hall of Famer on its NLWC roster, which the Dodgers swept in two games. Notably, however, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced ahead of the NLDS that Kershaw would be added as a reliever, something to monitor closely given LA’s ongoing bullpen issues.

“(Kershaw will) be on the roster," Roberts told the media ahead of Game 1 of the NLDS. "He's going to be out of the 'pen and used as such."

Clayton Kershaw’s presence in the NLDS strengthens the Dodgers’ unreliable bullpen

The Dodgers’ sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, though convincing, featured flawed performances from most of LA’s bullpen, which only led to further speculation that the Dodgers will ultimately be doomed this postseason by their mediocre relievers. There has been one exception to that development in the form of newly confident (and healthy) Roki Sasaki, who followed up a nice inning against the Reds by passing a much more difficult test against the Phillies in Game 1 of the NLDS.

Outside of Sasaki (assuming the last two innings were real) and Blake Treinen, though, the Dodgers don’t have a sure thing in their bullpen. To build upon their Game 1 win over Philly, LA will need its ‘pen to withstand what promises to be an aggressive and powerful attempt by the Phillies’ lineup to expose the defending champs’ biggest weakness.

That’s where Kershaw can play a key role for the Dodgers. He may be well past his prime, but Kershaw can still be relied upon to come into a big moment, throw strikes, and not be overwhelmed by pressure. Kershaw’s southpaw delivery is also important to consider against a Phillies squad whose two most dangerous bats (Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber) are lefties.

Two of LA’s other lefty relievers, Alex Vesia and Jack Dreyer, weren’t great against the Reds, although Vesia did come in during Game 1 of the NLDS and record an out. 

Kershaw still seems like the more sturdy option. While everyone wants to talk about his decline and impending retirement, people forget that he had a really solid 2025. He ended up second on the Dodgers in innings pitched (112 2/3) and tallied a very respectable 3.36 ERA for LA in 23 appearances. 

The Dodgers have a stable of elite starters to throw at Philadelphia. Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Tyler Glasnow are scheduled to pitch in the following three games (Glasnow if a Game 4 is necessary).

But LA can’t rely solely on its stunning starting rotation to advance them past the Phillies. There’s an overwhelming likelihood that the Dodgers’ iffy bullpen will be challenged in multiple games in this series. When that time comes, Kershaw will be an underrated weapon for LA.