Clayton Kershaw, the legendary Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander, took the mound at Dodger Stadium on October 9, 2025, in a moment that was both anticipated and bittersweet. The Dodgers, defending their World Series title, had just swept the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card Series and were set for a high-stakes National League Division Series (NLDS) matchup against the Philadelphia Phillies. But the story that night wasn’t about advancing in the playoffs—it was about one of baseball’s greatest pitchers facing a harsh playoff reality, and perhaps, his final curtain call in front of the home crowd.
The Dodgers began their postseason journey without Kershaw on the Wild Card Series roster, a decision that surprised many. But after dispatching the Reds, the team added both Kershaw and Anthony Banda to the playoff roster, with Kershaw shifting into a bullpen role—a significant adjustment for the man who had been the team’s ace for over a decade. Alongside youngsters Emmet Sheehan and Roki Sasaki, Kershaw was tasked with providing veteran stability out of the pen. Yet, as fate would have it, his first and only appearance in the NLDS was far from the storybook outing fans had hoped for.
When Kershaw emerged from the bullpen in Game 3, the crowd of 53,689 at Dodger Stadium erupted, eager to witness their hero in action. Cameras flashed, fans stood in anticipation, and for a moment, it felt like old times. But the mood shifted dramatically as the Phillies’ bats came alive. Kershaw’s outing quickly unraveled: a leadoff home run, a walk, an error, a sacrifice bunt, a single, another home run, a double, and a single followed. By the time he trudged off the mound, the Dodgers’ 3-1 deficit had ballooned to 8-1, and the game was effectively out of reach, ending in an 8-2 loss.
Kershaw’s final line was jarring: two innings pitched, six hits, five runs (four earned), three walks, no strikeouts, and two home runs surrendered. He threw 48 pitches, only 22 of them for strikes. The Phillies’ J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber both went deep off Kershaw, with Schwarber launching his second homer of the night in his second at-bat against the veteran lefty. The fans, stunned into silence, didn’t boo or cheer—they simply watched, sharing in Kershaw’s pain.
After the game, Kershaw spoke candidly about his struggles. "It was a tough couple of innings there. Just didn’t make enough good pitches. I was battling command. It’s hard when you’re trying to throw strikes as opposed to getting people out. It just wasn’t a fun outing," he admitted in front of his locker, according to the postgame interviews. He further reflected, "You just try to get people out. I wasn’t throwing strikes, and it’s hard to pitch when you’re behind the count. … I did the best I could, it just wasn’t there tonight."
Manager Dave Roberts faced questions about why Kershaw was left in the game during such a rough stretch. The answer, as it turned out, was rooted in necessity. Dodgers left-handed reliever Tanner Scott, the team’s $72 million closer, was unavailable due to a personal matter and wasn’t even at the stadium. "It will come out later, but he was completely unavailable," Roberts explained. Without Scott, and trailing in the game, Roberts opted to let Kershaw absorb innings and spare the team’s high-leverage arms. Prior to Game 4, Scott was officially replaced on the roster by Justin Wrobleski after undergoing an abscess excision in his lower body. The makeshift bullpen situation underscored the challenges the Dodgers faced beyond just the Phillies’ offense.
Kershaw’s struggles were evident to all, but so was the respect he commanded. Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber, who had faced Kershaw numerous times over the years, offered glowing praise. "I mean, I’ve faced Kersh for years now. He’s undoubtably, probably the top, I don’t know how many, starting pitchers in baseball. This guy’s going to be in the Hall of Fame. I have a lot of respect for Clayton and for how he goes about his business, and I know that he’s going to be leaving baseball after this year," Schwarber said. He added, "So just from all of us and the opposing side, we all have a ton of respect for him, obviously, first off. But, yeah, I mean, having those at-bats and seeing him, it’s always nice to have a recent familiarity, I guess, of seeing pitches." Schwarber also noted, "He’s always a unique guy with unique pitches. And so anytime you get to see him back-to-back times, I think that can be beneficial."
Kershaw’s career is nothing short of legendary. Drafted seventh overall by the Dodgers in 2006, he made his major league debut in 2008 and quickly established himself as one of the best pitchers of his generation. His iconic 12-6 curveball became the stuff of legend, baffling hitters and earning him three Cy Young Awards and a National League MVP. Over the years, rumors swirled about the possibility of Kershaw joining his hometown Texas Rangers or even donning the pinstripes for the New York Yankees. Yankees GM Brian Cashman recently revealed that he had tried to acquire Kershaw when the lefty was still in the minors, but the Dodgers held firm, recognizing the rare talent they had. In the end, Kershaw spent his entire career in Dodger blue, never wearing another uniform—a rarity in modern professional sports.
As the 2025 season winds down, it’s clear that Kershaw will not return for 2026. The Dodgers faithful, and indeed baseball fans everywhere, are preparing to bid farewell to a future Hall of Famer. "In a few years, Kershaw will be walking into Cooperstown wearing a Dodgers cap," many have remarked, a testament to his enduring legacy and the indelible mark he’s left on the sport.
For now, though, the Dodgers must decide how to navigate the rest of the postseason, with Kershaw’s playoff role uncertain after his difficult outing. While it’s unlikely he’ll pitch again in this series, his presence in the clubhouse and the respect he commands remain invaluable. As fans reflect on the emotional night at Dodger Stadium, they’re left with the hope that Kershaw’s final moments on the mound aren’t defined by struggle, but by the greatness he brought to Los Angeles for nearly two decades.
