Clayton Kershaw’s final postseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers began with a semi-surprising omission. The legendary left-hander found himself left off the team’s 26-man roster for the National League Wild Card Series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. This marks an unusual shift for one of the Dodgers’ most enduring fixtures, as the club recalibrates its pitching strategy for a crucial stretch in October.
Los Angeles set the tone for the series with a resounding 10-5 win Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium, behind a series of home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández, each notching two homers. Blake Snell took the mound for seven strong innings, giving up two runs while striking out nine. Heading into Game 2, the Dodgers will start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, hoping to wrap up the short series and avoid a decisive third game. According to expert-reviewed California sportsbook sites, the Dodgers are a -300 moneyline favorite, and -140 on the run line.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto was a pillar for the Dodgers’ rotation in his second MLB campaign. He led the Dodgers with 30 starts, amassing a 12-8 record and a 2.49 ERA. Over 173.2 innings, Yamamoto struck out 201 batters and allowed just 49 walks, maintaining his reputation for command. His effectiveness allowed the Dodgers to weather roster changes and injuries, making him a crucial part of a deep postseason run.
Kershaw’s Absence and Roster Decisions
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the Dodgers would rely on a concentrated starting rotation for the Wild Card round. With just three starting slots needed, the Dodgers prioritized pitchers who can deliver high-velocity innings and adaptability out of the bullpen. Kershaw, who recently pitched five and one-third scoreless innings in his final regular-season appearance against the Mariners, ended the year showcasing familiar command, but was nonetheless left out of the opening postseason roster for strategic reasons.
Instead, the Dodgers’ Wild Card pitching staff is anchored by Snell, Yamamoto, and Ohtani—each expected to fill starter roles. At the same time, Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan provide depth in relief, joined by Roki Sasaki and a quartet of left-handed bullpen arms. Roberts indicated that Kershaw’s best chance of postseason involvement will come in later rounds, likely in short-burst outings instead of extended starts.
Kershaw’s last pro-season bullpen appearance came in September, when he delivered a scoreless ninth inning in Arizona, hinting at a possible flexible bullpen role should the Dodgers advance further in the playoffs.
Kershaw’s Retirement: Announcement and Context
Earlier this month, Kershaw officially announced his intention to retire at the end of the 2025 campaign. The announcement was met with reflection on an 18-year career that stands among the best of his era. He addressed the media on September 18, clearly outlining his decision, and then took the mound for his final regular-season Dodger Stadium start the following day. In that outing against the Seattle Mariners, Kershaw logged 5 1/3 scoreless innings, sending a clear message of his enduring competitiveness.
That appearance was Kershaw’s 451st regular-season start, cementing sustained excellence and resilience seldom seen among modern pitchers. His status for potential postseason involvement remains open. Still, his transition toward retirement has already begun, spotlighting the new core of the Dodgers’ pitching while recognizing his ongoing leadership role.
Ohtani’s 2025 Regular Season: A Record-Breaking Year
Shohei Ohtani delivered one of the most remarkable seasons in Dodgers and Major League history in 2025. He played in 158 games, finishing with a .282 batting average and compiling 172 hits. Ohtani shattered his franchise home run record by belting 55 home runs, a new personal and club high. In addition to the power display, he drove in 102 runs and scored 146 times. Ohtani maintained a .394 on-base percentage and an OPS above 1.000, consistently ranking among league leaders in nearly every major offensive category.
With these figures, Ohtani became just the sixth player in MLB history with at least 50 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a season, and the only individual to accomplish the feat twice. His combination of power, speed, and discipline at the plate established him as one of the most dynamic hitters in baseball throughout 2025.
Kershaw’s Career Milestones
Clayton Kershaw’s trajectory is defined by exceptional achievement, consistency, and leadership. Over 18 seasons, all with the Dodgers, Kershaw finished the regular season with a lifetime record of 223-96 and a 2.53 ERA. He accumulated 3,052 strikeouts while issuing just 713 walks, maintaining a career WHIP of 1.018. These statistics place him among the top pitchers in Major League Baseball’s history.
He has won three National League Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, 2014), was named the National League’s Most Valuable Player in 2014, and earned 11 All-Star selections. Kershaw played a key role in Los Angeles’ 2020 World Series championship, leading or ranking among league leaders in ERA five times. Before the 2025 playoffs, his postseason record is 13-13 in 39 games (32 starts) with a 4.18ERA across 194.1 innings. While his October numbers were sometimes a talking point, his willingness to take the ball whenever needed drew quiet respect across MLB clubhouses.
What’s Next for Dodgers and Kershaw
The Dodgers remain in pursuit of their seventh World Series title, maintaining high expectations thanks to a roster featuring some of the sport’s biggest stars. Kershaw’s absence in the Wild Card round represents a passing of the torch to the next wave of Los Angeles pitching, with Ohtani and Yamamoto assuming larger roles. Should the Dodgers progress, Kershaw remains eligible for activation—a possibility that would add another layer to his distinguished career.
Kershaw’s legacy is secure. During his nearly two decades in Los Angeles, he set standards for pitching excellence, durability, and leadership. His journey now transitions toward closure, but his mark on the Dodgers and Major League Baseball more broadly will endure far beyond the final pitch of his storied career.
