Kershaw Roughed Up in Relief as Dodgers Drop Game 3 of NLDS
Wednesday night’s Game 3 of the National League Division Series turned into heartbreak for the Los Angeles Dodgers, as veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw was hammered in relief and Philadelphia seized an 8–2 win to force a Game 4. What looked like a manageable deficit transformed into a rout, raising fresh questions about the Dodgers’ bullpen depth and postseason strategy.
A Hero’s Entrance, a Nightmare Unfolds
When Clayton Kershaw trotted in from the bullpen in the seventh inning, Dodger Stadium erupted. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, and his entrance music blared amid cheers. After all, Kershaw has long been a franchise icon—and 2025 is likely his final season.
Yet that moment of welcome would soon turn bittersweet.
Kershaw entered with the Dodgers trailing by two runs, entrusted to keep the margin manageable. He navigated the seventh inning without surrendering a run—though his command was sketchy—and was asked to return in the eighth. What followed is now the stuff of painful postseason lore.
The Eighth Inning Collapse
In the top of the eighth, Kershaw finally caved under pressure. The sequence:
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J.T. Realmuto led off with a home run—a crushing blow on only his second pitch of the inning.
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Max Kepler walked.
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A fielding error by Max Muncy put another baserunner in scoring position. After a sacrifice bunt, Trea Turner delivered a two-run single into a gap in the outfield.
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Then Kyle Schwarber crushed a two-run homer—the second of the night—into right field, essentially putting the game out of reach.
By the time that frame was over, Kershaw had allowed five runs (four earned) on six hits, while issuing three walks. He threw a total of 48 pitches, but only 22 of them were strikes.
It was a stark contrast to his usually controlled postseason presence—a move that backfired for the Dodgers.
The Bigger Picture: Dodgers’ Bullpen Struggles
This disastrous outing didn’t happen in isolation. The Dodgers have been searching for reliable relief arms all season long. Their bullpen ranked 21st in ERA among Major League clubs in the regular season, which has seeped into their postseason approach.
With lefty Tanner Scott absent for personal reasons, the options were limited. Manager Dave Roberts resisted using arms like Roki Sasaki or Emmet Sheehan, both of whom had usage constraints. That meant Kershaw was asked to do more than his evolved relief role might warrant.
Roberts admitted afterwards that Kershaw’s slider “didn’t have depth or teeth” and that he was often behind in the count—classic signs that a pitcher is off his game.
Kershaw Reflects: “Just Didn’t Make Enough Good Pitches”
Postgame, Kershaw was candid but restrained. “I wasn’t throwing strikes,” he said. “I was battling command. It just wasn’t a fun inning.”
He also acknowledged he had been off the mound for several days—his last appearance was in the regular season finale—which may have deprived him of rhythm.
Dodger infielder Mookie Betts summed up the awkward moment best:
“He’s going to have a statue. So if you let two innings ruin that … you don’t know baseball.”
In the grand scheme of a Hall of Fame résumé, this will be a footnote. But for now, it’s a scar on an October night.
Offense Mutes Too: Dodgers’ Bats Silent
Kershaw’s struggle may’ve been the headline, but the Dodgers’ offense offered little support.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ Game 3 starter, was tagged for three runs (unearned) in the fourth inning, including a monster 455-foot homer from Schwarber.
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The Dodgers did get a spark early—Tommy Edman launched a solo shot in the first—but that was just a glimmer in a dark night.
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Philadelphia’s lineup woke up at the right time, scratching out hits and capitalizing on mistakes. The bats simply disappeared when Kershaw needed help most.
When your ace stumbles and your offense is silent, blowout losses happen.
What’s Next: Game 4 Beckons
With the series now 2–1 in favor of the Dodgers, Game 4 looms large. If Los Angeles doesn’t win it, they’ll head back East for a winner-take-all Game 5 in Philadelphia.
Tyler Glasnow is expected to start for the Dodgers in Game 4, while the Phillies will counter with Cristopher Sánchez.
Dodger manager Dave Roberts has already hinted at flushing the memory of Game 3. “It’s a new game every day,” Kershaw echoed. “Game 4 tomorrow. Be ready to go.”
Final Thoughts
Game 3 was a turning point—for better or worse—for both clubs. For Philadelphia, it’s resumed hope. For the Dodgers, it’s a jarring reminder that October margins are razor thin. And while Kershaw’s performance will draw scrutiny, it's crucial to remember his legacy: his body of work, his contributions, and the fact that every great career gets its blemishes.
Still, for one night, one inherited frame, one decision to leave a legend on the mound—this game will live on as both cautionary tale and emotional weight. The Dodgers now must rally and respond.
