Clayton Kershaw returns to the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are charging into the National League Division Series after sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in the Wild Card round.

Next up: a high-stakes showdown against the reigning champion Philadelphia Phillies. Game 1 is set for Saturday, October 4 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with Bryce Harper and company looking to defend their 2024 title.

Ohtani takes the mound for postseason debut

After stellar performances from Blake Snell and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the Wild Card round, Shohei Ohtani will make his highly anticipated postseason debut as a starting pitcher.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Ohtani will take the mound, while veteran ace Clayton Kershaw will sit out the first round after throwing 94 pitches in the regular season finale.

Kershaw’s Role Still Unclear

“If we’re fortunate enough, he’ll be on the roster for the Division Series,” Roberts said when asked about Kershaw’s postseason status.

What remains uncertain is whether the future Hall of Famer will return to the starting rotation or take on a bullpen role. Roberts had already considered the possibility of using Kershaw out of the pen, citing his 18 years of playoff experience and the depth of this year’s rotation, which includes Snell, Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Ohtani.

Dodgers eye historic repeat

The bullpen was a weak spot for L.A. throughout the regular season, costing them several games. Adding a seasoned arm like Kershaw could be a strategic move to shore up relief pitching.

The Dodgers are on a mission to become the first MLB team in 25 years to win back-to-back championships—and they’ll need to be rock-solid across the board to make it happen.

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