The Los Angeles Dodgers began the National League Division Series by placing trust in Clayton Kershaw, and they remained confident in the longtime ace for a potential start in Game 4 at Chase Field.
But the Arizona Diamondbacks upended matters, both against Kershaw in Game 1 by chasing him in the first inning, and on Wednesday night as they completed an NLDS sweep of the Dodgers. It’s a second consecutive year the Dodgers have been eliminated in the postseason by an NL West opponent.
“Disappointing no matter how it ends if you don’t win the whole thing,” Kershaw said. “So obviously this one hurts a lot just because of how it went down. We got beat. Got to give credit to the Diamondbacks, they played great. Hit well, pitched well, and I don’t know what else to say. It’s just obviously a disappointing end.”
After retiring just one of eight batters faced in the shortest start of his career, Kershaw expressed embarrassment with the performance. That sentiment lingered after Game 3.
“It’s just how I didn’t help the team win the series and that’s the most disappointing part,” he said. “Letting your guys down and things like that.”
Now Kershaw finds himself heading into another offseason with more uncertainty ahead. Like in prior years, the 35-year-old is expected to consider re-signing with the Dodgers, joining his hometown Texas Rangers, or retirement.
“I’m not sure about that yet,” answered Kershaw when asked about the 2024 season. “I’m not sure how it’s going to look.”
Is Clayton Kershaw retiring?
One of the factors Kershaw is going to take into account this offseason when contemplating his future is health. He missed nearly six weeks during the season because of an unspecified left shoulder injury that initially was not expected to cause him to be sidelined for a prolonged stretch.
Kershaw nor the Dodgers ever provided any specifics about the injury that clearly affected performance.
When further pressed on his future and asked if the decision this offseason would be a different process from years past, Kershaw acknowledged as much but again remained vague.
“I think so,” he said. “Well, yeah, but I’m not going to get into it. We’ll see. I’m not sure. I don’t know how to answer that right now.”
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