Predicting Clayton Kershaw's Place In LA's Playoff Rotation

The defending champion Dodgers are gearing up for another postseason run. Where does veteran Clayton Kershaw fit into LA's playoff rotation?

Untitled Image
  • Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw recently returned from the 60-day disabled list due to left forearm tightness. That fills a major hole in the pitching rotation. But where will he be pitching in the postseason?

  • With newly acquired Max Scherzer the NL Cy Young favorite, chances are Kershaw won't be starting Game 1 of any series. That leaves a rotation of him, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias. I presume Kershaw as the second starter, as long as he continues to play well off of his injury.

  • The Dodgers are currently +290 favorites to win the 2021 World Series.

Kershaw Returns From Injury

Dodgers left-handed pitcher Clayton Kershaw recently returned from a stint on the 60-day disabled list due to left forearm tightness. In that time since he last pitched, which was all the way back on July 3rd, the Dodgers had made numerous moves at the trade deadline to make the team better.

They made a massive splash when they acquired Max Scherzer and Trea Turner from the Nationals, basically showing off to the rest of the league how rich they were as if it was a boasting contest. Walker Buehler and Julio Urías are having career seasons with LA, which further begs the question of just where Kershaw will fit in this rotation.

All of those reasons and more for the last two and a half months have the Dodgers winning at a rapid pace, even with Kershaw missing several months. As well as the Dodgers have played in Kershaw’s absence, LA is a better team when the future Hall of Famer is healthy and raring to go with his usual dominant stuff. With him, the Dodgers rotation will be deadly, even without Trevor Bauer and his numerous troubles.

Where Does Kershaw Fit Into This Rotation?

Kershaw returning undoubtably boosts the Dodgers’ chances to win back-to-back World Series. He gives the Dodgers another proven starter in that rotation that includes Scherzer, Buehler and Urías. Those four would give the Dodgers a chance against any team in a playoff series.

My assumption is that Scherzer will get the start in Game 1 and lead off the rotation, and that is for obvious reasons. He's currently the NL Cy Young Favorite at -210 odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. After that, it's really anybody's guess, but I believe Kershaw gets the start in the second game of the series.

As a veteran and someone who has been there before, Kershaw has earned his spot right behind Scherzer in the playoff rotation. As long as he keeps performing well after his injury that is. Buehler and Urias both deserve to be at the top of any rotation, and that is just how good the Dodgers actually are.

Buehler will likely be the third starter, as he is also in Cy Young consideration in the NL and has been lights out reliable for the Dodgers all season long. Urias has pitched well, and will most likely be the fourth starter. He is 18-3 with a 3.10 ERA as the fourth starter.

Good Luck, National League.

BetQL has hit 61.4% of all bets in Kershaw's starts for a total return of $2,152. Grab a day pass today and see every MLB, NFL and NCAAF best bet now!

Untitled Image