Kershaw’s looming involvement in the playoff picture adds a veteran ace dimension to the Dodgers’ plan. The potential for him to contribute in a future game-fore position frames the rotation’s adaptability as the series evolves.

Kershaw’s playoff pedigree casts a long shadow in this NLDS context, providing a benchmark for Dodgers’ rotation and a test for Luzardo’s eyewear narrative. His presence anchors a veterans-driven rotation and deep bullpen, shaping how the series unfolds under October pressure.

Kershaw concludes a transcendent run by adapting to a late-career relief role in October, a rare shift for an ace that reshapes his legacy and the Dodgers’ playoff blueprint.

Kershaw anchors the DS bullpen, a veteran lefty option whose late-season scoreless outing vs Arizona boosted Dodgers' confidence in using him as multi-inning relief.

Kershaw re-enters the NLDS roster as a flexible reliever, a critical 'break-glass' option if the Dodgers need length or a left-handed bridge. His inclusion signals trust in veteran depth and adaptability, even as Otani, Snell, Yamamoto, and Glasnow drive the rotation and bullpen plans.