Clayton Kershaw Blunt After Rough NLDS Game 3 Outing

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ shot at a quick National League Division Series win over the Philadelphia Phillies crashed in Game 3. They lost 8-2 at Dodger Stadium.

After dominating the first two games in Philadelphia, the Dodgers came home with a 2-0 lead and plenty of swagger. But their pitching unraveled, and the tone of the night changed fast.

Let’s dig into how Game 3 played out and what it might mean for the Dodgers next.

Dodgers Enter Game 3 With Momentum — and High Expectations

Los Angeles had shut down the Phillies’ bats in Games 1 and 2. Back home, with the crowd behind them, they aimed for a sweep.

The energy didn’t last long. Starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto struggled almost immediately.

Yamamoto’s Short Night on the Mound

Yamamoto lasted just four innings. He gave up six hits and three earned runs.

He didn’t completely lose his command, but the Phillies kept making contact and found ways to score. The Dodgers’ bullpen had to pick up the slack much earlier than anyone wanted.

Clayton Kershaw’s Relief Appearance Changes the Game

Manager Dave Roberts made a gutsy move in the seventh. He brought in Clayton Kershaw from the bullpen.

The Dodgers were down 3-1, hoping Kershaw could keep it close. Instead, things got worse.

Kershaw’s Command Struggles

Kershaw allowed four earned runs in two innings. He called it “a tough couple of innings.”

He admitted his command just wasn’t there, saying he was “trying to throw strikes” but not really executing pitches. Roberts noticed Kershaw’s slider didn’t have its usual bite, which messed with his fastball and overall rhythm. It was rough to watch, especially after Kershaw’s strong finish to the regular season.

Offense Unable to Find Its Groove

The Dodgers’ offense, so hot in the first two games, cooled off. They scored just two runs and never really rattled Phillies pitching.

Mookie Betts and other key hitters couldn’t come up with the big hits they needed. The lineup just couldn’t get going.

Mookie Betts Stands Behind Kershaw

After the game, Betts stood up for Kershaw. He said “two bad innings” shouldn’t take away from Kershaw’s legacy.

Betts called him a “first-ballot Hall of Famer” and made it clear the team still has his back. The clubhouse isn’t turning on its veteran ace anytime soon.

• Pitching depth matters more than ever now. Starters need to last longer to save the bullpen.
• Kershaw’s outing proves even legends can struggle in October.
• The Dodgers’ offense has to get back to their aggressive style from the first two games.

Looking Ahead for the Dodgers

Game 4 suddenly feels huge. Los Angeles needs a strong response.

Yamamoto’s early exit and Kershaw’s rough night will spark some tough conversations about pitching choices. Roberts and his team know there’s no room for error now—every inning is going to matter.

Can the Dodgers Close It Out?

The Dodgers still hold a 2-1 lead in the series, even after that tough loss. If their starting pitchers step up and the lineup wakes up, they’ve got a real shot to move forward.

Game 4? It’s shaping up to be a real test—resilience, strategy, execution. All those intangibles that championship teams always seem to have.

Fans probably feel a mix of nerves and excitement after Game 3. The Dodgers are pushing for another deep postseason run, but the Phillies? They’re not backing down one bit.

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Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Doesn’t Hold Back on Rough Outing in NLDS Game 3