Home / Sports / Dodgers Bench Veteran Ace Kershaw, Rely on Rookie Reliever in Tight Game
Dodgers Bench Veteran Ace Kershaw, Rely on Rookie Reliever in Tight Game
28 Oct
Summary
- Dodgers warmed up Kershaw in 9th but subbed in rookie Sheehan in 10th
- Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, has seen limited action this postseason
- Dodgers opted for Sheehan, a more frequently used bullpen arm, over Kershaw
On October 28th, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers found themselves in a tight 5-5 game against an unnamed opponent. In a surprising move, the Dodgers opted to bring in rookie reliever Emmet Sheehan to pitch the 10th inning, rather than turning to their legendary starting pitcher, Clayton Kershaw.
Kershaw, a future Hall of Famer, had been warmed up in the ninth inning, leading many to expect the Dodgers would use the veteran ace to try and secure the win. However, the Dodgers instead decided to go with the less experienced Sheehan, who had already pitched in the series, unlike Kershaw.
The decision to bypass Kershaw in favor of Sheehan is an unconventional one, as the Dodgers have typically relied on Kershaw's dominance on the mound. However, Kershaw has seen limited action this postseason, having not pitched at all in the NLCS and only allowing five runs, including two home runs, in 2.0 innings during the NLDS.
The Dodgers' choice to turn to Sheehan over Kershaw in this crucial situation has raised eyebrows, as the team appears to be moving away from their longtime ace in favor of more frequently used bullpen arms. It remains to be seen whether Kershaw will get another opportunity to contribute during the remainder of the Dodgers' playoff run.
