Mike Krukow delivers a hard truth to SF Giants nemesis Clayton Kershaw

SF Giants fans had the delight of watching longtime nemesis Clayton Kershaw get torched in the playoffs again last week. Giants announcer Mike Krukow did not mince words on what this could mean for Kershaw going forward.

Appearing on KNBR, Krukow talked about how it was hard to watch Kershaw go out there and get shelled like that. Here is what he had to say:

"And for Kershaw, I don't think we'll ever see him again. I think that's how he goes out. And, you know, aside from the fact that it was a very important game for the Phillies, and all of us who've watched Kershaw throughout his career, it was very hard for me to watch him go out there and get torched like that.”

SF Giants announcer Mike Krukow delivers hard truth to Clayton Kershaw

The Los Angeles Dodgers brought Kershaw into Game 3 of their NLDS series against the Philadelphia Phillies down 3-1. Kershaw barely made it through the seventh inning without allowing any damage, but he got lit up when they put him back out there in the eighth as he gave up four earned runs as the game got out of hand and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts kept him out there so he did not have to burn another bullpen arm.

It was a disaster and was emblematic of how things have usually gone in Kershaw's playoff career. He just has not been anywhere near as good as he has been in the regular season which is why it was a question as to whether he would even be on the NLCS roster for LA.

Clearly, he just cannot deliver the goods in October so the Dodgers may be better served either keeping him off the roster or only letting him come in to eat up innings if the Dodgers are way out of it. Or, actually, maybe they would be best served by letting him take the ball in Game 1. That would be a great idea.

Krukow may very well be right that that poor outing is the last we will see of Kershaw. He announced he will retire following the 2025 season and it is hard to see the Dodgers actually letting him pitch in any sort of meaningful spot going forward with how bad he looked.

Kershaw may be a Hall of Fame pitcher, but his terrible postseason numbers will forever be a blemish on an otherwise perfect career.