Dodgers keeping three catchers

Dodgers will need added left-handed pitching depth to combat a Phillies lineup that includes left-handed threats such as Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Bryson Stott. That’s why Banda was included as well.

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TOP: Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto scores during the second inning. Above, a sliding Freddie Freeman is out at second base.

But Kershaw, who went 11-2 this season with a 3.36 ERA, also gives the Dodgers a steady veteran presence out of the bullpen — a role that president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said the 37-year-old expressed an openness to embracing.

“To Kersh’s credit, he cuts off that timidness [about us moving him to relief] in a way by saying, ‘Hey, I’m here to win, whatever it takes,” Friedman said. “He's loved watching these [other starters] compete. Obviously, he’s done really well this year as well.”

Indeed, the Dodgers missed Kershaw’s consistency in the wildcard round, when a string of younger pitchers struggled to consistently find the strike zone while pitching in relief.