There is little left for Kershaw to accomplish. He’s laid claim to three Cy Young Awards. He’s helped finally bring a parade back to Los Angeles for the Dodgers. That leaves nothing else to prove before he waltzes into Cooperstown. In that framework, it’s fair to wonder what could possibly be left to drive Kershaw back to the mound.

One Dodgers legend who was on the shelf for most of last season and missed out on pitching in last year's Fall Classic was Clayton Kershaw. Los Angeles's title was their first since 2020 over the Tampa Bay Rays.