Clayton Kershaw: Play off stats| How many world series has won

Introduction

Clayton Kershaw is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in MLB history. Over his long career, he has dominated in the regular season, gathered numerous accolades, and faced both acclaim and criticism for his postseason performances. In this article, we’ll delve into:

• His career playoff statistics

• His performance in the World Series

• How many World Series championships he has won

• Key takeaways and context around his postseason legacy

Regular Season vs Postseason: The Set-Up

Before diving into the numbers, it’s helpful to context-set Kershaw’s regular-season excellence. According to his Baseball-Reference profile, he posted a career regular-season ERA of around 2.53 (among starters in the live-ball era). 
That level of dominance sets the bar high, and the postseason scrutiny becomes all the more intense when a player of his calibre doesn’t always replicate that level in October.

Playoff / Postseason Statistics

Here are the key postseason stats for Kershaw:

• In his career in the postseason, he’s recorded a 13-13 win-loss record with an ERA around 4.49, with 213 strikeouts and 1 save in 39 appearances.

• Some sources list it as 40 appearances, ERA ~4.63.

• According to a Dodgers-focused site, his postseason history includes both standout wins and some tougher outings (for example in 2014 he had starts in which he was knocked around in decisive games).

Breakdown and commentary:

• A 13-13 record means he has won as many as he has lost in the playoffs — unusual for a pitcher often considered dominant.

• The postseason ERA (~4.49) is significantly higher than his regular-season ERA (~2.53). That gap is often cited when discussing his legacy.

• Strikeouts remain strong (213), indicating the stuff is still there; the difference is perhaps in run prevention, timing, and opponent strength.

Why this matters: The playoffs are a high-stakes environment — facing the best teams, in compressed series. For someone of Kershaw’s calibre, the expectation is for performance equal to or exceeding regular-season levels. The statistics suggest a drop-off.

World Series Performance

When focusing only on the World Series (the Fall Classic), the numbers are as follows:

• Kershaw is 3-2 in World Series appearances with an ERA of ~4.46 and 41 strikeouts in 7 appearances (some sources say 8 appearances) in his career.

• The sample size is smaller, which increases variance, but the ERA remains notably higher than his regular-season mark.

Context and significance:

• A 3-2 record indicates that when Kershaw reaches the World Series, his team often gives him a chance to win (3 times) and he’s been on the mound for 2 losses.

• An ERA in the mid-4s in the World Series, again, contrasts with his regular-season dominance and is part of the narrative around his “October struggles.”

• That said, reaching the World Series multiple times itself is a major accomplishment; many great players never get there.

How Many World Series Has He Won?

This is a question of championships rather than just appearances. Here’s what the records show:

• According to some outlets, Kershaw has one World Series title — with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020, when they defeated the Tampa Bay Rays.

• However, other sources (including his Wikipedia profile) indicate two World Series championships.

What might explain the discrepancy:

• Sometimes players are on the roster but don’t appear in the postseason or World Series games due to injury; counting a ring vs meaningful contribution can vary.

• Data updates may differ by source (one might not count a more recent championship yet).

• For our purposes: Kershaw definitely has at least one World Series title (2020).

Summary:

• Championships won: At least one (2020)

• World Series appearances (losses + wins): Multiple — e.g., losses in 2017, 2018, win in 2020.

Thus: While Kershaw’s individual performances in playoffs may show mixed results, he has reached the peak by winning a World Series.

Key Postseason Moments & Highlights

• In 2014, despite being the NL MVP and Cy Young winner, Kershaw had disappointing postseason outings — for example allowing many runs in key games.

• In 2020, his long-awaited World Series win helped mitigate some of the criticism around his postseason history.

• His continued ability to strike batters out in the postseason shows the mechanics and stuff remain elite — the challenge is often run prevention, support, and small margins in October. Clayton Kershaw playoff stats.

Why Does the Postseason Performance Matter So Much?

Because for a pitcher like Kershaw:

• Expectations are extraordinarily high.

• The regular-season dominance sets a standard that the postseason cannot ignore.

• Baseball lore tends to elevate October heroes — the “clutch” narratives, legacy discussions, and hall-of-fame debates often hinge on how a player performs when the stakes are greatest.

In Kershaw’s case:

• He delivered across many seasons, yet the postseason ERA and win-loss record are modest relative to his regular season.

• That doesn’t negate his greatness, but it does colour discussions about his legacy — especially in debates about whether a stellar regular season + moderate postseason equals “all-time great” for every facet.

Putting the Numbers in Perspective

Here’s a table summarising key figures:

Comparing to his regular season: career ERA ~2.53 as a starter. Clayton Kershaw playoff stats.

Legacy Considerations: Beyond the Numbers

• Kershaw’s career includes three NL Cy Young Awards (2011, 2013, 2014) and a NL MVP in 2014.

• He achieved the pitching Triple Crown in 2011 (leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA).

• His longevity, consistency, and dominance in the regular season are unquestioned.

• The “October narrative” — that his postseason wasn’t as dominant — will always be part of discussions.

• Winning a World Series (or more) elevates his career: it shows that he was part of the ultimate team success.

FAQs

Q1: What is Clayton Kershaw’s exact postseason win-loss record?
A1: According to StatMuse, his record is approximately 13 wins and 13 losses in 39 postseason appearances, with an ERA of ~4.49 and 213 strikeouts.

Q2: How many World Series appearances has Kershaw made?
A2: He has appeared in multiple World Series (e.g., 2017, 2018, 2020) but the exact number may vary by source. He appeared in at least three. Clayton Kershaw playoff stats.

Q3: How many World Series championships has he won?
A3: He has won at least one World Series (2020 with the Dodgers) according to several sources. Some sources list two.

Q4: Why is there a discrepancy in championship counts?
A4: Discrepancies can result from sources counting roster membership vs active participation, timing of data updates, or classification of rings/injuries.

Q5: Does a higher postseason ERA diminish his Hall of Fame chances?
A5: Not necessarily. While postseason performance is a factor, Hall of Fame voting and legacy discussions consider the entire body of work, including regular-season dominance, longevity, awards, and impact. Kershaw’s regular-season credentials are exceptional.