Putting Clayton Kershaw in to close out the top of the 12th in Game 3 of the World Series was, in a word, risky. In another, maybe less kind word, it was ill-advised. He inherited the dirtiest of innings — bases loaded after an Alejandro Kirk walk, an questionable intentional walk for Andrés Giménez, and single for Davis Schneider, with Nathan Lukes (who had a .375 postseason OBP going into the game) coming up to the plate.
The last time Kershaw had been out on a mound in the postseason, he surrendered five runs (four earned) in just two innings against the Phillies in the only game of the NLDS the Dodgers lost.