NBC Sports has assigned retired Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw as the “Inside the Pitch” analyst for the 2026 Major League Baseball Wild Card series between the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs. Kershaw played an 18-season career entirely with the Dodgers. He then moved into a front office advisory role and broadcasting, stepping onto a massive postseason stage during his rookie television season.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner and World Series champion will join play-by-play announcer Dave Flemming, game analysts Jim Deshaies and Mark Grant, and field reporter John Fanta. The best-of-three series begins at Petco Park, bringing heavy anticipation as two National League powerhouses meet in the opening round of October baseball.
Inside the Assignment: Why Kershaw Landed in San Diego
Placing a franchise icon tied to Los Angeles on a Padres postseason broadcast generated heavy buzz among fans and media analysts, given the fierce playoff rivalries between the Dodgers and San Diego. However, NBC Sports executive Matt Borzello explained the logistical reasons behind the network’s broadcast pairings during a media call.
According to Borzello, NBC assigned its rookie star analysts-including former World Series champions Anthony Rizzo and Joey Votto-based on scheduling logistics and prior experience in the “Inside the Pitch” role, rather than intentional geographic rivalries. Rizzo covered games at Yankee Stadium because of his ties to the New York Yankees, while Votto handled coverage in Atlanta. This placed Kershaw and veteran reliever Adam Ottavino in the opening round, sending Kershaw west to San Diego.
The Evolution of NBC’s ‘Inside the Pitch’ Feature
NBC Sports signed Kershaw in February alongside Rizzo and Votto ahead of the network’s multi-year media rights deal. Kershaw has spent the 2026 season balancing special assistant duties for the Dodgers front office with selected broadcasting appearances. The “Inside the Pitch” feature places a former star player away from the traditional booth to dissect a pitcher’s strategy and approach during pivotal at-bats.
The broadcast uses cutting-edge camera views, including feeds directly from home plate umpire equipment. This setup allows analysts like Kershaw to narrate pitch sequencing in real time, giving viewers a strategic view of modern pitching mechanics and automated ball-strike (ABS) challenges.
While Kershaw’s early-season appearances drew notes for a measured, studio-like style, television producers and critics have praised the broadcast innovation. As Kershaw completes his first broadcasting schedule during the Padres-Cubs series, baseball fans will see how one of the greatest left-handers in modern history brings his diamond IQ to television.
