At this point he's a starter who consistently gives between 4 and 5 good innings. Which is valuable, but not ideal, because it leaves a lot for the pen to cover every game.
He was saved to some degree last year, a little like Price in 2018.
Kershaw started Game 4 of the NLCS and lost, putting the Dodgers down 3-1 to the Braves. But they rallied and then Kershaw pitched 2 good games in the WS.