Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had no doubt that Clayton Kershaw was the right man for the job, and on Friday night, Kershaw proved himself to be just that. The 37-year-old veteran pitcher carried a struggling Dodgers team on his shoulders, delivering six strong innings of one-run baseball against the San Diego Padres.
Kershaw’s impressive performance set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Dodgers bullpen maintained the lead and the team came out swinging. Teoscar Hernández hit a seventh-inning homer that proved to be the difference in the 3-2 Dodgers victory.
The win marked a crucial turning point for the Dodgers, who had been struggling at 12-21 since July 4. Roberts praised Kershaw’s performance, saying he was “the perfect guy” to stop the bleeding and calm the nerves of his teammates. Kershaw himself remained understated, but it’s clear that he was the catalyst for the team’s much-needed victory.
Kershaw’s impressive numbers include a career 23-11 record and 2.19 ERA against the Padres, which only fueled the Dodgers’ confidence in their ace pitcher. The win brought the teams into a first-place tie, with the Dodgers now sitting at the top of the National League West standings.
With Kershaw’s performance, the Dodgers have made an early case for inclusion in the postseason rotation. Roberts expressed relief that Kershaw was not pushed beyond 76 pitches, citing the importance of protecting his midseason workload to maximize his October output.
As the Dodgers look to capitalize on their newfound momentum, it’s clear that Clayton Kershaw is still “All That.” The veteran pitcher has consistently delivered in big moments, and his latest performance will only continue to cement his status as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history.
Source: https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-08-16/dodgers-padres-legendary-clayton-kershaw