Los Angeles rallied past Toronto 5-1 on Friday as Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer — two of the game’s all-time strikeout leaders — traded vintage innings in a matchup between future Hall of Famers.
Kershaw, 37, earned the win in his 443rd career start, allowing one run on seven hits while striking out four and walking one. He worked efficiently, throwing 74 pitches (54 strikes) and leaving after six strong innings with the Dodgers leading 2-1. The lead was built in the fifth when Mookie Betts belted a two-run homer.
Scherzer, 41, made his 465th start for the Blue Jays and turned in another high-quality outing, yielding two runs on six hits with five strikeouts and three walks. He threw 98 pitches, 63 for strikes, and showed the kind of velocity that drew Kershaw’s admiration afterward — “He was throwing like 96 (mph),” Kershaw said.
The game featured several notable defensive moments. Toronto’s Davis Schneider robbed Will Smith of what looked like a three-run homer with a grab against the Dodgers’ bullpen gate in left, and rookie Alex Freeland raced in to grab a shallow right-field blooper by Ernie Clement in the fifth to end the inning and preserve Kershaw’s momentum.
The matchup marked the fourth time the two arms have faced each other; Kershaw now leads the personal series 3-1. Both pitchers are members of the 3,000-strikeout club — Scherzer reached the milestone shortly before Kershaw — and are widely considered likely future Hall of Famers. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who managed Scherzer after the 2021 trade that brought him to Los Angeles, praised both for their competitiveness and preparation.
“It’s kind of a cool little milestone moment here where we’re hooking it back up against each other,” Scherzer said. Kershaw reflected on their careers together: “I got to play with him, I got to compete against him, basically our whole careers. It’s been a fun ride.”
Commentary and context
– This game underlined how exceptional sustained excellence can be; both pitchers remain high-impact starters well into their late 30s and early 40s, a testament to conditioning, pitch adaptation and experience.
– The matchup also highlighted a contrast in styles and personalities: Scherzer’s demonstrative competitiveness and constant game-planning versus Kershaw’s efficient, smooth left-handed craft.
– Defensive plays by Davis Schneider and rookie Alex Freeland were decisive in preserving momentum and limiting the damage against elite pitching.
Short summary
Clayton Kershaw outdueled Max Scherzer in a 5-1 Dodgers win, working six effective innings while Scherzer tossed six strong frames in defeat. Mookie Betts’ two-run homer proved decisive, and several key defensive plays helped secure the victory. The outing was another chapter in a rare rivalry between two future Hall of Famers who both belong to the 3,000-strikeout club.
Hopeful angle
Seeing two veteran aces still perform at a high level offers a positive sign for baseball fans: experience, craft and preparation remain as valuable as ever. Their continued competitiveness provides a bridge between baseball’s recent past and its present, inspiring younger players and reminding fans of the longevity a pitcher can achieve with the right approach.
Suggested tags/keywords for publishing: Clayton Kershaw, Max Scherzer, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Mookie Betts, MLB, veteran pitchers, 3000 strikeouts, Dodgers vs Blue Jays
Additional note for editors
Consider pairing this game story with a short feature on how veteran pitchers adapt — changes in pitch mix, conditioning, and game planning — to give readers deeper insight into why pitchers like Kershaw and Scherzer remain effective.