Kershaw leads Dodgers past Padres

Clayton Kershaw delivers six strong innings to lift the Dodgers over the Padres in a pivotal late season game.

Kershaw Shines as Dodgers Rally to Beat Padres

Clayton Kershaw delivered six strong innings Friday night as the Dodgers opened a key series with a 3-2 win over the San Diego Padres. The 37-year-old lefty allowed two hits and one run, improving to 7-2 with a 3.01 ERA and setting a steady pace for a rotation that will be tested down the stretch. LA got late help from the offense to pull ahead, but the big message was on the mound: the Dodgers still trust Kershaw in pressure moments.

Manager Dave Roberts pulled him after 76 pitches to protect the veteran for October, a move aimed at maximizing his effectiveness when it matters most. Defensively, sharp plays by Alex Freeland and Freddie Freeman helped keep the Padres quiet, and Blake Treinen finished the eighth to strand two runners. The win ties the teams atop the NL West and gives the Dodgers a clear path to capitalize on a stretch of heavy games against a direct rival.

Beyond the box score, the game signals a new line in how the Dodgers manage aging stars. Protecting Kershaw for October while leaning on a capable bullpen shows a deliberate plan rather than blind hope.

The win also underscores the enduring pull of the Dodgers Padres rivalry. It creates momentum but also invites renewed scrutiny of rotation depth and how teams balance present urgency with longer playoff timelines.

Highlights

The coming games will reveal how far this surge can take them.