Los Angeles Dodgers lefty legend and future Corridor of Famer Clayton Kershaw on Friday made what is perhaps his closing look earlier than the Dodger Stadium crowd.
Earlier within the week, the 37-year-old Kershaw introduced his intention to retire following the 2025 season – his 18th big-league marketing campaign, all of which have include the Dodgers. Whereas Kershaw figures to be part of the Dodgers’ postseason pitching plans, his precise function is unsure proper now.
Clayton Kershaw retires: How might Dodgers use All-Star pitcher within the playoffs in his closing MLB season?
R.J. Anderson
Even when that function is as a member of the playoff rotation, there is no assure he’ll take the mound in Dodger Stadium throughout October. That is why his begin in opposition to the rival San Francisco Giants on Friday served as a farewell alternative for the Dodger trustworthy at Chavez Ravine.
This is the grand entrance:
Kershaw within the eventual 6-3 Dodgers win produced the next line:
Of his 91 pitches, 56 went for strikes. He earned a no choice. Kershaw’s ERA for the season now stands at 3.55. For his profession, Kershaw has now made 63 appearances and 61 begins versus the Giants, simply his most in opposition to any staff. Over these many confrontations, he is gone 27-16 in opposition to the Giants and pitched to a 2.10 ERA. Of his 3,045 profession strikeouts, 421 have come in opposition to the Giants. The final of these was a referred to as strike three in opposition to Rafael Devers that ended Kershaw’s night time:
And now this is Kershaw strolling off the the Dodger Stadium mound for maybe the ultimate time after the 450th begin of his profession:
‘Greatest pitcher of our era’: Ex-Dodgers, opponents mirror on Clayton Kershaw and why it is exhausting to retire
Julian McWilliams
On the time of Kershaw’s exit, the Dodgers trailed 2-1. Within the house half of the fifth, although, the hosts took cost. The large blow got here on a three-run, opposite-field house run by Shohei Ohtani — his 52nd house run of the season — and Mookie Betts went deep quickly thereafter to offer the Dodgers a 5-2 lead.
As famous, although, the fond farewells do not imply the season is over for the Dodgers or for Kershaw. The defending World Collection champs are nonetheless attempting to wrap up one more Nationwide League West title. Friday’s final result pushes them to 87-67 on the season, they usually lead the Padres by 4 video games within the division.
As for the Giants, they nonetheless harbor slim hopes of catching the Mets for the third and closing wild card spot within the NL. Friday’s loss drops them to 76-78. They’re 4 video games out of playoff place and behind the Mets, Reds, and Diamondbacks in that queue. The Dodgers and Giants will play the second sport of the three-game weekend collection on Saturday.
![[Two Pronged] Struggling to recuperate from the vacation blues](https://www.rappler.com/tachyon/2025/12/two-pronged-December-21-2025.jpg "[Two Pronged] Struggling to recuperate from the vacation blues")
