Dodgers Triumph over Blue Jays with Betts' Homer, as Kershaw Outperforms Scherzer in Cooperstown Clash
In a highly anticipated showdown between two of baseball's greatest pitchers, Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer, both members of the exclusive 3,000-strikeout club, faced off at Dodger Stadium on August 2025. The matchup, the fourth in their careers, was a rare display of elite pitching talent and a testament to their dominance throughout their lengthy careers.
Leading into the game, Kershaw, aged 37, had 11 All-Star appearances, including the 2025 nod, and was a three-time Cy Young Award winner. Scherzer, 41, boasted 8 All-Star appearances and three Cy Young Awards, along with 218 career wins and an ERA of 3.18 across 18 MLB seasons.
The matchup was a nod to their history, dating back to their rookie seasons in 2008 when they replaced Hall of Fame pitchers Randy Johnson and Greg Maddux in a memorable game.
In the game, Kershaw outpitched Scherzer, allowing one run and seven hits, striking out four. Mookie Betts homered and drove in three runs to lead the Dodgers to a 5-1 victory. Scherzer gave up two runs and six hits, striking out five and walking three.
The Dodgers took an early lead in the second inning when Betts scored on a groundout by Trea Turner. In the fifth, Betts extended the lead with a two-run homer off Scherzer. The Dodgers added three runs in the seventh, with one run coming from Betts' grounder and another from a bases-loaded walk to Will Smith. Teoscar Hernández added a sacrifice fly that plated Betts in the seventh.
The Blue Jays' three-game winning streak was snapped in the matchup. Daulton Varsho had three hits for the Blue Jays, who scored their only run in the second inning on Addison Barger's two-strike RBI single off Kershaw.
The Blue Jays lost their replay challenge on the play involving Mookie Betts in the seventh inning. The matchup was played in front of a sellout crowd of 53,825.
In the upcoming game, Will Smith will take the mound for the Dodgers, while no specific pitcher has been announced for the Blue Jays. Chris Bassitt, who has an ERA of 4.12, will start Saturday's game for the Blue Jays against Dodgers LHP Blake Snell, who has an ERA of 3.21.
The matchup between Kershaw and Scherzer was a reminder of the incredible talent and longevity that these two pitchers have displayed throughout their careers. Their rivalry, while not as frequent as it once was, continues to captivate fans and analysts alike.
Fans eagerly look forward to the latest sports news, with the upcoming match between Will Smith and an unannounced Blue Jays pitcher listed as the next exciting encounter. In a previous match, Mookie Betts displayed his prowess, homering and driving in three runs, while Kershaw outperformed Scherzer, a fellow member of the 3,000-strikeout club, reminding everyone of their enduring rivalry and remarkable talent in the MLB.
