Dodgers Interview: Doc liked what he saw from his Hall of Famer on Sunday
“Clearly his best outing yet."
ST. LOUIS — After a pair of frustrating losses to start the series, the Dodgers bounced back on Sunday afternoon in St. Louis with a crisp 7–3 win over the Cardinals. The victory salvaged the final game of the three-game set, but more importantly, it featured the best version of future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw the team has seen all year.
“Clearly his best outing yet,” manager Dave Roberts said postgame. “The command was much better. The slider got the swing-and-miss we talked about. He just really didn’t feel like he was laboring from pitch one trying to find something.”
Kershaw struck out seven over five innings of one-run ball, walking none and showcasing the classic blend of deception, precision, and poise that has defined his career. For a pitcher still working back into full rhythm after offseason surgery, it was a significant step forward.
“He was just in complete control,” Roberts continued. “The curveball was incorporated much better today, and everything looked the same out of the hand. The hand speed, the tunneling—it was all there.”
Offensively, the Dodgers broke through early with a three-run second inning, highlighted by a flurry of quality at-bats that set the tone for the afternoon. Shohei Ohtani doubled in the first, and the club continued to square balls up with authority in the second frame.
“It was big,” Roberts said of the early offense. “We came out with good intent. Shohei’s double in the first, then we put together an inning and put up a crooked number there in the second.”
Will Smith had a strong day at the plate, while rookie Andy Pages and veteran Miguel Rojas both chipped in with timely contributions. Roberts singled out several players for their roles in the win.
“I thought Will really swung the bat well. Hyeseong… Tommy had some big hits and the sac fly. The defense was really good—Kiké made a nice play, and I thought Muncy played really well at third.”
The ninth inning also offered a nice glimpse of the Dodgers’ pitching depth. Michael Kopech made his first appearance of the season, and Kirby Yates returned from the IL, both positive signs as the Dodgers look ahead to San Diego.
“Getting Kopi his first outing of the season was great, and to see (Andy) Pages make a play right there—it was good all around.”
The win improved the Dodgers’ record to 39–27 and helped them maintain their lead atop the NL West. While the team has been searching for more consistent offense with runners in scoring position in recent weeks, Sunday’s performance offered signs of progress—not just at the plate, but on the mound and in the field as well.
But the headline remains Kershaw. After three earlier outings where the stuff and command weren’t quite there, Sunday looked like the kind of performance Dodgers fans know by heart.
“He looked like himself,” Roberts said. “That’s the biggest thing.”
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