#clayton-kershaw

#clayton-kershaw

The Los Angeles Dodgers didn't have the most ideal circumstances that led to the emergence of catcher Ben Rortvedt, but since he has been up with the team, LA has been pleasantly surprised. From landing a spot in Triple-A Oklahoma City via an under-the-radar trade at the deadline, to eventually catching games for the defending champions of the baseball world looking to get back to the World Series, it has been a whirlwind, to say the least.

Hello everybody, welcome to the Game Thread for the #162 of the 2025 season, which thankfully doesn't hold any playoff significance, but does hold significance because it's the last time Clayton Kershaw will make a regular season start and appearance in his career before he retires.

In other news, the Dodgers lost a catcher ahead of the eventual defeat. A National League rival claimed the backstop off waivers after he made just one appearance in Dodger blue during his time with the organization. Additionally, LA added a familiar veteran pitcher this week amid their bullpen struggles. The right-hander was designated for assignment earlier this month and didn't see much success during the end of his Dodger tenure.

With the Dodgers in the midst of their final homestand of the year, Friday marks the last Dodger Stadium start of Kershaw's illustrious 18-year career. As it happens, Kershaw's last regular-season start at home coincides with a "Friday Night Baseball" stream on Apple TV+ and thus the game won't be broadcast on SportsNet LA. First pitch at Dodger Stadium is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. PT.

Not on Friday, though, when Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for what might well be the final time at Dodger Stadium. The exclusive broadcast rights for the game belong to Apple TV+, as part of a package of Friday night games bought from Major League Baseball. Apple is guaranteed a minimum of four exclusive broadcasts for whatever teams it chooses to air, according to a league official. Friday's game will be the Dodgers' fourth on Apple TV+ this season, so it remains exclusive to Apple.

"This is the first that I've sent one over in admiration for what someone has done for the game," said Musgrove, who grew up a Padres fan before ultimately pitching for the club. "I know he's flooded with them now, and it might seem like a lot, but he's made a big impact on this game -- not only as a player, but for the way he handles himself."

Kershaw is one of the Dodgers' four starters lined up to start against the Giants in Los Angeles, a series that could decide their season. After avoiding being swept by the Diamondbacks, the Giants begin a four-game set by facing the three starters they saw last week: Yoshinobu Yamamoto on Thursday, Kershaw on Friday and Tyler Glasnow on Saturday. Shohei Ohtani would've been lined up to pitch the series finale after tossing five no-hit innings on Tuesday, but Sunday's start will go to Emmett Sheehan.

He's made a couple starts as of late as a multi-inning opener type, and now has a 5.01 ERA across 46.2 innings pitched as a starter, compared to a 2.41 ERA in 37.1 innings out of the bullpen. His last time out he allowed one run on three hits and three walks across three innings against the Cardinals on 46 pitches, before Pittsburgh turned to Bubba Chandler for four innings.