Freddie Freeman Powers Offense, Clayton Kershaw Dazzles in Six Scoreless as Dodgers Blank Rays to Open Three-Game Road Series
The Los Angeles Dodgers wasted no time making a statement as they opened their three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night. Fueled by a vintage performance from ace Clayton Kershaw and a dominant showing from Freddie Freeman at the plate, the Dodgers cruised to a 5-0 shutout victory at Tropicana Field, reinforcing their position as one of the most complete and dangerous teams in Major League Baseball.
Kershaw, the future Hall of Famer who continues to defy age and expectations, was in full command from the moment he toed the rubber. Delivering six innings of scoreless baseball, Kershaw mixed pinpoint control with masterful pitch sequencing to stifle a potent Rays lineup that came into the series among the league leaders in runs scored. Though his velocity may not be what it was in his twenties, Kershaw’s ability to dissect opposing hitters remains elite—and on this night, it was surgical.
With just 83 pitches, Kershaw navigated through six frames, allowing only four hits and striking out seven without issuing a walk. The Rays never really threatened against him. He retired the side in order in the first inning on just nine pitches, setting the tone early. He induced weak contact, got ahead in counts, and never allowed Tampa Bay to build any rhythm. The rare instances of trouble were quickly neutralized by timely defense and Kershaw’s unmatched ability to work his way out of jams.
While Kershaw was dealing on the mound, the Dodgers’ offense made sure his effort wouldn’t go to waste. Leading the charge was first baseman Freddie Freeman, who turned in one of his best all-around performances of the season. Freeman got things started in the third inning with a towering solo home run to right field, a no-doubt blast off Rays starter Zach Eflin that gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. It was a classic Freeman swing—smooth, quick, and direct to the ball—catching a cutter left out over the plate and driving it deep into the Florida night.
The home run was Freeman’s 21st of the season and seemed to ignite the Dodgers’ dugout. As he trotted around the bases, his teammates rose to their feet, and the small but vocal contingent of traveling Dodgers fans made their presence known inside the dome.
Freeman wasn’t done. In the fifth inning, with runners on second and third and two outs, he ripped a line drive into the right-center gap. Both runners scored easily, and Freeman slid into second with a two-run double that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0. It was yet another example of Freeman’s value—not just as a power hitter, but as a complete offensive force who thrives in high-leverage moments.
The Dodgers added another run in the sixth inning, thanks in part to aggressive baserunning and a clutch single by Mookie Betts, who continues to shine at the top of the lineup. Betts singled, stole second, and came around to score on a line drive by Will Smith. In the eighth, they tacked on one more run, this time capitalizing on a Rays throwing error and some heads-up play from Miguel Rojas, who took third on the miscue and later scored on a sacrifice fly.
By the time the final out was recorded, the Dodgers had amassed nine hits, walked three times, and stolen two bases—all without striking out more than five times as a team. It was a balanced offensive effort, built on timely execution rather than relying solely on the long ball. They worked counts, pressured the defense, and cashed in when opportunities presented themselves.
Defensively, the Dodgers were flawless. Rojas made a highlight-reel play in the fourth inning, diving to his left to snag a hard-hit grounder and firing to first to rob Tampa Bay of a leadoff hit. Freeman continued to flash his gold glove at first base, handling every chance with poise and making a slick scoop in the dirt to preserve a double play in the fifth. The outfield was equally dependable, cutting off balls in the gaps and making clean throws to the infield that discouraged Tampa from taking extra bases.
After Kershaw exited the game following six innings, the Dodgers’ bullpen took over and never let the Rays back into it. Ryan Brasier pitched a clean seventh, using just 11 pitches to retire the side. In the eighth, Caleb Ferguson worked around a bloop single and induced two flyouts and a strikeout to keep the shutout intact. Then, in the ninth, Evan Phillips came on to close the door, and he did so with authority. Two strikeouts and a weak grounder later, the game was over, and the Dodgers had secured a dominant win to kick off the series.
Postgame, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised both Freeman and Kershaw for their leadership and consistency.
“Freddie’s at-bats tonight were incredible,” Roberts said. “He’s been locked in all season, and when you get him in those big spots, you know something good is going to happen. And Kersh—what more can you say? He controlled the game. He dictated tempo. He gave us six innings of excellence.”
Kershaw, ever the professional, deflected praise to his teammates in his postgame remarks.
“It’s always easier to pitch when the offense is giving you runs and the defense is making plays,” Kershaw said. “Freddie was amazing, the bullpen locked it down, and it was just a great team win.”
Freeman, meanwhile, focused on the team’s energy and execution.
“Coming into a series like this against a good team like Tampa, you want to set the tone,” he said. “We did that tonight. We were aggressive, we played clean, and Kersh gave us everything we needed.”
The win improved the Dodgers to 65-39 on the season, keeping them firmly atop the National League West and within striking distance of the best overall record in the National League. With Kershaw continuing to provide quality starts and Freeman anchoring the heart of the lineup, the Dodgers look as dangerous as ever as they head into the final two months of the regular season.
The performance also sent a message to the rest of the league—not only can the Dodgers win at home, but they can dominate on the road, even in difficult environments like Tropicana Field, against a high-caliber opponent. It was the kind of complete game that contenders are expected to deliver in late July and early August, when playoff races intensify and every game takes on heightened significance.
As the series continues over the weekend, the Dodgers will look to build on the momentum. Young right-hander Bobby Miller is slated to start Saturday’s game, while Sunday’s series finale could feature the long-awaited return of Walker Buehler. Regardless of who takes the mound, the Dodgers are clearly playing with confidence and cohesion.
For the Rays, the loss served as a reminder of the fine margins at the elite level. Despite solid work from their bullpen and a few defensive gems of their own, they couldn’t solve Kershaw or contain Freeman. They’ll look to regroup quickly, but the task ahead won’t be easy—especially if the Dodgers continue to play with the sharpness and swagger they displayed in the series opener.
For Dodgers fans, Friday night’s victory was the kind of game that encapsulates what makes this team special. A legendary pitcher delivering on the big stage. A superstar slugger coming through in the clutch. A team that doesn’t just rely on talent, but backs it up with execution, professionalism, and a relentless drive to win.
The formula worked to perfection on this night in Tampa. And if history is any guide, it’s the same formula that just might carry them all the way into October.
