Dodgers Shock MLB with Record-Breaking Trade: Inside the Move That Could Seal Another World Series Run

The Los Angeles Dodgers delivered a statement victory on Saturday night, overpowering the San Francisco Giants 11-5 behind seven shutout innings from future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw and a two-homer explosion from superstar Shohei Ohtani. The win nudged Los Angeles back into sole possession of first place in the National League West and reinforced why the club remains a World Series favorite halfway through the 2025 season. Dominant pitching sets the tone Kershaw, making just his third start since returning from a shoulder flare-up, looked vintage. The left-hander scattered four singles, walked none and struck out eight on 98 pitches, lowering his ERA to 2.31. His sharp slider induced 13 swinging strikes, while his fastball routinely touched 93 mph — an encouraging sign for a rotation that has battled injuries since Opening Day. Ohtani’s power surge continues If Kershaw set the tempo, Ohtani broke the game open. The two-way sensation launched a 429-foot solo shot in the third inning and followed with a three-run blast in the sixth, giving him an MLB-best 28 home runs. Ohtani is now slugging .662 with a 1.049 OPS, numbers that have vaulted him to the top of early MVP conversations. The Dodgers’ lineup, already potent with Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, looks nearly unstoppable when Ohtani is locked in. Offense piles on Los Angeles racked up 15 hits overall. Betts reached base four times, rookie outfielder Andy Pages doubled twice, and Max Muncy added his 17th homer to cap a five-run eighth. The outburst represented the club’s 12th double-digit scoring game this season, tops in the National League. Why the win matters • Standings impact: The Dodgers (42-29) now lead the Giants by one game and hold a three-game edge on the Padres. • Momentum swing: Saturday marked the first meeting of the year between the archrivals, and the lopsided result sets an early tone for a season series that always draws national attention. • Health check: With Kershaw sharp and Walker Buehler expected back next week, the rotation projects to be at full strength for the first time all summer. What’s next The Dodgers hand the ball to right-hander Bobby Miller in Sunday’s finale at Oracle Park before returning home to host the surging Seattle Mariners. Manager Dave Roberts hinted pregame that Ohtani could make his long-anticipated first mound appearance of 2025 during the upcoming homestand, depending on how his arm responds to a bullpen session early in the week. SEO takeaway Fans searching for “Dodgers vs Giants score,” “Shohei Ohtani home runs,” “Clayton Kershaw 2025,” or “Dodgers standings” will find this victory pivotal. With star power peaking and the division race tightening, every Kershaw start and Ohtani swing carries postseason implications—fueling daily buzz around the Los Angeles Dodgers as July’s trade deadline approaches.