It is not often that a nationally respected voice in the game drops the “neutral” mask just before an iconic pitching matchup in current memory. Yet that is exactly what happened when an MLB Sportscaster, speaking on MLB Now, confidently said: “Clayton Kershaw has the edge.” No hedging and no political correctness—just a straight-up pick. And when it is coming from such an individual, it carries weight. The moment he backed Kershaw as the one with the “better overall career” and labeled the veteran a “should-be-unanimous first-ballot Hall of Famer,” MLB world could not help but raise an eyebrow.

Now, this was not some rogue hot take tossed around on a slow news day. Alongside Bob Costas, the MLB Sportscaster, Steve Phillips backed the claim with some data. Kershaw, after all, is not just good—he is historic. The star owns five ERA titles, an MVP and a career ERA of 2.52, not to mention a 155 ERA+, which is the best ever among starters in the live-ball era. That is not just dominance—it is near mythic. Compare that to Max Scherzer, still-elite 3.18 ERA and 132 ERA+ and you begin to see where the edge tilts, at least statistically.

However, not to pretend this was a landslide. The two veterans are more similar than different—and the data highlights a near-mirror image in greatness. They boast 3 Cy Young Awards, have crossed the mythical 3,000 strikeout threshold and have thrown fewer than 100 innings each over the last two seasons—reminding fans that this matchup could just be the star’s last major face-off. Therein lies the real drama.

Still, this is where things get wild: this is not just two stars meeting—this is only the fourth time since the 1980s that two 3,000-strikeout pitchers have faced off after reaching such a milestone. We are talking historic rarity and if fans remember, these two were teammates also in 2021, adding another layer to the intertwined legacies.

So when a sportscaster chooses a side, it is not just small talk. It is a lens through which millions could watch the game. Will Kershaw’s elite command prove him right? Or will Max Scherzer’s relentless fire flip the script? Either way, with the curtain closing on the 2 HOF careers, this is not just a matchup. It is a moment. And because of that vital confession from the booth, we will all be watching just a little bit differently and things get more interesting when the manager of the Dodgers enters the scene.

Dave Roberts sets the stage for epic Kershaw-Scherzer showdown

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is not shying away from the hype related to the Kershaw vs. Scherzer faceoff. While acknowledging its rarity and magnitude, the manager emphasized that the moment is larger than just the 2 future HOF going head-to-head. “You’re not going to see it very often,” Roberts said, praising their legacies. For the manager, the matchup is a treat for fans — a nod to baseball history — however, it is not where Roberts’ primary focus lies.

Despite the buzz, Dave Roberts made it clear that his team is locked in on the larger picture: winning games and staying ahead in the NL West. “If you start to put importance on this matchup and you focus on this, you’re going to overlook other things,” Roberts warned. His message was sharp — this is related to beating the reigning champions, not just outdueling an ace. For him, the drama is welcome, however, the mission remains playoff survival and October dominance.

As legends collide on the field, the stakes extend far beyond one marquee matchup. While fans savor the nostalgia of Kershaw vs. Scherzer, the Dodgers — and the team’s manager — remain locked on the larger prize. For the Dodgers, this showdown is just one chapter in a much larger October quest.