Kershaw: I hope Dodgers aren't 'second fiddle' for Freeman

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw believes current teammate and former Braves star Freddie Freeman is still acclimating to his new team after leaving Atlanta in the offseason.

"It was very cool (to see Freeman's reception Friday night in Atlanta)," Kershaw said, according to Gabriel Burns of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "He's obviously been a big contributor for our team. And I hope we're not second fiddle. It's a pretty special team over here, too.

"I think whenever he gets comfortable over here, he'll really enjoy it. It was a good night for him (Friday)."

Kershaw also downplayed the rivalry between the Dodgers and Braves.

"The rivalry thing doesn't matter," Kershaw said. "Everyone thought the (San Francisco) Giants were our rivals, the (San Diego) Padres were our rivals. At the end of the day, just win the division. That's all we care about. So we'll beat whoever we have to."

Los Angeles and Atlanta met in the last two National League Championship Series. The Dodgers won in 2020 en route to winning a World Series, while the Braves bounced L.A. last season during their championship run.